Color plays an important role in our lives. The colors that surround us can influence our moods, perceptions, and behaviors. One color that is particularly commonplace is the color white. From appliances to paper products, many everyday objects tend to be produced in white or off-white shades. But why is white such a ubiquitous color choice? Here we’ll explore some of the most common white objects and discuss reasons why white tends to be a default color for many items.
Appliances and Electronics
Walk into any appliance or electronics store and you’ll notice right away the prevalence of white models. From refrigerators and washing machines to microwaves and TVs, white is by far the most popular color for large and small appliances. There are several reasons for this:
- White appliance finishes give off an airy, clean look that fits well in most kitchen or laundry room decors. The crisp white color enhances the modern, sleek aesthetics of stainless steel and other metallic accents on appliances.
- White appliances reflect light better than darker finishes. This makes them appear brighter and more open inside. It also helps appliances like refrigerators distribute and maintain cooling more efficiently.
- White enameled finishes are relatively inexpensive to produce but are durable and easy to clean.
- To many consumers, white appliances convey a simple, timeless look. While colorful or metallic appliance finishes come in and out of trend, white tends to remain popular year after year.
Electronics like computers, tablets, and accessories also commonly come in white for many of the same reasons. The neutral white color allows the technology itself to take center stage in marketing and allows white electronics to fit in seamlessly with nearly any decor.
Furniture
From bedroom sets to dining tables, white is also the go-to color for many furniture pieces. There are several good reasons for this:
- White furnishings immediately make spaces appear larger and more open. The light color reflects ambient light rather than absorbing it, creating an airier feel.
- White furniture adds visual interest through shadows and shapes rather than color. The simplicity puts emphasis on the form and lines of furniture pieces.
- White gives furniture a light, casual look. While dark woods may feel formal or traditional, white comes across as relaxed, coastal, or farmhouse chic.
- White goes with absolutely everything. No matter your decor style or color palette, white furniture is guaranteed to fit right in.
For these reasons, white is almost universally appealing when it comes to furniture. It’s no wonder IKEA and other major retailers rely heavily on white and off-white furniture finishes.
Kitchen and Dining Wares
Continue your visual tour through a typical home and you’ll discover most dining and cooking gear comes in white as well. Dinner plates, serving platters, bowls, mugs, pots, pans, and utensils are commonly found in white or creamy off-white hues. But why?
- Visually, white dinnerware puts more emphasis on the food being served rather than the dishes themselves. This helps create an appetizing, cohesive presentation.
- White china feels formal and elegant for more upscale place settings, but also comes across as clean and minimalist for casual affairs.
- White plates provide high contrast for colorful foods. It helps each component of the meal stand out more.
- The color white implies cleanliness in the kitchen. White dinnerware is both hygienic and gives the impression of being sterile.
- Plain white plates, bowls, and mugs act as “blank slates” that allow colored patterns like florals and geometrics to stand out.
For similar reasons, most cookware and bakeware comes in white enamel, stainless steel, or white-speckled ceramic. The white background highlights the food during the cooking process. It also maintains a clean, professional look in cooking videos and photos.
Bathroom Fixtures and Accessories
Take a look in most bathrooms and you’ll be greeted by even more white. Toilets, tubs, sinks, tile and grout, towels, shower curtains…white clearly dominates most bathrooms.
There are a few key reasons for this:
- White evokes cleanliness in bathrooms. Surrounded by white porcelain and tile, bathrooms appear neat, fresh, and hygienic.
- White reflects light well, making bathrooms feel open and airy even without natural light.
- White bath fixtures and accessories give the space a light, spa-like ambiance.
- Tile, grout, and bathroom fixtures come in white as “default” options from most manufacturers.
Given the association with cleanliness and the brightening effect, white bathroom design has become conventional in most homes and apartments.
Paper Products
One more area where white dominates is paper products – toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, printing paper, notepads, tissues, and more. White has become the customary color for most disposable paper goods.
Some reasons for this include:
- Unbleached paper has an off-white, beige shade so white became the expected color through bleaching and additives.
- White conveys cleanliness for products like toilet paper and tissues.
- White paper provides high contrast for black print and graphics.
- White paper products feel fresh but also formal enough for restaurants, offices, etc.
- White is cost-effective to produce for most paper manufacturers.
Together with health and image factors, the practical reasons make white the conventional choice.
Clothing and Bedding
White clothing and bed linens represent yet another area where white dominates. From t-shirts to underwear to sheets and down comforters, many prefer white versions of clothing and bedding essentials.
Some top reasons include:
- White clothing and bedding feel fresh, light, and airy.
- Crisp white evokes minimalism in wardrobe and bedroom design.
- White reflects light and feels cooling in warm weather.
- The color provides high contrast for printed patterns and embroidery.
- White linens give bedrooms a clean, neutral background.
- White clothing can be bleached to remove stains and discoloration.
With this combination of practical and aesthetic benefits, it makes sense why white has become so popular for clothing as well as bed and bath textiles.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, white dominates across many product categories from large appliances to small paper goods. The ubiquity of white objects stems from a variety of factors. The color evokes cleanliness in settings like kitchens and bathrooms. It also provides high contrast for things like printed designs and cooked foods. White reflects light to create open, airy spaces. And it acts as a lightweight, neutral background that fits well among nearly any colors or patterns. With this combination of practical and aesthetic benefits, it’s no wonder white has become the conventional default color for many everyday objects and surfaces.