I just met with a client who wondered if it was a good choice to do two cabinetry colors in their kitchen.
WHEN TO CONSIDER TWO COLORS
If you have a kitchen lacking natural light but you don't want to do all white, this could be a good time to consider a two-tone cabinetry kitchen. We hear from many clients who are tired of the white or grey kitchens, but do not want to go all dark or moody because they do not have enough natural light in their kitchen.
This is when we may suggest considering doing two colors of cabinetry.
CONSIDER THE DARK COLOR FOR THE BOTTOM
Keep a darker color as the anchor in your kitchen, making it the color of your base cabinetry. The brings the eyes above to see tall and lighter cabinetry or airy shelves for above. Whether you are going with a stained cabinet or painted cabinet as the base, white cabinetry or floating shelves above is proven to create contrast without being too busy for the space. This naturally creates contrast without effort.
*And sometimes break the rules for something you love, an example is the photo below of a project we designed and installed in Longwood, Florida.
2. LET YOUR ISLAND BE THE "OTHER" COLOR
If you are doing a light or neutral cabinet color for the majority of your kitchen, consider the darker or other color to be your island. This gives a focal point and ensures your kitchen is not overwhelmed by contrast or feels busy with color. This has been popular over the years and can be an expectation when there is a large island in a kitchen.
3. KEEP THE BACKSPLASH SIMPLE
Even though changing the backsplash would be the least costly finishing change within a kitchen, it can be off-putting to a buyer to see an unsightly backsplash wi
th a bright color/lots of movement. If you are concerned about re-sell, stick to a neutral friendly backsplash tile (no glass mosaic with a significant color variation) or carry on the stone for your countertop as a full backsplash.
4. REFRIGERATOR PANELS AND CABINETRY
Many people ask if they are doing two tones of cabinetry, what color should their panels surrounding their refrigerator and cabinet above be. Commonly, we begin with the darker color/color of all the base cabinetry. It ends up being 95% of the time this is what we stick with design-wise.
5. CABINET HARDWARE
A key element is to do the same cabinetry hardware style throughout your kitchen, though you may be switching cabinetry colors. You may also switch your hardware color! Maybe you do a dark finish for your light cabinetry and a light finish for your dark cabinetry. Just be careful to not have too many completely different elements going on. Try to keep some things connected and continuous.
6. COUNTERTOP SELECTION
As you pick the cabinetry for the element that changes in your kitchen, keep consistency as much as possible with everything else. This includes your countertop. Select a favorite stone to carry throughout your entire kitchen. This may be a beautiful, flowing natural stone that steals the show. Use your countertop as an element that brings both your base and wall cabinets together.