It doesn’t matter if you are building a new kitchen from scratch, or refinishing your existing cabinets, two tone kitchens are still on fire in 2024!
Let’s take a look at some classic color schemes, popular trends, and a few off beat options, as we explore two toned cabinets in all kinds of real homes.
I will also share exactly which paint colors you should choose!
(Psst: Interested in wood two tone combinations? I’ve moved that to: Stylish Two Tone Kitchen Ideas Featuring Wood Cabinets because it was just too long here!)
Black and White Two-Toned Cabinets
I had to pair down these kitchens to just my most favorite, because I could do a five mile long post on just black and white two tone cabinets!
In this kitchen, Meridith (@lexstyleanddesign) not only chose two different cabinet colors, she maxed the contrast by choosing different hardware too!
Get this look with the Benjamin Moore colors Simply White and Onyx:
Meridith used Simply White throughout her home. This white is a classic bright white with a creamy twist.
This next “kitchen” is actually the butler’s pantry in Jessica’s @thehouse_on2060.
I just wanted to show it, because I think many of us have pokey little kitchens like this, and it looks very chic and crisp.
Just like her walls, the upper cabinets are Sherwin Williams Extra White and the lowers are Tricorn Black:
This is about as much contrast as you can get, because Extra White is a bright true white, and Tricorn Black is the darkest black on the market!
Here is a funky kitchen that I would brand as “farmhouse industrial” :
Sure there’s shiplap, wooden shelves, and an apron sink, but Bailey’s (@clarkansaslove) addition of the quirky garage door and the brick wall take it somewhere new.
Here is a picture of the outside when the opening had temporary glass while waiting for the garage window:
Here’s what Bailey says about her quirky kitchen:
“Our marble countertops extend outside to create bar seating on the back porch. I love having gatherings and opening this bad boy up- it really extends our entertaining space!”
Bailey’s two tone kitchen colors are Sherwin Williams perennial favorites Pure White and Tricorn Black:
Pure White most often looks like a true white with just a hint of softness. It isn’t overtly creamy, but it’s not exactly bright either.
White and Black Stained Cabinets
These next kitchens take a twist on black and white two-tone cabinets by using a black stain instead of a paint.
The white here is quite creamy, but the contrast is bumped up by also using black countertops on the island.
Get the look with Sherwin Williams Shoji White:
Shoji White is a creamy off-white with a neutral beige undertone. It’s a perfect choice for a look like this, because it doesn’t ever lean yellow.
This kitchen is also by John Askew Custom Homes and is very similar! This time the overall color scheme is a bit lighter.
The double islands are stained black with sleek white countertops.
For a similar creamy white to the wall cabinets, try Sherwin Williams Whitetail:
The walls here look very similar to Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan.
Cream and Black Two Tone Cabinets
There are all shades of white, but these cabinets are definitely cream, so I thought I would show them as another option.
Alisa (@theholley_home) used two shades of Valspar paint for her two tone cabinets: Cracked Pepper and Thistle Seed.
Unfortunately, neither color comes with the puppy.
Green and White Cabinets
Green kitchen cabinets are the next blue kitchen cabinets, and I have them in spades!
White and Light Green Cabinets
Vanessa (@rustic.charm.in.the.valley) chose Sherwin Williams Sea Salt, a soft green for her island, and complimented the rest of her white kitchen with black hardware and wood details.
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt is a soft gray green that can have either a warm or cool undertone. It’s very versatile and can be used like a neutral.
The next kitchen we have is another one by Riemer Kitchens, so these are actually stock colors:
The lower cabinets are in their color Sea Glass.
The brass hardware provides a nice contrast from the soft green.
Refinishing you cabinets? You can achieve a similar look with Sherwin Williams Contented:
This next kitchen by Heritage Cabinets has a similar color scheme, but this time the green is a little smokier:
Get the look with Benjamin Moore Misted Green:
White and Sage Green Cabinets
Sage colors are uber popular, but I will hold back and just show a couple of white and sage two toned kitchens!
I love the use of gold hardware in this first kitchen by Alicia Hewitt Interiors:
I’m actually pretty sure that the upper cabinets are stock, but they look just like Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace to me, so I’m swatching that anyways!
The lower cabinets are Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage:
Oak Story Design has some really great kitchens, but this is one of my favorites! You might have already seen it in my Carolina Gull post.
The artisan tile is really doing it for me!
It looks more gray here, but Carolina Gull is definitely a gray green. For the upper cabinets, Oak Story chose Sherwin Williams Shoji White:
White and Mid-Toned Green
Sherwin Williams Rosemary is not 100% a sage green and not a forest or hunter green, so I guess we will class it on it’s own as a “mid-green.”
No matter what you call it, Rosemary is a great color for a two tone cabinet moment!
Just yummy!
