Two-tone kitchens is the latest trend you need to know about

Posted on 28th September 2024

Who knew you only need a couple of shades to create a stunning space? Two-tone kitchens are the latest ‘it’ trend to follow – here’s how to do it right…

Minimalism is, no doubt, one of the most popular design philosophies right now, and what better way to embrace it than with a clean, uncluttered, two-tone kitchen? This sleek look essentially incorporates two different colours, which either contrast or complement each other – and it’s as sophisticated as it gets.

The power of the two colours

Two-tone cabinetry is perfect if you want to maintain a stylish, clean look – but with a little more interest. You can accomplish this with doors that are different colours or made from alternative materials.

Kitchen with wood cabinetry and sky blue splashback. — Kitchen design featuring Himacs’ Sky Blue surface, priced from £300 per linear m.

“We’ve noticed an increase in the number of homeowners who want to add different materials and colours throughout their kitchens to bring a playful touch and character to the room,” says Alex Main, director at The Main Company.

The best bit? This trend is not reserved for a particular kitchen style; it suits a range of designs from sophisticated Shaker and country chic to modern and handleless.

How to choose your shades

When it comes to finding your go-to colours, you can opt for complementary shades or totally contrasting tones. For a pared-back look, you can choose a blend of light and dark hues – think olive on the cabinetry and forest green on the island, or light pink on the wall units and a deeper blush on the base cabinets.

“A vibrant colour on the kitchen island can make it the centrepiece of the room, while neutral walls and cabinetry recede into the background, drawing the eye towards the island,” says Molly Chandler, designer at Willis & Stone.

Kitchen with cabinetry in pink and white tones. — Design by Roar Architects, including Caesarstone’s 4011 Cloudburst Concrete, priced £370 per sq m. Photography: Chris Wharton.

“Ideally, you want to use the darker colour on your base units and the lighter one on your wall cabinets to maximise the sense of space. Or use glazed cabinets with white frames to make it feel even lighter and airier,” advises Penelope Jacobs, kitchen design expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk. “You could choose two contrasting heritage colours too, such as olive green and mustard yellow, to create a modern farmhouse kitchen that’s warm and cheery.”

Olive green and terracotta cabinetry and island in a traditional style. — Hush Shaker-style kitchen hand-painted in Paint and Paper Library’s Hornblende and Masai. Hush kitchens start from £12,000.

If you love brighter colours, pink and green is a popular pair. And, if you feel daring, why not choose contrasting shades for a stand-out look. Navy and bright orange are ideal for making a statement while aqua blue and fuchsia are set to bring a cheerful feeling to your kitchen.

Mix, match and play around with different palettes to find your dream colour combination.

Pink and green kitchen design with white worktops. — Shaker kitchen from £35,000, John Lewis of Hungerford.

Pretty and practical

Whatever your go-to two-tone choice is, one thing is certain: the outcome will look not only sophisticated but also cohesive and balanced. “Sticking to solely two colours makes it easy to achieve harmony between the different elements like countertops, floors and cabinets, ensuring the space feels well-thought-out without becoming chaotic,” says Molly.

“The two colours can also create different zones, as you could assign different colours to specific areas. For example, using one colour for cabinets and another for the island or splashback highlights the separation between cooking and preparation areas,” she adds.

Keen to embrace the look? These designs will provide you with more than enough inspiration to create your own, dreamy two-tone kitchen…