I LOVE white kitchens. To me, they aren't a fad or trend. They've been around forever and will be around forever. What I am sick of is gray, gray, gray (talk about a trend). To each his own.

I hear you. We recently remodeled my husband's childhood home and went for bold tiles.

White kitchens have been around forever and they will always be around. I really dont understand why doctorvon decided to start this thread. Sounds like someone feels self-conscious about their kitchen not being common and is crapping on others in other to make them feel better about themselves.

Jar:) are you really asking this question:) look new houses for sale, look home improvements shows, ask a designer and you will see why. I called couple quotes for countertop change - they all try to tell me to paint my cabinets white, change them to white and put whitish countertops. If it is not white it will be light gray or something else as a solid color in light neutral color. These are trends and some people have an opinion and don’t like it. For example I like wood cabinets, not painted any solid color, everything wood but not oak. I don’t like the oak grain for some reason on floors, cabinets or anywhere else. I like marble like tiles and in a million years I don’t like the tiles again used as bold choice above. So, if I have to buy a house now and see the painted cabinets and bold looking tile- I don’t like it. But it is what it is.

Simona - Just because home renovation TV shows and designers push white cabinets does not mean it is a trend. I’ve been following kitchen design for nearly 10 years and white cabinets have been common throughout that time. That’s a pretty long “trend.” Further, white cabinets were popular even before then. Can you really call something trendy if it’s been popular for 15-20 years if not longer? I think at that point it’s more classic than trendy.

No doubt people are entitled to an opinion. I’m not denying that. I just don’t see the point of coming in here and crapping over a design many people have enjoyed over the years. if you don’t like something, then don’t use the design in your kitchen. Coming in here to complain about a design that you haven’t used in your kitchen just screams of insecurity. To me it says you aren‘t confident in your own tastes and are upset you aren’t receiving validation about your design choices. it’s petty and immature.

Exactly, I plan on living in this house for years and wanted something more fun in my kitchen...and more me. You're allowed to have opinions. Many people will not like my bold kitchen floor tiles and that's okay. I am the one who has to live in the house at the end of the day.

I agree. I don't care whether it's a trend or a classic look; white cabinets, white counters, white walls, and the overall prevalence of 'transitional' or otherwise cookie-cutter personality-free spaces makes me gag. Just looks like someone couldn't make a decision. This doesn't go for all white kitchens of course but it does for many. I'm a Scandi/Boho/Jungalow kind of gal and not everyone is, but please can we have a little color! Some wood! A plant! Real art! Show me that this house exists in a real time and place and is connected to the Earth and not floating in a void!

@Jar G - I've been following kitchen designs for 20 years (sheez, I'm old), so ha! Even though I'm obsessed with interior design and have been watching endless interior design shows for years, I would never consider myself to be an expert in interior design. If I only had half the talent of those professionals I see on television, and of those who I've met in real life, but I do feel like I'm seeing the same kitchen from show to show (most of them still look beautiful though) and it gets boring. I don't think doctorvon's post was in no way an 'attack' on white kitchens, nor did it highlight this person's insecurities (not sure where that came from), but I see doctorvon's point on the extreme usage of white countertops on white shakers on white subway tiles.

Wow - I had no idea that more than two years later my post would ignite such passionate comments! I was in the middle of a major remodel, trying to come up with kitchen ideas and whether I watched a home improvement show, visited a showroom, or talked with a designer, everyone was steering me toward white on white on white. I was simply saying it was frustrating at the time to have everyone trying to push me in the same direction and wanted options. Not only were my comments not meant to be condescending, I even offered a poll on which others could post their views. I was, and still am, sick of white kitchens and I'm excited about the new, deep color trend. In no way was I "crapping on others", don't need a forum of strangers to "feel better" about myself, am confident in my decisions, don't need validation, am not petty, nor immature. As a professor of psychology I find those comments rather comical. We're talking kitchens here for heaven's sake, not mental health!

doctorvon, those insults probably weren’t aimed at you but at people saying white kitchens look like “dentists offices” and the like. I can totally understand why anyone, with any type of kitchen (white, wood tones, or whatever)could be defensive of harsh criticisms since kitchen remodels are usually significant investments and no one likes to be told their choices will assuredly be”ripped out” after a few years because they are a huge mistake and ugly or boring.

@doctorvon, I found your thread refreshing when you first started it because my aesthetic is more similar to yours than to those who love white kitchens. And I agree, it's hard to find inspiration when everything seems to be targeted toward creating more white kitchens!

