There are many variations of white oak. Most white oak is actually more light brown than white, with antique white oak being an exception. Most very light brown oaks are considered white.

Now, why are these colors so popular with homeowners, interior designers, and kitchen designers?

For one thing, it’s a neutral color. Neutral colors are very much on trend right now in contemporary design because they help to bring out subtleties in furnishings and textures.

Often the textural components of a space can get lost in the fray. Interior designer education teaches that a neutral background creates a welcoming interior when mixed with warm textures like rough wood elements, bright tile, nubby bedding, and brushed velvet.

For example, if the walls of a room are painted a bright red, then the bold color will prevail, causing any textural elements to disappear into the background. This can make a room feel unwelcoming by omitting a layered texture design.

Neutral colors do not overwhelm the senses. Most people consider this to be the best feature of neutral colors, you will rarely get tired of them. Have you ever painted a room in a bright and bold color? If so, was it a long time before you got tired? Most of the time, the answer to this question is no. Because it is so overwhelming to our senses. Generally, it’s better for shiny things to be subtle, because then they will pop more and, as a result, their effectiveness will increase. With neutral cabinets like white oak, your personal tastes can come to the fore, allowing you to show off your brightly colored appliances or vibrant countertops.

Neutral can be applied in almost any circumstance.

We’ve already covered why neutral is best for contemporary kitchens and interiors, but the beauty of neutral colors is simply that they work with any style.

Aside from the color scheme, white oak cabinets are popular because they are natural and have a nice texture. One of the goals of contemporary designers is to make things feel natural. For some reason, natural settings seem to bring us peace. Maybe it’s because of our roots as a society, maybe we long to taste what once was.

Yet another reason white oak is popular is durability. Oak is a strong wood with a lot of structural integrity. Most high-end cabinets are built with the intention of being able to withstand disassembly and moving from one house to another. After all, if you’re going to spend a lot on quality cabinets, it’s understandable that you’ll want to take them with you when you move.