7 Dreamy New White-and-Wood Kitchens
Designers share how they balanced mostly white finishes with warm wood details to create bright and welcoming looks
White is by far the top color homeowners choose for kitchen cabinets, countertops and backsplashes, according to Houzz research. To keep those mostly white designs from veering too cold, designers often recommend introducing some warmth with wood features, such as an island base, flooring, shelves or other details. Here pros share how they balanced mostly white finishes with warm wood elements.
2. Maple Island and Wood Window Frames and Beam
Designer: Kamila Malewska of Level Up Design
General contractor: Rainier
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Size: 320 square feet (30 square meters); 16 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. Transform and open up a dated and dark kitchen into a light and airy modern-farmhouse-style space with lots of function, storage and room for family gatherings.
White and wood details. Custom white perimeter cabinets (Pure White by Sherwin-Williams). Distressed white backsplash tile. Matte white appliances. White marble-look quartz countertops. Stained maple island. “The decision to mix white and wood cabinetry seemed like a perfect choice for a modern farmhouse kitchen,” designer Kamila Malewska says. “It was a theme we created and carried throughout the house. While white finishes create a very fresh and bright look, they can appear cold and need to be balanced. In our case, the light wood cabinets on the island, beam between kitchen and dining area, floating shelves on the bar and flooring added warmth and a homey feel.”
Other special features. Brass hardware, plumbing fixtures and lantern-style pendant lights.
Designer tip. “Use neutral colors and timeless finishes for cabinetry, countertops, flooring and wall paint and then play with more trendy accessories like light fixtures, cabinet hardware or a wallpaper accent wall,” Malewska says. “Down the road, you can easily update your kitchen look just by swapping those elements.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowners wanted to have their kitchen windows painted white to match the French doors and other trim work,” Malewska says. “Mid-project, when the cabinetry, countertops and flooring got installed, I noticed that the wood finish on the window over the sink and by the French doors went really well with all the other woodwork in the room and added warmth. I thought it would be a mistake to paint them white. I was able to convince my clients to keep the wood look.”
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Designer: Kamila Malewska of Level Up Design
General contractor: Rainier
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Size: 320 square feet (30 square meters); 16 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. Transform and open up a dated and dark kitchen into a light and airy modern-farmhouse-style space with lots of function, storage and room for family gatherings.
White and wood details. Custom white perimeter cabinets (Pure White by Sherwin-Williams). Distressed white backsplash tile. Matte white appliances. White marble-look quartz countertops. Stained maple island. “The decision to mix white and wood cabinetry seemed like a perfect choice for a modern farmhouse kitchen,” designer Kamila Malewska says. “It was a theme we created and carried throughout the house. While white finishes create a very fresh and bright look, they can appear cold and need to be balanced. In our case, the light wood cabinets on the island, beam between kitchen and dining area, floating shelves on the bar and flooring added warmth and a homey feel.”
Other special features. Brass hardware, plumbing fixtures and lantern-style pendant lights.
Designer tip. “Use neutral colors and timeless finishes for cabinetry, countertops, flooring and wall paint and then play with more trendy accessories like light fixtures, cabinet hardware or a wallpaper accent wall,” Malewska says. “Down the road, you can easily update your kitchen look just by swapping those elements.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowners wanted to have their kitchen windows painted white to match the French doors and other trim work,” Malewska says. “Mid-project, when the cabinetry, countertops and flooring got installed, I noticed that the wood finish on the window over the sink and by the French doors went really well with all the other woodwork in the room and added warmth. I thought it would be a mistake to paint them white. I was able to convince my clients to keep the wood look.”
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3. White Oak Island and Range Hood
Designer: Melissa Rieser Interiors
Location: Mooresville, North Carolina
Size: 213 square feet (20 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Rework the layout, close off a wall, add a better-functioning island for entertaining and create a lighter, brighter look that will last.
White and wood. White Shaker-style perimeter cabinets (Snowbound by Sherwin-Willams). White marble-look quartz countertops and slab backsplash. White oak island and range hood in a custom stain. The flooring is also white oak in a custom stain. “The client wanted a classic look, so we went with white,” designer Melissa Rieser says. “I suggested adding in the white oak island to make it a bit more trendy without going too far. The hood was originally going to be white, but at the last minute the cabinetmaker and I decided to go with white oak to match the island. This set us back due to the shortage of white oak at the time but was well worth the wait.”
Other special features. Brass hardware, light fixtures, faucet and cooktop knobs.
