How to Style Mismatched Kitchen Cabinets
Posted by Melissa Hollobaugh on Mar 12th 2025
Who says all your kitchen cabinets need to be exactly the same for your space to look great? It’s not a hard and fast rule; you can even create a stunning space by intentionally using mismatched kitchen cabinets. All you have to do is make sure you’re designing your room purposefully and thinking strategically about the style you’re trying to achieve. Whether you’re pairing two different types of cabinets in the kitchen or getting creative with mismatched cabinet hardware, we’re here to help.
We put together a guide to help inspire you for your next home renovation. Here’s everything you need to know about this trending style.
Why Mismatched Kitchen Cabinets?
Mismatched cabinets in the kitchen are a great way to add depth and dimension to your space. Whether it's different colors or kitchen cabinet hardware, mismatched is a popular trend for homeowners who want more visual interest and want something more than a one-color design.
The best way to achieve an intentional yet stylish mismatched look is to be strategic with your approach. Consider complementary colors and styles and avoid overcomplicating the design. You’ll also want to choose elements that look and feel intentional.
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How to Make Mismatched Kitchen Cabinets Work
If you’re interested in incorporating mismatched cabinet doors, paint colors, or hardware, there are a couple of different ways to approach the design. You can go subtle or bold, play with color, or lean into the eclectic look. No matter what direction you choose, you’re sure to end up with a fresh and unique space.
To incorporate mismatched kitchen cabinets with style, try these tips to ensure your space looks put together, even with mixed and matched kitchen cabinets.
Stick to a Color Palette
If you mix and match different colors, you'll want to stick to a specific color palette. This will ensure that the colors you choose are complementary. If you aren't careful, the colors can clash and make your kitchen look or feel cluttered.
A great way to do this is with two-tone cabinets. You might see one color and style of cabinets on a kitchen island, with a different color and style of cabinets spread throughout the rest of the kitchen. Complementary color combinations are another great option for different color kitchen cabinets. Consider color pairs like black and white, white and navy, or white with pastels.
Consider Spacing
Spacing your mixed kitchen cabinets is another way to make the mismatched styles look intentional. If you’re just looking into two-tone kitchen cabinet ideas, consider using a dark color on the lower cabinets in one style and a lighter color on the upper cabinets in another style to make your space feel bigger. You can also keep one particular style to one part of the kitchen, like a main wall, to create an almost built-in feel.
If you have a kitchen island or a section of cabinets separating your kitchen from another room, use the mismatched kitchen cabinets to mark different sections. You can group one kitchen cabinet style together in one part of the kitchen to create a sense of transition there.
Mismatched Cabinet Hardware
Using the same style of hardware across all the doors and drawer fronts can make the overall kitchen design feel harmonious, even if the cabinets are different. Matching handles or pulls can bring together the styles so that they feel like they’re meant to be together.
If you want to take a more creative approach to your kitchen, you can consider mismatched cabinet hardware. Pairing different styles, designs, or finishes can add subtle depth and dimension. Considering the thousands of hardware options available, you have endless ways to mix and match them with whatever cabinets you’re working with.
Find Balance Between the Upper and Lower Cabinets
When creating a mismatched space, you'll want to find a balance to ensure the different colors, styles, or hardware create a more cohesive look. The best way to do this is to find a bold contrast between the upper and lower cabinets. Pairing a bold color on the lower cabinets with a neutral color on the top can create visual interest. You can also add open shelving or artwork for additional visual contrast.
Draw the Eye Elsewhere
Sometimes, the best design strategy with mismatched cabinets is to draw the eye away from the cabinets and towards something else. If the space allows, consider adding a china cabinet or hutch that could serve as the room's focal point. A bold-looking backsplash or a dynamic light fixture can also draw attention rather than keeping the focus on the cabinets. Even changing the wall color from light and neutral to bright and colorful can make the mismatched cabinets feel less obvious.
Other ideas to consider include new curtains or window treatments, a new kitchen table, or even just a prominent centerpiece on that table. Remember, just because the cabinets take up a lot of space doesn’t mean they have to dominate the design of your room. Cabinets can easily blend seamlessly into the background, whether they match or not, when the rest of the room is carefully designed.
Create Cohesion
There are many ways to make mismatched cabinets look similar and cohesive without making them look identical. Even in a two-tone kitchen with mismatched kitchen cabinets, it’s possible to create a sense of coordination.
One great example is installing beadboard in the panels or over the exposed sides of the cabinets. Alternatively, you could incorporate glass-front cabinet doors that share the same type of glass, even if the frames are different. That way, even though the cabinet doors have differing styles, they share specific design features. This helps create a kitchen space full of dynamic complements and contrasts.
Additional ways to create cohesion when designing with mismatched cabinets include giving all the cabinets the same distressed finish, using décor strategically, or lighting the space carefully.
Mismatched Cabinet Ideas & Inspiration
The mismatched cabinet look is perfect for homeowners wanting to add more personality or bold contrast. Here are three creative ways to get the look:
Two-Tone Cabinets
This is a trendy, versatile approach for your home renovation project. You can pair neutrals for a more modern approach or go bold with vibrant color options. Also, consider pairing painted cabinets with natural wood for a more visually appealing approach.
Combine Vintage Elements with Modern Designs
Obsessed with vintage cabinet doors but want a modern kitchen? Are you looking for simple cabinet doors with vintage cabinet hardware? With this approach, you can mix and match different elements from various kitchen designs to create a cohesive look that complements your taste.
Bold Pops of Color
Bold blues, navy, greens, and yellows are trending colors for kitchens. However, committing to bold colors for upper and lower cabinets can be overwhelming, especially with smaller kitchens. Pairing bold pops of colors with floating shelves or neutrals is a great way to get the mismatched look to feel more balanced and cohesive. You can pair bold cabinet doors with simple light fixtures, kitchen stools, or artwork.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With This Style
If you want to commit to the mismatched look, you'll want to avoid overcomplicating the design. The goal is to create a cohesive, put-together look that offers visual interest. Adding too many styles or colors can overcomplicate the design, creating a cluttered appearance.
Keep the design simple
- Avoid adding too many styles or colors, which can make the space look cluttered.
- Aim for a cohesive and visually interesting look.
Consider other elements in the space
- Look beyond the cabinets—think about how the mismatched look pairs with your flooring, countertops, rugs, and decor.
- Keep the “bigger picture” in mind to help you achieve your dream kitchen.
Update Your Kitchen with CabinetDoors.com
Are you ready to commit to the mismatched kitchen cabinet door look? CabinetDoors.com is here to help. We have a variety of cabinet door styles, wood species, and colors available for your next home renovation project. We also have mismatched cabinet hardware and door knobs available.
All cabinet doors are custom-made and made to fit your cabinets. If you have any questions about choosing or ordering your cabinet doors and drawer fronts, feel free to contact us through our website or by calling 800-342-1010. We’ll be happy to help you get the information and answers you need. When it comes to cabinet doors, whether mismatched or perfectly matched, Cabinetdoors.com always delivers.
