# White kitchens in Tenerife > White kitchens in Tenerife: white and wood, white with a black worktop, how to keep it from feeling cold and which finishes stay white in the sun and humidity. A white kitchen makes a room look bigger and goes with any worktop, but it needs a counterpoint so it does not feel cold: wood, a dark worktop or warm lighting. Whether it stays white over the years depends on the door finish far more than on the colour itself. - **White chosen from a real sample.** There are brilliant whites, off-whites and warm whites. We compare them in the light of your own kitchen before you decide. - **Finishes that hold up in the sun.** Quality laminates and lacquers that keep their colour in south-facing kitchens. - **The right counterpoint.** Wood, a black worktop or stone grey to add warmth and depth. White kitchens are still the safest choice for anyone who wants a bright kitchen they will not tire of. In Tenerife they have an extra practical advantage: in flats with little natural light, like many in Santa Cruz and La Laguna, white bounces round whatever comes through the window and makes the kitchen look larger. The trouble starts when everything is white and the kitchen ends up looking like a laboratory. ## Not all whites are the same Choosing the white is the first decision, because there are brilliant whites, off-whites, warm whites and whites with a hint of grey. Brilliant white under cool light looks almost blue; an off-white under warm light feels inviting. That is why it pays to look at samples in your own kitchen, at different times of day, rather than in the showroom. If you are still deciding between white and other colours, we compare them in our guide on [choosing a colour for kitchen cabinets](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/guides/kitchen-cabinet-colours/). The sheen matters too. Matt white hides fingerprints and small scratches. Gloss reflects more light but shows every touch, something to bear in mind if you have children or if the property is let. ## White and wood Pairing white with wood is the simplest way to warm up a white kitchen. It works in several ways: wooden base units with white wall units, an oak island or peninsula with everything else in white, or a wooden worktop on white cabinets. If you choose a solid wood worktop, bear in mind that it needs regular oiling and does not like water left standing by the sink. A lower-maintenance alternative is a quartz or porcelain worktop in white or light grey, keeping the wood for the doors. ## White with a black worktop A black worktop on white units gives contrast and a more contemporary feel. It is the pairing that best defines the horizontal line of the kitchen and makes the units look lighter. Be aware that a plain black worktop shows dust, dried drips and limescale marks from the water. Textured finishes or ones with a little veining hide them far better. In [sintered stone](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/worktops/dekton/) and some [porcelain](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/worktops/porcelain/) ranges there are matt blacks that are easy to clean and take hot pans. ## How to stop a white kitchen feeling cold A white kitchen feels cold when it lacks texture and the light is white and flat. These are the fixes that work best: - Lighting at 2,700 to 3,000 K under the wall units and on the ceiling. - A wooden element, even if it is just an open shelf or the breakfast bar. - Taps in brass, matt black or brushed steel instead of shiny chrome. - A worktop with veining or texture rather than a completely plain white. - Handles in a different material if you do not want completely flat doors. ## Looking after a white kitchen A well-chosen white kitchen is no more work than one in any other colour. Quality laminates and lacquers clean with a damp cloth and mild soap; abrasive products and green scourers are what damage them. In south-facing kitchens or ones with plenty of direct sun, some budget finishes yellow over the years. When we design a white kitchen in Tenerife we check which way it faces and recommend doors with good colour stability. To see how white looks with different worktops, you can try it out in our [kitchen planner](https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/kitchen-planner/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Which white should I choose if the kitchen gets little natural light? In internal kitchens or ones with a window onto a light well, a slightly warm white works better. Brilliant white under cool artificial light tends to look bluish and a little flat. ### Does a white kitchen go with an old terrazzo floor? Yes, and it is a good way to renovate without replacing the floor. White lets the terrazzo take centre stage; you just need a worktop that picks up one of its tones, usually a grey or a beige. ### What handle looks best on a white kitchen? It depends on the effect you are after. A handleless rail or J-pull keeps the doors clean and makes the kitchen feel bigger; a matt black handle picks out the lines and adds contrast, and brass brings warmth without breaking up the white. In a small kitchen, a discreet handle stops it looking cluttered. ### Does the grout between white tiles go black? Over time, yes, especially behind the hob and the sink. That is why many white kitchens have a splashback in the same material as the worktop or in large-format porcelain, which has very few joints. --- Web version: https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/white-kitchens/ Cocina en Tenerife: design, manufacture and installation of made-to-measure kitchens in Tenerife. Quote: https://cocinaentenerife.com/en/contact/