16 Colour-Blocking Ideas for Your Kitchen
See how these statement-making kitchens work this year's two-tone cabinetry trend
Natasha Saroca
28 March 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career working across a number of home design and lifestyle magazines, including BuildHOME and Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly. She enjoys writing about design and colour trends, decorating ideas (particularly how to transform rooms with colour and patterns), organisation tips, entertaining ideas and easy updates for the home.
When she’s not creating Ideabooks for Houzz, Natasha can be found writing about all things fashion for Missy Confidential, working on her soon-to-be-launched website – www.asmartsequin.com – or shopping online for new quilt covers, cushions and fashion illustrations (her three current obsessions).
Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career... More
All-white (or neutral) cupboards are a popular and timeless choice for the kitchen, but if you crave colour and desire a space that’s a feast for the eyes, then choosing a two-tone cabinet scheme is a design move you should seriously consider making in your culinary zone. Dual-toned joinery is shaping up to be one of this year’s dominant trends and it’s not hard to see why. After all, colour-blocked cabinets serve as a striking focal point and will lend flavour and flair to any kitchen, plus they can create depth, dimension and help highlight unique design features, too.
1. Black and red
Choosing a dramatic red and black cabinet scheme is sure to knock your kitchen’s style game out of the park. This high-contrast combo packs a serious punch, so if you desire a space that makes a bold statement but doesn’t feel too visually overwhelming, introduce generous dollops of white and natural materials such as timber (for example, in the form of furniture or a splashback) to add balance, warmth and contrast.
Choosing a dramatic red and black cabinet scheme is sure to knock your kitchen’s style game out of the park. This high-contrast combo packs a serious punch, so if you desire a space that makes a bold statement but doesn’t feel too visually overwhelming, introduce generous dollops of white and natural materials such as timber (for example, in the form of furniture or a splashback) to add balance, warmth and contrast.
2. Emerald and black
For a decadent look that oozes standout appeal, team jewel-toned and black cabinets together. I love the striking pairing of emerald – the hero hue of this combo – and inky black joinery seen in this kitchen. Take note how dusty pink, which is a complementary colour to green, has crashed the party and adds another layer of drama and personality to the scheme.
See more of this kitchen
For a decadent look that oozes standout appeal, team jewel-toned and black cabinets together. I love the striking pairing of emerald – the hero hue of this combo – and inky black joinery seen in this kitchen. Take note how dusty pink, which is a complementary colour to green, has crashed the party and adds another layer of drama and personality to the scheme.
See more of this kitchen
3. Timber and tangerine
Isn’t this kitchen fabulous? The secret to its success and winning style is without a doubt its smile-inducing timber and tangerine cabinet scheme. Notice how the sun-kissed tone pops against the ply joinery and adds punch and playfulness to the otherwise restrained palette. Meanwhile, the sandy-hued wood reins in the riotous accent colour and lends a cool, urban vibe to the space.
See more of this kitchen
Isn’t this kitchen fabulous? The secret to its success and winning style is without a doubt its smile-inducing timber and tangerine cabinet scheme. Notice how the sun-kissed tone pops against the ply joinery and adds punch and playfulness to the otherwise restrained palette. Meanwhile, the sandy-hued wood reins in the riotous accent colour and lends a cool, urban vibe to the space.
See more of this kitchen
If your heart is set on dark timber cabinets, opt for a lighter, peppier shade of orange rather than deep, red-tinged renditions of the tone, otherwise your scheme might take on a retro swingin’ 60s vibe. Lashings of white, black and metallics will also help ensure the scheme looks fresh and modern.
Laminate in ‘Mandarin’: Laminex
Laminate in ‘Mandarin’: Laminex
4. Wood and white …
Decking out your kitchen with timber on white joinery is a great option for home renovators who aren’t a fan of loud colour but want a striking space that offers modern appeal and will stand the test of time. For extra visual drama, opt for beautifully textured timber and high-gloss joinery, instead of plain matt or stained cabinet fronts.