Designer tip. “Running the countertops up the backsplash would be my tip,” Rieser says. “Not only is it a showstopper, but it is so easy to clean.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When our three jumbo slabs of quartz were delivered, I went to inspect them and all three had different coloring in their background,” Rieser says. “Three more had to be ordered, further delaying the project.”
Custom cabinets: Ricky Guastella, Stella Closets
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Designer: Melissa Rieser Interiors
Location: Mooresville, North Carolina
Size: 213 square feet (20 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Rework the layout, close off a wall, add a better-functioning island for entertaining and create a lighter, brighter look that will last.
White and wood. White Shaker-style perimeter cabinets (Snowbound by Sherwin-Willams). White marble-look quartz countertops and slab backsplash. White oak island and range hood in a custom stain. The flooring is also white oak in a custom stain. “The client wanted a classic look, so we went with white,” designer Melissa Rieser says. “I suggested adding in the white oak island to make it a bit more trendy without going too far. The hood was originally going to be white, but at the last minute the cabinetmaker and I decided to go with white oak to match the island. This set us back due to the shortage of white oak at the time but was well worth the wait.”
Other special features. Brass hardware, light fixtures, faucet and cooktop knobs.
Designer tip. “Running the countertops up the backsplash would be my tip,” Rieser says. “Not only is it a showstopper, but it is so easy to clean.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When our three jumbo slabs of quartz were delivered, I went to inspect them and all three had different coloring in their background,” Rieser says. “Three more had to be ordered, further delaying the project.”
Custom cabinets: Ricky Guastella, Stella Closets
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4. White Oak Shelving
Designer: Ellie Mroz Design
Builder: Michael Robert Construction
Location: Westfield, New Jersey
Size: 270 square feet (25 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners were looking to refresh their kitchen and make the space more functional, livable and update the aesthetics,” designer Ellie Mroz says. “Because the couple loves to entertain, it was important to create a highly functional kitchen that worked both for luxe catered parties and also for quiet moments watching the morning news from the pop-up peninsula television with a coffee.”
White and wood details. White skinny Shaker-style cabinets. White marble-clad island and countertops. White Moroccan handmade zellige backsplash tile and range hood covering. White oak shelves and matching wood flooring. “The home, built in the 1990s, featured 6-inch-thick locally mined stone walls, and we wanted to highlight this organic feature while updating the surrounding spaces,” Mroz says. “The sleek, streamlined kitchen did just that. The thick white marble island and white oak shelves build upon the organic aesthetic in a modern way that complements instead of competes. The tile and hood backsplash adds just the right amount of shine but still looks organic due to its purposeful variations.”
Other special features. See-through walk-in pantry with custom steel-and-glass walls. Coffee bar with a spigot built into the wall. Remote-controlled hydraulic-powered system in the peninsula that raises and lowers a TV.
Designer tip. “Once you have your inspiration and concept nailed, gather samples of all of your materials — stone, tile, cabinetry, hardware — and make sure it all plays well together before you commit to anything,” Mroz says. “The hard work and research will pay off with a cohesive aesthetic.”
Tile: Thin Snow Bejmat, Tiles of Ezra
Designer: Ellie Mroz Design
Builder: Michael Robert Construction
Location: Westfield, New Jersey
Size: 270 square feet (25 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners were looking to refresh their kitchen and make the space more functional, livable and update the aesthetics,” designer Ellie Mroz says. “Because the couple loves to entertain, it was important to create a highly functional kitchen that worked both for luxe catered parties and also for quiet moments watching the morning news from the pop-up peninsula television with a coffee.”
White and wood details. White skinny Shaker-style cabinets. White marble-clad island and countertops. White Moroccan handmade zellige backsplash tile and range hood covering. White oak shelves and matching wood flooring. “The home, built in the 1990s, featured 6-inch-thick locally mined stone walls, and we wanted to highlight this organic feature while updating the surrounding spaces,” Mroz says. “The sleek, streamlined kitchen did just that. The thick white marble island and white oak shelves build upon the organic aesthetic in a modern way that complements instead of competes. The tile and hood backsplash adds just the right amount of shine but still looks organic due to its purposeful variations.”
Other special features. See-through walk-in pantry with custom steel-and-glass walls. Coffee bar with a spigot built into the wall. Remote-controlled hydraulic-powered system in the peninsula that raises and lowers a TV.
Designer tip. “Once you have your inspiration and concept nailed, gather samples of all of your materials — stone, tile, cabinetry, hardware — and make sure it all plays well together before you commit to anything,” Mroz says. “The hard work and research will pay off with a cohesive aesthetic.”
