Matching cabinets - do kitchen cabinets should match exactly?

When it comes to kitchen cabinets, whether or not they should match exactly depends on personal preference and design goals. Some people prefer a cohesive look in their kitchen and may choose to have a color matching cabinet, while others may prefer a more eclectic or unique style and may choose to mix and match different types of cabinets.

If you are trying to create a uniform look in your kitchen, color matching kitchen cabinets can help achieve that goal. This means using the same cabinet style, color, and finish for all your cabinets. However, even if you decide to match your cabinets, you can still incorporate some variation in the design by using different types of hardware or adding accents such as glass doors or open shelves.

On the other hand, if you want to create a more eclectic or personalized look in your kitchen, you can mix and match different cabinet styles, colors, and finishes. This can be a great way to add visual interest and create a unique design that reflects your personal style. 

Ultimately, the decision to match your kitchen cabinets exactly or mix and match them is up to you and depends on your personal design goals and preferences. In this blog, we’ll talk about how to match kitchen cabinets so you can better decide whether to match in a complementary manner or match them exactly.

How to find matching kitchen cabinets

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and your cabinets play a vital role in defining its look and feel. Choosing the right cabinets is important, but so is ensuring they match well with other elements in your kitchen. Here are six tips on how to match cabinets for a cohesive and stylish design.

• Matching cabinet doors

The most obvious step to undertake when planning to match cabinets is to match cabinet doors. Matching cabinet door styles is a crucial step in achieving a cohesive kitchen design. How to match existing kitchen cabinets starts with its most visible design feature: the doors. 

How to match kitchen cabinet doors? Choose one style of cabinet door for all your cabinets to match cabinet doors and create a consistent look. Shaker-style doors are a popular choice for their clean, classic lines that work well with any kitchen style. You can also choose raised panel or flat panel doors, depending on your preference. 

Another consideration to match kitchen cabinet doors is the color and finish of your cabinet doors. Stick to one color and finish for a cohesive look. White cabinets with a matte finish are timeless and work well in any kitchen style. Alternatively, choose a wood grain finish to add warmth and texture to your kitchen.

• Mixing cabinet hardware finishes

Shaking up your kitchen style with mix and match cabinet hardware is like adding a dash of spice to your favorite recipe - adding excitement and interest. But just like a recipe, it's important not to go overboard. Limit yourself to two finishes at most when mixing cabinet hardware to avoid a hardware overload. 

When mixing different size cabinet pulls and matching cabinet pulls and knobs, think about complementary pairings. If you have sleek stainless steel appliances, try pairing them with brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware for a harmonious blend. Or, if you have warm, natural wood cabinets, consider a brass or bronze hardware finish to add a pop of contrast. 

Remember, the key to mixing hardware finishes is balance. Too much contrast can be overwhelming, but just the right amount can create a unique and stylish look that perfectly reflects your personal style. 

• Matching countertops to cabinets

Matching a countertop to cabinets is a great way to create a cohesive look in your kitchen. Choose a countertop material that complements your cabinet’s finish. How to match countertops with cabinets? Here’s an example: white cabinets with black marble or quartz countertops look great, while grey cabinets pair well with butcher block or granite. 

Countertops that match oak cabinets can make a kitchen look and feel warm. Use neutral painted or grained slab countertops to match oak cabinets. The key is to ensure that the colors and textures of your cabinets and countertops work together harmoniously. This can help create a sense of unity and balance in your kitchen, making it feel more welcoming and comfortable. 

Another question we encounter is: should countertops match floor or cabinets? The answer depends on your preferences and how you would like your kitchen to look like. A countertop and floor are in one parallel, so it looks good when they complement each other; but your cabinetry design may work well with the worktop without floor matching. So take the time to consider all the options and choose a countertop that complements your cabinets perfectly. 

• Appliance and cabinet matching

In a kitchen, appliances that match cabinets are like the stars of a show. They are the main attractions that can make or break the overall look and feel of your space. That's why it's important to consider appliance and cabinet matching when designing your kitchen's interior. 

One key consideration is color. Choosing appliances that match cabinets in color can help create a cohesive and harmonious look. For example, stainless steel appliances pair well with white or light-colored cabinets, while black appliances can be paired with darker cabinets to create a bold contrast. Fridge matching cabinets is a common practice done by designers because refrigerators are basically the biggest appliance in the kitchen. How to make your fridge match your cabinets? You can opt for a neutral colored fridge or customize its design by repainting it.

• Cabinets and wall matching

Wall color matching kitchen cabinets is like choosing the perfect outfit for a special occasion. You want them to work together in harmony, creating a cohesive and stylish look that reflects your personal taste.

