Designing a cohesive kitchen with different colored cabinets, trim, and appliances can seem daunting. However, with some careful planning and decor choices, you can pull together these elements into a stylish, harmonious space. Here are some tips for tying together brown cabinets, dark brown trim, and metal appliances.
Choosing Paint and Stain Colors
The keys to making the different finishes work together are finding the right undertones and values (lightness/darkness) for your cabinet, trim, and wall colors.
Cabinet Color
For rich brown cabinets, look for paint colors like chocolate or coffee that have reddish-brown undertones. If your cabinets lean more toward taupe, choose a greige or mushroom colored paint. Stay away from orange-brown cabinets, as these will clash with both cool metal and dark trim.
Trim Color
Select a dark brown stain or paint for the trim that has similar cool undertones as the metal appliances. Espresso and ebony stains are classic choices. Avoid warm wood tones like cherry or mahogany, as these will look mismatched.
Wall Color
Tie the whole room together with warm, earthy wall colors in the same color family as the brown cabinets. Creamy whites and beiges work well. Stay away from stark whites or grays, as these enhance contrast. Soft sage greens also beautifully complement brown cabinetry.
Hardware and Fixtures
Choose hardware and fixtures in brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, or other metals that pick up on tones in both the cabinets and appliances. Steer clear of stark chrome or gold hardware that will stand out too much against the other finishes.
For a really pulled together look, opt for metal bar pulls or handles on the cabinets that echo the finish on the appliances. Oil-rubbed bronze or brushed nickel knobs would pair nicely with stainless appliances.
Countertops and Backsplashes
Natural stone countertops like granite and quartz in taupe, brown, or cream colors help bridge the gap between brown cabinets and metal appliances.
For the backsplash, stick to neutral colors like white, off-white, or beige subway tile or stone. This creates balance without competing with the other elements. Metallic mosaics can also bring in a subtle reflective effect to complement appliances.
Flooring
Rich wood floor stain in espresso or walnut tones is an ideal flooring choice. The dark wood relates to the trim while picking up the depth of color from the cabinets as well. Tile in earth tones like sand or beige is another seamless option.
Accessories and Decor
Warm metal finishes are key for additional accessories like pendant lights, vent hoods, and wine racks. Incorporate natural textures like wood cutting boards, ceramic planters, and wicker baskets to soften the space. Echo the earthy brown, beige, and sage color scheme with decor like curtains, rugs, and wall art.
Lighting
Install lighting fixtures like chandeliers and under-cabinet lighting that feature both metal and transparent materials like glass or acrylic. The combination helps marry the sleek appliances with the warmth of the wood cabinetry.
Make sure to use bulbs with a warm 2700K color temperature instead of cool LEDs. Warm lighting casts a flattering glow over all the finishes.
Summary
- Stick to unified, earthy color schemes for cabinets, walls, countertops, and decor.
- Choose metals for hardware and fixtures that complement the appliances.
- Incorporate natural wood and ceramic textures alongside metal.
- Use warm lighting to create cohesion between the different materials.
With careful selection of complementary paint colors, metal finishes, and decor elements, you can create a pulled-together, harmonious kitchen with brown cabinets, dark trim, and metal appliances. The key is finding the common tones and a consistent style. With strategic planning, these diverse finishes can work together beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you match metal appliances with wood cabinets?
Choose warm metal finishes like brushed bronze, antique brass, or oil-rubbed bronze that pick up on the undertones of rich wood cabinet stains. Cooler metals like stainless steel and nickel go better with painted cabinets.
What color cabinets go with stainless steel appliances?
White and light gray cabinets pair best with stainless steel for a clean, modern look. Avoid warm wood cabinets, which will look very mismatched.
Should cabinet hardware match appliances?
It’s not mandatory, but matching the finish on hardware like cabinet pulls to the kitchen appliances creates a more unified look. Oil-rubbed bronze pulls complement stainless appliances nicely.
What backsplash goes with brown cabinets and stainless appliances?
A neutral backsplash in beige, off-white, or light gray is ideal for blending brown cabinets with stainless appliances. Simple subway tile or mosaic glass tile create a classic combo.
What countertops look good with dark brown cabinets?
Granite, soapstone, or quartz countertops in neutral, warm earth tones like sand, almond, or tan work well with dark brown cabinets. Butcher block countertops also beautifully match the rich wood.
Conclusion
Tying together different kitchen elements like brown cabinets, dark trim, and metal appliances may seem tricky. But by selecting complementary paint and stain colors, opting for matching metals in fixtures and hardware, and incorporating natural textures, you can create a seamless, stylish look. With some thoughtful design choices, these diverse finishes can work together in perfect harmony.