Here is another great thread that I found inspiring: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5717017/why-do-all-the-kitchens-look-the-same#n=647

That thread, and yours, led to people to refer to themselves as the "Color Club", which in turn gave me the confidence to do what felt, to me, like a bold and colorful backsplash in my kitchen.

PS: I know you know this, but just to hear it again: don't take internet criticism personally. I appreciate your contribution here.

Color club huh? I love it! Thanks!

I hate white cabinets, and have them in our house, but I'm not what you'd call a "good adult" or a "good housewife," so the white just gets dirty and I have to clean it, whatever "cleaning" is... Ha ha!!! :-(

That being said, I think the hard fixtures like tile backsplash, cabinets, countertops, and floors are probably better in neutral colors if you're planning on selling the house. Easier/cheaper to paint the walls than change anything more permanent. Having said that, I will have a bold tile backsplash when/if we finally redo our kitchen. Lower cabinets will probably be dark, uppers a medium/light neutral color, probably gray, maybe a seafoam or something.

@doctorvon I came across your post after googling “bored by white kitchens“. My frustration is partly that each showroom we walk into seems to offer white/grey, mainstream media renovation TV shows seem to default to white, and it feels like every home in the land has a white kitchen. Personally, and I can only speak for myself, I want my home to feel like my own. I don’t want an identical kitchen any more than I want every person on the street to wear the same coat as me. It freaks me out, if I’m being brutally honest, that the mass market is buying exactly the same thing. Primarily, I (again, personally) find white to be bland, and I can’t bear the phrase “pop of colour” when used on design shows because I prefer when colours/hues blend and provide ambience - I don’t (personally) want an all-white-everything kitchen with... red tea towels. Apologies to everyone with red tea towels - that’s a mother-in-law joke ;) I’m longing for gentle ash/light oak wood on the cabinets... dusty stone on the counters. Truthfully, the only thing keeping me from this is budget - which, again, gives me negative concerns (no doubt unfairly and inaccurately) about white kitchens i.e. have they become the the fast-fashion equivalent of kitchens? Are the kitchen showrooms just churning out white kitchens and we’re not complaining? Himself and I are going to save a bit more, so we can cash-flow the look that we want because, if we don’t, it seems our options will be white, off-white, less-white, white-ish, I Can’t Believe it‘s Not White, grey (he has vetoed), or sage (I have vetoed) :D

Doctorvon I would love to see pictures of what you ended up doing!!!

I'll post a few photos but I'm not much of a photographer! I tried to show the under cabinet lighting - I made it blue for the photo, but I can choose from two dozen colors.

Your kitchen looks gorgeous and functional! I bet it's fun to play with the colored mood lighting. And I like your stainless steel toe kicks - I had never seen the appeal until I saw your photos, but they look great (and of course I'm sure they're durable and tough as nails).

LOVE it!!! Awesome job!!!

@doctorvon Well done! Hope you're delighted with the outcome!

Doctorvon - I find it a bit funny you take exception to white kitchens. Where I am from, the style of your kitchen is the prototype for every newly built luxury apartment building downtown.

Doctorvon, I'm with YOU! Everyone seems to have white cabinets, SO stereotypical. I'm in the process of a new custom build and went with cabinets in dark gray and can see wood grain, white cabinets never were a thought as every kitchen I see has white cabinets.

Love your kitchen!

I originally wanted natural wood cabinets... and wood floors. I love wood, but... enough is enough. Also, I live in an old Philadelphia rowhome - they tend to be dark and small, and I didn't want to (over) rely on artificial lighting for brightness - my OLD kitchen was dark & I didn't want to go from dark to more dark. Plus, while I love wood, I find the in-fashion grey terribly depressing and dull.

So, I went with white cabinets and I love them for their bright neutrality. I got my wood floor. Now I'm having the same dilemma as I design my bathroom remodel. I'm drawn to big dark floor tiles... and to dark blue vanities. But there's only one smallish window and I don't like dark being the dominant feeling.

@terry dinkel Stereotypical of what? I think you’re misusing that term. Maybe you meant common?

As for white cabinets, some of us prefer to choose what we like rather than deciding to be different for the sake of being different. Call me strange but I have enough confidence in myself to make choices based on what I like without worrying about what other people are doing.

Jar G, OK common/typical/run of the mill if you want to critique my comment...I commented on Doctorvon "I'm so sick of white kitchens" that is the topic here, you choose what you like rather than deciding to be different as you stated, sounds like you're pretty confident with your choice, it is strange that you take my comment so personal, now move along...

