Two Color Kitchen Cabinets Offer A Creative Update

Kitchens are often referred to as the heart of the home. As such, the kitchen design makes a major impact on the overall aesthetic and functionality of your living space. While an all-white kitchen has been popular for years, many homeowners are now exploring bolder, more creative options to refresh their kitchen decor. One increasingly popular trend is incorporating two-tone kitchen cabinets, which provide visual interest through contrasting cabinet colors and finishes.

We'll also cover whether it's better to DIY or hire a professional when installing two-tone cabinets in your kitchen remodel or redesign.

Benefits of Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

Two-tone kitchen cabinets offer a variety of advantages:

• Visually expand smaller kitchens by using lighter cabinets up top and darker cabinets below to ground the space.
• Refresh the look of your kitchen without the cost of replacing all the cabinetry.
• Enhance functionality by designating different zones, like closed storage lower down and open display cabinets up top.
• Add depth and dimension with the interplay of colors, finishes, shadows, and light.
• Showcase your personal style through color pairings and materials.
• Increase resale value by creating a more modern, updated look.

Choosing Color Combinations

Selecting the right color pairing is key to ensuring your two-tone kitchen cabinets complement each other and fit your overall design vision. Here are some popular color combinations:

• White upper cabinets with navy blue lower cabinets create a classic nautical look.
• Light gray uppers paired with rich espresso lowers provide an elegant contrast.
• All-white perimeter cabinets with a gray island ground the space.
• Wood base cabinets add warmth, while painted uppers keep the look light and bright.

Some guidelines when selecting two-tone cabinet colors:

• Opt for light uppers and dark lowers to create the illusion of height.
• Use a deeper color on an island to define it as a distinct area.
• Tie it together with hardware, countertops and backsplashes in finishings that complement both colors.
• Be sure both colors complement your flooring and wall color as well.

Complementary Color Schemes

Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel, creating high contrast. For kitchen cabinets, popular complementary pairings include:

• Navy blue and burnt orange
• Yellow and purple
• Red and green

This type of bold, dramatic contrast works best in contemporary or modern kitchens.

Analogous Color Schemes

Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel, offering lower contrast. Potential cabinet color pairings include:

• Baby blue and teal blue-green
• Buttercream and beige
• Sage green and olive green

This type of subtle, harmonious color scheme suits traditional kitchen aesthetics.

Contrasting Color Schemes

For something in between the pops of color from complementary hues and the lower contrast of analogous hues, try a contrasting color scheme. You're looking for colors with enough difference to create visual interest but not so opposite they clash. Possibilities include:

• Cream and gray
• White and black
• Light blue and navy

The contrasting look adapts well to both traditional and contemporary kitchen designs.

Cabinet Door Styles

While color makes the biggest impact, your choice of cabinet door styles also influences the look and works best with certain color combinations.

Shaker Style Cabinets

The clean, simple lines of Shaker-style cabinets pair well with two-tone colors. Opt for painted wood or stain the recessed center panels in a lighter tone than the outer frame.

Slab Cabinet Doors

The flat, slab door style also suits two-tone kitchens. For contemporary designs, combine glossy slab uppers in one color with matte slab lowers in another shade.

Raised Panel Doors

Formal raised panel doors offer dimension that works with two-toned cabinets. Use darker stain on the central recessed panels and lighter stain or paint on the surrounding frames.

Glass Front Cabinet Doors

Glass front upper cabinets maintain an open, airy look above while colored lowers ground the space. Etched, frosted or colored glass panels diffuse and soften the cabinet interior.

Arranging Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

Thoughtful planning of your two-tone cabinet configuration creates cohesion. Most designs utilize one color on the uppers and a different color on the lowers. You can also designate certain zones with color, like using a darker shade on an island or one wall's worth of cabinetry.

Upper Cabinets

Typically, upper cabinets use a lighter color or more subtle finish. This gives the illusion of lifting the ceiling. Options include:

• White, beige or light gray painted uppers
• Light wood stain like maple or birch
• Glass-front upper cabinets

Lower Cabinets

Darker colors or bolder finishes on lower cabinets ground the kitchen's aesthetic. Ideas include:

• Espresso, navy or charcoal stained wood
• Rich green, blue, black or gray painted lowers
• Glossy finish lower doors in a bold hue

Islands

Using a contrasting color on the kitchen island creates visual interest. Try darker lowers paired with lighter uppers, or the reverse for a focal point.

Perimeter Cabinets

Consistency along the perimeter maintains harmony. Save the contrasting color for an island or keep perimeter cabinets all one tone.

Hardware Selection

Choose hardware like knobs, pulls or handles that complement both cabinet colors. A few approaches:

• Match metals to appliances - brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, chrome.
• Contrasting black hardware pops against light and dark colors.
• Consistent hardware throughout kitchen ties the look together.
• Vary hardware finishes between uppers and lowers.

Knobs or Pulls

Door style impacts hardware choices. Slab doors suit modern bar pulls, while recessed Shaker doors match simple round knobs.

Handles

Handlebars spanning drawers and doors offer a contemporary look. Opt for streamlined profiles over ornate shapes.

