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When you think of metal kitchen cabinets, you probably imagine them in a certain type of space: Maybe it’s behind-the-scenes of a fancy restaurant or perhaps it’s in the expansive cooking area of a hyper-luxe home. But while they lean on the contemporary side, they don’t have to read as severe or overly modern.
In fact, they’re even more versatile than you might realize. Whether you pair brass with cool marble or stainless steel with cool warmer woods, the shiny surfaces will brighten up a space and lend it a luxurious feel. And every home could use an extra dose of glamour. In these rooms, metal kitchen cabinets make the perfect statement accessory.
Balance Out Metal With a Pale Wood
You don’t have to go all-out industrial: Just look to this kitchen by Fowlkes Studio, which uses custom cabinetry from Ferris in both steel and walnut to lend it a Scandinavian appeal. A simple, understated marble backsplash and countertop make it perfectly minimalist.
Incorporate Brass for a Flashy Finish
Unlaquered brass counter fronts make Liz Gardner’s Minneapolis kitchen positively radiate. The key, when opting for a more dramatic finish, is not overcomplicating all the rest: White walls and marble counters let the metal (quite literally) shine.
Pair It With Natural Stone
In Katie and Brandon Conovitz’s DUMBO apartment, a totally stainless steel kitchen—cabinets, backsplash, fridge and all—has a clean, contemporary look. With their gray veins, an oyster-white marble island and a matching table complement the metallic look and bring a more organic texture to the mix.
Add a Pop of Color
Dark wood floors, stainless steel lower cabinets, and emerald green uppers may not sound like a harmonious trio, but this Australian home proves otherwise. Think of it as a lesson in balance: A matte paint on the cabinets creates an extra-bold contrast with the metal.
Find a Reflective Finish for All-Out Luxury
Custom-made raw brass upper cabinets by designer Fiona Lynch brighten up this modern kitchen. With a simple black, white, and oak palette, the shiny fronts make a bold accessory in the space.
Add Bold Hardware to Complete the Look
Steel IKEA cabinets are a striking (and affordable) component of this kitchen by designer Jessica Stambaugh. To take them up a notch, she added drawer pulls from Sugatsune—showing that a little customization goes a long way.
See more kitchen cabinet stories: How Much It Actually Costs to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets 5 Upper Kitchen Cabinets to Fuel Your Reno Dreams How to Finally Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets—for Good, This Time