Now move along?? Wow I thought your initial posting was pretty dismissive, but you've taken it to a new level. I wonder if you're projecting with your insinuations. Did I hit a nerve and get too personal?

No nerves hit here, as for you on the other hand with your comment to Doctorvon" I find it a bit funny you take exception to white kitchens. Where I am from, the style of your kitchen is the prototype for every newly built luxury apartment building downtown" and now your response to my comment on white kitchens? Your nerves are being hammered so yes, move along...

@terry dinkel Its really not becoming of you to be so dismissive. It’s funny you bring up my previous comment. I think I sense a bit of concern that your attempt to be different for the sake of being different might turn out to be “stereotypical“ and then you wouldn’t get the praise from other you so clearly desire. How about this? I pat you on the head and tell you how amazingly unique your kitchen is and you can move along having gotten the validation you need so badly.

Jar G your obsessed and bored, you're being a proponent for white kitchens and really making white kitchen lovers look bad in the end, get along...

I’m late here’s my take. It seems some use the term dated for wood/oak cabinets. Which may be offensive to those who love it. It’s white or you are dated. if two types of cabinets let’s say white and wood have been around 15 or 20 years, would not both be dated? or classic? I don’t do trends, don’t watch remodeling show, believe me I’ve tried we just don’t see the same vision.

I say put thought in your remodeling if you love it you can live with it for years to come. I have oak ( light granite

I'm not necessarily tired of white kitchens, even though I currently have stained cabinets. I am thinking of painting them shortly, probably not white truthfully. The thing I would most like to see is more individuality in general in kitchens. I get that a kitchen, and cabinets especially are a big investment, but for me what the recent white kitchen movement has represented is a movement towards sameness. A lot of the HGTV shows seem to present very similar designs. I like to see kitchens that tell me something about the person who cooks there. Are they a baker? Do they make big family meals? Is it an old home? White kitchens will always be classic, and there are some stained wood kitchens that stop me in my tracks. Rift-sawn oak or a beautiful walnut gets me everytime. There's room for everyone. I mostly want to know something about the people who live in a home, but maybe that's just me.

White isn't for me. Whatever is out on the counter and messy will be the focal point. Also, I tend to think it looks like the scene of an experiment or autopsy. I think it is popular because real wood and wood grain is too expensive nowadays. I bought Amish made oak cabinets that someone took out. They were put in my house with a really dark golden red/orange stain with lots of wood grain showing, paired with a white marble tile backsplash and I love them dressed up with chrome handles and a big chrome faucet and chrome chandelier. Think it looks like an old fashioned resort or country club. Love it. Reminds me of the last picture of red kitchen.

I love stained wood because I can see through beautiful wood pattern. Nowadays everything's white, white, white! Too much white makes my mind go crazy. It reminds me of some si-fi movie prison.

It is so easy to paint white over stained wooden cabinets but it would be so difficult to do reverse. I've learned to make a violin. Handmade violins are so beautiful. Who wants a white painted violin? If I wanted a white violin, I'd rather get a white electric violin.

Oh and I hate white painted brick fireplaces too. I love natural brick. I don't understand why people like ruining natural beauty.

My frustration is that when I try to look for kitchen ideas 95% of what I see is white. Houzz, Pinterest, instagram, etc. White kitchens are fine but I don’t want one. And just seeing the white plain Shaker door farmhouse style kitchen over and over again is very borning. Styles come and go, that is what keeps people in businsess and I wish the next trend would get here already.

After a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, I fell in love with the classic gray cabinetry. I chose “Plain & Fancy” Shaker style cabinets in color: Vista Gray. They are made in America in Pennsylvania. I try to buy American whenever I can. The color of ones kitchen is quite a personal choice❣️

@indigoglow2012 - I don't know where you are looking but when I started my relatively recent remodel, I found loads of inspiration kitchens that weren't white.

In fact if you look at higher end design magazines or visit cabinet places that sell higher end products, they have many examples of kitchens that aren't white to use as inspiration.

White kitchens are ubiquitous because they are a safe choice for builders. I can't comment on why individuals like white because that is a personal decision of taste although many people remodel with the thought of potential resale and so their choices are driven by not wanting to make design decisions that are safe in that they are not offensive to most people.

But if you don't want a white kitchen, don't get a white kitchen. When I first met with my designer I told her no white or beige pr gray and so I have a blue and copper kitchen with stained white oak cabinets :-).