Nicole (@basicbluehouse) has since swapped out that standard door for this wood and glass number:
At first glance you might think this next picture is the same kitchen, but this one by Jen Dulac (@jendulacdesign) just has a similar layout!
(And almost the same stools!)
Jen used Sherwin Williams White Flour on the perimeter cabinets, and Rosemary on the island.
White and Dark Green
These cabinets were hard to class, because they could just as easily be in the black and white cabinet section!
Sherwin Williams Greenblack is a super dark green that can be used like a black, and that’s exactly what Jake and Candi (@bridlewoodacres) did!
For the upper cabinets, they chose the same white that they used for the rest of the house: Sherwin Williams Pure White.
I think this is one of the prettiest waterfall islands that I’ve seen. That stone is gorgeous!
Get the look:
Blue and White Cabinet Combinations
Despite how popular green cabinets are getting, blue – specifically navy – cabinets are still a popular choice in two tone kitchens.
Let’s take a look at some sexy, smouldery, blue and white kitchens!
Navy and White Two Tone Cabinets
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy has long been one of the most popular navy blues on the market. Here GR Fine Finishes (@grcabinetpainting) paired it with Sherwin Williams Extra White.
Try out this combination! :
This next navy and white kitchen features yet another waterfall countertop, but this time in the peninsula.
I am loving this crisp color scheme and the glossy panelled ceiling!
Get the look with Benjamin Moore Simply White and Hale Navy:
How about navy and white with a funky 70’s backsplash?
The floral reminds me of my grandma’s plates, in the best way possible!
Love the colors? Try Sherwin Williams Snowbound with SW Salty Dog:
Sherwin Williams Cyberspace is the color on this next set of lower cabinets and island, but it’s a bit of a tricky one to categorize!
Cyberspace is somewhere between navy, charcoal, and black.
The upper cabinets here are Sherwin Williams Creamy:
The navy blue lower cabinets in this next kitchen, are just one of many classic elements in this bright kitchen.
The color here is Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue:
Finally, an unexpected choice in a navy blue stain:
This is a fun choice if you are using real wood and are hesitant to paint and lose the grain entirely.
White and Powder Blue
If Marie Antoinette had a southern inspired kitchen, I imagine it would look something like this:
Yup.
Inspired by the country opulence theme?
Try Sherwin Williams North Star, a subtle blue gray:
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I love the clean simplicity of this white and blue kitchen by Tracy (@tracyelaineirwin) :
The white on the ceiling, floor, upper cabinets, and subway tile, are all slightly different shades and textures to keep things interesting.
I even love the basic chrome cup pulls!
This blue is Benjamin Moore Colorado Gray, which is actually on the same color strip as Aegean Teal, which we will see in just a minute. The white is Simply White once again!
Finally I’m cheating a little bit with this two-toned blue and white kitchen, but I feel like the mega oversized hood counts as a good amount of white space:
You know I love a Portuguese inspired tile!
For this look, try Behr Ultra Pure White with Benjamin Moore Silver Gray:
Teal and White Cabinets
Finally the color I promised from the Colorado Gray color strip: Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal.
Of course Archetype Designs went with Chantilly Lace for the upper cabinets.
(Aka the best white everrrr!)
I am in love with this kitchen! Aegean Teal is bright enough to make a statement, but calm enough to be liveable:
Aegean Teal was actually Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year back in 2021!
Now for a darker and more mysterious teal shade, Sherwin Williams Cascades:
Cascades is a bit more green than Aegean Teal:
You can also see more of this and other teal paint colors in my post: 9 Tantalizing Teal Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets (#5 is Controversial)
Finally in the (sort of?) teal and white category is this gorgeous kitchen by Oak Story Design:
Another top-notch tile choice!
The wall cabinets are all Benjamin Moore White Dove, and the island is Benjamin Moore Gibraltar Cliffs:
Grayish colors are fun because they never look the same on the swatch, but this is indeed the color!
White and Aqua Cabinets
An antique finish is not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are still plenty of people who like it.
Here is a kitchen with white upper and lower cabinets and an antique turquoise island.
The nice thing about a colorful island, is that you can be as bold as you want to be, and it’s not nearly as much work to change later!
White and Beige, Taupe, or Pewter Cabinets
This is probably my favorite category because I looove ambiguous neutrals. Something about a classic natural colors just look expensive to me. I feel pretty much the same when it comes to my wardrobe.
Let’s take a look!
The mushroom color on this island looks great with the grays and browns in the stone countertop, which the owners imported from Brazil!
A popular choice for two toned kitchens, is to choose a different countertop for the island, and we can see that done particularly well here.
Dupe the look of this two toned kitchen (perhaps sans Brazilian stone) with Sherwin Williams Snowbound and Polished Concrete:
Taupe is one of those love-it-or-hate-it kind of colors, but I happen to be a taupe lover!
