I admit, I was wrong about mixed-material kitchens. While I've seen some celebrities make this look effortless, the combination of wood, marble, and metal often feels inaccessible in smaller spaces, like my tiny apartment. Then I saw Mark Ruffalo’s galley kitchen, and this aesthetic made sense for the first time.
While I'm sure Mark's home is anything but compact, there's something about his narrow galley kitchen that feels strangely familiar. His wooden countertops, paired with his glossy cream cabinets, large marble accents, and gold hardware, bring the mixed-material look to life in a space I never thought possible.
When styling a small kitchen, I always prioritized cohesion, from cabinet and countertop finishes to smaller accessories. However, with its mixed-material features and accessories (including a large marble chopping board, like this one from Wayfair). It feels curated, not cluttered, and has given me the confidence to introduce more materials in my own kitchen.
Shop the Mixed Material Kitchen Edit
This beautiful white marble pastry board is perfect for any baker and an excellent way to introduce marble into kitchens with wooden countertops, just like Mark. Naturally cool and smooth, marble provides an ideal work surface with its non-stick properties, reducing the need for excess flour when rolling or kneading.
The finest kitchen accessories unite form and function. In this piece, richly grained acacia wood is sculpted into a refined serving object whose smooth, considered silhouette elevates everyday rituals, complements effortless entertaining, and stands on its own as an object of quiet beauty.
This elegant marble mortar and pestle deserves a permanent place on the countertop. Carved from solid, smoothly polished marble, it is a timeless kitchen essential that brings understated sophistication to the space, transforming the simple act of sauce-making into a tactile, pleasurable ritual.
This set of cabinet handles pairs durability with modern style. Crafted from high-precision stainless steel in a brushed brass finish, they add on-trend warmth to any cabinetry. Designed for versatility, multiple screw options ensure a seamless fit on varying furniture thicknesses.
The marble soap dispenser brings subtle, striking hints of gold to your kitchen. Its blend of elegant marble and metallic accents makes it both functional and stylish, a perfect way to elevate any countertop, no matter the material.
Crafted from natural acacia wood and cork, this set of four coasters nests neatly for easy storage and doubles beautifully as small, matching trinket trays.
If I needed any more convincing to experiment with a mixed-material look, David Balko, a kitchen expert at Wren, explains that this look is on trend for 2026.
According to David, designers and homeowners alike are moving toward curated contrast, the ‘spliced’ aesthetic predicted by forecasters WGSN. Pinterest searches around two-tone spaces, mixed materials, and layered interiors also reflect this growing kitchen trend.
'People no longer want uniformity. They want combinations that tell a story, but with the warmth and subtlety we’re seeing dominate 2026. It’s less about maximalism and more about curated contrast,' he says.
There are many ways to embrace this trend, from dual-tonal cabinetry to combinations of wood and painted finishes, or islands topped with contrasting surfaces. These layered materials add depth and character while keeping the overall look elegant and harmonious. For the ultimate small space blueprint, keep returning to Mark's home.