One way to achieve this is by choosing complementary colors. Should white cabinets match white walls? If you have white cabinets, consider painting your walls a light and airy shade to create a sense of openness and spaciousness. Alternatively, if you have dark wood cabinets, lighter walls can provide a striking contrast and help create a warm and inviting atmosphere. 

Another approach is to consider texture. If you have smooth and sleek cabinets, consider pairing them with textured walls, such as brick or stone, to create a dynamic and visually interesting look. On the other hand, if you have cabinets with a lot of texture or detailing, smooth walls can provide a subtle and elegant background that lets your cabinets take center stage. 

You can also choose paint colors to match oak cabinets. Paint colors to match brown cabinets are usually complementary ones or those that has a neutral shade. These colors can make your cabinets pop up. Paint colors to match wood cabinets include white, beige, grey, and other neutral shades. 

• Matching cabinets and flooring

Should cabinets match floor? Yes. The floor of the kitchen is like the basic backdrop of your interior. Therefore, it is important that your floor should match the rest of your kitchen’s décor. One important aspect to consider is color. Choosing flooring that complements the color of your cabinets can help create a cohesive and balanced look. For example, when looking for flooring to match honey oak cabinets, consider flooring with a warm, honey-tone finish to create a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. Anything that is wood can be used as flooring to match oak cabinets. On the other hand, if you have darker cabinets, lighter flooring can provide a striking contrast and help create a spacious and airy feel. 

Another consideration is texture. If you have smooth and sleek cabinets, consider pairing them with flooring that has a lot of texture, such as hardwood or tile, to create a dynamic and visually interesting look. Alternatively, if you are looking for kitchen flooring to match maple cabinets, provide a subtle and elegant backdrop that allows your cabinets to shine.

It's also important to consider the style of your cabinets and flooring. If you have modern cabinets, consider flooring to match grey kitchen cabinets with clean lines and a contemporary design to create a cohesive look. On the other hand, if you have traditional cabinets, flooring with classic detailing can complement and enhance the overall aesthetic.

Complement or exact match?

When it comes to designing your kitchen, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is choosing your cabinets. And while it used to be standard to have all of your cabinets match exactly, modern design trends have opened up the possibility of mixing and matching different styles to create a unique and personalized look. But can you mix and match kitchen cabinets? And if so, how do you make it work? 

The answer is yes, you can mix and match your kitchen cabinets. In fact, mixed cabinets in the kitchen can add depth and interest to your kitchen design, creating a more dynamic and visually appealing space. One popular approach is to mix different cabinet styles, such as mixing slab and shaker cabinets. This can create a beautiful contrast between the sleek, modern look of the slab cabinets and the classic, traditional look of the shaker cabinets. 

But how do you make it work without it looking chaotic or haphazard? The key is to find a unifying element that ties everything together. This could be a common color or finish, such as using the same hardware or countertop material throughout the kitchen. Alternatively, you could create a focal point, such as a large island or statement backsplash, that ties all of the different cabinet styles together.

Another important consideration is balance. While mixing and matching cabinets can be a great way to add interest and depth to your kitchen, you don't want to go overboard. Stick to two or three different styles at most, and make sure they complement each other without overwhelming the space. 

Ultimately, the decision to mix and match your kitchen cabinets comes down to personal preference and style. Whether you choose to go with a cohesive, exact-match look or mix different styles, the key is to create a space that reflects your unique taste and personality. So, don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your design choices. 

Mixing cabinet colors

White and wood cabinets mixed is a classic and timeless look that works well in both traditional and modern kitchens. The key to achieving a cohesive look with these mixed color kitchen cabinets is to ensure that the wood cabinets complement the white cabinets' finish. For example, if you have white cabinets with a glossy finish, consider mixing kitchen cabinet colors and pairing them with light or natural wood cabinets with a matte finish.

Mixing oak and white cabinets can add warmth and character to a kitchen design, but they can also make a space look dated. To give your kitchen a modern update, consider mixing oak and white cabinets. This mix creates a beautiful contrast between the warm, natural look of oak and the clean, fresh look of white. Pairing oak cabinets with white upper cabinets can help to balance out the space and create a cohesive look.

Mixing kitchen cabinet door styles

Mixing cabinet styles can add personality and interest to your kitchen design. Mixing old and new kitchen cabinets is a design strategy designers have utilized to create personality and character in kitchen interiors. How to mix old kitchen cabinets with new? Here's a breakdown of some popular combinations:

Of course, these are just a few examples, such as mixing shaker and flat panel cabinets and countless other combinations you can try. When mixing cabinet colors and door styles, finding a balance that works for you is key. Stick to two or three styles at most, and make sure they complement each other without overwhelming the space.