Your Guide to White Kitchen Cabinets: Shopping, Design, and Installation
Whether your style leans modern or traditional, white kitchen cabinets are a timeless option for any home. White cabinets have become increasingly popular within the past few years and because of this, many makers of various cabinet styles offer at least one white color option, though many shades of white exist in the interior design world so many makers actually offer a variety of white or off-white cabinets. This means that you’ll have a huge selection of materials, finishes, and accessories to consider when choosing white cabinets for your new kitchen. Whether your dream design features cabinet doors in the long-standing shaker style or a sleek flat panel option, the Kitchen Search team can help you create the white kitchen of your dreams.
Why Opt for White Cabinets in Your Kitchen?
There are many benefits to selecting white cabinets for your kitchen. One major benefit is that white is a pure neutral color and tends to work, aesthetically, with various styles, colors, patterns, and themes. If you have a rustic farmhouse theme, you can bet that white cabinets will complement your apron sink and butcherblock countertops. Or, if you have dreamt up a European-style kitchen with glossy flat panel doors and flush-mounted appliances, white cabinets will make styling the rest of your kitchen a breeze. Maybe you’re not interested in a “theme” at all and simply want a style with a bright, uplifting feel that will last a lifetime. The answer to that, as well, are white kitchen cabinets.
This is another great reason to opt for white cabinets in your kitchen: they tend to remain in- style over time. Unlike the dark stained cabinets with brown granite of the early 2000s, or the light oak grains with green laminate countertops of the 1990s, white cabinets have been in-style since as far back as the 1920s. With the modern finishes and engineered construction techniques around today, it’s likely that white cabinets will still be in style a decade from now, but probably another century from now, as well.
Additionally, white cabinets are a particularly great option for small spaces. That’s because light colors help to open up a small space and make it feel brighter and larger whereas darker colors can do the opposite and make a small space feel even darker and more cramped. That’s not to say that white cabinets aren’t a great option for larger kitchens, though. They are! This is especially true when seeking to add personality and charm to a larger space with bright accent colors and patterns. White cabinets can help balance these accents with a clean, bright foundation so that the term “eclectic” doesn’t become “overwhelming” in a large space. Since white cabinets are so stylistically versatile, white cabinets can seemlessly play a part in a dual- color themed kitchens, kitchens with multiple islands, and kitchens with busy, glitzy, or glam countertop or backsplash patterns and materials.
Finally, white cabinets really came onto the scene circa the World War II era when minimalism, cleanliness, and organization were all highly sought after traits for a home. White kitchen
cabinets can sometimes get a bad wrap due to their inability to hide dirt and messes, but many people view this as a positive thing as it also helps encourage their maintenance and upkeep. Unlike a guest stepping onto a hotel carpet, those that value clean homes want to know when their kitchen needs cleaning.
Top Material Choices for White Cabinets
A variety of materials are available for a white kitchen cabinet design including stainless steel, melamine, metal, wood, and thermofoil. Though customers tend to think of solid wood cabinets as the best and only option, the best choice for your kitchen can vary widely depending on your chosen design and budget. An overview of the various material options is provided, below, but it is recommended that you consult with a Kitchen Search Specialist to help you choose the appropriate option to best suit your space, needs, budget, and style.
Solid Wood Cabinets
Solid wood cabinets are typically a higher ticket item due to their durability, capacity to be refinished in the future, solid feel, and timeless look. They tend to be available in a multitude of wood species, grain patterns, and stain colors. The typical types of wood to choose from include oak, maple, cherry, and walnut, among others. White solid wood cabinets provide both warmth and depth to a space. Though wood cabinets are durable and simple to repair and maintain, they may require more maintenance over time compared to other materials. However, they are also more eco-friendly than other materials due to the fact that they are made from a renewable resource and can degrade quickly in a landfill.
Stainless Steel Cabinets
Stainless steel cabinets are a great choice for a contemporary, industrial, or European kitchen feel. As a general rule, they are durable and easy to clean – everything a commercial kitchen would need which is typically where you find this kind of surface. However, they are becoming more and more popular in residential applications as well because they also happen to be cost- effective and beautiful when done right.
Melamine Cabinets
Melamine is a common engineered wood characterized by its smooth resin surface and particle board interior. Melamine cabinets tend to be more cost-effective than other materials but can still look beautiful. They are also easy to clean and tend to be available in a wide range of colors and styles. Some report that melamine-constructed cabinets tend to be less solid-feeling and sometimes the particle board interior can become visible with scratches or dings. Melamine cabinets also cannot typically be refinished like solid wood cabinets apart from superficially filling divots and re-painting. Most customers opt for replacing these cabinets rather than refinishing them.
Metal Cabinets
Metal cabinets have many design applications as they can be made in virtually every color under the sun (including white) and also come in a multitude of cabinet door style options. One of our favorite applications is that of a vintage 1950s feel, but they can also be made to fit an
eclectic or modern style. These cabinets have a solid feel, are easy to clean, and can be designed to offer a unique and bold design statement. The downside, however, is that metal cabinets can be prone to scratching and denting which typically requires replacement instead of refinishing.
