Sourcing inspiration for the best coastal kitchen ideas? While my kitchen is always a work in progress, I’m pleased with how far it has come and am so excited to show you everything today. Take an inside look at my coastal kitchen design in this blog post!
If you love airy, light beachy themed home decor vibes then you have found the right spot. I’ll walk you through some of the key elements that make this style so charming. We’ll chat about finding the perfect bar stools, choosing a beautiful backsplash, and picking out timeless hardwood floors. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just looking to give your kitchen a coastal refresh, I’ve got you covered with tips and ideas to help you create the coastal design of your dreams.
How Do I Make My White Kitchen Standout?
To make your white kitchen really stand out, you can add some contrasting elements that bring depth and personality to the space. For starters, consider going with darker hardwood floors (more on this later!). They’ll create a nice contrast against the white cabinets and walls making the room feel more inviting.
Adding some decorative accents with pops of your favorite color like a bright blue vase, a cheerful dish set, or a colorful rug can really liven things up.
Let the white space do its thing by keeping countertops clutter free for that clean, polished look. Mix in some textures, too. A rattan bar stool or a bamboo pendant light can add a touch of coastal charm. And don’t forget about the backsplash. A statement backsplash with subtle patterns can create a focal point without taking away from the crisp white wall color.
What Are The Best Colors to Pair with a White Kitchen?
When it comes to choosing colors that go with a white kitchen, the options are practically endless since white is such a versatile base. However, my personal favorites are blue and green as they perfectly complement the neutral coastal tone.
Shades of blue, from soft blues to deep navy, are always hits in my house. Greens help to bring in natural elements that pairs beautifully with white. These colors can be introduced through accessories like dishware, cushions, or even a statement backsplash.
Combining blue and green accents with natural materials like wood and rattan is also a great look. I love how rattan bar stools pair with a coastal kitchen!
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White Coastal Kitchen Design Ideas and Inspiration
Now, let’s get into my kitchen tour! I’ll walk you through my thought process as I select different elements for this space. It’s the perfect coastal kitchen style!
Stunning Kitchen Cabinets
In my opinion, white kitchen cabinets are a must for a coastal kitchen. If you’re designing a new build, go for a crisp and clean white. If you’re already in a home and redesigning the kitchen, updating the paint color on the cabinets is one of the first things to check off the to-do list.
Our kitchen cabinet color is Frosty White by Sherwin Williams. I still love it and am so glad we went with it. It looks stunning in almost any home! Especially for achieving coastal style, it’s the best paint color.
Other popular white kitchen paint colors are Sherwin-Williams’ Pure White, Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, and Behr’s Ultra Pure White. These shades are well-loved for their crisp, clean look that brightens up any space. Another favorite is Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, which offers a slightly warmer tone. I’d recommend grabbing some samples before deciding for sure on the white color that’s right for you.
Practical Countertops
We went with quartzite counter tops because I wanted a marble look that was still natural stone but that I didn’t have to worry about as much with kids (it’s durable and less fussy than marble). I’m also a fan of white quartz countertops.
There are so many countertop options out there, so pick one that feels practical to you. Between the cabinet paint colors and decor you’ll put on the countertops anyways, I feel like it’s the one thing you can focus more so on functionality than style.
Functional Appliances
We went with Thermadore appliances (it’s the same company as Bosch) and love them! We did a buy 3 get 1 free appliance promotion that they ran so definitely try to hit a sale or promo if you can.
Our microwave is built in to the oven and it also can double as a speed oven which is so handy. In addition, we opted for an induction stove top that heats up extremely fast and evenly. It isn’t hot to the touch!
Trying to figure out what pendant lights to use? Use a naturally textured element like rattan. This pendant light has been a favorite and the scallops are so adorable. I still get lots of natural light from the large windows in the space and utilize the artificial light when I need to.
You’ll notice we did a custom panel on the dishwasher so it blends into the cabinets seamlessly. I highly recommend doing this for a more sleek look.
The hardware on the cabinets are honey bronze by top knobs and the sink faucet matches closely (Jacobean by Newport brass).
Pretty Backsplash
It was hard, but we stayed on budget for the backsplash! I decided on a pretty light blue to pop the white cabinets and bring out texture in the countertops.
The backsplash is a great place to bring in a color to a white kitchen. It’s subtle and doesn’t become overly obnoxious at all. Especially if you have open shelving, having an accent piece can really add some interest.
Contrasting Hardwood Floors
I thought this view of the kitchen from the dining room showed off the hardwood floors pretty well. You’ll notice these are a classic dark hardwood. This provides such a nice contrast for white walls. It also conveniently matches the rest of our house. These floors are the Dundee Oak Autumn Forest finish. I think they would be great in a beach house, too.
While a lot of kitchens with a coastal theme have a totally light color scheme (because everything about this design style is an airy feel and breezy focused!) I think this is one time where I differ from traditional grandmillennial style. Dark floors provide the best contrast to white cabinets. I think it’s a must if you want a great dose of interest and variation.
Our dining table is also a pretty pairing with a white kitchen. I love the way I can accent with pretty tablecloths, place settings, and more! Light blues and light greens are my favorite for this. And just look at the natural textures going on with the dining room chairs. Perfection!
Minimal Blue & White Decor
I don’t love a cluttered look and think just a few decorative elements on a kitchen island is all you need! To create a coastal look, blue and white ginger jars or vases in light colors are perfect. These coastal elements bring out the theme of the room!
These Serena & Lily inspired bar stool chairs are another favorite. Adding rattan or bamboo goes great with coastal decor and still has a modern design. I love how the chairs incorporate natural materials!
Pot Filler with Marble Frame Box
You don’t see this idea in very many kitchens anymore, but it is SO handy to have. I love it! I use it almost every single day. Easily fill up pots of water to boil without having to walk back to the sink.
The marble frame box is a great neutral backdrop for the pot filler. It has such a timeless appeal. It’s a great vintage way to accentuate your coastal kitchen designs.
Appliance Garage
If you have the room in maybe an entryway or nearby space, building out an appliance garage is so helpful. This is also an opportunity to play around with colors other than white for the cabinets! Aren’t these blue cabinets pretty?
This is a great place to store your mixer, blender, crockpot, excess pots and pans, and more. I know you’ve seen a handful of light fixtures in this post, and I’ll dedicate another article to explaining my thought process behind each. For now, just know that I carefully select pendants, mount lights, or chandeliers that align with a coastal tone and try to think practically, too.
Final Thoughts
Creating a white color scheme and coastal-style kitchen is all about bringing out the brightness of the white color with cool, calming decorative accents and appliances. With contrasting hardwood floors, pops of color, and textured materials, you can make your kitchen both stylish and inviting, too!
Use these tips for your coastal kitchen remodeling adventure. Don’t stress about making things perfect. Have fun bringing in your own decorative style! I can’t wait to see your own modern coastal kitchen design.
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