Designing a timeless white cupboard scheme is one of the smartest ways to brighten your home, boost value and make everyday living simpler. Joyce Kitchens designs, manufactures and installs custom cabinetry for kitchen renovations Perth-wide and across WA — including bathrooms, laundries and wardrobe fit-outs.
Why Australians choose a white cupboard
A white cupboard finish is versatile, bright and resale-friendly. It suits Hamptons style, a minimalist galley kitchen, modern scullery or a classic shaker kitchen — and it flows beautifully through bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes for a cohesive look.
- Light and space: White reflects Perth’s abundant daylight, making small U-shaped kitchens feel larger.
- Timeless appeal: Neutral cabinetry works with almost any splashback or benchtop material.
- Easy to style: Change handles, lighting or bar stools and the room instantly updates.
- Great for open-plan living: White cupboards visually tie kitchen, dining and living areas together.
Quick definitions
Design insights that make white cupboards work
Pairing white cupboards with the right benchtop
The benchtop sets the mood for your white cabinetry. Below is a quick comparison of two common options WA homeowners ask about.
Benchtop comparison: Engineered Stone vs Laminate
| Feature | Engineered Stone (Quartz) | High-Pressure Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Availability in WA | Restricted/banned for new fabrication since 1 July 2024; consider porcelain/sintered alternatives. | Widely available with marble-look whites and concrete tones. |
| Heat & UV resistance | Good resistance, but always use trivets; check updated supplier guidance. | Improved modern performance, but avoid direct heat and cut on boards. |
| Look & feel | Traditionally seamless stone look; now often replaced by porcelain/sintered stone for similar aesthetics. | Excellent textures and edges; cost-effective for family kitchens. |
| Typical cost (installed) | Now superseded by porcelain/sintered stone at approx $700–$1,500 per m²+ in Perth. | Approx $250–$450 per m² installed. |
| Best pairings with white | Fine veined “Carrara-style” porcelain/sintered stone; subtle warm whites. | Warm whites, oak-look edges, soft greys for modern coastal vibes. |
Talk to our designers about porcelain/sintered stone, natural granite and solid surface choices that meet current WA regulations while suiting your white cupboard palette.
Hardware and ergonomics that feel premium
- Soft-close hinges and Blum drawer systems smooth daily use and protect paint edges.
- Finger-pull or push-to-open doors give a minimalist, handle-free look on white cupboards.
- Full-extension drawers, pull-out pantries and corner solutions maximise storage in galley and L-shaped kitchens.
Colour temperature matters
White isn’t one colour. In Perth’s bright sun, cooler whites can look stark. Many homes suit an off-white or warm white for doors, with a crisp white splashback for contrast. Always view samples in your space under day and evening lighting.
Our renovation and design process
- Consultation — In-home or showroom chat to map goals across kitchen, bathroom, laundry and wardrobes.
- Measure & plan — Precise site measure, appliance check (600 mm ovens are standard, 900 mm cooktops need suitable rangehood clearance), services and walls.
- Design — 3D concepts, selections for door profiles, benchtops, splashback, handles and lighting.
- Quotation & timeline — Transparent scope for custom cabinetry WA manufacturing, trades and installation.
- Manufacture — Locally made cabinetry to AS/NZS standards, quality checked.
- Installation — Licensed trades for plumbing and electrical; site protection and tidy handover.
- Aftercare — Guidance on care for two-pack, laminate or thermofoil; warranty support.
Materials, finishes and hardware
Popular white cupboard door options
- Two-pack polyurethane — Premium, repairable painted finish in matte/satin/gloss. Ideal for shaker kitchen or flat panel doors.
- High-pressure laminate/melamine — Durable and budget-friendly with many white textures. Great for family homes and rentals.
- Thermofoil (vinyl wrap) — Seamless profiles, especially for shaker doors; specify heat shields near ovens.
- Painted timber or MDF — Classic look for Hamptons style. Needs proper sealing and quality hardware.
Carcase and moisture resistance
- Moisture-resistant (MR) board for wet areas like bathrooms and laundries.
- Choose low-emission substrates (E0/E1) for better indoor air quality.
Benchtops and splashbacks that complement white
- Porcelain/sintered stone — A leading replacement for engineered stone benchtops; heat and stain resistant.
- Laminate — Modern patterns and tight edges suit contemporary spaces.
- Natural stone — Granite for durability; marble for luxury vanities (seal regularly).
- Solid surface — Seamless and repairable, ideal for waterfall ends.
- Splashbacks — White subway tiles for classic looks, or low-iron glass for sleek minimalism.
Lighting and details
- LED strip lighting under wall cabinets brightens benchtops and shows off white finishes.
- Bulkheads close ceiling gaps above cupboards to reduce dust and polish the look.
- Kickboards in matching white or brushed metal provide a tailored finish.
Layouts and styles that suit Perth homes
Kitchen layouts
- Galley kitchen — Efficient for townhouses and apartments.
- L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen — Great for families; add a breakfast bar.
- Butler’s pantry or scullery — Keeps prep out of sight, ideal for open-plan living.
- Islands — Consider a contrasting base in warm timber to anchor white cupboards.
Style notes
- Hamptons/coastal — White shaker cupboards, veined porcelain tops, brushed nickel handles.
