Christina Haack's Two-Tone Cabinet Hack That Adds Depth To Kitchens

When designing a kitchen, it's easy to get caught up in making everything look clean and sleek. Sometimes that can mean overlooking the details that add the depth and character a space really needs. Although kitchens with white-on-white interiors were a popular choice at one time, this color combination could be dating your kitchen in 2025. Instead, designers are leaning towards thoughtful, dynamic color choices to elevate the overall look of the space. Christina Haack, star of HGTV's "Christina on the Coast," is one interior designer who prefers to mix things up in the kitchen, finding unique ways to bring a sense of texture and style into her designs. One of her most notable hacks for adding depth to the kitchen space is using two-toned cabinets — by pairing a lighter color on the upper cabinets with a darker shade on the lower ones, it creates a simple yet stylish contrast.

Haack's stylish method can be used in a variety of color palettes and design styles, making it a great choice for any homeowner. Two-toned cabinets can create a visual impact with many benefits to the design, taking the look from flat and sterile to bold and dimensional. If you've been looking for a simple upgrade to refresh the style in your kitchen space, this flexible cabinet hack could be worth considering.

Light-to-dark contrasting cabinet colors

Having a perfectly organized and functional kitchen is often more of a focus than having a highly decorated space. But it's still important to prioritize a stylish design. Making thoughtful color choices, like Haack's two-tone cabinet approach, can have a big impact on the depth of a space without cluttering it with unnecessary decor. In one of her stunning renovations, Haack used this method by pairing a bright white paint on the upper cabinets with a dark, moody blue on the lower ones. Opting for a look that starts high with a light color and transitions to a darker tone below helps to maintain a sense of brightness in the kitchen. The lighter color draws the eye upward, which can offer the illusion of a more spacious design.

This look doesn't only work with white and dark blue, as long as you choose contrasting colors that transition from light to dark. It brings a sense of depth and necessary variation to the kitchen, whether it's through a neutral color palette or something a little more vibrant. If you're also looking to refresh your kitchen by adding texture, try experimenting with this hack by mixing materials. For instance, using dark-stained wood for your lower cabinets and a sleek, white paint for your upper cabinets can be just as effective.

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