Freshening Up a Dull Kitchen With a Two-Tone Look

Two-tone cabinets are becoming the latest low-cost way to update a kitchen and increase buyer appeal.

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

For many home buyers, the kitchen can set the tone for the entire home. But sellers don’t always need to take on a costly remodel to give their kitchen new life. A growing design trend of embracing two-tone cabinetry is showing homeowners how to update their kitchens at a fraction of the cost of a full renovation, while also adding resale appeal.

A Fresh Spin on a Popular Trend

Two-tone cabinets—sometimes called “tuxedo kitchens”—began as a mix of dark lowercabinets mixed with bright upper cabinetry. But the trend has evolved. Now, homeowners are experimenting with wood tones, matte finishes, textured laminates and colorful kitchen islands to bring dimension and character into the space.

Instead of committing to an all-white or single-color kitchen, sellers can create a more custom, designer look—without a full tear-out. Plus, it’s a way to break out of the all-white kitchen trend that has quickly been fading in popularity.

Here are some popular two-tone cabinet combinations, according to kitchen designers:

• White uppers with walnut, caramel or charcoal lowers for a timeless balance.
• Stained wood lowers with light-painted uppers in off-white, taupe or beige for a warm, natural feel.
• Sage green paired with natural oak for an earthy, calming look.
• Textured matte finishes—like black base cabinets combined with dark laminate uppers—for a more subtle contrast.
• Contrasting kitchen islands, such as a navy or forest green island, with soft neutral perimeter cabinets.

When suggesting a kitchen refresh, the key to pulling off the two-tone cabinet look is to ensure it stays cohesive with the rest of the home so the kitchen doesn’t clash. Flooring, countertops and lighting should all work together to complement the chosen cabinet colors, kitchen designers say.

Scale also plays a role. In smaller kitchens, lighter shades on the upper cabinets can help the space feel more open and larger. On the other hand, larger kitchens may better support the drama of darker tone cabinets above, designers say.

Another popular approach to the two-tone look is to make the kitchen island the centerpiece. Painting the island in a bold color while keeping the surrounding cabinetry neutral creates a striking focal point without overwhelming the room.

Why This Trend Works for Resale

Two-tone cabinetry strikes the balance many sellers may be looking for: It adds personality, keeps costs manageable and appeals to buyers who may be looking for something beyond the basic white kitchen. It gives a kitchen personality while still maintaining broad appeal.

The two-tone design “shows the home isn’t cookie cutter, and buyers notice that," says Brett Johnson, a real estate professional and owner of New Era Home Buyers in Aurora, Colo.

That said, real estate professionals say sellers should lean toward more resale-safe color choices. For example, soft neutrals, greens, blues, grays and natural finishes tend to have lasting value, while overly bold or high-contrast colors have a risk of feeling outdated more quickly.

“Buyers are very receptive to the combinations” of two-tone cabinets, notes Anastasia Pinnick, a kitchen designer and real estate sales associate at Terrie O’Connor REALTORS^®, in the New Jersey and New York City metro area.

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