Cabinet Refinishing · Dec 2019
Kitchen white uppers, dark lowers and a blue island
Kitchen white uppers, dark lowers and a blue island. These are after photos from the job, taken Dec 2019. This cabinet refinishing project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets: White Uppers, Charcoal Lowers and a Blue Island
These are finished photos, so they show the end result rather than the starting point. The main kitchen has white raised panel upper cabinets with arched tops, crown molding and one glass-front cabinet with leaded glass. The lower cabinets along the walls are a deep charcoal. The center island stands apart in a strong, medium navy blue with brushed nickel bar pulls. Light gray granite with soft veining covers the counters and backsplash, and stainless steel appliances and wire-glass pendants hang above. Warm, dark oak floors tie the three cabinet colors together. The second photo in this set shows a similar idea in another kitchen. It has soft white cabinets with black pulls, a dark island under a white quartz top, white subway tile and wood stools. Both kitchens use a light color up high and a deep color low, which keeps the room bright while hiding scuffs near the floor.
How We Paint a Two-Tone Kitchen, Step by Step
- We remove doors and drawer fronts and label them by color group, so uppers, lowers and island pieces never get mixed up in the shop.
- Counters, backsplash, appliances and floors are covered, and the face frames are cleaned of grease and grime, especially around the range and the sink.
- Every surface is scuff sanded and primed. With dark and light colors side by side, a solid base coat keeps both looking even.
- We paint the lightest color first on the uppers, then the deeper lowers and island, so any small overlap is easy to cover cleanly.
- Doors and drawer fronts get two finish coats each, sprayed while lying flat so the raised panels and arched tops come out smooth and even.
- Face frames are finished on site, with careful tape lines where a light cabinet meets a dark one, such as at tall pantry cabinets.
- We rehang the doors, install the pulls and adjust the hinges, then walk the whole kitchen to check each color edge in daylight.
Paint Colors Similar to This White, Charcoal and Blue Kitchen
Here are similar colors to consider for a white, charcoal and blue cabinet scheme like this one, but they are not this kitchen’s exact colors.
Sherwin-Williams Extra White SW 7006
A bright, clean white close to these upper cabinets, and it looks fresh against gray granite and stainless appliances.
Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal HC-166
A deep, soft charcoal near the lower cabinets, dark enough to ground the room without reading as pure black.
Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue HC-158
A rich blue with gray in it, close to the island here and a popular pick for a contrasting kitchen island.
Questions About Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets
Which cabinets should be the darker color?
Most two-tone kitchens put the darker color on the lower cabinets or the island. Dark colors near the floor hide scuffs and feel grounded, while light uppers keep the room bright. Putting dark colors up high can make a kitchen feel smaller, though it can work in large rooms.
Can I use three cabinet colors in one kitchen?
Yes, as long as the colors relate. In this kitchen, white, charcoal and navy all share cool undertones, so they feel planned. Limit the third color to one feature, like an island. Tie everything together with one hardware finish and neutral counters.
Does hardware need to match across cabinet colors?
It does not have to, but one finish throughout usually looks cleaner. Brushed nickel and black both work on white and dark cabinets. If you want contrast, brass or gold on a navy island can be a nice accent. Keep pull sizes consistent so the rows line up.
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