Home Decor: Exploring Contrast & Balance

Let's consider including a bit of contrast in your home design for a moment. Think of a modern piece in a traditional home or a splash of color in a monochromatic room, contrast makes all the difference. Doesn't matter if it is a subtle choice or a big decision, it enhances the room's ambiance like no other!

There have been many kitchen trends that came as fads of the moment and then were replaced by something entirely different, from all-white kitchens to moody blue cabinets. 

One such style that has been trending is the unexpected combination of wooden cabinets and painted cabinets in the same kitchen. Something like unfinished wood cabinets on the top and sage-painted cabinets below, or a few tall wooden cabinets paired with vibrant blue fronts. This deviates widely from the all-white kitchen trend, it is a refreshing mix of modern and timeless styles. 

The next one does not go that far from the all-white trend, it just adds a bit of intrigue to the design. It is a contrasting combination of white cabinets with dark countertops in the kitchen. This contrast is something quite a few people avoid because they fear it will take away the spacious feeling of the room and not let it breathe. 

But this is a wild misconception, contrast are actually terrific. The one that is nothing less of a design statement and also the one that is functional doesn't matter what you choose then, granite, quartz, onyx, quartzite, travertine, marble, or soapstone.

Balance is the key!

There's not much that can stand as a strong enough reason against adding a bit of darkness to an all-white room. A white kitchen gives off a pristine vibe, making it feel bright, inviting, and spacious. But, what you are overseeing is that overdoing the white can lead to coldness and add a feeling of sterility instead of that of a warm and inviting one. 

You want the hub of your home to be welcoming considering it is the one place where all your parties eventually end up. The clinical tone of the all-white cabinets can be cut through with dark countertops, no matter what they are crafted of, from granite, quartz, or quartzite, to travertine, onyx, or even black marble. The contrast you achieve with this will then bring about a striking and dramatic finish.  

Light with dark, white cabinets with dark countertops to be precise, will help you clearly define the space between work and storage areas. When used together, each works efficiently to highlight the qualities of the other. The gleaming dark countertops will bring the finely crafted cabinet moldings into focus more smartly. Subsequently, bright white cabinets will turn the countertops into bright focal points. Add a stunning flower arrangement to it and watch how a little burst of color makes your kitchen the most striking space in your home.   

Choose from a range of striking materials 

Keep in mind that when we talk of a dark countertop, it is not necessarily midnight black. There are many deep-shaded color and materials that you can consider adding to your beloved kitchen that comes with interesting and remarkable patterns.   The contrast they create with white cabinets provides more than enough visual interest on their own. 

Think of veining in a stunning, vast kitchen island, it shows how a pattern manages to create contrast with the white cabinets and also complement them at the same time.  

White cabinetry is a popular and easy go-to given it is easy to complement its fresh, bright, and timeless qualities, it is undoubtedly the first thing to cross your mind when you think of a kitchen design. But when design goes too far in one direction, say a kitchen that is monochromatic (only whites), you are risking a blandness that can prove to be difficult to cut through. 

There is nothing that stands out then and no place for the eyes to land. This is where contrast comes into play and creates intrigue. Think of a beautifully crafted, dark-hued material for such a kitchen countertop then. 

So, instead of ruling out darker colors, consider the total package and how they can work in tandem with white. Also, remember that a dark countertop can also be polished to a gleaming shine that reflects light. And if you are someone who prefers a matte finish, you can make a few smart choices in your overall kitchen design so your space brightness is not entirely sans brightness.

If you want your kitchen to be striking and welcoming, timeless white cabinets and bold dark countertops can do the trick because opposites attract— black with white, vintage with contemporary, or concrete with salvaged wood.  And if you are looking for something that is relatively subtle and smooth with texture, consider beige with red or straight with curves. 

These contrasting combinations create ‘tension’ design-wise. When you choose bold contrasts for your home, settle on just one pairing. Do not experiment too much with different opposites or your decor can end up looking disjointed.