14 Ways to Achieve Stunning Two Tone Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to designing two tone kitchen cabinets, color isn't the only choice at your disposal. Combining different materials can create a subtle yet impactful effect, adding depth and texture to your kitchen space. Pair matte surfaces with glossy counterparts to create an intriguing juxtaposition. Experiment with the combination of wood grains and stone or marble finishes for a touch of natural elegance as was achieved in the "Moderno" kitchen collection by Old Line. For a tactile experience, you can blend ribbed surfaces with smooth ones. The possibilities are endless when you explore the diverse world of materials in creating your two tone kitchen cabinets.

A peaceful and welcoming environment is greatly influenced by the use of pastel tones. These soft hues elevate the kitchen and give the space a subdued accent. Using pale cabinet colors above the hardware and darker shades below can make the space appear brighter and more spacious. You may further enhance the impact of natural light by adopting a neutral color scheme and choosing cabinetry in a variety of whites, wood tones, greys, blues, mild greens, or creams. This mix is for those seeking a calm color palette.

Be brave and create a stylish space by incorporating vibrant colors into your kitchen cabinets. Achieve dimension and a playful mood by painting contrasting sections of upper, lower, or island cabinets. Picture a captivating combination of burgundy bottom cabinets, light wood upper cabinets, and a sleek steel countertop, as seen in the "Aria" kitchen by Martini Interiors. Or consider the striking "Celine" kitchen from FM Bottega D'Arte, featuring cyan matt surfaces paired with dark wood, demonstrating a new level of glamour and luxury.

By selecting a specific area in the kitchen space like a pantry, coffee station, or open shelves, you can add a distinct color or finish that contrasts with the rest of the cabinets. In fact, open shelving is an excellent way to add visual interest to your kitchen cabinets that will allow you to display your favorite items and achieve a two-toned look. You can look at how the Lube Cucine brand achieves this contrast through different colored finishes and materials in their kitchen collections.

You can achieve two-tone kitchen cabinets by mixing hues from the same color scheme. This technique, often referred to as "ton sur ton," involves using two related shades to add depth to your space and create a calm ambiance. To create the illusion of more space in smaller rooms, it is advised to paint the upper cabinets lighter and the lower cabinets darker. Extending the two-toned style to the walls by using the same colors as the cabinets is also a welcome design choice. Contemporary kitchens can embrace the familiar monochrome gray look or any other palette, incorporating different materials. You can explore examples of this in Aster Cucine’s kitchen cabinets showcased below.

You don't always have to paint both cabinets to create a contrasting look. Instead, you can showcase the natural beauty of the wood cabinets alongside painted cabinets. In this case, the combination of natural wood and white is a timeless combo that never disappoints. These two neutral colors complement each other beautifully, especially in contemporary kitchens. You can mix closed and open cabinets to let the architectural features of your house shine through. By the way, matching precisely light wood tones with warmer white shades is a perfect way to achieve an airy and light ambiance.

Achieving fascinating two tone kitchen cabinets can be done by combining dark wood cabinets with colorful ones. Dark wood finishes have a natural ability to infuse a sense of coziness into a modern kitchen, while two tone cabinets combined with wood are incorporated to introduce a pretentious style. Pairing deep wood tones with neutral colors like white or gray adds depth without being overly distracting. For those seeking a bolder statement, incorporating bold hues such as emerald can bring a touch of luxury to the kitchen space.

One practical approach is to contrast the dark wood cabinets with white elements. By grounding the kitchen island and side cabinets with dark wood, you create a rich and warm focal point, while the rest of the room can feel open and spacious with a bright white color. This two tone solution is a favorite among our brands' kitchen collections. You can explore a couple of examples below.

Two tone kitchen cabinets offer more than just a play on colors. By combining different paint tones, materials, and textures, you can achieve a truly dramatic and stylish kitchen design. Get creative and piece together blocks of alternating colored cabinets to create visual stimulation. To add even more depth and mystery, opt for two tone cabinets that vary not only in color but also in texture. In Aster Cucine's "Factory" collection, you'll find a beautiful integration of white matte and raw wood cabinets, complemented by a copper metal hood that perfectly balances the matching copper finish on one of the lower cabinets. For a more classic approach, consider Lube Cucine's "Oltre" kitchen line. This collection allows you to combine different shades of cabinets and incorporate finishes that imitate marble or natural stone, creating additional contrast with the fluted doors.

Contrasting colors always work well in two tone kitchen cabinets. Black and white combinations are timeless and versatile, suiting any style from modern to farmhouse. You can create a striking look by contrasting light and dark hues on a single piece or pairing bold colors side by side. Bright color confrontations, such as black and white or navy blue and white, can add drama and elegance to larger kitchen spaces.

Another, and perhaps the most unexpected, way to achieve a two tone kitchen is by selecting cabinet designs with inserts. These inserts can either feature a different color than the main tone of the kitchen cabinets or showcase a different finish. This two-toned option is commonly found in classic-style kitchens, exemplified by FM Bottega D'Arte's “Boston” and “Firenze” collections. In the “Boston” collection, we see a captivating two tone design where dark lacquered wood inserts are incorporated into a lighter shade of wood. In the “Firenze” collection, elegant light blue cabinets are complemented by clean white lines and frames.

The opposition of black upper cabinetry with white lower cabinets is a great example of two tone kitchen cabinets. This classic combination creates a striking contrast and adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen design. By incorporating black upper cabinets, you introduce a sense of sophistication and drama, while the white lower cabinets bring brightness and a sense of spaciousness to the space. Whoever wants to make a statement and establish a distinctive center point in their kitchen will love this daring mix.

By choosing a different color or finish for the island cabinets compared to the surrounding cabinets, you make the island a focal point. A wooden island complements any color scheme and adds a natural accent to the kitchen space. It's a versatile and stylish choice for creating a stunning two tone kitchen design.

In the world of two tone cabinets, using green tones can create wonderful and on-trend designs. Green offers a wide range of possibilities, from deep and sumptuous shades that add depth to softer hues that create a calming environment. One option is to combine wooden cabinets with light green ones, bringing warmth and a fresh color accent to the room. Another appealing choice is to pair green with white, creating a contrast that infuses energy into the kitchen. In any case, both options are excellent because green brings a natural and refreshing feeling to everywhere.