Are White Traditional Kitchens Out of Style?
Recently, I read that Farmhouse White Kitchen Cabinets have gone out of style. In fact, white traditional kitchens are out.
As an owner of three white kitchens, one as old as twenty-three years, I am not panicking. Why?
Keep reading.
White Traditional Kitchens
Three white kitchens? I know it sounds crazy.
But here’s the thing.
I want my kitchen to be timeless. And I love white kitchens. They are bright, cheery, and create an environment where I want to cook and entertain my family and friends.
Plus, as far as I am concerned, timeless never goes out of style.
As you can see, I love white farmhouse kitchens and farmhouse white kitchen cabinets.
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Who Said White Traditional Kitchens are Out of Style?
So where did I read that white traditional kitchens are out?
Apartment Therapy published a story titled White Kitchens Are Out for 2022, According to These Home Pros.
The “ home pros” quoted were from The Plan Collection. Not only did they say that clean lines were out but they also said that the year 2022 is all about curves.
Wait. What?
I am sorry, but curves are in and white kitchens are out? Help me out here. Do you think curves in a kitchen are in our future?
At least Country Living started out their 2022 trends article by saying “While the all-white kitchen will probably never go out of style …”. They then added a few new trends which included a fun ceiling color and eco-friendly items.
Unlike past kitchen designs — like the Tuscan style kitchens in the 2000s or the mid-1970s olive green and orange kitchen — the all-white kitchen is timeless.
So why are white traditional kitchens timeless? Because they just don’t go out of style. White shaker cabinets, subway tile, and light countertops are a home run.
Do you agree?
White kitchens last throughout time. And since the most expensive parts of your kitchen are the cabinets, appliances, and countertops, you might want to consider neutral colors such as white or gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a light solid countertop. Cabinets can be painted but appliances and countertops are expensive to change. Just be careful with a trendy color or perhpas, um … curves.
The One Problem with White Kitchens
Actually, there is one big issue with white kitchens.
I think people are tired of them.
There are a lot of white kitchens in magazines and on social media everywhere. We like them so there are a lot of them! But I can see how they may get a bit tiring to some readers.
There is no doubt, what I call a white kitchen fatigue factor.
I think that is what causes stories like the one published at Apartment Therapy to appear every few years.
How can you prevent white kitchen fatigue factor (also known as WKFF)?
(Ok, I did just make that up.)
To prevent WKFF on my blog, I try to add lots of color to our kitchen with accessories and flowers.
Each season I add a bit of color to our kitchen. You can see below how I have tried to change up our kitchen with wreaths, color, and accessories over time.
It’s a subtle change but it helps. And you can do this too!
Making Inexpensive Changes in Your Kitchen
I have also made some changes to our kitchen over time.
I changed out the barstools and also replaced the lights above our kitchen island. (The stools were falling apart and dangerous to sit on.) Both are from Lamps Plus. The difference is amazing.
Other changes you can try are new cabinet knobs, new backsplash tile, and new blinds or drapes in the windows.
Past Kitchen Trends
Since the year 1990, a lot of kitchen trends have come and gone. But some have stayed. In the last twenty years, we have seen white farmhouse-style kitchens, dark cherry cabinets, dark (especially green) granite countertops, sage and hunter green cabinets, and creamy beige cabinets with creamy beige walls and creamy beige countertops.
It also seems that these trends will recycle every decade or so, right?
Does Everyone Need a Traditional White Kitchen?
Please don’t think I am saying that you have to have a white kitchen.
You do not.
Rather, just be careful. Make smart decisions if you are building or remodeling your kitchen and add color to places where it won’t cost a fortune. Try adding color with paint on the walls, paint on the cabinets, the kitchen island, art, and décor accents.
There is one style of kitchen that I love that tends to be trendy. Why? Because there are so many different styles. And that is modern kitchens. There are so many fabulous modern kitchens out there and they are fun and colorful!
Unfortunately, I don’t have any modern kitchen photos to share.
Just traditional white kitchens.
Swapping out hardware and lighting is as easy way to update your kitchen without a huge expense. Here are some of my favorite finds!
Adding something new to your kitchen can make a big change!
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Your kitchens are beautiful and I am now in the process of trying to make my kitchen more like yours! The main difference is that my island is an antique store counter which will not be painted but I’m hoping to add a marble top. I always like a bit of natural wood along with the painted surfaces. Otherwise, I’m with you all the way to the wall color.
Your island sounds incredible Karen! I used an old store counter and topped it with butcher block for the kitchen in our Waco AirBnB. It is one of my favorite pieces ever! Let me know when your kitchen is done, it sounds like it’s going to be amazing!
I have a white kitchen and I just love it. I add seasonal decor in colors and it looks great that way. I will NEVER give up my white kitchen, it’s a part of me.
I agree with you Jackie! It is so versatile and seasons are celebrated so easily with the white backdrop.
I love white kitchens. Your kitchens are beautiful. I’ve also read shiplap is out, although I see it everywhere. What is your thought on this.? Would you install in new remodels or just maintain what you have?
Oh my gosh, I do love shiplap so much. It has been around forever, I can’t imagine it being out. I was thrilled when I found it hiding behind drywall when we remodeled our Waco AirBnB a few years ago. If you love it, do it! I do 🙂
I love my white kitchen and waited a long time to get it. I wanted white cabinets before they were “in”. I like a white kitchen because you can add colorful accessories if desired, and it sure adds to it. I believe white is timeless.
