In the last few years, architects, designers, and decorators have been turning to a “mix and match” look in the kitchen for an off-the-beaten path look. Whether you shake it up with two different cabinet colors or two different granite colors, this unexpected twist on the traditional kitchen will add a bit of complexity to your design palette.
Done correctly, a mix and match kitchen can be quite elegant. But like any decorating project, using more materials and color requires a bit more planning and careful assessment of the space and overall intended look.
This article will help you decide whether your kitchen is right for a two-tone design and how to get just the right combination of cabinets and granite counters.
Is My Kitchen Right for a Mix and Match Look?
The first step is to take a look at your kitchen layout. Do you have two separate counters or are all your countertops in one run? If you only have one counter or a few small wall counters, then it’s best to stick with a single color countertop. You can always add an interesting tile backsplash to give your kitchen that designer look you want.
The ideal space for two counter or two cabinet colors is a medium to large kitchen with an island. It is important to make sure the space is balanced. One little piece in a different color will look accidental. An island is the perfect place to use a “showier” granite, which will then be the visual centerpiece of the kitchen.
Can I Mix and Match Both the Cabinets and Granite?
Of course it depends on your particular space, but we usually recommend mixing either granite countertops or cabinet colors. Having four different elements can become too busy pretty quickly. One way to get around this problem is to choose a more unusual cabinet color, like blue or green, on all the cabinets and mix two granite colors. Likewise, using two different cabinet colors under the same exotic granite gives you a chance to highlight different colors in the stone.
What Two Granites Should I Use?
If you are using two different granites in the kitchen, the best way to start is to look for two stones with similar or complementary colors that have distinct patterns and vice versa. A good rule of thumb is to not mix two stones that look very similar. If you select a pair of granite countertops that look too similar, it might look more accidentally than innovative. One fail-safe way to pair two granites is to pick something very consistent and solid on the perimeter (the counters up against the wall) and an exotic or otherwise exciting granite for the island.
For example, in a kitchen with white cabinets, put Absolute Black Granite on the perimeter counters and a dynamic white or gray stone like Alaska White Granite or Juparana Delicatus Granite on the island. The understated Absolute Black on the perimeter will set the stage for your island granite to shine.
This same overall pairing of one solid granite and one granite with more movement can be adjusted for your color scheme. For example, if you have more warm, earth tones in your kitchen, then you might want to put that Absolute Black Granite on the island and use a warm stone like Golden Sparkle Granite on the perimeter. The long, meandering lines in Golden Sparkle Granite create a visual flow around the Absolute Black Granite, which would act in this case as a visual anchor for the whole ensemble.
Pro tip: Virginia Mist Granite is a great choice as the quiet half of a granite pair. Its soft dark gray and subtle lighter veins will match with a lot of different granites without being too loud.
One more combination type to consider is a soft white granite paired with a bold, colorful exotic. One striking example of this design style would be Bianco Romano Granite on the perimeter with Dynamic Blue Granite on the island. In this case, the hints of blue-gray in the Bianco Romano Granite would tie in with the dusty blue of the island just enough to create cohesion without dimming the bright contrast.
Few More Mix and Match Granite Examples
- Super White Island with Black Pearl Brushed Perimeter countertops
- Alaska White Island with Absolute Black surrounding counters
- Cambrian Black Brushed Island with Saturnia as perimeter
- Nero Marinache Granite Island with Black Pearl brushed perimeter
- Antique Brown Island with Giallo Ornamental perimeter
- Virginia Mist Island with Super White perimeter
These tips should give you a good idea of how to start planning your mixed-granite kitchen. It’s important to carefully consider all the factors in your kitchen that will make or break the look, including cabinet layout, lighting, and decor in surrounding rooms. However, at the end of the day, don’t forget that the best decorating tip is to trust your instincts. You know best what is beautiful to you. We’re here to help you sort through all the great choices available.
image source: Houzz