White cabinets are a versatile choice for a kitchen. Though usually available in laminate or thermofoil (which can be difficult to paint over), more expensive custom wood cabinets can be ordered in a painted white or cream finish with distressed or glazed details.

With plenty of options, white cabinets don't have to be basic. If you want a warmer look, shift direction and use wood cabinetry for your island. Use the same hardware on both the white peimeter cabinets and the island, or the same countertop on both to tie the look together.

Like a little black dress, white cabinets are appropriate almost anywhere, whether your kitchen is sleek and modern or warm and traditional. Full-overlay cabinetry with doors that cover the entire cabinet frame present a minimalist profile, which works well in a modern kitchen. Pair the streamlined cabinetry with similarly styled hardware for the ultimate modern look.

An off white tone, glazing, and distressing techniques will give white cabinets traditional flair. Detailed door fronts and classic hardware will help solidify cabinetry as truly timeless.

White is a quintenssential cottage hue, which is why white cabinets work so well for the style. Pair the cabinets with vintage-inspired hardware, sweet pastels, and materials such as beaded board and wood surfaces for the ultimate in cottage style.

Even though white is simple, it fits well in elegant, showstopping kitchens. When used in tandem with detailed moldings and trimwork, glass door insets, and rich materials such as marble and stained cherrywood, white cabinets convey formality and grace.

Glaze applied to the edges, carved details, and reliefs gives white cabinets instant patina. Paneled cabinet doors, antique-inspired hardware, and details such as carved corbels, brackets, and turned legs will also turn white cabinets into old-world charmers.

Glazing and distressing say "traditional," while a high-gloss finish says "modern." The reflective surface of glossy cabinets will bounce light around the room and make the space feel bigger and lighter.

If you're concerned that white cabinet after white cabinet will turn your kitchen dull, shake it up with a bit of variety. Use glass doors in select upper cabinets, or include open shelves in your plan.

Add a little color to white cabinets with contrasting frames. To DIY this look, remove cabinet doors and paint them white. Once dry, mask off the door panels and paint the frames in your chosen color. Lighter colors work well for the frame. Once you've selected your accent color, pick a white with similar undertones for a look that will be well-blended, not jarring.

A black and white color combination is dramatic. When using the duo in a kitchen with white cabinets, keep the look from becoming theatrical by practicing restraint. Opt for black and white patterns with an organic or curvy aesthetic, rather than sharp and geometric, and use the black in small doses.

Bring a little pep to white cabinets with a colorful backsplash. White goes with almost anything, so backsplash options are wide open. Think about the look you want to create and the other elements in your kitchen, such as the floor and countertops, when selecting a backsplash color and material. With these parameters in mind, it will be easy to find something you love.

If you crave an all white look, use texture to your advantage. Subway tiles laid in a herringbone pattern or white stone with a mottled texture will add visual interest to your kitchen without breaking away from a sophisticated white scheme.

To create a new look without extensive remodeling, simply remove the doors from a few upper cabinets. Paint the interior of the cabinet boxes white, and show off eye catching dishes and accessories in your new display space.