Material Pairings for Kitchens: 11 Combos Designers Love
Can't decide on colours and finishes for your new kitchen? Here are design experts' 11 fail-safe, go-to combinations
The right materials and colours can make or break your kitchen design – but which ones will look good together and stand the test of time? We have the answers: here, architects and designers share their 11 all-time favourite material and colour pairings for a kitchen. Read on and get inspired!
Design: Trueing Studio; image via Instagram.
2. Jane Thomson, principal at Jane Thomson Interior Design
Perfect pairing: Green joinery with a standout marble or quartzite splashback, brass fittings and off-white walls.
Green and statement stone reminds us of nature and creates a sense of calm, while the brass adds luxury – just be sure to use it judiciously.
How would you use this combo?
If the stone is highly patterned and coloured, I like to make it the hero of the space by using it on the splashback and benchtop in place of a tiled splashback and a stone benchtop.
I recommend quartzite as a stone – it’s almost indestructible and comes in a variety of colours from beautiful milky greens to gorgeous rose pinks. Or you could flip the finishes and use a green stone on the splashback and benchtop, with off-white cabinetry and brass or black handles.
A combo like this will work with most kitchen styles, including traditional, Hamptons, contemporary and Shaker.
2. Jane Thomson, principal at Jane Thomson Interior Design
Perfect pairing: Green joinery with a standout marble or quartzite splashback, brass fittings and off-white walls.
Green and statement stone reminds us of nature and creates a sense of calm, while the brass adds luxury – just be sure to use it judiciously.
How would you use this combo?
If the stone is highly patterned and coloured, I like to make it the hero of the space by using it on the splashback and benchtop in place of a tiled splashback and a stone benchtop.
I recommend quartzite as a stone – it’s almost indestructible and comes in a variety of colours from beautiful milky greens to gorgeous rose pinks. Or you could flip the finishes and use a green stone on the splashback and benchtop, with off-white cabinetry and brass or black handles.
A combo like this will work with most kitchen styles, including traditional, Hamptons, contemporary and Shaker.
3. Russell Henderson, interior designer at smarter BATHROOMS+
Perfect pairing: I like to mix textural elements, such as a block colour with an exposed timber grain up against a simpler, smoother finish such as a satin-finish two-pack polyurethane or melamine. It enables me to break up the bulk of the cabinetry using textural change rather than just contrasting colour, creating a more subtle sense of definition.
How would you use this combo?
For the block colour, consider Dulux Salvia (the green pictured) with an exposed timber grain against a simple, smooth finish such as a satin-finish two-pack polyurethane or melamine in the same colour or in matt black for contrast (try Dulux Black or Laminex AbsoluteMatte, which has anti-fingerprint properties – important when you’re using dark colours such as black).
This combination works across different looks as the colours and textures can be wound up or down depending on the kitchen.
Perfect pairing: I like to mix textural elements, such as a block colour with an exposed timber grain up against a simpler, smoother finish such as a satin-finish two-pack polyurethane or melamine. It enables me to break up the bulk of the cabinetry using textural change rather than just contrasting colour, creating a more subtle sense of definition.
How would you use this combo?
For the block colour, consider Dulux Salvia (the green pictured) with an exposed timber grain against a simple, smooth finish such as a satin-finish two-pack polyurethane or melamine in the same colour or in matt black for contrast (try Dulux Black or Laminex AbsoluteMatte, which has anti-fingerprint properties – important when you’re using dark colours such as black).
This combination works across different looks as the colours and textures can be wound up or down depending on the kitchen.
4. Vanessa Wegner, architect and principal at Vanessa Wegner Architect
Perfect pairing:
Spotted-gum timber veneer with a dramatic marble such as Arabescato (as seen above in the Gladesville house) or terrazzo. Alternatively, plantation oak with Statuarietto marble (as seen below in the Longueville house).
