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Few duos are more inseparable than cabinets and countertops. One doesn’t work without the other, which is why it’s extra-important to consider the color, the texture, and the feeling of both when you’re creating your dream kitchen. White cupboards with black stone might win for being the most popular combo for 2020 (searches for the pairing on Pinterest are up 1,276 percent year over year), but there are plenty of other exciting couples out there to choose from, from icy blue marble and steel metal doors to solid wood and slate gray concrete. Oftentimes, it’s two things you never expected to work together that blend the best. We gathered eight kitchen cabinet and countertop ideas to help you find your ideal match.

For Beaded Doors

The simplest things can sometimes prove to be the best sources of inspiration. In the case of this Georgia kitchen, designed by Carter Kay, it was a jar of Dijon mustard that got the ball rolling, ultimately resulting in a slab of marble with deep golden brown veins and beaded lower cabinets coated in a custom buttery shade from Benjamin Moore.  

For Mid-Century Roots

You’d never know this modern Connecticut home’s matte black kitchen cabinets came from IKEA, thanks to the dramatic soapstone counters that spill over the island into a waterfall edge. To really heighten the mood, the homeowner stowed the refrigerator and dishwasher behind cupboard doors. 

For Chef-Worthy Steel

Proving metal cabinets aren’t just for fancy restaurants, Katie and Brandon Conovitz’s Brooklyn apartment is clad in stainless steel—from the doors to the fridge to the backsplash. Balancing out the industrial vibe is a giant island–meets–dining table made out of an oyster-white marble, bringing an organic touch to all the shiny surfaces in the background. 

For Smooth Fronts

For a fresh and vibrant palette worthy of an alfresco garden party, embrace this unlikely pairing: blush pink Rosa Portogallo counters and hunter green cabinetry. To keep the whimsy from skewing kitschy, stick to modern hardware and a neutral textured backsplash. 

For Scandi-Modern Styles

Clad in two extra-durable materials—timber and concrete—Dutch artist Foekje Fleur’s space was designed with longevity in mind. The neutral canvas provides plenty of opportunities for her to layer in color and texture through art, hanging plants, and lighting. 

For Shabby-Chic Cupboards

Feeling strongly about one material? Le Belvédère du Rayon-Vert, an old hotel in the South of France, makes a case for wood-on-wood. The more places you use it (the knobs, the floors), the more authentically rustic your space will feel. 

For Classic Shaker

Butcher block counters and Shaker-style cabinets are as simple as you can get. Bring the unfussy combination into 2020 by incorporating hits of brass with the backsplash and hardware. 

For Contemporary Spaces

David Flack of Melbourne’s Flack Studio stayed away from any showy or overly detailed features in this kitchen, which is really all about the view. The soft blue-gray cabinet doors paired with the Arabescato Vagli marble stone makes the room feel like you’re floating on a cloud. 

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