Introduction
Kitchen cabinetry plays a major role in defining the overall style, aesthetic, and functionality of your kitchen. With so many options for finishes, materials, and configurations, one of the most common questions homeowners face is whether their upper and lower kitchen cabinets need to match. The short answer is no – it’s absolutely possible to mix and match different cabinet styles in your kitchen design. However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind to ensure your eclectic kitchen cabinets complement each other and create a cohesive look. This detailed guide examines if kitchen cabinets have to match, the pros and cons of mixing styles, creative ways to blend mismatched cabinets, and tips for successfully executing an intentionally eclectic kitchen design.
Do Upper and Lower Kitchen Cabinets Have to Be the Same?
There is no interior design rule stating your upper and lower kitchen cabinets must match. In fact, mixing and matching cabinetry styles and finishes has become an increasingly popular design choice, allowing you to showcase your personal style and creativity. Many homeowners choose to maintain cohesion using a single color palette and complementary materials, while varying the door styles of wall cabinets and base cabinets. Others take a more eclectic approach, pairing vastly different colors, materials, and styling between upper and lower cabinets for dramatic contrast.
So feel free to get creative and break free from uniform cabinetry – just keep in mind a few guidelines to ensure your kitchen still feels cohesive:
Consider Color and Finish
Introducing contrasting colors and finishes between upper and lower cabinets can work beautifully, but limit yourself to two or three total finishes to avoid a disjointed look. For example, combine white uppers with rich wooden stain on lowers, or try glossy cabinets up top and matte below.
Complimentary Styles and Proportions
If you want to mix and match cabinet styles, choose complementary designs with consistent proportions. For instance, combine shaker-style uppers with simple slab drawers below, or try glass-front upper cabinets with paneled doors on lower cabinets. Drastic differences in door sizes can look chaotic.
Consistent Functionality
While you can be creative with style, aim to maintain consistency in handles, knobs, hinges, and drawer/door functionality between upper and lower cabinets. Uniform hardware and functionality will help transition between contrasting styles.
Pros and Cons of Mixing Cabinet Styles
Deciding if you should mix different cabinet styles requires weighing the unique benefits and potential drawbacks:
Pros
Express personal style: Mixing cabinets allows you to add stylistic flair that showcases your tastes.
Showcase high-end materials: Using different materials up top and below lets you splurge on premium finishes on visible upper cabinets.
Add visual interest: Contrasting cabinets creates depth, dimension, and interest compared to uniform cabinets.
Zone kitchen areas: Different styles can define separate kitchen zones like an eat-in dining area.
Get creative with color: Mixing color palettes between upper and lower cabinets makes a bold statement.
Cons
Busier aesthetic: Too many contrasting finishes can look busy or cluttered without a unifying element.
Disjointed look: Cabinets that are too different can seem disconnected rather than intentionally eclectic.
Resale value concerns: Some home buyers may prefer cohesive cabinetry when evaluating resale value.
Difficulty matching later: Adding or replacing cabinets in the future means finding the exact match to existing cabinets.
Higher cost: Purchasing different cabinet styles means foregoing volume discounts on uniform cabinets.
How to Mix and Match Kitchen Cabinets
If you opt to mix cabinetry styles, follow these tips to create an eclectic yet cohesive look:
Choose a Unifying Element
Identify a consistent finish, color, material, or decorative detail to tie the look together. For example, stick to all-wood cabinetry in varying stains, or introduce matching metal hardware on both upper and lower cabinets.
Zone Functional Areas
Define separate spaces like an eat-in dining nook or appliance garage using different cabinetry styles. Zoning helps transition between mixes styles.
Style Lower Cabinets Traditionally
Opt for classic Shaker, slab, or flat-panel doors on lower cabinets paired with eye-catching uppers like glass-front, open shelving, or colorful lacquered designs.
Incorporate Display Cabinets
Glass-front upper cabinets or open shelving display collectibles that draw the eye up and highlight your unique finds. This balances busy lower cabinets.
Add Architectural Interest
Try unique shapes and built-out features like soffits, corbels, or trim details on one set of cabinets to add interesting architectural elements between styles.
