7 Ways to Ace Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinetry
Why go for one cabinet finish when you can opt for two? Check out these schemes with two-tone units that work in harmony
There are many reasons to choose more than one finish for your kitchen cabinets. For instance, mixed surfaces can add interest to a kitchen; pale units can lift a dark scheme, and a deep-tone feature can give a sophisticated feel to a neutral palette. Check out these seven stunning spaces to find inspiration for designing a two-tone kitchen in your home.
1. Go off-centre
An interesting way to play with colour and shape in the kitchen is to use an asymmetrical design similar to this one. The matt, bare-timber units contrast with the glossy glass-fronted charcoal cabinets – and the off-centre layout is just that little bit more interesting than a symmetrical design.
However, it still feels balanced, as the two tall cabinets either side of the sink are a similar size. Although they have opposing designs, their matching heights keep the space looking harmonious.
An interesting way to play with colour and shape in the kitchen is to use an asymmetrical design similar to this one. The matt, bare-timber units contrast with the glossy glass-fronted charcoal cabinets – and the off-centre layout is just that little bit more interesting than a symmetrical design.
However, it still feels balanced, as the two tall cabinets either side of the sink are a similar size. Although they have opposing designs, their matching heights keep the space looking harmonious.
2. Complement light and dark
Want to add some dark tones while maintaining a light, airy feel in your kitchen? Use a deeper shade in just one area, and keep the rest of the units pale.
Here, a wall of light grey cabinets makes the room feel bright and spacious, while the dark blue island adds a sophisticated element. The two hues help offset each other – one lightens the mood; the other gives the space some depth.
Trend Alert: Softer Colour Palettes on Kitchen Cabinets
Want to add some dark tones while maintaining a light, airy feel in your kitchen? Use a deeper shade in just one area, and keep the rest of the units pale.
Here, a wall of light grey cabinets makes the room feel bright and spacious, while the dark blue island adds a sophisticated element. The two hues help offset each other – one lightens the mood; the other gives the space some depth.
Trend Alert: Softer Colour Palettes on Kitchen Cabinets
3. Space out
The monochrome scheme in this kitchen has been planned out to play with shape and form. The tall white cabinets match the rest of the walls perfectly and are almost invisible at first glance.
The eye is immediately drawn to the black base units that help the kitchen feel grounded. At the same time, the white units merge into the background and the room appears more spacious.
The monochrome scheme in this kitchen has been planned out to play with shape and form. The tall white cabinets match the rest of the walls perfectly and are almost invisible at first glance.
The eye is immediately drawn to the black base units that help the kitchen feel grounded. At the same time, the white units merge into the background and the room appears more spacious.
4. Mix design styles
The beauty of a two-tone kitchen is that you can combine two styles in one space. Take the cabinets in this barn conversion, for instance. The cream units around the edge of the kitchen are quite traditional, which ties in well with the rustic feel of the space. But by adding another colour to the island, the designers have given the scheme a contemporary twist.
It helps that they’ve gone for a bright blue, which is enough of a modern contrast with the timeless cream to change the feel of the whole room.
The beauty of a two-tone kitchen is that you can combine two styles in one space. Take the cabinets in this barn conversion, for instance. The cream units around the edge of the kitchen are quite traditional, which ties in well with the rustic feel of the space. But by adding another colour to the island, the designers have given the scheme a contemporary twist.
It helps that they’ve gone for a bright blue, which is enough of a modern contrast with the timeless cream to change the feel of the whole room.
5. Bring in a third dimension
Here, the designers have added three surface ideas to the kitchen cabinets. A wall of tall charcoal units recedes into the background, while a couple of white wall units form a bright contrast.
To warm up the monochrome scheme, the designers added base units with beautiful wooden doors. The pattern of the grain provides an interesting, soft contrast to the smooth black and white surfaces elsewhere. And if you’re wondering if it’s possible to have a two-tone splashback, look no further.
Best of the Week: 30 Kitchens That are Ahead of the Curve
Here, the designers have added three surface ideas to the kitchen cabinets. A wall of tall charcoal units recedes into the background, while a couple of white wall units form a bright contrast.
To warm up the monochrome scheme, the designers added base units with beautiful wooden doors. The pattern of the grain provides an interesting, soft contrast to the smooth black and white surfaces elsewhere. And if you’re wondering if it’s possible to have a two-tone splashback, look no further.
Best of the Week: 30 Kitchens That are Ahead of the Curve
6. Try some texture
Here’s an interesting idea – the designers have used a paint effect to change the tone and texture of some cabinets in this kitchen. Deep-blue units take up the bulk of the room, but a row of wall units forms a contrasting feature.
A patinated matt-metallic finish has been added to the French-grey paint on the unit doors, giving a slightly industrial feel to the smart space.
Here’s an interesting idea – the designers have used a paint effect to change the tone and texture of some cabinets in this kitchen. Deep-blue units take up the bulk of the room, but a row of wall units forms a contrasting feature.
A patinated matt-metallic finish has been added to the French-grey paint on the unit doors, giving a slightly industrial feel to the smart space.
7. Work with wood
A simple wood stain was enough to create a huge contrast between these kitchen cabinets. The timber on the wall units has been left bare, while a black wood stain has been added to the base units.
The cabinets have the same texture, but the difference in colour has made a striking visual contrast.
Browse more beautiful kitchens with two-tone cabinetry
A simple wood stain was enough to create a huge contrast between these kitchen cabinets. The timber on the wall units has been left bare, while a black wood stain has been added to the base units.
The cabinets have the same texture, but the difference in colour has made a striking visual contrast.
Browse more beautiful kitchens with two-tone cabinetry
Tell us
Have you gone for two-tone kitchen cabinets? Tell us in the Comments section, like and share this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to jump on the two-tone trend but not sure if you can pull it off? Seek out the expertise of a professional kitchen designer near you
Have you gone for two-tone kitchen cabinets? Tell us in the Comments section, like and share this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to jump on the two-tone trend but not sure if you can pull it off? Seek out the expertise of a professional kitchen designer near you
Comments (9)
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Kevin Domnic
Here's our two tone kitchen cabinetry. Laminex used was 'Wild Pecan' for the upper cupboards and 'Fossil' for the bottom ones. Walls are Deluxe Domain. Bench top/splashback are Essastone Carrara matt. NB the lighting is not as harsh as it appears here!
Chris Zawodny
Here's our two tone cabinetry in our newly completed new house build. The dark coloured panels are Bestwood Melamine Pewter Haze Velvet and the light coloured panels are Melteca Bliss Shitake Naturale. The engineered stone benchtops are Gelsomino Smart Stone. The wall colour is Resene Half Truffle with the door being Double Truffle. Door architrave is Resene Rice Cake. Through the door on the left in the first photo is the scullery which also has the same colour scheme including the same tile splash-back.
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