If you’re looking to infuse personality and design flair into your next kitchen – and you absolutely should – sticking to just one cabinet style is a missed opportunity. Bordering on criminal! Mix and match kitchen cabinets are more than just a trend; they’re a statement, and Roundhouse designers are leading the way. From minimalist kitchen layouts that emphasise sleek simplicity to dark kitchen ideas that add a touch of drama, we’ve long embraced the art of mixing styles to create bespoke kitchens tailored to any aesthetic.

However, mastering this trend involves so much more than a simple game of pick and mix. The right alchemy of colour ratios, style pairings, and material combinations is essential. Get it wrong, and the overall look can quickly tip from sophisticated to chaotic.

Keep reading to discover how you can harness the mix and match cabinet trend and transform your next kitchen into a space that truly reflects your unique style and vision.

Take a textural approach

One of the most discerning ways to tackle mix and match cabinets is to explore finishes with a tactile side. This could mean opting for materials with genuine physical texture, or choosing finishes that offer visual texture – smooth surfaces enhanced by variegated patinas that create the illusion of texture.

In matt lacquer for a sleek, modern finish, textured concrete for an industrial twist, and antiqued copper to add warmth, our Kaye project is the perfect example. This considered combination of textures adds depth and dimension, while keeping the overall look modern and fresh.

To achieve this balance, start by selecting one element as the anchor – for instance, a dark matt lacquered island – and then strategically work in one-two cabinet designs with a more organic patina for extra texture. Here, the concrete effect is focused on the main run of cabinets, leaving the antiqued copper as a highlight on the feature wall cabinets. This approach not only creates visual interest but also aligns with current design trends, blending minimalist kitchen aesthetics with bold touches of colour and patina.

Make it two-tone

Two colour kitchens are a clever way to strike the perfect balance between contrast and cohesion. You can opt for two tones of the same shade – say, dark and pale green – for a relaxed, harmonious look, or select two distinctive hues that either complement or deliberately clash. Ultimately, this popular design approach is all about breaking away from monotony and creating a more compelling space.

Where and how you make the colour split(s) will influence the overall rhythm of the space. One of the simplest approaches is to split the colour on the island versus surrounding units – use the strongest colour on your island to secure it as the focal point. A mid-height split at worktop level is also popular, with the darkest shade being at base unit height to prevent a top-heavy design.

Colour splits can also be used to delineates zones within the kitchen, as was the case in our Jones project, which features robust stainless steel on the “working” side of island, where the majority of the cooking action takes place. Using walnut on the sociable side then set the scene for relaxing.

Work in wood

As a natural material, timber will always be a timeless choice, but an all-wood kitchen can sometimes feel a little OTT or perhaps just too “country” for an urban setting. Working wood into a palette of materials is a subtler but no less effective way to create a sophisticated, layered feel that contrasts beautifully with modern materials and fittings.

In our Munro project, we embraced this philosophy by featuring stained oak on key elements of the kitchen – the island, wall units, and suspended shelving – all working in harmony to soften the dramatic intensity of Farrow & Ball’s Off-Black.

Deciding how much wood to incorporate in a mix and match kitchen ultimately comes down to personal taste. Remember, wood carries a wealth of character and a little can go a long way. The ideal balance is also shaped by spatial and architectural factors such as natural light, ceiling height, and flooring choices. The priority should always be to manage wood levels, so it enhances rather than overwhelms your design.

As a rule, darker woods like walnut add warmth and a sense of luxury, making them ideal for larger spaces or as a grounding element on kitchen islands. In contrast, lighter woods such as bleached oak create an airy, relaxed feel, which works beautifully in small kitchens or rooms with limited natural light, helping to open up the space.

Double up on door designs

It’s not just colours and materials that can be mixed and matched in a kitchen – switching up door styles is another effective way to change the design pace and keep things interesting. In Roundhouse bespoke kitchens, you’ll often find a combination of Shaker and flat-fronted doors – and it’s not because our customers can’t decide between the two! This pairing works because it offers the best of both worlds: the timeless appeal of a Shaker framed door alongside the sleek, modern look of a flat-fronted style.

We’ve also noticed increased demand for fluted, grooved, or ribbed cabinet doors (just pick one for a cohesive look), used as feature elements within more straightforward cabinetry. Adding this kind of vertical detailing – whether in the same material and colour as the surrounding cabinets or as a contrasting accent – is an excellent way to introduce visual interest without overwhelming the space. Plus, the linear design draws the eye upward, enhancing the sense of height, which is a particularly effective trick for making small kitchens feel taller and more open.

Whatever direction you want to take it, the trend of mix and match cabinets is about celebrating individuality in kitchen design. Why not visit one of our showrooms to speak with our design experts and discover the best blend of styles, textures, and colours for your new space? With a little help from Roundhouse, you can shake off blandness and bring a new level of personality to your home.