- Modern minimalist — Flat white doors, finger-pull rails, integrated appliances and hidden handles.
- Contemporary Perth — Mix white cupboards with oak accents, matte black tapware and a soft grey splashback.
Beyond the kitchen
- Bathroom vanities — Matte white doors resist fingerprints, pair with stone-look porcelain tops.
- Laundry cabinetry — Tall white cupboard for brooms and a raised washer/dryer tower to save your back.
- Wardrobe fit-outs — White interiors brighten sliding or hinged robes with adjustable shelving.
- Feature pieces — A freestanding larder, buffet or island on legs delivers a furniture feel; we can design cabinets free standing style to suit period homes.
Costs, timelines and what to expect
Every project is custom, but these Perth price guides help planning. Final pricing depends on size, materials, benchtops, hardware and trades.
- Small kitchen refresh (retain layout): from $12,000–$22,000+ installed
- Mid-size kitchen (new layout, island): $25,000–$45,000+ installed
- Premium kitchen (scullery, porcelain tops, two-pack): $50,000–$90,000+ installed
- Bathroom vanity packages: from $2,500–$8,000+ installed
- Laundry fit-out: from $5,000–$15,000+ installed
Timelines: Typical lead time is 6–10 weeks from sign-off to installation, subject to selections and site readiness.
Appliance tip: 600 mm ovens are common in Australia; if you prefer a 900 mm cooktop, allow for rangehood ducting and bench clearances that meet manufacturer and AS/NZS guidance.
Real WA examples
Mount Lawley terrace upgrade
Brief: Keep heritage character, add storage. Solution: White shaker kitchen with satin two-pack doors, a porcelain “Carrara-style” benchtop, and a freestanding hutch for glassware. Result: Light, period-appropriate, and far more practical.
Fremantle coastal apartment
Brief: Compact galley, low maintenance. Solution: Flat white melamine cupboards, finger-pull rails, laminate benchtops, and LED task lighting. Result: Fresh and durable on a smart budget.
White cupboard selection checklist
- Choose your white: warm, neutral or cool — test samples day and night.
- Pick a door profile: shaker, v-groove or flat for your style.
- Select finish: two-pack, laminate/melamine or thermofoil (consider usage and heat sources).
- Confirm benchtop: porcelain/sintered stone, laminate, granite or solid surface.
- Decide on hardware: soft-close hinges, Blum drawers, handle style or finger-pull.
- Plan storage: pull-out pantry, spice drawers, corner solutions, internal bins.
- Lighting: under-cabinet LEDs, dimmers, and warm-vs-cool temperature.
- Wet areas: MR board, sealing and ventilation for bathrooms/laundries.
- Appliances: check Australian sizes and clearances before final drawings.
- Compliance: licensed trades for electrical/gas and waterproofing to AS/NZS standards.
Compliance, durability and maintenance in WA
- Standards: We design and manufacture to relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 4386 (domestic kitchen assemblies). Electrical, plumbing and gas works are by licensed trades.
- Engineered stone note: Due to national safety reforms, quartz-based engineered stone is restricted/banned for new fabrication in WA from 1 July 2024. We’ll guide you to compliant alternatives such as porcelain/sintered stone, granite or solid surface.
- Heat and UV: Perth’s climate can be harsh on finishes. Use heat shields beside ovens for thermofoil doors and consider satin/matte whites that hide fingerprints.
- Care: Microfibre cloths, pH-neutral cleaners and immediate wipe-ups keep white cupboards looking new.
Useful Australian resources:
Housing Industry Association (HIA),
Master Builders WA,
WA Building and Energy.
Ready to plan your white cupboard project?
From kitchen renovations Perth-wide to bathroom vanities, laundry cabinetry and wardrobe fit-outs, Joyce Kitchens crafts custom cabinetry WA homeowners love. Book a showroom consultation and let’s design a brighter, more functional home.
FAQ
Are white cupboards hard to keep clean in a busy Perth family kitchen?
No. Choose satin or matte finishes, specify soft-close hardware to protect edges, and use microfibre cloths with pH-neutral cleaner. Finger-pull rails reduce handle smudges and under-cabinet lighting makes wipe-downs quick.
What finish is best for white cupboard doors—two-pack or laminate?
Two-pack offers a premium painted look and is repairable; laminate/melamine is ultra-durable and budget-friendly. For families, a quality laminate in matte or textured white is excellent; for Hamptons or detailed shaker profiles, two-pack shines.
Can you match new white cupboards to my existing cabinets free standing?
Yes. We colour-match whites, profile-match doors and source complementary handles and benchtops. We can also design new free-standing cabinets like a hutch, island on legs or buffet that ties in seamlessly.
What are the best benchtop options now that engineered stone benchtops are restricted in WA?
Consider porcelain/sintered stone for high heat and stain resistance, natural granite for durability, or solid surface for seamless joins. Modern laminates also deliver brilliant marble-look designs at a lower price.
How much does a small kitchen with white cupboards cost in Perth?
As a guide, $12,000–$22,000+ installed when retaining the layout and selecting laminate or melamine doors. Two-pack doors, porcelain benchtops and layout changes increase investment. We’ll tailor a detailed quote after measure and design.