10 of the Best Kitchen Cabinet Color Ideas and Two-Tone Designs

sage green kitchen vintage house herringbone island wooden bar stools

When we started planning our new kitchen design, the most important decision for me was to get the kitchen cabinet color right. I had my heart set on two-tone kitchen cabinets right from the beginning.

Kitchens can sometimes be a bit monochrome. I wanted to inject several colors into the room, and kitchen cabinets are a great place to start.

We had always gone with white kitchens in the past, mainly because we were renovating the property to do up and sell on, and white was the most popular choice amongst house hunters.

Even though I loved our old white kitchen with wooden worktops, I found myself drooling over different kitchen cabinet colors and often thought about getting our white kitchen spray-painted.

Thankfully, I never had to do this as we moved house, which meant I could start planning a whole new kitchen color scheme!

white shaker style kitchen with dark blue walls and tiled backsplash in the kitchen — Our old kitchen was white, but I wanted dark cabinets. We **painted the walls dark blue** to compensate.

Our new kitchen has two-tone kitchen cabinets, and I couldn’t be happier with them. We went for Chelford Navy Island and Dusk Blue cabinets from Howdens.

The colors complement each other beautifully, and the Dusk Blue helps brighten a dark corner of our kitchen.

This got me thinking about different two-tone kitchen cabinet ideas and how to make your kitchen pop with color.

dark blue island with brass handles, grey cabinets, brass island pendants and white metro tiles in the kitchen — I adore our two-tone kitchen in Howden’s Navy and Dusk Blue

Colorful cabinetry has been tipped to be a big trend this year, and they weren’t wrong. We often overlook the kitchen when it comes to décor, leaving the walls white and keeping color out of the room.

Open-plan kitchens are now one of the most sought-after designs when it comes to our homes, and with it, décor and color are being introduced in the form of art, soft furnishings, and rugs. If you’re planning to renovate, now is a great time to buy RTA cabinets in bold shades that complement your style.

There are many kitchen color ideas out there, it’s about choosing the right color for you!

Kitchen Cabinet Colors

It’s time to go bold in your kitchen. From pretty pastels to nature-inspired greens and blues, here are a few kitchen cabinet color ideas to get you started.

1. Dark Blues and Greens

Dark blue island and white quartz worktops — Our Navy kitchen island can look charcoal when it starts getting dark. I love the color of our island

Go dark! I love the dramatic nature of dark kitchen cabinets. They are sophisticated and stylish and provide a striking backdrop to your kitchen.

Choose either Charcoal, Navy, Dark Green, or, if you’re brave, black! These dark shades have the wonderful ability to change shade depending on the light.

We have a dark navy island and dark navy cabinets in our utility room, which go a glorious blue in the direct sunlight.

dark green kitchen cabinets and island with white quartz worktops and crittall door — Amanda’s fabulously dark green kitchen. Image credit @houselust

If you’re worried that dark kitchen cabinets will make your kitchen too moody, keep the backsplashes and countertops light by installing marble, white quartz, or light wood. Keep the walls a light shade like off-white, light sage green, or pale grey, and finish the cabinetry with brass or gold hardware for a luxurious look.

dark green kitchen with white quartz worktop — Moody green. Image credit: Howdens

dark navy cabinets with tiled backsplash — The ultimate in kitchen style with dark blue cabinetry. Image credit: @rocking_the_cotswolds

Here are some more ideas to enhance the beauty and functionality of a kitchen with dark cabinetry:

Use Under-Cabinet Lighting: To illuminate the workspace and bring warmth to the room, install under-cabinet lighting. This not only highlights the countertops but also creates a cozy atmosphere.
Incorporate Metallic Accents: Metallic finishes, like brass or copper, for hardware, faucets, or light fixtures, add a touch of elegance and break up the dark kitchen cabinet tones. They also reflect light, contributing to a brighter kitchen environment.
Add Pops of Color: Introduce vibrant colors through accessories like vases, dish towels, or small appliances. Colors like deep red, emerald green, or mustard yellow can add visual interest and personality to the space.
Open Shelving or Glass Cabinet Doors: Break up the expanse of dark cabinetry by incorporating some open shelving or glass-front cabinet doors. This can lighten the overall look and offer a chance to display decorative items or neatly organized dishware.
Flooring Options: If you have the option to choose, go for lighter flooring to contrast with the dark kitchen cabinets. Light wood, pale tiles, or even a light-colored rug can make a significant difference.
Statement Lighting: Invest in statement lighting fixtures over the kitchen island or dining area. This not only provides necessary illumination but also serves as a focal point in the decor.