The kitchen should be warm, inviting and easy to clean – it’s the heart of the home, after all. The timber creates warmth while the marble or terrazzo creates texture, and is a practical and easy-to-clean surface.
Perfect pairing:
Spotted-gum timber veneer with a dramatic marble such as Arabescato (as seen above in the Gladesville house) or terrazzo. Alternatively, plantation oak with Statuarietto marble (as seen below in the Longueville house).
The kitchen should be warm, inviting and easy to clean – it’s the heart of the home, after all. The timber creates warmth while the marble or terrazzo creates texture, and is a practical and easy-to-clean surface.
How would you use this combo?
You could use the marble or terrazzo on the benchtops, timber on the joinery fronts and shelves.
This combo would work in all kitchen styles, particularly contemporary.
Browse more images of contemporary Australian kitchens on Houzz
You could use the marble or terrazzo on the benchtops, timber on the joinery fronts and shelves.
This combo would work in all kitchen styles, particularly contemporary.
Browse more images of contemporary Australian kitchens on Houzz
5. Alishia Minett Johnson, design director at Minett Studio Architects + Design
Perfect pairing: Timber, such as spotted gum, and a two-pack polyurethane finish in Moleskin, which is a warm mushroom tone that’s a little more feminine than the greys we’ve seen so much of recently.
It feels timeless and contemporary, and mixes an American-farmhouse aesthetic with Scandinavian and Japanese vibes.
How would you use this combo?
Consider using timber in the floorboards and trusses. This allows you to express the structure of the home as decorative as well as functional. This is called ‘tectonic architecture’ where the structure is expressed and celebrated. From there, use Moleskin on the benchtops and joinery.
Perfect pairing: Timber, such as spotted gum, and a two-pack polyurethane finish in Moleskin, which is a warm mushroom tone that’s a little more feminine than the greys we’ve seen so much of recently.
It feels timeless and contemporary, and mixes an American-farmhouse aesthetic with Scandinavian and Japanese vibes.
How would you use this combo?
Consider using timber in the floorboards and trusses. This allows you to express the structure of the home as decorative as well as functional. This is called ‘tectonic architecture’ where the structure is expressed and celebrated. From there, use Moleskin on the benchtops and joinery.
6. Maria Roussos, director at Schemes & Spaces
Perfect pairing: I love using concrete and timber together.
For kitchens, I’ll often use a timber laminate board or HPL (high-pressure laminate) for longevity in a matt-finish and a warm tone, such as light- to mid-oak or walnut, paired with concrete.
In the kitchen above, I’ve used Polytec Woodmatt Prime Oak and Caesarstone Rugged Concrete. This mix creates a natural, grounded feel.
Perfect pairing: I love using concrete and timber together.
For kitchens, I’ll often use a timber laminate board or HPL (high-pressure laminate) for longevity in a matt-finish and a warm tone, such as light- to mid-oak or walnut, paired with concrete.
In the kitchen above, I’ve used Polytec Woodmatt Prime Oak and Caesarstone Rugged Concrete. This mix creates a natural, grounded feel.
How would you use this combo?
Use concrete on the floor or island and timber laminate on the cabinetry. The concrete can be poured in-situ or pre-cast, or you could choose a concrete-look engineered stone.
These materials work best in a clean, contemporary, architecturally designed interior or an industrial-inspired space.
Use concrete on the floor or island and timber laminate on the cabinetry. The concrete can be poured in-situ or pre-cast, or you could choose a concrete-look engineered stone.
These materials work best in a clean, contemporary, architecturally designed interior or an industrial-inspired space.
Design: Oak & Orange; image: The Palm Co.
7. Heather Gampe, interior designer at Oak & Orange
Perfect pairing: Timber or a timber-look product such as Laminex Rural Oak paired with white. White is timeless, but can often feel cold if used alone. The timber adds warmth.
It’s a simple pairing, but it’s incredibly versatile and can be combined in many different ways so it’s not boring. It also suits all sorts of kitchen styles.
