How to Style Your Kitchen With Elegant Blue & White Decor

Saffron Marigold - Updated: May 11, 2022

Glamming up your cooking area is possible without sacrificing function. With strategic accessories like versatile blue and white kitchen decor, you’ll end up with an elegant kitchen that still meets your cooking, baking, and storage needs. From kitchen curtains to table linen essentials, we’re here to demonstrate that making over a blue and white kitchen is an easy feat with the right accessories.

Why choose blue and white for your kitchen decor?

Blue and white kitchens are a future-proof choice. This color combination is not only crisp and graceful, but it meshes well with various interior design styles.

Whether it’s rustic farmhouse aesthetics to modern minimalist vibes, a white and blue pairing adapts to your style. As a result, you get a timeless color scheme you can use with all the latest home trends, but will still look just as good when you want to change up your interiors.

Blue & white kitchen decor is also a practical choice. It means you can incorporate accents like vases, fruit bowls, seat cushions, cabinet hardware, and wall hangings in assorted colors.

That’s because blue & white are team players. They’re neutral shades that support other colors instead of hogging the spotlight, but make no mistake! Blue and white command attention on their own.

7 design inspirations for an elegant blue and white kitchen

We’ve curated a lineup of design boards here to help you brainstorm ideas.

1. A modern white kitchen with blue accents

Interior designers dream up modern kitchens that feature all-white walls, counters, and floors with blue accents throughout. Marble is the top choice for countertops, kitchen islands, and backsplashes, and white-painted wood is a favorite for cabinets.

Gold or chrome accents mesh well with blue decor. Varying shades of blue also bring harmony to a kitchen.

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English Gardens ~ Tablecloth

This blue and white kitchen decor is inspired by designer-writer-activist William Morris, whose mark on the creative world was bolstered by his love of nature and its many symbols. English Gardens brings a touch of effortless class to your kitchen.

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English Gardens ~ Kitchen Curtain

Try this accompanying print for your kitchen curtain. Inspired by Morris’ Willow Boughs print, our rendition is a modern version in the same china blue and white color palette as the English Gardens tablecloth.

Serena and Lily

Avalon Swivel Counter Stool

Dress up your kitchen bar or island with this barely blue, vintage indigo barstool made of hand-shaped rattan. It emulates the same relaxed elegance as our English Gardens collection, but it warms up the room with its trellis back and rounded edges.

2. An all-blue kitchen with white accessories

You might approach this color pairing in a different way. Instead of white as the main dish, you can serve up blue. All-blue cabinetry and other blue woodwork are in vogue and make your kitchen feel indulgent, especially when contrasted against white walls and white decor.

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Ivy Lace ~ Elegant White Wedding Round Table Indian Cloths

Couple this versatile tablecloth with any color placemats and table napkins. Take advantage of the neutral tones and versatile scrolls, which pair with virtually any other color and print.

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Ivy Lace ~ White Country Cottage Floral Kitchen Curtain

Use the same romantic print on your wall treatment to set apart your window against blue walls and blue furnishings. The Ivy Lace curtain lends a delicate touch to your kitchen for a soft, refined look.

InMod

Luna Buffet Table

This buffet table with handle-free doors is a showstopper. Use it to feature a plain wall or to anchor an open-plan kitchen and dining room. On top, display your finest china or keep it simple with an extra-long, white runner.

3. An Asian-inspired kitchen with a calming blue & white atmosphere

In some Asian cultures, blue symbolizes spirituality, health, and positivity. In a kitchen, it feels calming and restorative—perhaps the best antidote to an often topsy-turvy, chaotic space in the home.

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Midnight Lotus ~ Festive Blue Table Runner

Midnight Lotus is a complex print in look and meaning. The exquisite lotus blossoms stand for new beginnings, so this table runner brings positivity to your kitchen. It looks especially stunning against a natural table.

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Midnight Lotus ~ Blue Linen Table Placemats (Set of 6)

Match your table runner with placemats of the same print for a double dose of rich cobalt blue. Bring out the quilted variation for special dinners or any time you need a thick placemat for holding hot dishes.

Let it Fly Lights & Decor

Modern Japanese Style Hanging Light

For fans of the Asian-influenced drum shape, this innovative lamp is an exciting find. A pop of green and warm brass in a blue and white room is a catalyst for a wow moment, and it’s more feasible than installing a chandelier or pendant bar.

