How Fixer Upper's Joanna Gaines Packs Character Into An All-White Kitchen

When you're planning out ideas for your kitchen remodel, one of the easiest ways you can ensure that everything looks cohesive is by sticking to one color. For a space that is clean, breezy, and bright, white is often the go-to choice. While keeping everything — from your cabinets to your backsplash — white will certainly give you a matching look, it can also, unfortunately, leave things looking a bit stark. Luckily, "Fixer Upper" star Joanna Gaines has one simple tip to bring in some dimension without sacrificing the airy look you've worked hard to cultivate. Rather than committing to a bold splash of color on the countertops or flooring, she recommends painting often-forgotten accents, such as the vent hood and island, for an extra dose of interest.

These might seem like somewhat random places to incorporate a pop of color, but, when you're working in a kitchen, you're often limited on customizable space. "When you're wanting to incorporate color, there's really not a ton of wall space you have to work with," Gaines said in a YouTube video. "Which is why we wanted to do it on the island and the vent hood." This way, if you find you want to change things down the line, you can simply repaint rather than undergoing a more expensive kitchen countertop installation.

Joanna Gaines is known for her trademark modern farmhouse style, so if you're a fan of her transformations on "Fixer Upper," it's likely that you share similar tastes. In many of her transformations, she veers away from vivid, all-over color in favor of accents that are more muted and subtle, and this kitchen idea is no exception. If you're looking to accomplish a similar look in your own kitchen, keep things light, bright, and minimalistic throughout, then decide on a single color to use as an accent. This doesn't have to be anything bold — Gaines is using a subdued blue-gray similar to Duke Gray ($57.99) from her own Magnolia Home Paint brand — but if you're looking to break things up, stay away from plain white.

The color you choose here, is, of course, up to personal preference, but it's important to consider the overall palette of the room. If you have dishes, furniture, or window dressings that you want to guarantee will match, consider pulling a color from one of these items. A small dose of color is all you need to keep things from feeling too clinical, but if you're still wary of the idea, there are also other options you can explore.

If you're still a bit intimidated by color or you're looking to bring more dimension to a white kitchen without renovating, Joanna Gaines has another solution that can still make plenty of impact. "If you don't want to do a paint color, you can also tie in reclaimed wood," she said in her YouTube video. The natural texture and color of the wood, especially reclaimed wood that's been worn with time, can bring in a ton of interest and dimension without you having to sacrifice your overall monochromatic look. This tip can apply to a change as big as swapping the countertops for butcher block, or as small as bringing in wood decorations and furniture.

Either way, opting to keep the majority of your kitchen simple and clean can help you love it for years to come. As trends come and go and your taste changes along with them, you can easily repaint small accents or swap out décor as you see fit. Because it's so simple, the rest of the kitchen will remain timeless, helping you to avoid the cost and annoyance of having to undergo an entire renovation after just a few years.