7. Heather Gampe, interior designer at Oak & Orange
Perfect pairing: Timber or a timber-look product such as Laminex Rural Oak paired with white. White is timeless, but can often feel cold if used alone. The timber adds warmth.
It’s a simple pairing, but it’s incredibly versatile and can be combined in many different ways so it’s not boring. It also suits all sorts of kitchen styles.
Design: Oak & Orange; image: The Palm Co.
How would you use this combo?
Typically, we’d use white on the walls, in some or all of the cabinetry and perhaps the benchtops, depending on the other design elements in the kitchen. We’d introduce timber on the floor, cabinetry, bar stools or even the ceiling and cabinetry shadow line.
How would you use this combo?
Typically, we’d use white on the walls, in some or all of the cabinetry and perhaps the benchtops, depending on the other design elements in the kitchen. We’d introduce timber on the floor, cabinetry, bar stools or even the ceiling and cabinetry shadow line.
8. Luke Carter, architect and director at Sandbox Studio
Perfect pairing: Tasmanian-oak timber veneer with a dark stone such as ocean grey granite, super white marble or a concrete-look engineered stone.
This brings a timeless character and warmth to a kitchen. Plus, there are so many variations in timber species, stone colours and textures, which allows you to really personalise a space.
Perfect pairing: Tasmanian-oak timber veneer with a dark stone such as ocean grey granite, super white marble or a concrete-look engineered stone.
This brings a timeless character and warmth to a kitchen. Plus, there are so many variations in timber species, stone colours and textures, which allows you to really personalise a space.
How would you use this combo?
Stone for the benchtops and splashbacks, and timber for the cabinetry and flooring. Solid timber can also work beautifully as a benchtop material.
This mix would suit both contemporary and classic kitchens, depending on the detailing.
Natural stone can be sealed to protect it from stains, but it’s not a must. The stone finish will develop a natural patina over time, which can add to its character. Alternatively, you could choose an engineered stone, which requires less upkeep. The timber can also have a protective coating applied to it.
Stone for the benchtops and splashbacks, and timber for the cabinetry and flooring. Solid timber can also work beautifully as a benchtop material.
This mix would suit both contemporary and classic kitchens, depending on the detailing.
Natural stone can be sealed to protect it from stains, but it’s not a must. The stone finish will develop a natural patina over time, which can add to its character. Alternatively, you could choose an engineered stone, which requires less upkeep. The timber can also have a protective coating applied to it.
9. Georgette Criticos, designer at GIA Bathrooms & Kitchens
Perfect pairing: A statement stone paired with neutral joinery, such as tundra grey marble and joinery in a soft grey two-pack polyurethane finish, which we’ve used in this kitchen. We’ve then added a floating black timber-grain shelf for depth and contrast.
It’s a classic combination that can be scaled up or down depending on the style or period of the home and the client’s personality and preference.
How would you use this combo?
You could use these elements on the island bench, base joinery, as a feature splashback or throughout the whole kitchen.
This pairing would suit all kitchen styles, it all comes down to the selection. We might, for example, pick a super-bold stone such as Calacatta rosa marble and pair it with neutral two-pack polyurethane joinery in royal blue.
Perfect pairing: A statement stone paired with neutral joinery, such as tundra grey marble and joinery in a soft grey two-pack polyurethane finish, which we’ve used in this kitchen. We’ve then added a floating black timber-grain shelf for depth and contrast.
It’s a classic combination that can be scaled up or down depending on the style or period of the home and the client’s personality and preference.
How would you use this combo?
You could use these elements on the island bench, base joinery, as a feature splashback or throughout the whole kitchen.
This pairing would suit all kitchen styles, it all comes down to the selection. We might, for example, pick a super-bold stone such as Calacatta rosa marble and pair it with neutral two-pack polyurethane joinery in royal blue.
10. Eleanor Jesse, principal designer at Kenz Interiors
Perfect pairing: Grey or white stone with a Polytec high-pressure timber laminate. This combination creates a really calm, bright and open feel in a kitchen.
