Six Fresh, Eclectic Kitchen Design Combinations

Creating a dream kitchen can often involve a remodeling design that’s as unique as the homeowner. Choosing a professional kitchen design specialist in Ann Arbor is the first step to achieving a unique look; a specialist will meet with homeowners to determine aesthetic preferences, family needs, and budget, and then develop a remodeling plan to create a uniquely perfect kitchen. The specialist can suggest ways to create interesting yet on-trend looks, taking advantage of the unique features of each kitchen. Here are six fascinating trends that homeowners can discuss with their design specialist to avoid a cookie-cutter approach to kitchen remodeling. 

1. Contrasting Wall Color and Cabinetry

 Choosing the right colors is one of the first steps in creating the perfect kitchen design plan for an Ann Arbor home. Choosing wall colors for the kitchen that match the cabinet color generally achieves only a neutral effect, and while some homeowners tend to choose monochromatic colors as a way to blend walls with kitchen cabinets’ wood grain, others prefer to make a bold color statement. For those who prefer to use color to create a unique design palette, combining bright or unusual wall colors with painted wood cabinets or melamine-finish cabinets can make a uniquely-Ann Arbor kitchen design statement. For example, choosing navy kitchen cabinets and a yellow accent wall is a way to ground the color scheme with a darker center while keeping the overall tone light and bright. Or, combining teal walls with cream cabinetry can create a fashion-forward kitchen space perfect for setting the intended mood for the room. 

2. Natural Stone Paired with Modern Finishes

 While smooth, polished, ultra-modern finishes are still one of the leading trends in kitchens today, one of the most innovative ways to change the look of a modern kitchen is to add textural contrast. A natural stone accent wall combined with modern appliances, finishes, and cabinetry is a look that conveys both natural beauty and originality. A stone wall brings in the look of the outdoors, pairing rustic charm with modern aesthetics to create a diverse textural tapestry. This look is also commonly seen in industrial warehouse conversions and even barn renovations, as the old is effortlessly paired with the new to create a stunning original renovation with modern ergonomics and varied textures. 

3. Mixed and Matched Stone

 Whether it’s marble, quartz, granite, limestone, or river rock, stone backsplashes are available in a wide array of color and pattern options. A natural stone backsplash can be easily paired with a different type of countertop stone to create an unforgettable look for any kitchen. Stone size plays a large part when mixing materials; a pebble-size natural backsplash can pair well with the sweeping mineral veins of granite or marble. Contrasting natural stone colors can be a beautiful option as well; for example, a green marble backsplash pairs well with another natural stone countertop color, such as blue or cream, to create a soothing, calming effect that brings the outdoors inside. In a kitchen space, natural stone is both durable and easy to maintain, providing lasting beauty for years. 

4. Contrasting Kitchen Island with Main Cabinetry

 Kitchen islands that contrast with a kitchen’s main cabinetry and countertops is a hot trend, and one that offsets the kitchen island to make it the focal point of the entire room. This type of contrasting design creates a visual focal point and brings a dramatic feel to the space. A kitchen island that perfectly matches the cabinets can sometimes appear too monochromatic, and a contrasting effect is often more interesting. One idea for creating this look is painted island cabinetry paired with natural wood grain main cabinets. A black-cabinet island with white main cabinetry, for example, is a luxurious, avante-garde look that invites style to the space; accenting with black and white tile or a black and white granite or marble countertop further enhances the look. Other ideas for creating a contrasting island look are pairing different wood combinations, such as a dark maple island with light ash cabinets, or using two different bright, complementary colors, such as teal and yellow, for the kitchen island and main cabinets. To further highlight a contrasting kitchen island, natural light from an overhead skylight or a wall of windows can work to spotlight the island and bring further visual contrast. A kitchen remodeling professional in Ann Arbor can suggest contrasting kitchen island colors and finishes, including advice on how to mix and match island countertops with main countertops. For example, choosing a white marble countertop for a black kitchen island and  choosing a black marble countertop for white wood main cabinetry is sure to create an outstanding visual effect. 

5. Mixing Metal Finishes

 While a long-standing rule states that all metal kitchen finishes should match (for example, all-chrome or all-brass fixtures), daring to mix metal finishes can create a completely unique look that really pops. When mixing metals, following a few rules will help create a finished look: 

• All objects of one type should be made of the same metal; for example, all drawer pulls should be brass, and all other fixtures and faucets a different metal such as chrome.

• Limit the number of metals mixed together in one room; a main finish choice and one or two contrasting accents should keep the look from being too visually “busy.”

• Mixed metals should be widely contrasting and not nearly the same; for example, brass and nickel can be easily mixed, but chrome and nickel are too similar and may not give the contrasting look desired.

 A kitchen remodeling professional in Ann Arbor can help mix and match metal finishes to create a luxurious, mixed-texture space. 

6. Mixing Appliance Finishes

 Who said all kitchen appliance finishes have to match? Mixing appliance finishes can be a brave way to make an interesting design statement. For example, a black oven and cooktop with a chrome range hood can be an interesting focal point or can fall in line with other contrasting black and chrome decor. Mixing pastel appliance finishes can create a unique mid-century look when paired with American diner decor. Eclectic kitchen combinations can be a great way to create unique visual style and even luxurious color combinations in a kitchen space. A kitchen design professional can help homeowners create contrasting, high-design looks to achieve the kitchen of their dreams.