Congrats on your new home! I would just move in and live with everything for a while - get some counter stools/chairs that you like, etc.. A nice kitchen rug/runner would help and I am always a sucker for a few vintage breadboards to warm up all that white. For the island, depending on your living situation you could have lots of feet bumping against that wall from folks seated there so I would leave it unless you absolutely can't live with the color - you have a great neutral space that you could do a lot with, you may end up happy you didn't end up with all that grey!

It's taste specific, but I love an all white kitchen! You can add color with art, rugs, or a few things you put on your counters. One of my favorite kitchens of my friends is all white, with the most awesome bright orange breadbox on the counter. (She got it in Germany and I've never seen another like it.) Your kitchen looks great and gives you a perfect backdrop for adding your own touch.

I think your kitchen is very pretty as-is and I wouldn't paint over brand new cabinets.

I agree with moving in and setting up everything you like and just living with it for a year at least. Your current kitchen would have excellent resell value. White is still the most popular kitchen cabinet color choice, just check out the annual Houzz kitchen surveys.

Some people will always like an all-white kitchen, but I still think it's a trend that is on its way out. It is very common to have an island that's a different color and I think you're lucky it is. I think all white looks like an operating room. I second the idea to live with it for a while, accessorize and see if it grows on you. Things always look strange to us when they're new and different from what we're used to. I love the floors!

I like it. It won't be all white when you get your stuff in.

It looks great. Once your stuff and decor are in, it will look even better. White is a great backdrop for all different colors — especially if you like to change it up with some seasonal/holiday accessorizing. Traditional red/green for Christmas, blue/silver for Hanukkah, orange/brown for Thanksgiving, pastels for Easter, etc. etc.— it all works against a white background. Enjoy your beautiful new kitchen!

See what you think after you move in. I wouldn’t paint the island white - if you want to change it, pick a color you love.

Painting the island white will not make your kitchen look bigger.

My sister had a pro repaint her island. It took forever and cost $$$ so she thinks it was properly primed. It started chipping within a year. YMMV

There is nothing the matter with all white. As for trendiness of white kitchens, sure, but my parents built an all-white kitchen in 1969 and it stayed that way until the house was sold 40+ years later.

I am not sure why you are concerned about resale if you have just closed on the house?

Thank you so much for your feedback. Concerned about resale since I know this is not my forever home. It is located in an area where there is major developments happening, it was also an investment move.

I would do some sort of paneling on the island to make it more finished looking. It’s a nice
Kitchen.

Unless you are moving in under 5 years, some new kitchen trend will have taken over by then and the trend chasers will want something different anyway

If you search and are lucky enough for it to work, there are threads talking about "So Tired of White Kitchens" going back at least 8 or 9 years. Don't worry about what some buyer you don't even know wants, it's not like your kitchen is lime green and purple.

Get a roman shade or something for the window ... grey to match the island perhaps? Get a nice wood cutting board and a colorful utensil crock and/or fruit bowl (or grey or wood like the cutting board, if you don't want color) to give some color/warmth.

all white is not the choice I would have made either, but it's already done and it's beautiful! just roll with it. add accessories, plants, big wooden cutting boards, etc for color.

I think the white is classic and will still look just as good in 20 years -- the gray is what's trendy and on the way out. I think it is very tasteful, great windows and symmetry around the range.

A standing ovation to Beth... Beautiful pictures and great advice!

If you are concerned about resale, wait until you are about to sell before considering any changes.

At that point, ask your realtor for advice on whether any changes are advisable. They will know what sells in your area. I'm assuming you're not planning to flip it now.

The first house we bought in 1999 was built in 1987 and had an all white kitchen ... white cabinets, white corian, white island. 35 years and counting is a heck of a long time for a trend!

I just built a house with a mostly white kitchen. Why? Certainly not because of any so called trends. I did white because the kitchens in the 2nd, 3rd & 4th houses that we owned all had stained wood cabinets and I was ready for something different.

White is, and will remain, the classic color for kitchens. That isn’t the issue. The kitchen you will be living in seems blah to you. That’s all that counts. @Beth H has given you amazing, simple ideas to dress up an all-white kitchen. And honestly, every empty kitchen has the capacity to look “blah”.
Pick a favorite color and add rugs, accessories, stools, etc. Consider changing the backsplash after you’ve lived there 6 months. And/or sexy up the back of the island as Beth showed you.
It’s a great kitchen. Just needs your personalization. Congratulations on the new house!

I think you are lucky that the kitchen isnt all grey…i find those grey kitchens incredibly depressing. As mentioned by others, you can easily bring in the colors you like with rugs, etc.

You have a blank slate! Imagine if the builder mistakenly put in an ugly cheap countertop. Because its white and a soft gray, your possibilities and the ability to change things up are endless. Beth has great examples of what you can do to liven the space up. I think its hard to expect one thing and get something else, but if this is your biggest problem, you are indeed lucky. Pick Beths brain and have fun accessorizing, and enjoy your new home. I love the size of those windows!

Add me to the list of white-kitchen-lovers. Thank your lucky stars you didn’t get gray cabinets!

What’s your favorite color? Red? Navy? Turqoise? Sunny yellow? Add rugs, pots, art, flowers, etc. in your favorite color and you will LOVE it.

For me, all white is too white. I think the kitchen is a little lacking in textural interest or something with movement to add “something” to the white.
Personally I would consider tiling the back of the island, or wallpaper or something there. Or at least bar stools with some color/pattern. I would also consider new pendants. Again something that adds interest. I definitely wouldn’t repaint the island white.

Since you say this was an investment move, at least in part, I wouldn't make any changes now. It will look very different after you accessorize it. You don't want to be in the position of changing it now, then changing it again when it come times to sell. I'm not hearing that you can't stand it as it is, for your own use.

The kitchen just needs some color. You need a window treatment for some privacy…perhaps a multicolor (including gray) fabric valance over a light gray window shade. Then select one color from that fabric, other than gray, for your accent color. The accent color can be added in canisters, a ceramic pot to hold your cooking utensils, a vase, a piece of art, and a runner rug where you stand to do your prep and cooking. If you are adding stools to the island overhang,
have the seat cushions in the same accent color.

Love it!

It is a great canvas to work with! Add colors your love and it will come alive.

Update: Thank you everyone for the wonderful feedback. I finally moved in, and decided to not make any major changes, but instead accessories the countertops with accent pieces, add bar stools to add texture and break up the “too white” and change the pendant light.

you could do an accent on the exterior of your island. Re-purposed wood, slates or anything that suits your style.