There is no decorating rule that says all of your semi custom cabinets have to be the same color. In fact, two tone kitchen cabinets are getting really popular, as a quick glance at Pinterest proves. Besides the fact that two tone cabinets can create beautiful kitchens, there are several other reasons why this trend is so hot right now…

1. Create a focal point

You can use two tone kitchen cabinets to create a focal point in your kitchen. It might be the island in the middle of the room, or perhaps you have a glorious AGA range you want to feature…either way, using a different color cabinet around the element you want to draw attention to is a smart way to do the trick.

This can also make your kitchen island seem more like a standalone piece of furniture, another hot trend in kitchen design these days, because it gives the kitchen a homier, cozier feel.

2. Trick the eye

Two tone kitchen cabinets can also help with optical illusions. If you have a very high kitchen ceiling and you want to visually “lower” it so your kitchen feels cozier, use a darker color on your upper cabinets.

Alternatively, and much more common, you’ll see the darker color on the lower cabinets, usually to “lift” the ceiling up. Kitchens in older homes tend to be smaller and using a lighter color on the semi custom cabinets up above makes the room feel more spacious and airy. (It’s the same reason so many people are opting for open shelving in lieu of upper cabinets…although open shelving creates many challenges, including clutter!)

(As a mother, may I also point out that darker cabinets down below will show less dirt where it’s more likely to occur?)

3. Modernize a kitchen

Two tone kitchen cabinets can also modernize a traditional kitchen, by bucking the “old school” all-cabinets-match approach to kitchen decorating. You might be locked into a certain floor plan and feel in your home if it’s an older one, but you do have options for getting your kitchen up-to-date regardless.

They also break up the monotony of a kitchen with all the same color or shade of cabinets. Even an all-white kitchen can be overpowering! Using white above and a darker color below softens the room, breaks up the monotony, and gives the kitchen a fresh, appealing look.

4. Save a marriage

Let’s be realistic here: Many kitchen remodels and redesigns are done by two people, whether they are domestic partners or married. If two people are going to argue about anything, it’s going to be about remodeling or redecorating. (Just ask any general contractor or professional kitchen designer.) Choosing two tone kitchen cabinets makes it possible to compromise on the kitchen design! Two tone kitchen cabinets—jazzing up homes and saving marriages both?

Using two tone kitchen cabinets does not require a strong contrast, like white kitchen cabinets above and black below. We’ve seen gorgeous kitchens that used light gray cabinets combined with white. The effect is admittedly more subtle, but that is what some people want. If you’re thinking about a two toned approach to your new kitchen, be creative! The possibilities are almost endless.