4. A contemporary white and blue kitchen

Elegant and contemporary go hand in hand. Beyond blue cabinetry, peruse blue light fixtures, blue exposed wooden beams, and blue window frames for a shock of blue in unexpected places.

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Victorian Lilac ~ Purple Floral Bohemian Round Tablecloth

Technically more of a purple than a blue, Victorian Lilac still deserves recognition in our blue and white kitchen decor roundup. The Bohemian print is on-brand for contemporary kitchens, and the muted purple feels more polished than certain shades of blue.

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Victorian Lilac ~ Table Placemats (Set of 6)

Keep it monochromatic with these Victorian Lilac placemats in the same ivory ogee print. We revamped the quintessential Moroccan pattern with stylized florals breathe life into this Victorian print without losing authenticity.

Wayfair

Gel Peel & Stick Subway Tile

If you want to incorporate something brighter into your blue blue and white kitchen, this refreshing these ready-to-use 3D stickers in a refreshing Capri Sea blue green are an option. Arrange the tiles at uneven heights to create an organic feel that happens to be contemporary.

5. A traditional kitchen that blends blue and white to perfection

But, you don’t have to break the mold to create your fantasty blue and white kitchen. There’s a reason why traditional kitchens have an enduring appeal.

Saffron Marigold

Starry Nights ~ Batik Blue Designer Block Print Tablecloth

At first glance, Starry Nights might be mistaken for a floral print. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find that the hand-printed block pattern comprises star motifs on an indigo background. It evokes tradition, but the creative design gives your kitchen that distinct X factor.

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Starry Nights ~ Blue Batik Cloth Dinner Table Napkins

What better print to complement the Starry Nights tablecloth than this coordinating pattern? The star-like motifs twinkle on the same deep, indigo background with delicate, fine-line borders.

Afloral

Glossy White Round Ceramic Vase

A bouquet of artificial blooms and foliage is a kitchen and dining room staple. Better yet, station one on top of any bare space in your kitchen (china cabinet, counter, console table) to cheer up your traditional-inspired zone.

6. A cottage kitchen with white and blue florals and pastel shades

In the same vein, you can also try your shot at a quaint, but up-to-date kitchen. Select a few elements of cottage style like florals, pastel shades, and natural materials to give your elegant take on the cottage kitchen.

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Moonlit Taj ~ Elegant Turquoise Indian Tablecloth

Moonlit Taj ticks a few boxes in the cottage rubric—pastel (ish) blue flowers set against saturated green vines, an undeniably charming floral print that’s cozy, but never plain.

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Ivy lace ~ Elegant White Cotton Cloth Dinner Napkins

If you don’t want to overload your cottage kitchen with blue, this ivory table napkin is the perfect counterpart to Moonlit Taj. Leaves of varying sizes adorn the identical, elegant scrolls.

Ultra Shelf

Walnut Floating Shelf With Hidden Bracket

A full, lived-in kitchen is cottage style at its peak, but conventional storage solutions can make kitchens look too cluttered. A column or row of floating shelves with simple dinnerware gives you that cottage core feel without the risk of your kitchen looking jumbled.

7. A global-inspired kitchen with exotic blue and white prints

Exotic prints and wanderlust-inducing textiles lay the groundwork for a unique kitchen.

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Mosaique Bleue ~ Moroccan Tile Blue Kitchen Curtain

What embodies culture more than this Zellige-inspired print in dazzling colors like cyan, french blue, peacock green, and chocolate? Bring a piece of Moroccan architecture to your blue and white kitchen with this eye-catching curtain.

The Little Market

Round Woven Serving Tray – White

Global-inspired style utilizes lots of color, and you can unite multicolor accessories in a blue and white kitchen decor with this neutral-colored serving tray. It’s handmade by East African weavers out of natural star grass, papyrus, and upcycled grain bags. Set it on top of your dining table for fruit or bring it out during meals for serving bread.

Perigold

Ivy Hill Tile ~ Moroccan Wall & Floor Tile

This 8 x 8-inch porcelain tile is a marvelous backsplash, but you can also create an accent tile design on your kitchen floors. It echoes the style of our Mosaique Bleue print without making your kitchen feel too pattern-heavy.

