Choosing a color for a new KitchenAid appliance can be as important as choosing the appliance itself, but colors like Milkshake and White can look deceptively similar online. The main difference is their tone and character: KitchenAid White is a pure, bright, classic white with a crisp presentation, while Milkshake is a softer, subtler off-white with pale, warm grey undertones, giving it a muted and more understated appearance.
Here’s a detailed look at both colors to help you decide which neutral is the perfect fit for your kitchen’s design.
KitchenAid White
KitchenAid's classic White is a staple in their color lineup for a reason. It's a true, unadulterated white that offers a clean, versatile, and timeless look. This color is designed to match standard white appliances and fixtures, acting as a bright, neutral anchor in any kitchen style, from ultra-modern to traditional farmhouse.
- What it is: A pure, bright arctic white color option available on most KitchenAid small appliances, including their iconic stand mixers.
- Key features: Bright, glossy finish that reflects light well, a true neutral with no visible warm or cool undertones.
- Price: The color itself does not typically change the price of the appliance, it's a standard option for most models.
- Style: Modern, minimalist, clean, classic, and highly versatile. It creates a stark, high-contrast look when paired with dark colors.
- Pros: Timeless and will never go out of style. Easily matches other standard white appliances. Brightens up a kitchen space. Works with virtually any color scheme.
- Cons: Can show colored splatters (like tomato sauce or coffee) very easily. May appear too stark or clinical in very warm or rustic kitchens. Can make adjacent off-white items look yellowed by comparison.
This color is perfect for those who want a crisp, no-fuss look that seamlessly blends with other traditional white appliances or creates a bold contrast in a modern kitchen design.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/artisan-series-stand-mixer-white
KitchenAid Milkshake
KitchenAid Milkshake is a nuanced take on white that offers more warmth and subtlety. It's a soft, muted off-white infused with a light touch of grey, sometimes described as a pale greige. This softness prevents it from feeling as stark as pure white and gives it a slightly more organic, calming character that complements natural materials beautifully.
- What it is: A warm off-white color with muted grey undertones, giving it a soft, cloudy appearance.
- Key features: Softer, more muted appearance than pure white, glossy finish that adds depth, a complex neutral that feels modern yet gentle.
- Price: A standard color choice that generally doesn't affect the appliance's base price.
- Style: Soft contemporary, transitional, modern farmhouse, cozy, minimalist. It is an understated color that works well with muted palettes and natural textures.
- Pros: More forgiving than pure white for hiding minor dust or light scuffs. Provides a unique, modern neutral look. Soft appearance is calming and less stark. Pairs beautifully with wood tones, marble, and brass hardware.
- Cons: May not perfectly match traditional "appliance white". Can look dingy if placed directly next to crisp, pure-white cabinetry or tile. Availability can be more limited than the standard White.
Milkshake is ideal for anyone whose kitchen features natural materials, warm woods, or other off-white shades, providing a neutral that adds texture and warmth without the high contrast of pure white.
Shop this product: crateandbarrel.com/kitchenaid-artisan-milkshake-stand-mixer
White vs. Milkshake Comparison
Color & Undertone
The most important difference is the undertone. KitchenAid White is a pure, flat white with no discernible undertone, it is bright and crisp. It reflects its surroundings directly. When you put it next to a white sheet of paper, they will essentially match.
In contrast, Milkshake is an off-white defined by its gentle, warm grey undertone. This makes it a much softer color that absorbs light differently, giving it more depth. It reads as white from a distance, but up close, its muted complexity is clear. It will not match a pure white sheet of paper and will instead look slightly "colored" in comparison.
Style & Versatility
While both colors are versatile neutrals, they fit best in different aesthetic environments. The classic White is a chameleon that works everywhere but shines in modern, minimalist, or high-contrast kitchens. It's the safe, go-to color for a clean, timeless look that matches standard appliances perfectly. It can serve as a bright pop against dark cabinets or flow seamlessly in an all-white kitchen.
Milkshake offers a more curated, design-forward vibe. Its warmth lends itself to kitchens with natural wood cabinets, butcher block countertops, earthy tile backsplashes, and warm metallic hardware like brass or copper. It excels in styles like modern farmhouse, Japandi, and soft-transitional spaces where a stark white might feel too harsh. It's a gentle neutral rather than a bright accent.
Kitchen Pairing & Coordination
Choosing between them often comes down to your kitchen's existing whites and off-whites. If your cabinets, backsplash, or countertops are a crisp, bright white, the classic White stand mixer will be the best match. Placing the Milkshake next to a stark white can make the mixer appear slightly grey or dingy by comparison.
Conversely, if your cabinets are an off-white, cream, or light grey, Milkshake will blend in beautifully and create a harmonious, cohesive look. Placing a stark White mixer in this environment could make your cabinets look yellowed or aged. Always consider the whites already present in your kitchen.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Appliance White and Milkshake are excellent neutral options, but they serve different design intentions.
Choose the White if:
- You want a classic, timeless look that will never go out of fashion.
- Your kitchen has other bright white appliances you want to match.
- You have crisp, pure-white cabinetry or countertops.
- You love a clean, high-contrast, minimalist aesthetic.
Choose the Milkshake if:
- You prefer a softer, more muted, and warmer version of white.
- Your kitchen features natural materials like wood, stone, and warm metals.
- You have off-white, creamy, or light-grey cabinets.
- You want a sophisticated, understated neutral that adds depth to your décor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between KitchenAid's White and Milkshake?
The main difference is the undertone. KitchenAid White is a pure, bright white with no color undertones. Milkshake is a soft off-white with distinct warm grey or greige undertones, making it appear warmer and more muted.
Is Milkshake more grey or beige?
Milkshake is best described as a very light, warm greige. It sits between grey and beige but is so pale that it reads as an off-white. It does not have the yellow tones of a traditional cream or beige color.
Will Milkshake look dirty next to my white cabinets?
If your cabinets are a very bright, cool-toned white, Milkshake can appear muted or a bit greyed-out in comparison. It's not that it looks "dirty," but the contrast will highlight its off-white nature. It pairs best with other off-whites, creamy tones, or colors.
Which color is easier to keep clean?
Both are light colors and will show dark splatters easily. However, Milkshake's subtle grey tone might be slightly more forgiving at hiding minor dust, water spots, or light-colored flour smudges than the pure, stark surface of the Appliance White.
Is White a glossy finish?
Yes, the standard White color on most KitchenAid small appliances like the Artisan Stand Mixer features a glossy, high-shine finish that is easy to wipe clean.
Are both colors available on all KitchenAid appliances?
White is a core color available on almost every product. Milkshake is a popular but sometimes less common color, so its availability may vary by product line and retailer. It's always best to check the specific product page on the KitchenAid website for current color options.
Is Almond Cream similar to Milkshake?
Almond Cream is another popular off-white from KitchenAid, but it has more prominent beige or creamy undertones, making it look slightly more yellowish and warmer than Milkshake, which leans more towards a neutral, soft grey.
Where can I see these colors in person?
The best way to compare them is to visit a retailer that has floor models, such as Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, or Best Buy. Seeing them under different lighting conditions is the surest way to choose the right one for your kitchen.
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