Repeat Finishes Elsewhere
If lower cabinets have a unique finish, incorporate it elsewhere like on kitchen island stools or pendant lights so it doesn’t get lost.
Examples of Mixed Kitchen Cabinet Styles
Need inspiration for ways to successfully combine different cabinet finishes and designs? Here are some gorgeous examples of purposefully mismatched kitchens:
1. White Uppers, Wood Lowers
The most popular mixed cabinet look combines bright white upper cabinets with rich wood stained lower cabinets. White up top keeps the space feeling airy and spacious, while wood base cabinets add warmth and texture.
2. Colorful Uppers, Neutral Lowers
Make a bold statement by pairing colorful lacquered, painted, or glossy uppers with subdued lower cabinets like stock cabinetry or unfinished wood. Varying the color up top and keeping lower cabinets neutral grounds the look.
3. Glass Front, Paneled Doors
For a transitional vibe, try open glass-front cabinets up top and classically styled base cabinets like Shaker or inset panel doors below. The transparent and opaque combo adds modern interest.
4. Slab Door Uppers, Flat Panel Lowers
The minimalist look of slab cabinet doors up top can pair beautifully with traditional flat paneled base cabinets. The clean lines up top with decorative panels below blend classic and contemporary.
5. Industrial and Traditional
Rustic metal industrial cabinets on top work nicely with pretty traditional designs like beadboard or raised panels on lower cabinets, joining masculine and feminine aesthetics.
6. Open Shelving, Enclosed Lower Cabinets
Trade upper cabinet doors for open shelves displaying glassware, dishes, or decorative items. This keeps visual weight low and balances more substantial base cabinets.
Tips for Pulling Off the Mismatched Look
Certain strategies can help you execute mismatched cabinets with confidence:
- Start small: If new to mixing cabinetry, start with small changes like just the island or glass uppers.
- Add closed storage: Balanced open shelves up top with fully enclosed lower cabinets to avoid cluttered appearance.
- Consider resale appeal: If concerned about resale, opt for versatile white or neutral uppers with wood stains below.
- Budget intentionally: Splurge on smaller specialty cabinets and do stock cabinets or DIY paint on larger lower units.
- Examine entire space: Look at the whole aesthetic including countertops, floors, and decor and choose eclectic cabinets that enhance the overall style.
- Hire a designer: If struggling to visualize the look, hire a kitchen designer experienced in blending mismatched styles.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mixing Kitchen Cabinets
Many homeowners have additional questions about combining different cabinet styles. See some of the most commonly asked questions and answers below:
Do kitchen upper and lower cabinets have to be the same color?
It’s not required for uppers and lowers to be identically colored. Many designers use two complementary palettes between uppers and lowers to add stylish contrast.
Should kitchen wall and base cabinets match?
Wall and base cabinets do not need to match exactly. However, aim for an intentional blend by coordinating finishes and proportions.
Can I mix wood and painted kitchen cabinets?
Absolutely. Combining painted cabinets and stained wood cabinets is one of the most popular eclectic looks. Try colorful uppers with natural wood lowers.
Can I do open shelves above solid cabinets?
Yes, open shelving on wall cabinets nicely balances the weight of lower solid cabinets. This also displays collectibles against clean lined lowers.
What if I want to add more cabinets later that don’t match?
When expanding existing cabinetry, customize new pieces to match by ordering from the cabinet manufacturer, hiring a carpenter, or finding a close match and modifying doors/drawers.
Should cabinets match across the kitchen, like on the island and perimeter?
It’s fine to vary island and perimeter cabinetry styles, as long as you maintain a cohesive kitchen theme. Tie zones together with color, materials, or hardware.
Conclusion
While most kitchens sport matching cabinetry for a streamlined look, more homeowners are embracing the creative potential of mixing and matching different cabinet finishes and designs. By applying design strategies like choosing complementary styles and repeating unifying elements, you can tastefully blend mismatched cabinets for added character and personalization. Just remember to strike the right balance between cohesion and contrast. With the right eclectic blend, your unique kitchen cabinets can become an artistic focal point rather than an eyesore.