We all know that color can transform any space, whether it’s a glossy white, a matte black, or bright colors that pop. Most of us also know that too much of any one color can create a bit (or a lot) of color claustrophobia. Enter the two-tone kitchen. There’s no special set of rules out there for two-tone kitchens, but done well, it can bring a fun and unique touch to your space.

Go for a heavy stack

Especially critical in small kitchens, but a good idea in all kitchens, is to stack your two-tone kitchen cabinets by putting a dark color on the bottom cabinets and a light color on the top cabinets. Upper cabinets are in the line of sight and have a direct correlation with the feeling of space in your kitchen. Light colored cabinets at eye level will make your space feel large, airy, open, and freeing while darker cabinets near the ground will give the room a strong foundation.

Go with two materials instead of two colors

Image mixing a light wood cabinet with a black matte cabinet for an industrial office complex look. Or a medium natural wood with white cabinets. If you’re going for a vintage look, mixing steel and wood, or glass and wood can also help you create the right look and feel for your space. If you go this route, be careful to make materials that belong together aesthetically.

Choose one focal point and accent away

Every kitchen has a focal point, and color can be used to draw attention to that space, and even to move it. If you have a kitchen island, this makes a perfect focal point, giving you the ability to concentrate attention and color in one small space. Don’t have an island? Refinish kitchen cabinets along just one wall.

Tie it all together with a big bow, or at least the same hardware

When you mix and match colors or materials in your kitchen, it’s important to bring it all together and visually connect your kitchen. That’s not as difficult as it sounds. Simply using the same hardware—like cabinet pulls—can get the job done. Using colors in the same color palette, like sand and stone hues, as your two tones, can also make the room flow together. You might even consider using two tones in varying shades of the same hue—like a dove grey and an elephant grey—to create visibly connected beauty.

When it comes to quick, beautiful and bold changes, nothing quite changes your space like refinishing kitchen cabinets in two tones. Take inspiration from nature, internet planning boards, and your dreams, then lay out a plan and make it happen…two-tone style.