What types of table linen to style your blue and white kitchen?

Table linen refers to fabrics used to decorate your table and help clean or prevent messes during mealtime. When styling your kitchen in blue and white, prioritize the following linen types:

  • Table runners: A table runner is a long, thin cloth that runs across the middle of your table and hangs off the edges.
  • Tablecloths: By contrast, a tablecloth covers your entire dining surface. Its job is not just to protect your table from messes and minor damage, but to add personality to your kitchen or dining room.
  • Placemats: Placemats are functional linen that keep your table protected against spills, stains, and heat. Plus, they tie your room together visually with matching tablecloths or curtains.
  • Napkins: A table napkin is a piece of rectangular cloth you use to wipe your mouth and drape over your lap while you eat.

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What should be considered when selecting table linen?

Shopping for new table linen can make your head spin with all the sizes, colors, and patterns available. Let’s break down some general guidelines to help you narrow down your top candidates.

Size and shape

Table runners: For rectangular tables, your tablecloth should be about a third of your table’s total width. Saffron Marigold’s table runners come in three versatile sizes: 18 x 90, 18 x 108, 18 x 120 inches.

Tablecloths: For round tables, measure the table’s diameter and add the drop length (times two for both sides) to this measurement.

For rectangular tables, measure the length and width of your table and add the drop length (times two for both sides) for both length and width.

Note: the standard drop length is about 6 to 8 inches. We carry sizes that fit most dining tables: 70 x 90, 70 x 108, and 70 x 120 inches.

A fitted sheet gives you less wiggle room, so be sure to find the exact size you need when looking for this type of tablecloth. Alternatively, choose fitted sheets with extra-elastic hems.

Overlays, on the other hand, are typically oversized. This decorative extra layer is usually found on round tables at formal occasions like weddings and receptions.

Placemats: A standard rectangle placemat is 12 x 18 inches, but ours are a little more generous at 15 x 20 inches. Round placemats are 15 inches in diameter on average.

Table napkins: They are available in standard sizes: 16 x 16, 18 x 18, and 20 x 20 inches.

Saffron Marigold’s cotton cloth napkins can be used for either lunch or dinner, and they measure 20 x 20 inches. This size is just right for folding into decorative shapes or holding flatware.

Material

Is cotton linen better than polyester linen? Yes, we like to think so. Cotton is a wonderful canvas for intricate block prints and colors, and this washable fabric is resilient.

Other materials you might consider for placemats—depending on your family’s needs—are plastic, leather, silicone, woven fibers like hemp, grasses (seagrass, Lutindzi grass, etc.), palm, and jute.

Synthetic placemats like plastic may be easier to clean than woven alternatives, but they rarely pack that beautiful aesthetic you want in an elegant kitchen.

Select Saffron Marigold placemats are available in medium-weight canvas and double-sided, preshrunk cotton. They come in sets of 6 and are washable by hand or in the machine using a gentle setting and cold water.

Color and design

Whether it’s a tablecloth or a placemat, you can find an array of prints and colors from our collections. Best of all, we have matching table linens and kitchen curtains so your kitchen looks seamless and well put together.

Choosing table linen from the same print family is a foolproof choice, but you can experiment with various combinations to get the exact ambiance you want.

Want to dip your toes into the waters before jumping in? You can order our swatches which are at least 10 square inches in size.

Maintenance and durability

Ideally, your table linen should last you through countless dinners and celebrations. That’s why cotton is the quintessential table linen, as are polyester, burlap, linen, and satin.

Cotton tablecloths shield your table against heat from hot plates, but they probably need to be washed more regularly than, say, vinyl. The tradeoff is that vinyl types look much more informal than cotton.

Satin and linen are preferred for more formal table settings, but they are more delicate and not suitable for everyday use.

What makes a blue and white kitchen look luxurious?

Although luxurious doesn’t always equate elegant, and vice versa, this is often the case. High-end accents like marble and modern touches like streamlined light fixtures can do wonders for a blue and white kitchen that needs a makeover.

Lastly, colors like cream and beige are elegant accents that complement blue well. Most importantly, an elegant kitchen is usually one that features uncluttered spaces for that airy sophistication you want bring out.

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