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How to Choose the Perfect Color Combo for Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets
Looking to add some color and contrast to your kitchen? Say goodbye to the monotony of a single-color kitchen and welcome the two-tone trend with open arms!
All-white kitchens used to be all the rage, but the kitchen design scene is now all about embracing color and creativity. Two-tone kitchen cabinets are the perfect solution for those who want to add a pop of color without going overboard. This trend allows you to play with different colors and textures, creating a stylish and unique look. The best part? The possibilities are endless.
With two-tone kitchen cabinets, you can choose to add color to just one area or spread it throughout the room. For example, you might choose to paint your island a bold shade while keeping the rest of your cabinets neutral. Alternatively, you could opt for two complementary neutrals and bring in pops of color with appliances and accessories.
If you’re ready to try out this exciting trend, here are a few ideas to help you get started.
1. Find Balance
If you’re considering a two-tone cabinet combination for your kitchen, it’s important to pay attention to the color balance of the space. Luckily, there are a few design tricks that can help you achieve the perfect balance.
One of the best ways to ensure a cohesive look is to stick to a single color family and vary the tonality. For example, you might choose to pair a bright and sunny yellow with a softer, buttercream shade. Painting your lower cabinets in the darker hue and your upper cabinets in the lighter shade can create a pleasing visual effect.
If you’re set on using two distinct colors, consider their brightness and lightness. Vibrant, bold hues like orange will demand more visual energy, so it’s important to balance them out with a more neutral color.
2. Make the Second Hue an Accent
If you’re unsure about whether or not to commit to two-tone kitchen cabinets, consider starting small and focusing on highlights rather than achieving perfect color balance throughout the space. For instance, select a small area, such as a section of cabinetry or a built-in desk, and use it as a testing ground for your color variation. This way, you can experiment with different hues and tonalities before making a larger commitment. Another option is to paint just the crown molding in a slightly darker tone. This will help define the border in a kitchen with lofty ceilings.
3. Contrast the Materials
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of choosing a second color, try thinking about it in a different way. Rather than selecting a color, focus on finding a secondary material that enhances the undertones in your primary color. For example, pairing blonde wood with white-painted cupboards creates a natural contrast without overwhelming the space with color. Alternatively, if you have navy blue kitchen cabinets and want to add warmth to the space, consider using a darker stained wood to balance out the cool tones.
4. Incorporate White for Harmony
One popular design trick to ensure visual balance in your kitchen is to choose a trio of colors using the 60-30-10 rule. This translates to 60% of a dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent color. In a two-tone kitchen cabinet composition, white is a popular choice for the second color. Painting a few upper cabinets in white can provide a place for the eye to rest, in addition to bringing balance to very strong shades and lighter hues.
5. Color Wheel is Queen
Choosing the right colors for your kitchen can be a tricky task, which is why there are a variety of resources devoted to it, such as books, magazines, websites, and design professionals. If you’re set on creating a two-tone kitchen but don’t know where to begin, consider using a simple yet powerful tool: the color wheel.
Generally speaking, colors that are adjacent or analogous on the color wheel will work well together, as will complementary colors, which are located opposite one another. Another no-fail option is to choose a pair of neutrals with similar undertones, such as a warm white and taupe gray.
By using the color wheel and other resources available to you, you can confidently select a color scheme that will bring your two-tone kitchen to life and make it a space you’ll love for years to come.
