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What’s not to love about the timeless all-white kitchen design? Photo sharing sites like Pinterest and home décor magazines fuel every home design fanatic’s obsession with these pristine, untainted white kitchen spaces. Not only they have an everlasting aesthetic appeal – but the all-white scheme also offers a refreshing and airy vibe and an effortless ability to bounce off light, making space appear bigger.
However, is the idea of a purely white kitchen better than its reality? I hate to break it to you but white kitchens are not for everyone.
While they’re elegant and beautiful, white kitchens may not be suitable for your home and lifestyle. It’s not just about its tendency to look bland and boring – to keep a white kitchen looking as spotless as ever can cost you an ample amount of time, effort, and money. When not maintained well, the characteristic you love about them can quickly turn into a huge disappointment.
Planning to refurbish your kitchen? Here are 5 issues to keep in mind before hopping onto the all-white kitchen bandwagon.
1. All-white kitchens can dig into your wallets
Before you call home builders for constructing the white kitchen of your dreams, ask yourself: how much are you willing to spend? Securing quality means throwing a couple more bucks so check if the total price tag meets your budget.
White cabinets are gorgeous, but they’ll wear in no time if you settle for a low-grade to medium-grade quality of wood. You should opt for durable, high-quality materials that would last in the long run. You may also consider applying a high-gloss finish to amp up the protection and make your cabinets easier to clean.
2. Home cooks may have a hard time with them
It’s crucial for your kitchen design to be in line with your lifestyle, specifically with how often you use it for cooking meals.
Do you enjoy cooking big meals for your family at least thrice a day? Or are you someone who often orders to-go meals and rarely uses the kitchen? More activity and traffic mean more chances of simultaneously dirtying your kitchen. Think of possible spills, stains, and microscopic food or grease particles that kiss your lovely, pristine cupboards and counters.
We’re not saying you should use your space less often (like, what’s the point of having a kitchen if you can’t have fun cooking and getting messy, right?). But unless you don’t mind cleaning your cookery regularly, a spotless, all-white kitchen might not work for you if you cook a lot.
3. White finishes are vulnerable to sun exposure
When natural light bounces into your white cupboards, it helps create a lighter, airier and more inviting space. The downside is natural light can also sabotage the immaculate look of your kitchen. White cabinets and countertops are more likely to fade and turn yellow over time when exposed to direct sunlight.
So if you have windows, take note of the amount of sunlight received by your kitchen every day and determine the areas that could be potentially hit. You may install sheer draperies, blinds, shades, and window films to help block sunlight and shield your cabinets.
4. White kitchens, ironically, emphasize impurities
We get it – white signifies simplicity and purity. However, are you ready to be faced with extra work in order to keep it that way?
White is like a blank canvas that allows other details to shine – even the ugly ones. We’re talking about stains, greases, dirt, as well as signs of age, wear, and tear like cracks. Unlike in dark-colored cabinets, white finishes and surfaces make even the smallest hint of filth stand out.
5. It’s safe to say they are high maintenance
Given that white kitchens accumulate dirt easily, they require a lot of attention.
Prolonged exposure to spills and stains can cause permanent discoloration so you must clean them off as soon as you see them. You should be ready to devote a lot of time to keep them looking pristine. Cleaning routine may include wiping and dusting off the marred sinks, counters and cupboards at least once a week to prevent airborne particles from sticking and soiling.
The final question is, can you commit to this routine in the long run? If you don’t have the time for regular upkeeps, then you may rethink your dream of having an all-white kitchen.
Author Bio: Mina Corpuz is a resident writer for Wincrest Bespoke, one of NSW’s most experienced and well-renowned home builders aiming at building and designing modern family homes in Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, and the Hunter. Her passion for interior design loves writing articles focused in real estate and interior design.