2. Pretty Pastels

mint green kitchen cupboards with belfast sink — Fresh and calm. Mint green in the kitchen. Image credit: @melanielissackinteriors

If you don’t want to go to the dark side, pretty pastels could be your thing! Pastel colors can be fun and soothing at the same time and remind me of ice cream parlors and sunny days.

You want your pastel kitchen cabinets to take center stage, so stick with white or neutral colors on the walls. Accessorize it with bright pops of pink, purple, and lilac to make your kitchen pop with color.

pale blue kitchen with large herringbone style white metro tiles and pops of pink — Nova Seagrass Kitchen by Magnet

mint green cabinets and tiled flooring in the kitchen — Gloriously pastel! Image credit: @reka_thornton_home

3. Nature-Inspired Green

dark green kitchen with parquet flooring and quartz worktops — Dunham kitchen in Forest Green – Magnet

My current favorite color to use in the kitchen! There is a large range of different greens you can use on your kitchen cabinets.

Dark forest and sage green are hugely popular colors, which are a modern take on the navy and gray kitchen cabinets that seemed to be ubiquitous over the last few years.

Dark forest green works amazingly with marble worktops, bronze hardware, and wooden floors to give it a wonderfully elegant look. Sage green is extremely versatile and works with white quartz or wooden worktops.

sage green island and crittall windows in the kitchen — Sage green island with white worktops. Image credit: thelistedhome.co.uk

Sage looks best with natural materials like wood and stone and monochrome backsplashes.

5. Blues

dark blue kitchen cupboards, light blue island and exposed steel beams — A beautiful blue combination. Image credit: oliveandbarr.com

We have a gray/blue shade on our kitchen cabinets and a dark navy island, which work together perfectly.

blue kitchen cabinets with marble splashback — A softer blue. Image credit: www.bushboard.co.uk

Decorating a kitchen with light blue cabinets offers a fresh and airy feel, ideal for creating a serene and inviting space. To complement the soft hue of the cabinets, consider using neutral tones like white or light gray for the walls and backsplashes, which will create a clean and harmonious look.

dark blue kitchen cabinets, marble splashback and sage green island with crittall windows and doors — Showing how well sage green and dark blue work together. Image credit: www.mereway.co.uk

Natural wood elements, whether in the form of floating shelves, a butcher block countertop, or wooden bar stools, can add warmth and texture, contrasting beautifully with the cool blue. For the hardware, brushed nickel or brass brings a touch of elegance and can tie the room together.

a light blue/grey kitchen with grey slate flooring and white walls — A distinctly greyish-blue kitchen. Image credit: Mereway Kitchens

Don’t forget to incorporate some greenery; potted herbs or a vase of fresh flowers can add a splash of color and life. For lighting, opt for fixtures that match the style of your kitchen, whether it’s modern pendants or classic chandeliers, to enhance the overall ambiance.

4. Grays

light grey handleless shaker style kitchen — Oozing sophistication. The Howdens Chelford Kitchen in Dove Grey

After many years of white kitchens, gray cabinets slowly started making an appearance as people began to experiment with other colors in the home. If you don’t want a white kitchen, but don’t fancy going all out with color, gray is a fabulous choice.

Warm grays work well as a backdrop and are timeless. They look best with natural elements like wood, slate, and stone, which help bring texture and earthy tones into the kitchen.

blue/grey kitchen cabinets and island with brickwork splashback — Rathlin in Denim by HKUK

5. Not so Mellow Yellow

dark blue kitchen cupboards and bright yellow cabinets — BRIGHT! Countour kitchen in Bumblebee Matt by Wren Kitchens

Yellow has always been a highly energetic color and brings a touch of sunshine and cheerfulness into any room. Yellow works in both dark and light rooms – it can help brighten up a dark corner of your kitchen or can be mellowed down in a bright room filled with sunshine.

dark green kitchen cupboards and mustard island with parquet flooring in the kitchen — Beautifully eclectic kitchen by @victoriaemes_home

Yellow kitchen cabinets are the star of the show, so keep everything else neutral and calm. But if you are a fan of bright colors, then go for it! Use two-tone cabinets with greens or dark blues that help complement the yellow.

Add brightly colored accessories throughout the kitchen to create a fun and eclectic feel to the room.