Decking out your kitchen with timber on white joinery is a great option for home renovators who aren’t a fan of loud colour but want a striking space that offers modern appeal and will stand the test of time. For extra visual drama, opt for beautifully textured timber and high-gloss joinery, instead of plain matt or stained cabinet fronts.
5. … or black
Likewise, timber and black cupboards are a match made in joinery heaven. I love the pairing of raw, rustic timber and black glass-fronted cabinets pictured in this cool industrial-style kitchen. Notice how the Carrara marble benchtop bridges the two types of cabinets together; it beautifully complements the tone of the inky wall cabinets and the natural beauty of the timber cupboards below.
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Likewise, timber and black cupboards are a match made in joinery heaven. I love the pairing of raw, rustic timber and black glass-fronted cabinets pictured in this cool industrial-style kitchen. Notice how the Carrara marble benchtop bridges the two types of cabinets together; it beautifully complements the tone of the inky wall cabinets and the natural beauty of the timber cupboards below.
See more of this kitchen
6. Red and stainless steel
Vibrant red pops against most colours, but when paired with stainless steel it really sings. As you can see looking at this ultra-contemporary kitchen, the gleaming brushed metal amplifies the eye-popping effect of the high voltage hue and lends another dose of drama to the space. While this striking combo oozes good looks, the reflective surfaces also serve to bounce light around the room and make the compact cooking area appear larger than it really is.
Vibrant red pops against most colours, but when paired with stainless steel it really sings. As you can see looking at this ultra-contemporary kitchen, the gleaming brushed metal amplifies the eye-popping effect of the high voltage hue and lends another dose of drama to the space. While this striking combo oozes good looks, the reflective surfaces also serve to bounce light around the room and make the compact cooking area appear larger than it really is.
7. Blue and white
A fresh blue and white cabinet scheme will work in any kitchen, whether your interior is beachy, ultra-contemporary, country or traditional in style, like the cooking space pictured here. While white is often used as a base colour, dare to be different and use it as an accent instead, allowing your chosen shade of blue to shine.
Why white is the ultimate accent colour
A fresh blue and white cabinet scheme will work in any kitchen, whether your interior is beachy, ultra-contemporary, country or traditional in style, like the cooking space pictured here. While white is often used as a base colour, dare to be different and use it as an accent instead, allowing your chosen shade of blue to shine.
Why white is the ultimate accent colour
For a look that’s more restrained in style than the previous cooking zone, switch out saturated blue and pure, radiant white for less intense tones such as chalky blue and cream, which offer a more mellow and calming vibe.
8. White and green
Give your culinary zone a fresh start by mixing white cabinetry with cupboards in invigorating green. This zesty lime and crisp white scheme isn’t for the faint-hearted, but boy, isn’t it fun? Notice how the captivating colour pops up again on the island bench feature panel, which helps create a cohesive look and add dimension to the spacious area.
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Give your culinary zone a fresh start by mixing white cabinetry with cupboards in invigorating green. This zesty lime and crisp white scheme isn’t for the faint-hearted, but boy, isn’t it fun? Notice how the captivating colour pops up again on the island bench feature panel, which helps create a cohesive look and add dimension to the spacious area.
See more of this house
If you’re more partial to richer shades of green rather than high-energy lime, switch out the lively hue with moss, forest green or emerald, which serves as the accent cabinet colour in this contemporary kitchen.
This striking space also proves that less is sometimes more. Reimagine the area with a full row of green-toned wall cabinets, and while it would still look striking, it would lose some of its boldness and oomph.
This striking space also proves that less is sometimes more. Reimagine the area with a full row of green-toned wall cabinets, and while it would still look striking, it would lose some of its boldness and oomph.
Another option is to forgo coloured cabinet fronts completely and line the inside of your cupboards with your favourite shade of green instead. This is a neat trick to try if you have glass-fronted cabinets, or are colour shy and only wish to dip your toe into the trend.