Tile: Thin Snow Bejmat, Tiles of Ezra
5. Eucalyptus Lower Cabinets and Island
Designers: Joo Y. Oh of Studio Jyo (while at Sutro Architects) and Stephen Sutro of Sutro Architects
Builder: von Clemm Construction
Location: Palo Alto, California
Homeowner’s request. A serene modern sanctuary in which to relax and be comfortable amid the hustle and bustle of raising four kids. “She had worked with a previous designer who designed a beautiful ultramodern home, but she always felt like she was walking into a museum or a hotel, and it never felt like her own home,” designer Joo Oh says. “So the second time around, designing the house with me, she was better equipped to explain her needs and desires. One of her main requests was for her to feel comfortable and cozy in her own home. I brought in warmth through organic shapes and textural fabrics and blending different materials.”
White and wood details. White flat-panel upper cabinets without hardware. White quartz countertops (Blizzard, Caesarstone). Calacatta Oro marble slab backsplash. The lower cabinets and island backing are stained eucalyptus wood. “This was a conscious decision of blending a clean minimal look with texture and warmth,” Oh says.
Designer tip. “For kitchen counters, I recommend man-made slabs for clients who cook a lot, but then add in a special element for the backsplash to elevate the space,” Oh says.
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Designers: Joo Y. Oh of Studio Jyo (while at Sutro Architects) and Stephen Sutro of Sutro Architects
Builder: von Clemm Construction
Location: Palo Alto, California
Homeowner’s request. A serene modern sanctuary in which to relax and be comfortable amid the hustle and bustle of raising four kids. “She had worked with a previous designer who designed a beautiful ultramodern home, but she always felt like she was walking into a museum or a hotel, and it never felt like her own home,” designer Joo Oh says. “So the second time around, designing the house with me, she was better equipped to explain her needs and desires. One of her main requests was for her to feel comfortable and cozy in her own home. I brought in warmth through organic shapes and textural fabrics and blending different materials.”
White and wood details. White flat-panel upper cabinets without hardware. White quartz countertops (Blizzard, Caesarstone). Calacatta Oro marble slab backsplash. The lower cabinets and island backing are stained eucalyptus wood. “This was a conscious decision of blending a clean minimal look with texture and warmth,” Oh says.
Designer tip. “For kitchen counters, I recommend man-made slabs for clients who cook a lot, but then add in a special element for the backsplash to elevate the space,” Oh says.
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6. Black Walnut Island
Designers: A.J. Browne and Katherine Marsella of Peregrine Design/Build
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Size: 392 square feet (36 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Take down walls and relocate a powder room to open the kitchen to the nearby dining room and living room to give this family better connection and entertaining space. The homeowners also wanted an island with a large work surface. They used Houzz photos to help communicate their design style.
White and wood details. White Shaker-style cabinets. Marble-look Dekton countertops. Matte white backsplash tile. Natural black walnut island. “The clients wanted a light and bright kitchen without it feeling sterile,” designer A.J. Browne says. “They were looking for a wood that would pop against the red oak flooring and felt that black walnut was their solution. We chose Dekton countertops for their warm and durable surface.”
Other special features. 10-foot island with lift mixer. Soft gray-green walls (Spanish Olive by Benjamin Moore). Ceiling-mounted vent hood. Walk-in pantry.
Designer tip. “We recessed the cooktop hood into the ceiling so the cooktop user can look out the window to the backyard,” Browne says. “This was an unusual design feature but allows for clear communication and a command position when working at the island sink or countertop. Without a traditional hood, natural light floods into the kitchen through panoramic windows.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we removed all the walls, we discovered deficient framing and faulty plumbing from the second floor above,” Browne says. “This had to be addressed and resulted in a higher level of confidence and overall integrity and health of the home.”
Cabinets: Unique series, maple, in white, Cabico
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Designers: A.J. Browne and Katherine Marsella of Peregrine Design/Build
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Size: 392 square feet (36 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Take down walls and relocate a powder room to open the kitchen to the nearby dining room and living room to give this family better connection and entertaining space. The homeowners also wanted an island with a large work surface. They used Houzz photos to help communicate their design style.
White and wood details. White Shaker-style cabinets. Marble-look Dekton countertops. Matte white backsplash tile. Natural black walnut island. “The clients wanted a light and bright kitchen without it feeling sterile,” designer A.J. Browne says. “They were looking for a wood that would pop against the red oak flooring and felt that black walnut was their solution. We chose Dekton countertops for their warm and durable surface.”
Other special features. 10-foot island with lift mixer. Soft gray-green walls (Spanish Olive by Benjamin Moore). Ceiling-mounted vent hood. Walk-in pantry.