Ultimately, let cabinet colors and finishes guide your hardware selections for a cohesive look.

Countertops

When selecting countertops to complement two-tone cabinets, consider materials and colors that accent both shades.

Granite Countertops

Granite offers an elegant look. Choose a style with speckles in both cabinet colors. Or opt for dramatic dark granite with light cabinets or crisp white granite with dark cabinetry.

Quartz Countertops

With a wide array of colors and patterns, quartz complements two-tone cabinets. Slightly metallic white quartz matches light cabinets, while dark grays pair well with deeper cabinet colors.

Marble Countertops

The natural veining in marble coordinates beautifully with two-tone cabinets. White marble with dark gray veining harmonizes with both light and dark cabinet colors.

Butcher Block Countertops

Wood butcher block adds warmth. Opt for lighter oak or maple to contrast darker cabinets and coordinate with painted light cabinets.

Tile Countertops

Tile allows you to incorporate colors from both upper and lower cabinets for a coordinated look. opt for a mosaic blend of the two colors or pick a third color from your overall palette.

Backsplashes

Creative backsplash tile design can tie your two-tone kitchen together. Consider materials that complement both cabinets for a cohesive look.

Glass Tile

From translucent white to bold colors, glass backsplash tile plays well with two-toned cabinets. Etched patterns diffuse light beautifully behind darker uppers or lighter lowers.

Ceramic Tile

Available in a myriad of sizes, shapes, colors and finishes, ceramic tile backsplashes complement any kitchen. Choose a mosaic featuring both colors, one color, or a third coordinating accent hue.

Natural Stone Tile

Marble, travertine and granite backsplash tiles in neutral hues with veining add subtle elegance. Or go bold with colorful stone like emerald or sapphire.

Patterned Tile

Make a statement with Moroccan fish scale tiles, geometric patterns, or handpainted designs featuring both cabinet colors. This suits contemporary kitchens.

Tile layout impacts the look as well. Running brick patterns add movement, while stacked stone creates rustic texture.

Flooring

Your kitchen flooring should complement the two-tone cabinetry while offering functionality. Popular options include:

Hardwood Floors

Rich wood floors ground the space while harmonizing with wood cabinetry. For painted cabinets, medium wood tones like oak coordinate well.

Tile Flooring

From natural stone to ceramic and porcelain, tile floors suit two-tone kitchens. Match colors in your cabinetry or choose something that complements both.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring offers the look of wood with added durability and water-resistance. Opt for warm oak or a stone and wood visual for two-toned cabinets.

Concrete Flooring

For contemporary kitchens, polished concrete floors coordinate beautifully with two-tone cabinets, adding an edgy, minimalist look.

Lighting

Proper kitchen lighting should illuminate task areas and accent your beautiful two-tone cabinetry. Ideas include:

Pendant Lights

Glass or metal pendant lights over islands and seating areas provide both task and ambient lighting. Choose transitional fixtures that coordinate with your cabinet finishes.

Under Cabinet Lighting

Light strips mounted under upper cabinets illuminate countertops for food prep, cooking and cleanup while showing off your gorgeous two-tone cabinets.

Track Lighting

Modern track fixtures aligned over the sink or stove provide task lighting. Go for two-toned pendants that match your cabinets.

Chandeliers

Dining area chandeliers should complement your overall kitchen palette. Look for painted metal bases or drum shades featuring your two colors.

Accessories

The right decorative details and accents will enhance your two-tone kitchen style. Look for items featuring both color palettes.

Artwork

From abstract paintings to photographs or prints, select pieces highlighting both cabinet colors. Black and white art also complements bold color schemes.

Plants

Houseplants boost air quality in the kitchen. Opt for greenery in white planters to pop against darker cabinets or colorful pots to accent light cabinetry.

Rugs

Area rugs with hints of both cabinet colors and tones woven throughout add warmth underfoot. Natural fiber rugs like jute work well.

Curtains or Valances

Window treatments should tie in your two cabinet colors. Try bold print curtains or simple valances in one coordinating shade.

DIY vs Professional Cabinet Painting

If your current kitchen features one solid cabinet color, painting them in two tones transfigures the space. But is it a DIY project or best left to the experts? Consider the following:

DIY Painting

• Substantial cost savings doing it yourself
• Allows customization and color selections
• Key prep work like thoroughly cleaning, sanding and priming required
• Paint spraying yields smoother finish than rolling
• Doing the interior cabinets more challenging

Professional Painting

• Higher cost but expertise yields superior results
• Professionals have specialized tools, ventilation
• Experts assess repairs needed before painting
• Proper prep work and application techniques
• Handles cabinets, doors, drawers and interiors

Consult a painting pro to determine if a DIY project is feasible or if hiring a contractor is the best option.

Two-tone kitchen cabinets provide an affordable way to refresh your kitchen's style. Proper selection of complementary colors, cabinet configurations, coordinating materials and the right decorative details creates a cohesive, polished look. If a kitchen redesign is in your future, consider incorporating two color cabinets. The contrast immediately modernizes the space, showcases your personal taste and enhances functionality.