What Color Flooring Goes With White Cabinets?

A white kitchen is luxurious and welcoming. White cabinets offer a bright, neutral canvas in the kitchen that lends itself to almost any personal style. However, selecting a paint color for the walls and flooring can become challenging. 

It can seem tough with many options, but some inspiration will help. First, consider your style and accents in your kitchen. Then, you’ll see how easy it is to find the best floor color for a white kitchen.

How do I choose a kitchen floor color?

When choosing flooring and countertops for your kitchen, you must coordinate style elements to create a cohesive look. The right combination of colors and textures can make the space more welcoming and stylish. In some cases, coordinating colors can even make your kitchen seem more significant.

An all-white room isn’t as simple as it may seem. If not done correctly, the room can feel stark or boring. It is especially true when it comes to kitchens. There are so many hard surfaces in this space — countertops, flooring, appliances, cabinetry — that a white kitchen can feel sterile.

Suggestions For The Flooring To Pair With White Cabinets.

• Light Wood

Light wood floors can be very pleasing with white cabinets. It creates a space that is bright and open. It’s especially effective when you coordinate softwood flooring with wood countertops in a similar tone.

• Dark Wood

For an eye-catching contrast, pair white cabinets with dark wood floors. The dark wood creates a grounded space that shows off the cabinets. It also makes the kitchen look more elegant or formal than it may otherwise.

• Medium floors

If dark feels too overwhelming for your kitchen or style, go a few shades lighter with medium colors. A slightly dark grey shade is modern, while beige wood tones are natural and versatile. Avoid too orange hues, as that can look outdated and clash with your white cabinetry.

• Light floors

Light hardwood is the best color floor for a white kitchen to maintain an airy feel. Pine or golden oak options will add just enough color contrast. In addition, it will let your kitchen stand out without overwhelming the room.

• White floors

White isn’t as standard as the other options above. However, white hardwood or tile can fit a white kitchen if you want a rustic look and feel. It’s also best for households without pets or kids as white floors can easily show stains and damage. Instead, use matte white flooring and balance it with grey or brown neutrals in your kitchen.

• Grey

Like wood floors, grey is a calming neutral that works well with white. For a more luxurious room, go for a darker shade. Conversely, a lighter color will open up the room. Coordinate a grey floor with a stone or marble countertop for an elegant and refined design.

• Black

Patterned white and black tiles or linoleum will look great with white cabinets. Pick any pattern you like for a look that is contemporary or classic. Another plus of designs is that they typically hide dirt and are easy to keep clean.

• Brown

Another neutral that goes great with white cabinets is brown. It adds warmth and depth to the floor, keeping the room from seeming shapeless or washed out with too much white. It offers a bit of contrast to the white without being quite as dramatic as black. Brown floors give a more casual, relaxed look to a down-to-earth room.

• Marble

Marble goes perfectly with white cabinets. In addition, the marbling automatically coordinates the white cabinets and floor together. It helps unify and blend the elements.

Tips for Creating a More Interesting Kitchen.

• Layer Shades of White

Avoid a sterile look by mixing whites. If you use just one shade, the room can look flat. Instead, choose three or four shades of white. Place them on different materials around the kitchen. It will add dimension and interest throughout the space.

Avoid mixing warm whites with cool whites. Warm tones look more yellow, and cool tones look bluer. 

• Use a Statement Material

Materials like Carrara marble have strong visual appeal and instantly make a statement, even in a white-on-white environment.

Limit materials with a lot of movement to just one element, usually the backsplash or countertop. Choosing subtler materials for other surfaces allows the statement-maker to shine.

Benefits: The natural marble slab instantly draws your attention to this kitchen. Because the other materials and fixtures are more subdued.

• Add Texture.

Bringing in materials with various textures adds depth to a predominantly white kitchen. They can be both tactile and visual. It can be done by mixing shiny with matte and rough with smooth for a dynamic look.

Benefits: These textured pendant lights make a strong visual statement against the white cabinets while balancing the wood flooring. The kitchen feels warm and welcoming.

• Accent Colors

Splashes of color in a white kitchen help play up the cabinetry. First, choose a small number of contrasting colors. Then, repeat them in accessories to pull the theme together. Places to add color include seating, lighting, countertop canisters, rugs, backsplashes, and hardware.

Benefits: This kitchen injects bright colors into the seating, lighting, and a memo board on the wall. These colors give the room a friendly vibe while keeping the kitchen white and bright.

• Use Natural Light To Your Advantage

Natural light from a window or skylight greatly benefits any kitchen, predominantly white. It puts off a bright and airy feel.

Tip: Window treatments in adjoining rooms can make a difference too. Consider using shades that can be pulled up entirely in the daytime. It will allow even more natural light to filter into your kitchen.

• Provide Softness

Fabrics bring pattern and softness into a white kitchen. Window treatments are an easy way to do this. You can also bring in materials through floor runners or other smaller rugs. Or choose bar stools covered in fabric or leather instead of wood.

Benefits: Roman shades with a subtle geometric pattern help soften this kitchen. They are tailored and clean and can get pulled up to maximize natural light entering the kitchen.

• Top the Island

Let the kitchen island stand apart from the rest of your work surfaces. Do this by topping it with a different color or material. This bit of contrast also breaks up the room and gives your eyes a nice resting place.

Benefits: The wooden countertop on the island creates a center point in the room that feels like it belongs because it echoes the floor material with its top and the cabinetry color with its base.

• Replace the Hardware

The cabinet hardware is the finishing touch in a kitchen. It’s often referred to as the jewelry in the room. A simple hardware change can elevate a white kitchen and make a big difference in its look.

Benefits: Gold hardware complements the faucet and adds a touch of luxury and sophistication.