Designer tip. “We recessed the cooktop hood into the ceiling so the cooktop user can look out the window to the backyard,” Browne says. “This was an unusual design feature but allows for clear communication and a command position when working at the island sink or countertop. Without a traditional hood, natural light floods into the kitchen through panoramic windows.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we removed all the walls, we discovered deficient framing and faulty plumbing from the second floor above,” Browne says. “This had to be addressed and resulted in a higher level of confidence and overall integrity and health of the home.”
Cabinets: Unique series, maple, in white, Cabico
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
7. Maple Island and Woven Wood Window Shade
Designer: Jeane Dole of à la carte Design
Location: Denver
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Maximize natural light with a larger window and create a light and airy look and feel.
White and wood details. White Shaker-style perimeter cabinets. White marble-look quartz countertops. Glossy white backsplash tile. Light maple vanity. Woven wood window shade. “We wanted a change in the island finish from the perimeter cabinets but not necessarily another painted finish,” designer Jeane Dole says. “The light wood finish we used offered a soft contrast between a painted finish and a stained one. Installing the same counter material throughout unifies the painted and stained finishes.”
Other special features. “To include another touch of the light wood, we installed floating shelves in the beverage center area,” Dole says. “We used a patterned tile behind the floating shelves only to highlight this area of the kitchen.
“Using straight posts on the island maintains the simplicity of the rest of the design. Nothing is fighting for attention in this space because all the finishes feel cohesive together. Adding a row of glass cabinets added an element of customization that makes the kitchen stand out in a great way.”
Designer tip. “Keep it simple,” Dole says. “Too many features can make the space seem overdone. Only using the patterned tile in one small area was just the right amount for an accent. Doing the rest of the backsplash would have made it too busy.”
Wall paint: Grey Heron, Sherwin-Williams
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Designer: Jeane Dole of à la carte Design
Location: Denver
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Maximize natural light with a larger window and create a light and airy look and feel.
White and wood details. White Shaker-style perimeter cabinets. White marble-look quartz countertops. Glossy white backsplash tile. Light maple vanity. Woven wood window shade. “We wanted a change in the island finish from the perimeter cabinets but not necessarily another painted finish,” designer Jeane Dole says. “The light wood finish we used offered a soft contrast between a painted finish and a stained one. Installing the same counter material throughout unifies the painted and stained finishes.”
Other special features. “To include another touch of the light wood, we installed floating shelves in the beverage center area,” Dole says. “We used a patterned tile behind the floating shelves only to highlight this area of the kitchen.
“Using straight posts on the island maintains the simplicity of the rest of the design. Nothing is fighting for attention in this space because all the finishes feel cohesive together. Adding a row of glass cabinets added an element of customization that makes the kitchen stand out in a great way.”
Designer tip. “Keep it simple,” Dole says. “Too many features can make the space seem overdone. Only using the patterned tile in one small area was just the right amount for an accent. Doing the rest of the backsplash would have made it too busy.”
Wall paint: Grey Heron, Sherwin-Williams
More on Houzz
35 Home Design Trends on the Rise in 2023
Browse thousands of home design photos
Find a home professional
Shop for your home
Designer: Robin McCarthy of Arch Studio
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 427½ square feet (40 square meters); 15 by 28½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our clients desired a spacious and inviting kitchen that centered around a large island for family and friends to congregate,” architect Robin McCarthy says. “The kitchen is part of an open floor plan with a breakfast nook and family room facing their backyard pool and patio. This is the hub of their home. They wanted the style elegant but casual and not fussy.”
White and wood details. White Shaker-style perimeter cabinets (White Dove by Benjamin Moore). White backsplash tile in varying shades. Rift-sawn white oak island in a natural sealed satin finish and white oak shelves. “White Dove is a warm white that we often use in our projects,” McCarthy says. “We also added layers of color to the room for warmth, such as touches of the white oak for the floating shelves and Bedrosians’ Cloe tile for the backsplash, which adds warmer variations of color.”
Other special features. Calacatta Storm quartzite countertops. Custom handcrafted black metal range hood.
Designer tip. “When working with an all-white or mostly white kitchen, we like to bring layers of color into a space for visual interest and warmth,” McCarthy says. “Painted white and natural white oak cabinets provided the perfect neutral backdrop for this kitchen. We added bronze cabinet hardware, light and warm tile backsplash with a multicolor tone, a warm gray quartzite countertop called Calacatta Storm and fun light fixtures in warm brass and black. We used color in a myriad of ways, but all of the colors tie back to each other.”
Custom range hood: Raw Urth Designs; backsplash tile: Cloe in white, 5 by 5 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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