Logic dictates that sanitized spaces (such as those dedicated to health care and food preparation) be bathed in white. White does not only look clean; it also demands cleanliness of the occupant. There is a reason why chefs and doctors wear white; wouldn’t you want your food prepared by a gleaming beacon of all things spiffy and clean?

While industrial kitchens tend to veer on the white side, most home kitchens are most often infused with patches of colour. Depending on the look and feel of the home, or the home owner's taste, home kitchens do not normally take the pure sheen of the industrial kitchens. Typical modern homes have either earth toned wood panels, or darker coloured counter tops. Most apartments with built-in kitchens also take this route.
With the growing number of city-weary folk who take conscious steps towards creating a Zen-like aura in their houses, white home kitchens have become more popular than in recent years. Far from the excesses of the 70’s and 80’s, where the disco/techno culture greatly influenced all forms of design, today’s kitchens take on a simpler quality. Simple does not mean ancient, however. The simplicity of new kitchen designs are still infused with the technological benefits of modernity, such as hidden refrigerators and concealed light switches. 

Nonetheless, to the naked eye, simple is as simple gets.

However, ‘simplicity’  can be a design trap. When executed poorly, a white kitchen can appear bland. Most building owners tend to design generic white kitchens free of personality. Home kitchens tend to be one of the most used rooms in the house, and erasing all forms of personality would not be wise. Kitchens should be a reflection of the very heart of the home: entering it should immediately make you feel warm and welcome.
In case you’re dealing with a white kitchen that needs that extra oomph, here are some tips you can follow.

Clean and functional kitchen

There are many kinds of white
It sounds strange, but it is true. White is not one hue. Some whites have yellow undertones, some have bluer undertones. Wintry whites have bluer undertones, and tend to appear more glowing. Creamier whites, on the other hand, appear closer to the colour of vanilla ice cream. 

Varying the kinds of white in the room will counter monotony. Sticking to only one kind of white is typical of antiseptic kitchens, but home kitchens need just a bit of warmth. If your counters are brighter, try softening the cabinets. This tip would come in handy especially if you’ve invested in steel kitchen appliances that tend to go with white.

A bit of texture goes a long way
Adding depth to a flat white surface will definitely liven up any space. A well placed earth toned mat can balance out the airy feel of your kitchen. So will strategically placed prints on your walls. If you’re aiming for a dreamy white kitchen, translucent watermark prints framed in thin frames would do. Watermarked wallpaper would also do the trick.

Ground with just a touch of colour
You want the eye to take you all over the room. Grounding your kitchen with a carefully chosen colour will help your guests appreciate the purity you’ve so carefully cultivated. A light spring green accent here and there will help achieve this. A green vase with flowers on the counter, a linen basket in the same hue somewhere in a corner, or perhaps green-printed plates prominently displayed. Other colours that work would be lavender, sky blue, butter yellow or deeper earth tones. If you’re daring enough, lipstick red would also work for edgier home owners.

Maintenance is Key
Any well-decorated space easily deteriorates when not taken care of properly. Regular upkeep of a white space is an absolute must. It is not a forgiving hue; make sure to dust all surfaces and immediately take care of spills as they happen. A heavenly space needs ample attention; make sure to do your part.