If you are remodeling, white is often a good choice for a space that needs lightening up. That’s mostly why we chose white. I also love the clean and classic look. Grey is also very classic. There are so many great choices.

I just think it's time to move on from gray and white in general. If you walk into a furniture store now, all you see is white sofas and chairs. I think it shows an inability to make decisions and a stifling of personal style. Beyond that, it's just boring.

Completely agree!!

I totally agree, I cannot stand white kitchens.

I dislike white cabinets because so many of the flippers pick the cheapest white cabinets they can find to flip the home. Anyone can have white cabinets. They come super cheap.

I don’t like white kitchens at all. I’m currently house hunting so that means a lot of looking at the interiors of homes online. There are so many newer kitchens that have white cabinets, white countertops and white backsplashes. White White White!!!! People then mix it with grey or slate color wood floors. It creates the appearance of it being overly sterile, cold and uninviting. I know you need to add pops of color to balance it out. I know beige and warm colors are no out. But there needs to be a little balance somehow. People are going overboard with it.

How is a stained cabinet “more imaginative” than a white one? Just curious.

I like white cabinets and grey because it gives a sense of openessess and airyness. I like some wood cabinets but I'm often scorned with the dated previous look and how dated it can look. White offers many advantages. In 2005 warm taupe walls, dark cabinetry, and dark granite was the thing. I was in love with this style. I remember looking at new construction home that were a half million in Georgia and was ecstatic. When i went to buy my other home a few years back,  I started see'ing  homes that i use to love thinking how it needed to be gutted. Some people just like variety and change.

I find it ironic - given all the righteousness people have on this thread about not liking white kitchens - that each week, or even each day, this forum has a post asking about painting existing kitchen cabinets white. Yet changing white kitchen cabinets to something else does not seem to come up 🤔

Sorry this is so long but I have so much to say! I don't think of my kitchen as a white kitchen. I think of it as a kitchen with white cabinets. My "white kitchen" is styled. I have pottery and copper vessels on the counters and art on the walls. I even have art on my backsplash. The pantry has an 8 foot tall dark stained solid cherry door. My floors are hickory with vintage rugs. The ceramic architecture of my subway backsplash is beautiful because it's beveled. Because it's white I can paint my walls any color I like.

Yes, I am a bit disappointed that I started dreaming of this kitchen 10 years ago and now it's ubiquitous. If I had the financial flexibility to have solid wood custom cabinets, I might have considered them. For my self and most others though, they are out of reach financially. I agree with those who think white is part fad, and also common due to lower cost than custom wood. But they are an affordable way to have a timeless kitchen. White will never date. The mass produced stained golden oak and espresso stained cabinets are a good example of a dated style that will never come back. I like cabinets painted in colors as well, but my furniture is colorful and my house is very open concept. I wanted the flexibility of white.

The style and color of the house also has to be considered. My house has white window and door trim, and looks better with a white kitchen. And in my opinion many houses with stained wood trim look out of place with white kitchen cabinets.

As for how common white is? Our builder (Pacific northwest) put 75 houses in our neighborhood 3 years ago. Only a handful of people chose white. Most chose standard espresso stained or blonde wood. The men seem to like that. Many of the women see my white cabs love them and wish they could have talked their husbands out of builder grade wood.

I wish American kitchen design philosophy was more similar to that of many Europeans. They tend to choose something classic and stay with it. A lot of my frustration arises from living in a culture where a kitchen cabinet trend changes every decade and we all feel that our cabinets are dated at the end of the

trend. Kitchens are just too expensive for it to be practical to rip them up and replace cabinets and countertops every decade. The whole issue makes me sad.

Designer and color expert Maria Killam is a huge fan of kitchens and baths with white cabs. Her blog is full of inspiration. One of her more well known quotes is "boring now equals timeless later".

Totally agree - tired of white kitchens!

I have a white kitchen (finally... after 10 months of a remodel) and it makes my heart sing. I find it very easy to incorporate other colors through decor. When it comes to design, I think everyone should do what makes them happy and not worry about other people’s kitchens. I’m not a fan of gray... it reminds me of an overcast day, but I totally get why others have a more positive association with it and may find it calming. To each their own.

why do people have to be insulting to those who don't like white kitchens What is your problem Get over yourself

You mean insulting to those who HAVE white kitchens?? Look at the title of the thread

I also despise white kitchens too cold and clinical and how flippers make homes. Light woods are much more attractive to me.