Thermofoil Cabinets
Thermofoil cabinets are made by coating a sturdy MDF core with a thin layer of vinyl that acts as a protective and aesthetic veneer. This vinyl layer protects the moisture-vulnerable MDF core, thus allowing it to be used in high-moisture areas. Because of the manufacturing methods used, thermofoil cabinets typically have a very smooth and uniform appearance. Additionally, vinyl can be tinted and printed in a huge variety of colors and patterns, including various white shades and patterns. Thermofoil cabinets can even be made to look like wood. The main concern with thermofoil cabinets is that the vinyl veneer, like any other type of veneer, can be susceptible to delamination and scratches over time and with considerable use.
Popular Door Design Options for White Cabinets
So you’ve chosen what material you want your cabinets to be made out of and you’ve decided that you want a white kitchen, all that’s left is to decide what style of doors you’d like on your cabinets. As you might imagine, there are many options available to fit anyone and everyone’s individual style. The most popular styles include shaker, flat or slab, raised, and European panels. However, many other options exist including beaded, arched cathedral, and mission styles. Description of the most popular options are provided here:
Shaker Style
Possibly the most common style chosen for white cabinets, shaker-style doors have simple rectangular frames around recessed center panels. Shaker doors tend to be seen as traditional but can blend in with a variety of kitchen styles, depending on the choice of appliances, countertops, and backsplashes.
Flat or Slab Style
Flat panel doors are characterized by a sleek, simple surface, typically creating a more modern aesthetic. This style is most often associated with minimalist, European, and contemporary designs and can be paired with or without handles and/or knobs. Handles tend to tone down the modern theme, whereas completely unadorned white slab cabinets can help create a very modern design.
Raised Panel Style
Raised panel doors have an elevated central panel inside of a framed border. Typically, the border matches the profile of the elevated central panel with various options available for the groove that separates them. This style is typically considered traditional.
European Style
European-style doors fully cover the cabinet frame. They are perfect for a minimalist kitchen but can be used in both a traditional and modern way, depending on the color and material chosen.
Essential Accessories for White Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are only ever as functional as the accessories, shelves, and inserts that are installed within them. Things like cabinet pulls and handles, range hoods, trash can storage, and drawer organizers are important additions that turn your beautiful cabinets into ultra-functional storage. Kitchen Search has it all, including:
- Pegboard Drawers
- Charging Drawers
- Simple and Double-Tier Cutlery Drawers
- Wire Peg Inserts (for things like Pots and Pans)
- Deep Roll-Out Trays (for things like appliances and other miscellaneous items) Stemware and Bottle Holders
- Wall Spin Trays
- Half-Moon Pull-Outs
- Basket Pull-Outs
- Pantry Pull-Outs
- Tray Pull-Outs
- Spice Pull-Outs
See our catalog for even more accessory options.
Finishes That Complement White Cabinets
Cabinet finishes determine not only the aesthetic properties of a kitchen, but also the durability, ease of cleaning, and maintenance properties of your kitchen. As with all other aspects we’ve discussed in this article, your options for finishing your white cabinets are numerous. You can choose between painted, stained, glazed, laminated, distressed, veneer, natural, high-gloss, matte, patina, and glass, or virtually any combination of these. We recommend discussing these options with your Kitchen Search Specialist to determine the best choice for your project.
Key Features of Kitchen Search’s White Cabinets
We are all about people. We love serving and helping our customers make their kitchen projects easier and more fun! You can rest assured that you are in good hands and getting the best design service when you work with the Kitchen Search team. Our simple and easy 3-step process makes your time investment minimal while allowing you to leave with the assurance that you are making the right decision. During our initial call, we will answer all the questions
you might have. To contact us, call or text: 215-253-5800. You can also schedule a 15-minute video consultation at kitchensearch.com/go.
Price Range of Kitchen Search’s White Cabinets
Our prices are typically 30-50% lower than big box stores. This is the best alternative to traditional kitchen buying out there! We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy quality cabinetry at a better price.
White Cabinet Projects Undertaken by Kitchen Search
Elevate Your Kitchen with Stylish White Cabinets from Kitchen Search
Are you ready to transform your kitchen? Kitchen Search is your trusted partner in creating the kitchen of your dreams. We specialize in making your kitchen design ideas a reality.
At Kitchen Search, we understand that your kitchen is more than just a cooking space – it’s the heart of your home. It’s a place where memories are made. Our wide selection of white cabinets has been thoughtfully curated to meet both classic and contemporary needs, offering you the perfect canvas to design a space that reflects your style while maximizing functionality.
Our white cabinets can instantly brighten and modernize any kitchen. Whether you’re aiming for a minimalist modern aesthetic or a cozy traditional vibe, our Kitchen Search design team can adapt every design to our customer’s individual needs and desired aesthetic. Our dedication to quality ensures that your cabinets are not just stunning but also durable, making the most out of your investment.
Our team of experts is committed to guiding you through every step of the journey – from envisioning your ideal kitchen to selecting the perfect white cabinets, all the way to installation. With unparalleled craftsmanship and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Kitchen Search is your partner in turning your kitchen aspirations into reality.
