The white kitchen, your way: four schemes to inspire

While white is sometimes considered to be a safe option when it comes to interior decor, it remains one of the most popular choices for kitchens - and with good reason.

Bright and airy, a white kitchen makes for a wonderfully versatile base that never dates. It’s a blank canvas that provides endless possibilities for different looks. Not to mention, if down the line you wish to refresh the look of your space, you can do so very easily - simply by choosing a new wall colour, switching out textiles and accessories, or of course adding tile.

In fact, our design team often hears from customers seeking advice in choosing a tile to complement their kitchen cabinetry. It’s a question we love to help with, and the truth is, particularly with a neutral base kitchen, there are many answers.

So, to provide inspiration, in today’s article we take one kitchen with warm white cabinetry and walls, and a natural oak worktop - and show you four beautiful ways to style it using hardware, fabric and accessories, cupboard hardware, floor and wall tiles.

It’s time to prove once and for all that white really doesn’t have to equal bland.

Calling to mind the beauty of the English countryside, this look is as natural and fresh as the first bite of an apple.

Here, we have layered our white base kitchen with a palette of soft and earthy reds and greens, botanical patterns and natural textures including timber, French linens and terracotta.

Our pretty, hand painted Emma tiles take centre stage. Developed in collaboration with leading interior designer Emma Sims Hilditch, the tiles’ delicate tendril patterns in Sage Green have a quintessentially English feel, drawing their inspiration from vintage wallpapers. Jasmine grout is a beautifully harmonious match with their off-white, crackle glazed tile base.

For the floors, we have chosen small, terracotta-effect porcelain brick tiles - from our Andalucia collection in Seville - laid in an intricate herringbone pattern. The beautifully variegated colour and texture of these tiles add richness and warmth.

Burnished brass hardware, raw wood accessories, and delicately patterned fabrics such as this Orange Popple lampshade from Fermoie add a sense of depth. Open shelves filled with evergreens in weathered terracotta pots and old country earthenware breathe vitality into the space, whatever the season.

This chic, modern kitchen is the perfect lazy Sunday breakfast spot.

While the palette here is pared back and monochromatic, it’s far from being plain. The use of organic finishes creates a space that feels gentle and inviting.

Let’s begin with the floors. Here we have chosen extraordinarily realistic light oak-effect porcelain planks from our new Weathered Oak collection, in Almond. Their grained and knotted surfaces bear the scars and irregularities characteristic of hundreds of years of use - from dents and cracks to traces of woodworm. (They are also wonderfully practical.)

For the walls, we have selected skinny brick metro wall tiles from our Kennet collection in warm white Winterbourne with matching white grout. We designed these tiles to be just a touch longer than most skinny brick metro tiles, and narrower. Rather than the pristine, sleek look of a standard metro tile, ours is rustic, with a subtle crackle glaze and rough edges. The textured, undulating surface of these tiles reflects the light beautifully around the space.

The organic textures of both the floor and wall tiles are enhanced by aged brass hardware, wicker baskets and soft natural textiles. Crisp, black accessories add contrast and precision to the overall look.

This earthy and inviting space whisks us away to the kitchen of a rustic Lake District farmhouse.

Here, we have chosen to pair small, terracotta-effect porcelain brick tiles - from our Andalucia collection in Seville - with handmade wall tiles in smoky, green-brown Packhorse from our Ullswater collection. Jasmine grout enhances the stacked grid layout. These tiles are made by hand using traditional techniques, and feature a thick and characterful body and a surface that is rich with texture and charming irregularity.

Hardware and accessories in natural materials such as raw wood, and dark metals such as aged brass and copper bring through the depths of these tones. The addition of linen textiles make one feel instantly at home.

The overall effect is truly ‘salt of the earth’ - laid back, unpretentious and comforting.

This fourth look offers a laid back, grown-up take on the classic coastal kitchen.

Here, we have chosen moody grey-blue hexagon wall tiles in Dogger from our Latitude collection. With their matt finish and larger than usual size, these tiles bring a thoroughly contemporary feel to the space. Enhanced by a network of white grout lines, they create a geometric pattern that brings to mind the crests of waves on a choppy sea.

We have paired these tiles with mid-toned Weathered Oak planks in Honey which - together with the modern seagrass accessories - have a grounding effect, adding warmth and rich texture.

Cupboard hardware in brushed chrome provides freshness, while textured linens in natural colours with soft blue detailing, such as this Blue Popple lampshade from Fermoie soften the overall look. Potted houseplants and fresh green sprigs from the garden add a sense of vibrancy.

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Whether you are considering a complete kitchen renovation or simply looking for small ways to refresh your space, your choice of tiles can be truly transformative. Whatever the scale of your kitchen project, we hope you’ll find the inspiration you’re looking for here.

And if you’re not sure where to start, we encourage you to get in touch with our design team – we take great satisfaction in helping our customers create a look they love.