Dark Cabinets vs. White Cabinets

There is discussion on a website I frequent that has me thinking.  The discussion is about dark cabinets or light cabinets, and I am amazed by the comments.  Of course, there were the usual positive comments about both: White cabinets look lighter, brighter and cheerful, and dark cabinets look rich, sophisticated and warm.
The comments ran the entire gamut.

Other design

Now I agree that dark cabinets can look rich and sophisticated. They look gorgeous in this kitchen. Don't you just love the glass in the doors and contrast of the backsplash with the dark cabinets? This is one kitchen that does not look dark and formal to me, which is one of the reasons I tend to avoid dark cabinets. I could actually live with this kitchen.

One comment that struck me about dark cabinets is that they are easier to keep clean than white cabinets. But I just do not see where they would be any easier to keep clean than white cabinets. They still attract the same amount of dirt and grime no matter what color they are, unless of course you don't cook or never use grease.

It may be that dark cabinets are easier to keep looking clean, and that I might be able to agree with as long as you didn't look at them too closely. Com'on, admit it...We've all gone into kitchens where they looked beautifully clean, and then when we looked closely, we saw the grime on the cupboard doors. I know I'm not the only one.

Traditional Kitchen design by Chicago Kitchen And Bath Rebekah Zaveloff

One of the things that I love about white kitchen is how clean they always look. The dirt can't hide. You can see it immediately when tomato sauce splatters on a white cabinet, and if you're like me, you wipe it off right away so it doesn't become hard and cemented on. Spills, wipe them up immediately, and they don't stain.

Some people think white kitchens look sterile. Looking at the kitchen above, with the white on white, I can see that some people might think sterile when they look at it. That might be because white on white kitchens have to be kept clean. Anything that's out of place stands out, but when accessories and kitchen supplies are displayed artfully, it can make a white kitchen very pleasant.

Traditional Kitchen design by Chicago Kitchen And Bath The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn

This picture shows a beautiful a mixture of white and dark cabinets, an option that can be the best of both worlds. Some people love the look, others like things to match. As you know, our kitchen is a mix of white cabinets and oak cabinets, so this is a look I particularly like. What I really like about this kitchen is that it feels warm and sophisticated while still being bright and cheerful. (I will admit that although I love the lights over the island, I'd be driven nuts trying to keep the fingerprints off them!!!)

So what do you think?  Dark or white?  There are pros and cons to both, but both can be absolutely beautiful.