Give Outdated Cabinets A Modern Upgrade With A Trendy Two-Tone Look

You don't need to invest in new cabinets to give your kitchen a modern refresh. With the two-toned kitchen cabinet trend, you can upgrade your dated cupboards without spending a fortune. As the name suggests, two-tone simply means painting your upper and lower cabinets two different colors. Traditionally, the upper cabinets are painted a lighter color, and the lower cabinets a darker or contrasting color. Not only will this add visual interest to your space, but it could make your kitchen appear bigger. Painting your upper cabinets in lighter shades can soften their appearance and create a more spacious atmosphere.

This simple design trick could be all it takes to elevate the entire look of your kitchen, as long as it's executed tastefully. To choose the best kitchen cabinet colors for your space, it's important to consider other elements, such as the other finishes in your kitchen. For example, choosing colors that match your countertop or backsplash will create visual cohesiveness. There are countless creative options to bring this trend to life in your kitchen, so let's talk about the various options that you have and popular color combinations to consider.

There are many different ways to achieve the two-toned style in your kitchen. It's a matter of choosing the right shades for your space, and determining how bold you're prepared to be with your color scheme. When it comes to upper cabinet shades, many people opt for white, off-white and light gray for a clean and contemporary look. These shades are popular for Shaker-style cabinets as they are both timeless and sophisticated. Light colors also tend to pair well with other finishes, such as stainless steel, hardwood, and most countertop materials.

White and off-white are especially versatile because they complement a multitude of contrasting shades. For example, white upper cabinets will pair well with lower cabinets painted shades of light gray, green, and blue, as well as dark colors such as teal, dark blue, forest green, and even black. The right contrast color will depend on the other design elements in your space, such as the backsplash and countertops. 

Another stylish approach is to paint the upper cabinets a few shades lighter than the lower cabinets, creating a subtle gradient effect. Popular combinations include heather gray and charcoal gray, mint green and emerald green, or pastel blue and slate gray or navy blue. Alternatively, you may wish to switch things up and go darker with the upper cabinets instead. This works best if you have open shelving or just a few upper cabinets, as dark shades can overwhelm the space. Dark woodgrain or earth tones can give your cabinets a modern facelift when paired with light-colored lower cabinets.