How would you use this combo?
You can use these finishes just about anywhere in a kitchen. They’re more suited to modern styles.
Perfect pairing: Grey or white stone with a Polytec high-pressure timber laminate. This combination creates a really calm, bright and open feel in a kitchen.
How would you use this combo?
You can use these finishes just about anywhere in a kitchen. They’re more suited to modern styles.
11. Brydie York, APAC general manager of marketing at Caesarstone
Perfect pairing: Two of the biggest trends for kitchens in 2022 are a move away from all-white towards colour and the use of mixed materials, surfaces or finishes. Wattyl/Caesarstone Perfect Pairings 3 showcases eight colour palettes that demonstrate how more saturated hues can be used to great effect in a kitchen.
Marylou Cafaro, trend forecaster, interior designer and Wattyl colour ambassador
One of the most popular pairings will probably be Wattyl Winter Mushroom and Wattyl Gretna paired with Caesarstone Arabetto, shown here. This pairing is a celebration of the calming, earthy and organic hues that so many of us are craving after the uncertainty of the past couple of years.
These neutral hues will suit a wide variety of architectural styles, from a 20th-century townhouse to a contemporary apartment.
How would you use this combo?
York says:
Use Caesarstone Arabetto on benchtops, splashbacks and island facings to create a striking focal point. There is strong demand for veining on surfaces – it’s a subtle way of introducing more visual interest and movement to a space.
Perfect pairing: Two of the biggest trends for kitchens in 2022 are a move away from all-white towards colour and the use of mixed materials, surfaces or finishes. Wattyl/Caesarstone Perfect Pairings 3 showcases eight colour palettes that demonstrate how more saturated hues can be used to great effect in a kitchen.
Marylou Cafaro, trend forecaster, interior designer and Wattyl colour ambassador
One of the most popular pairings will probably be Wattyl Winter Mushroom and Wattyl Gretna paired with Caesarstone Arabetto, shown here. This pairing is a celebration of the calming, earthy and organic hues that so many of us are craving after the uncertainty of the past couple of years.
These neutral hues will suit a wide variety of architectural styles, from a 20th-century townhouse to a contemporary apartment.
How would you use this combo?
York says:
Use Caesarstone Arabetto on benchtops, splashbacks and island facings to create a striking focal point. There is strong demand for veining on surfaces – it’s a subtle way of introducing more visual interest and movement to a space.
Two-pack polyurethane joinery is a designer’s best friend – the colour selections are endless, allowing us to colour-match it to the fleck in a stone.
There are many options when it comes to statement stones and what you choose really comes down to the aesthetics and practicality. Natural is beautiful and entirely unique, but being porous, it requires maintenance. Reconstituted stone is a low-maintenance alternative.
Your turn
What’s your favourite pairing for a kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Looking for more on kitchens? Don’t miss this story with its inspirational use of colour in the kitchen: Melbourne Houzz: A Mid-Century Marvel in Mint
There are many options when it comes to statement stones and what you choose really comes down to the aesthetics and practicality. Natural is beautiful and entirely unique, but being porous, it requires maintenance. Reconstituted stone is a low-maintenance alternative.
Your turn
What’s your favourite pairing for a kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Looking for more on kitchens? Don’t miss this story with its inspirational use of colour in the kitchen: Melbourne Houzz: A Mid-Century Marvel in Mint
Perfect pairing: Handmade Moroccan zellige tiles in the colour Snow paired with cabinetry in a low-sheen, white two-pack polyurethane finish.
I like the irregular and imperfect finish of these handmade tiles and how it contrasts with the smooth two-pack polyurethane finish.
How would you use this combo?
The tiles could be used on a splashback or on the sides of an island bench, with the two-pack polyurethane finish on the joinery.
It creates a timeless and lived-in look in kitchens, while the two-pack polyurethane brings a slightly more contemporary edge.
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