You are so right Karla! I love my kitchen today just as much as I did the day it was finished twenty+ years ago! The white allows me the flexibility to make small accent changes without the expense of a remodel!
I’m a white kitchen fan and will always be. Thanks so much for sharing!
Me too Rachel! Thank you for reaching out, I really appreciate it!
I have to say this I don’t think a white kitchen will ever be out of fashion….it is one that you can add what ever look and colour to it bring it together to make your home feel inviting, with family gathering and to create memories in the kitchen…
I totally agree with you Helen!
I love a white kitchen! Yours are beautiful! I have one as well! They never go out of style in my opinion! I love that you can add accent color and change it out at any time! White kitchens Are timeless and not just trendy! Love your blog!
Thank you Sue for reaching out and for your kind comments. I am so happy that you enjoy the blog. I love to change the accent colors in my kitchens. It just makes me love my kitchens even more!
I love my white kitchen and over the years I have had four of them. White kitchens, like white woodwork
are timeless and classic. A light, bright kitchen just makes me happy. I read that article in apartment therapy as well and I immediately disagreed with the author on that one.😄
Haha, me too Catherine! I don’t think white kitchens will ever be out of style.
So l love white kitchens, and yes they are timeless, but l am not lucky to have one. Eight years ago we moved into our new home which we built, but was with a developer.. so had to choose textiles from design center. Back then, dark cherry wood was still in and that’s what we choose, with black granite counter tops! I have learned to work with this. My walls are pale taupe, and l have white Plantation Shutters on the windows. I add color with vases, fresh flowers etc. Recently added new fun cabinet knobs with some texture and color. You can go timeless.. and not have white!
It sounds like you have done a wonderful job making your kitchen yours. I love how something as simple as new knobs can make such a big impact!
There is nothing more beautiful or classic than an all white kitchen. And classic NEVER goes out of style! I love all three of your kitchens and I still love my all white kitchen after 16 years!
I totally agree with you Gail! I love my white kitchens and am so happy you love yours too!
I don’t really care what the trend is. I love white kitchens. Period. Like you stated, you can add subtle colors and change the look if white gets boring to you. I think it always looks clean and quietly sophisticated. I got new countertops a year ago – white marble-looking quartz and I’m more in love with it every day. My rule of thumb is to do what I love. The decorator magazines will state new trends but who cares? My home, whatever color is has inside, is where I want to be. Thank you for your fun and informative posts. I always look so forward to them!
love my white kitchen, and I also put timeless subway tile for my backspash. I can pull (and change 4 times now) the wall color easy. White is timeless and serves as a great canvas for changes in linens, window treatments wall color etc. like you mentioned that are far less costly than cabinets and tile. I did go with the stainless knobs and lighting that I do love, but I’m a brass girl at heart, and brass is another classic that they say is back, but in my world, it never went out!
I am 69 yrs old and have always had white kitchen cupboards. They are comforting to me as my grandmother kitchen had white cupboards and the goodies that came out of those were amazing. I don’t think white kitchens will ever go out of style
White kitchens are timeless. And that’s the problem if one wants to make money and stay in business. If no one changes the colors and products, they have nothing to sell. Right now, all the designer “pros” are pushing green paint and cabinets. And why? They know it will cycle out of style when they claim it’s out of style, and to use their next pro tip. And you, need to sell – and argue your point. But white kitchens will always be timeless. I’m in my 60s, and lived through various color trends, just to watch them cycle once again. But white paint and colors will always be staple products. Can’t go wrong with white.
This is very interesting. Thank you Jul!
We rebuilt our home 10 years ago after a fire and I put in another white kitchen. I plan to re-do the backsplash tile that I no longer like and just do white subway tile…classic all the way. I do have an enormous kitchen island with a walnut top that the kitchen guy tried to talk me out of, but I wanted my island to feel warm, more like a kitchen table. Not always practical but I do love it! He did talk me out of soapstone for the other countertops and convinced me to do a honed black granite as I didn’t want shiny granite. Sometimes I wish I had white countertops but I think the black is classic. Will always love a classic white kitchen
It sounds like you made a lot of smart moves! Thanks so much Joan!
I can’t imagine getting tired of a white kitchen. I’m living with an “orange” one and have for years. Looking forward to the day when I can make it “timeless.” Such good advice.
I am glad you found the advice helpful. Thank you Amy!
I want to paint my cabinets white but I have Santa Cecilia granite countertops. Would that be too much of a contrast ?
I am wanting new cabinets but for now, it looks like I will paint the old ones that were originally stained. They are good solid cabinets but the doors are extremely heavy. I’ve always liked white cabinets but I go back in forth about what shade. Do I want pure white or more of a creamy white. Are your cabinets a true white or do I detect a little off white? I like that bc it’s so warm and inviting and not so stark. I just recently painted my entire house a cream color. The reason? I can’t decide on a color! I painted it myself. What color would you paint the cabinets?
I will never forget a comment made by one of my professors of interior design at CSULB, “ trends are for the uncreative and unimaginative”. I think about that statement quite often when I read about the latest trends. Who sets these standards year after year? The industries who want to sell their new line of products..why should they tell us how we should have in our homes, it’s ridiculous. I believe in decorating your home with what you love and what brings you joy…white kitchens are timeless, I totally agree…
I can’t believe that people still have to follow what in “in”.It’s your home, have it in whatever way makes you happy.So over trends.