Luckily this homeowner was as well:
It’s a bit hard to tell here, but these taupe cabinets are glossy.
You might not be able to dupe the look of a foil cabinet with your remodel, but you can play twinsies with the color by using Benjamin Moore Sandlot Gray:
Now for a little something on the greener side of taupe, or what some might call pewter:
Get this look with a classic neutral white like Behr Diamonds Therapy, and the age old favorite: Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter.
Can you still make an impact with two tone cabinets if you choose lower contrast colors?
Absolutely!
This cream and putty color scheme provides just the right amount of contrast while still keeping things light and bright.
These cabinets can be duped by using Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois and London Fog:
White and Gray Two Tone Cabinets
Gray can come in so many different forms, so I made it a separate category apart from the other neutrals we just looked at.
From silver to charcoal, here are some two tone kitchen cabinets featuring white and gray.
White and Light Gray (Silvery) Cabinets
For the lightest silvery gray option, check out this kitchen which features a subtle accent island:
This kitchen was designed by Marissa again, from @in_vest_homes. She used Sherwin Williams Alabaster for the walls and the rest of the cabinetry. Get the look of this kitchen by using Sherwin Williams Ice Cube as your second tone:
For something a bit bolder than Ice Cube, check out this soothing gray:
I believe these cabinets are a custom color, but they remind me very much of my personal favorite gray paint color: Benjamin Moore Shoreline. I have used Shoreline in my own home a few times over!
For the white in this pairing, try Benjamin Moore Snowfall White:
White and Dove Gray Cabinets
For a middle-of-the-road gray tone with a soothing softness, check out this kitchen by Riemer Kitchens:
Now that’s an island!
The perfect dove gray is pretty hard to find. In the end I narrowed it down to Sherwin Williams Analytical Gray:
Or for something a little lighter and cooler, Valspar Filtered Shade:
White and Blue Gray Two Toned Cabinets
Blue gray paint colors are also tricky! They tend to be chameleons, and can be hard to nail down.
To mimic the blue gray lower cabinets in this kitchen, try Behr Nor’Wester:
White and Warm Gray Two Toned Cabinets
Speaking of chameleons, Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray is one of these shapeshifters all day every day.
In that first photo you can really see the warm tones.
Here is one more of the same kitchen in the @rockcreekfarmhouse before it was finished:
The walls in here are Sherwin Williams Snowbound.
Just to give you another idea of how Dorian Gray can look, here is an all-Dorian kitchen:
It looks darker and cooler here!
Dorian Gray can look pretty dark in a kitchen with less natural light, so it’s the perfect candidate to use with white upper cabinets.
White and Charcoal Kitchen Cabinets
Okay so the “white” here is actually Sherwin Williams Creamy, but I won’t tell if you don’t!
The designers at The Finishing Room (@thefinishingroommke) chose Sherwin Williams Iron Ore for the island, which is probably the most popular charcoal color on the market!
Gray and Black Cabinet Color Scheme
I’m cheating somewhat with this next kitchen, because Bespoke Redesign actually used Iron Ore on the island here.
It really looks black however, so it is our inspo for a two-tone gray and black kitchen regardless!
Here’s the real color scheme:
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray has got to be up there with the nicest grays for cabinets! It’s very soft and not too cool.
The thing to know about Iron Ore, is that while it can look black in low light, it really isn’t.
(I talk a lot more about this in my post: Sherwin Williams Iron Ore vs Peppercorn)
Unless your kitchen is in a basement, or you want it to look charcoal sometimes, try a true black like Tricorn Black instead:
Green and Gray Two Tone Cabinets
You might be asking “I’m sorry, green and gray?” after that last photo.
The island actually is a charcoal color and not blue: Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (yet again!). The filter is just doing the most!
Here’s another shot of the same kitchen with a different filter:
That’s actually not a bad shot of Iron Ore, but the green cabinets are Sherwin Williams Clary Sage, and they are less minty in real life.
Madison’s house is super fun! You can see a bit more in my Black Interior Doors post. (And of course, on his Instagram!)
This next two-toned kitchen is a really interesting color scheme. The outside cabinets are in a soft gray, and the island is a gentle green.
I went looking for some paint colors that will give you the same effect.
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a super light gray on the verge of an off-white, and Sherwin Williams Sea Salt is a pretty close match to the color on the island:
Two Tone Cabinet Moody Musings
I hope there was a color scheme here for you! I tried to come up with a pretty exhaustive list.
Personally my favorite is probably white with another neutral. (Although I do love a dark green.)
I would always choose Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for white cabinets, and my ideal lower color would be Repose Gray, or a taupe shade like Sandlot Gray.
Here are even more posts about kitchen cabinets! :
