Meghan Markle's white kitchen reminds us why this color isn't 'about playing it safe' – experts say this classic palette is all about 'possibilities'

White is stereotypically the most classic yet safe color you can introduce to your kitchen – consequently meaning it ensures through trends (but you'd be forgiven for thinking it's slightly vanilla in the process). However, this year, experts are encouraging us to see white kitchens in a new way, and nowhere showcases this new ideology quite like Meghan Markle's space.

We may be a mere 3 days into 2025, but the announcement of Markle's new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has made waves that will shape the year ahead. The trailer shows a glimpse inside the Montecito mansion that will serve as the show's backdrop – located around two miles away from her main residence. The luxury estate may not offer a look inside the Duke and Duchess's private home, but it's still a trove of design inspiration, starting with the white kitchen.

Despite its white color-drenching, Markle's kitchen doesn't feel boring. The secret is in the textures. White shaker-style cabinets meet a glossy tiled backsplash and a wooden island – for a layered look that feels curated, cohesive, and timeless.

Ryan Fitzgerald, the owner of Raleigh Realty, is a real estate and design expert who believes we should rewrite our white kitchen conventions. He states that adding texture and accessories (like Markle's) is a key way to ensure it never feels boring.

'White kitchens aren’t about playing it safe. They’re about leaving room for everything else to shine – your story, your style, your life,' Fitzgerald says.

'In all my years as a realtor and interior designer, I’ve never had someone walk into a white kitchen and say it’s not their style. What I do see is how their eyes light up as they start imagining what they could bring into the space. It’s always about the possibilities – where their vase from a memorable trip might sit, how their favorite new décor piece will fit, or what kind of texture they could add to make it their own. That’s the beauty of a white kitchen. It doesn’t demand attention; it gives people the freedom to see themselves in it.'

As Markle demonstrates, the right kitchen tiles can go a long way in ensuring this hue impresses in any modern home. 'What really makes a white kitchen interesting are the layers that build on it. Textures do a lot of the heavy lifting,' he comments.

'For one project, I used glossy subway tiles with uneven edges that caught the light just right, paired with matte cabinet fronts that grounded the whole look. It wasn’t loud, but it felt considered. Another time, the client chose a mix of warm wooden stools and a polished concrete island – each material added depth and a sense of connection to the room.'

Though seemingly small, hardware is impactful in tying a white kitchen together. Markle's space has a silver faucet and pot filler, along with small black handles for a monochromatic contrast against the cabinets.

'I’ve seen brushed nickel pulls work wonders in some kitchens while others come alive with darker, more dramatic finishes,' Fitzgerald says. 'These small details shift the feel of the entire space without ever making it feel cluttered or overdone. You can opt for oversized handles in a hammered brass finish, and that single choice will bring so much warmth and character into what could’ve been a very simple design.' Similarly, we can add interest through textured cookware and accessories. We can't get enough of these classic picks available below.

'Every detail, whether it’s the sheen of the cabinets or the feel of the tiles, has the potential to make it special,' Fitzgerald adds. 'What stays consistent is that it’s a space that people don’t just walk into; they step into it and see their lives unfolding. That’s what makes it timeless, and that’s why it always works.'