Kitchen trends have changed a lot over the years. From the Formica® countertops universally adored in the 1950s to the minimalist designs and pastel colors of the 1990s, kitchen design is always evolving. Recent years have seen the rise of a new trend: two-toned kitchen cabinets. Given that the cabinets take up the majority of the visual space in the kitchen, it makes sense to optimize their aesthetic appeal. If you’re considering two-toned cabinets for your kitchen, here are a few tips to help get you started. 

3 Tips for Two-Toned Cabinets

1. Create Contrast

An important part of achieving the two-toned look is to choose two vastly different colors; one dark and one light. If the colors are too similar, they’ll clash. It’s the difference between the lights and dark that adds contrast to your kitchen aesthetics. Choosing colors on the opposite ends of the spectrum doesn’t necessarily mean limiting yourself to bright and flashy colors. Even though black and gray are fairly close on the color spectrum, they create a simple and elegant contrast. If you don’t like the idea of painting, consider stains and contrasting wood selections to achieve the contrasting effect.

2. Focus Your Design

Though the most popular way of creating this two-toned contrast involves coloring the lower cabinets darker than the ones above them, this isn’t the only way to achieve a visually appealing contrast. Other kitchen design ideas involve choosing a focal point by painting one area — such as the island, or a select area of cabinets — its own color.

3. Consider the Test of Time

Many bold kitchen design choices are doomed to eventually become an eyesore. Olive and orange were all the rage in the 1970s, but aren’t considered to be particularly appealing today. Since it’s illogical and expensive to redo the kitchen with every passing trend, it’s important to keep this fashion truth in mind during the kitchen design stage. The color schemes that are popular today may quickly give your kitchen a dated feel in a few years. Sticking with neutral colors or classics like black and white is the most effective and time-tested way to keep your kitchen décor looking timeless. 

If you’re ready to finally tackle that kitchen design project, the remodeling experts at Mallo Home Improvements Inc in Rochester, NY, are here to help. Since 1957 this family owned business has been helping people design their dream homes. Visit their website to see their list of services or check out their Facebook page to see some of their latest projects. Give them a call today at (585) 654-9530 for a free estimate.