6. Pretty in Pink

pink kitchen cabinets and brickwork splashback — Rathlin in Kashmir by HKUK

I love pink cabinets and very nearly had them in our kitchen. However, as I wanted exposed steel beams and an industrial look, I decided to go with blues and greens.

burgundy kitchen cabinets and pink island in the kitchen — This pink island works in symmetry with the dark red kitchen cabinetry. Image credit: @lisaweaverhome

Pink is such a warm and playful color; it goes with pretty much anything. If you don’t want a full-on pink kitchen, think about a pink island with dark navy cabinetry for a dramatic backdrop.

Or choose a darker shade of pink, like a deep red or burgundy, to emphasize the pink island.

7. Metals

dark green ceiling, chandelier, parquet flooring, white wall cabinets and stainless steel kitchen cabinets — This stainless steel kitchen is a dream with the dark olive green ceiling and vintage chandelier. Image credit: @around.robyn

Metals aren’t a color as such, more a texture or look. Stainless steel cabinets are sleek, robust, and perfect for an industrial look. They work with other natural materials like wood, concrete, exposed walls, plaster and tiled floors.

industrial style kitchen from IKEA — Industrial style to perfection. Image credit: IKEA

8. White

white shaker style kitchen with dark blue walls and brickwork island — Our last house had a white shaker-style kitchen.

Still the most popular color, white kitchen cabinets are probably the easiest color to use in the kitchen and help the room stay fresh, bright, and clean.

In our last renovation, we went with a white kitchen as it was by far the most popular color choice. We wanted to renovate and sell on, so we went with a color that would appeal to the masses.

Depending on what type of kitchen cabinets you go for, white can be contemporary or traditional.

white gloss open plan kitchen — Howdens Clerkenwell gloss kitchen

If you want a more contemporary kitchen, go for marble or white quartz worktops and handleless doors. Gloss-white kitchens epitomize that sleek contemporary look.

If you want to go down the traditional route, aim for shaker-style kitchens with wooden worktops, original features, and wooden doors. Add a large Belfast sink and stainless steel hardware.

9. Wood Tones

Another trend that is growing, and one of my favorites, is the use of natural wood in the kitchen. With biophilic design and the indoor-outdoor look gaining in popularity, raw materials and textures are the perfect aesthetic for your kitchen.

dark green kitchen cabinets with grey walls and a large oak kitchen island — Image credit: Optiplan Kitchens

The beauty of wood is that it works perfectly with any color. You could opt for a wood island with sage green or dark blue cabinets.

Another look I love is textured wood, like the stunning Nordic Nature range from Magnet. Its fluted oak-effect slab doors will look good next to neutral shades or sage green and light grey wall cabinets.

wooden fluted cabinets in the kitchen with white backsplash — Magnet Nordic Oak Wave

Keep the worktops white and install matt black hardware for a dramatic look.

dark mahogany island and white cabinets in the kitchen — Howdens kitchen

wooden cabinets and island in the kitchen — Go full-on wood with fluted glass cabinets. Image credit: Smile Kitchens

Two-Tone Kitchens

white kitchen cabinets with grey/blue island and parquet flooring in the kitchen — Classic Shaker White and Teal Mist – Mereway

I have mentioned two-tone throughout this blog post, as it has to be one of my favorite styles in the kitchen. If you can’t decide on one color, why not choose two?

Some of my favorite two-tone kitchen cabinets are –

Dark blue and grey
Sage green and cream
A pink island and white cabinets
Wood elements with dark green
Mint and gold
Charcoal and soft grey
Salmon pink with lime green
Stainless steel and white
Navy and Orange

grey island and shaker style cupboard with parquet flooring in the kitchen — Classic shaker white and teal mist – Mereway

If you have a small or galley-style kitchen, you could use one color on the bottom cabinets and a contrasting color on the wall cabinets. If you have a larger kitchen with an island, this is screaming out for a two-tone kitchen!

dark blue island, grey cabinets, glass pendants and wooden bar stools — Dark blue island and Grey cabinets. Image credit: @oldrectonewoldrec

dark blue walls, coving in the ceiling, drop pendants hanging over the turquoise island with gold highlights — This color combo is delightful and makes the island a standout piece. Image credit: Wren Kitchens

sage green kitchen island with monochrome tiled backsplash — Sage green and grey kitchen. Image credit: thelistedhome.co.uk

I think the kitchen is one of the best rooms to experiment with color. We spend a lot of time in our kitchens – cooking, entertaining, cleaning, and drinking coffee, so why not make it a reflection of our personalities?

As with anything when it comes to our homes, do what makes your heart sing. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to decorating our homes, and having two toned kitchen cabinets is a brilliant way to add color!

10 of the Best Kitchen Cabinet Color Ideas and Two-Tone Designs