9. Yellow and grey (and timber)
Technically, this cabinetry set-up features a trio of contrasting finishes, but I think it still warrants a mention on this list. The striking modular-style shelving is a study in just how smashing yellow and grey – and equally, yellow and timber, and grey and timber – cabinetry looks when paired together.
See more of this kitchen
Technically, this cabinetry set-up features a trio of contrasting finishes, but I think it still warrants a mention on this list. The striking modular-style shelving is a study in just how smashing yellow and grey – and equally, yellow and timber, and grey and timber – cabinetry looks when paired together.
See more of this kitchen
10. Black and white
You can’t go wrong if you work contrasting cabinets in a classic black and white palette into your kitchen. Not only does the colour combo ooze drama and timeless appeal, but the high-contrast hues can also add dimension to a space. Here, a sleek black floor-to-ceiling cupboard draws the eye up to the ceiling, creating the illusion of height, while the coordinating base cabinets that line the perimeter of the room ground the scheme. Meanwhile, the crisp white fingerpull wall cupboards enhance the room’s airy feel and ensure the space doesn’t appear too top heavy.
More black and white kitchens
You can’t go wrong if you work contrasting cabinets in a classic black and white palette into your kitchen. Not only does the colour combo ooze drama and timeless appeal, but the high-contrast hues can also add dimension to a space. Here, a sleek black floor-to-ceiling cupboard draws the eye up to the ceiling, creating the illusion of height, while the coordinating base cabinets that line the perimeter of the room ground the scheme. Meanwhile, the crisp white fingerpull wall cupboards enhance the room’s airy feel and ensure the space doesn’t appear too top heavy.
More black and white kitchens
Not a fan of stark black door finishes? Dark stained timber cabinet fronts are a happy medium. They’ll still create a strong contrast when paired with snow white joinery, but will deliver rich texture and natural beauty to the scheme, too.
Another lesson to learn from this elegant kitchen is to get creative when configuring your two-toned cabinet scheme. Rather than using different hues for your upper and lower cabinets, take a leaf out of this scheme’s playbook and colour code your kitchen to highlight different work stations instead. The result is a striking yin and yang effect.
Another lesson to learn from this elegant kitchen is to get creative when configuring your two-toned cabinet scheme. Rather than using different hues for your upper and lower cabinets, take a leaf out of this scheme’s playbook and colour code your kitchen to highlight different work stations instead. The result is a striking yin and yang effect.
11. Blue and orange
If you’re not sure what colour cabinets to mix and match together, look to the colour wheel for inspiration. My suggestion is to build your palette around complementary hues (which are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel), such as blue and orange. These tried-and-tested combos will instantly up the style cred of your space and inject it with a hearty dose of personality, too. The key to pulling off this colourful, high-contrast look is to temper the scheme with lashings of white and timber. This will ensure the space looks chic and beautifully balanced, rather than chaotic.
Reasons to love complementary colour combos
If you’re not sure what colour cabinets to mix and match together, look to the colour wheel for inspiration. My suggestion is to build your palette around complementary hues (which are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel), such as blue and orange. These tried-and-tested combos will instantly up the style cred of your space and inject it with a hearty dose of personality, too. The key to pulling off this colourful, high-contrast look is to temper the scheme with lashings of white and timber. This will ensure the space looks chic and beautifully balanced, rather than chaotic.
Reasons to love complementary colour combos
12. Grey and purple
Purple is a hue not commonly seen in the kitchen, but after spying this contemporary Shaker space, I’m sold. Here, soft grey cabinets define the perimeter of the generous cooking zone, while the maroon-toned island serves as a conversation-starting focal point and helps anchor the light, airy space. For a look that’s softer and more restrained in style, switch out maroon for lavender or the palest of purples. Or alternatively, dial up the drama by opting for a stop-and-stare magenta or fuchsia island instead.
Purple is a hue not commonly seen in the kitchen, but after spying this contemporary Shaker space, I’m sold. Here, soft grey cabinets define the perimeter of the generous cooking zone, while the maroon-toned island serves as a conversation-starting focal point and helps anchor the light, airy space. For a look that’s softer and more restrained in style, switch out maroon for lavender or the palest of purples. Or alternatively, dial up the drama by opting for a stop-and-stare magenta or fuchsia island instead.
13. Tone on tone
If you’re a true colour lover, throw caution to the wind and choose a cabinet scheme made up of two hues from the same colour family. This bright, mood-boosting turquoise and apple green-toned kitchen shows this eye-popping approach in action. Other striking keep-it-in-the-family combos include powder and steely blue; red and orange; and mauve and lavender grey.
If you’re a true colour lover, throw caution to the wind and choose a cabinet scheme made up of two hues from the same colour family. This bright, mood-boosting turquoise and apple green-toned kitchen shows this eye-popping approach in action. Other striking keep-it-in-the-family combos include powder and steely blue; red and orange; and mauve and lavender grey.
You don’t have to go bright and bold with your colour selection when trying this tone-on-tone look. Layering two contrasting neutrals (such as cream and grey or beige) or different types of timber together will still create a space that’s rich in contrast and visual drama, but one that’s not too loud in colour and style.
How to successfully mix timber types
How to successfully mix timber types
14. Inky hues and golden metallics
Another way to work dual-toned joinery into your kitchen is by choosing cabinet fronts with decorative metallic inset screens, like these luxe Shaker-style doors. A key lesson to learn from this space is to take a less-is-more approach when incorporating similar cabinet fronts into your culinary zone, otherwise it may look more razzle dazzle (read: tacky) than refined.
See more of this kitchen
Another way to work dual-toned joinery into your kitchen is by choosing cabinet fronts with decorative metallic inset screens, like these luxe Shaker-style doors. A key lesson to learn from this space is to take a less-is-more approach when incorporating similar cabinet fronts into your culinary zone, otherwise it may look more razzle dazzle (read: tacky) than refined.
See more of this kitchen
15. Red and grey
If a daring red and black palette is a little too full throttle for your tastes, take the intensity down a notch by teaming cabinets in moody grey and a gentler rendition of red together. As you can see here, the dynamic duo is still flashy but less full on than their darker, more dramatic colour counterparts.
See more of this kitchen
If a daring red and black palette is a little too full throttle for your tastes, take the intensity down a notch by teaming cabinets in moody grey and a gentler rendition of red together. As you can see here, the dynamic duo is still flashy but less full on than their darker, more dramatic colour counterparts.
See more of this kitchen
16. Blue and timber
For a look that’s cool, casual and deliciously chic, you can’t go past a beautiful blue and timber cabinet combination. Balance the scheme with generous helpings of white, which will temper the warmth of the wood, make the blue cupboard fronts pop and lend a sense of airiness to the space.
SHOW US
Do you have head-turning two-toned cabinets in your kitchen? We’d love to see them, so share your photos in the Comments.
MORE
How to Make Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinetry Work
Decorating 101: Keep it Simple With Tone-on-Tone Colour
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
For a look that’s cool, casual and deliciously chic, you can’t go past a beautiful blue and timber cabinet combination. Balance the scheme with generous helpings of white, which will temper the warmth of the wood, make the blue cupboard fronts pop and lend a sense of airiness to the space.
SHOW US
Do you have head-turning two-toned cabinets in your kitchen? We’d love to see them, so share your photos in the Comments.
MORE
How to Make Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinetry Work
Decorating 101: Keep it Simple With Tone-on-Tone Colour
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
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We have white caesarstone with silver + other tiny flecks - still perfect after 10 years and 5 children + 6 grandchildren - no problems at all with stains.
Even curry power / red wine spills - seems to just wipe off - if any residue still remains after a particularly bad spill wipe over with ceramic top cooker cleaner and its back to new .
The lighter colour will be more forgiving for dust and crumbs ( they will disappear )