Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen? Then, you must think about taking a trip to the dark side. A black kitchen can be a modern, stylish option. Don’t be afraid of shadows, because these black kitchen ideas will make that journey over to the dark side totally worth it. Black kitchens are incredibly popular right now – and for good reason. They add instant calmness and sophistication to any kitchen or any space. Nowadays black kitchens are getting trendy in the UK and other countries. Explore our best and Top 12 ideas for Black Kitchens to Boost the calmness with pictures to gather information about how to spark your place.
The Rise of Black in Kitchen Interior Design
For years, white has been the go-to color for kitchen design. But lately, there’s been a shift towards using darker colors in this space. And one of the most popular choices is black. Black can add a sense of sophistication and sophistication to a kitchen. It also can make the space feel more intimate and inviting. And while it may require a bit more care when it comes to cleaning, the results are well worth it. If you’re considering using black in your kitchen, here are a few tips to help you get started.
First, consider pairing black with other colors. White is always a classic choice, but you could also try using grey or even navy blue. Second, don’t be afraid to mix and match different finishes. A glossy black countertop can look stunning next to a matte black backsplash.
Finally, don’t forget the accessories! Black goes great with stainless steel or copper accents. So if you’re looking for a way to give your kitchen a fresh new look, consider using black in your design.
Best ideas for Black Kitchens
We found some stylish inspiration for your black kitchen, from stunning black materials to add depth to your space, to the added extras that’ll make a dark kitchen dazzle, and we asked the experts to explain why black should have pride of place on your list of top kitchen color ideas. Here we have top 12 ideas for black kitchens to boost the calmness and luxury.
1. Make a luxurious statement with black marble
A black kitchen idea featuring a large black island in the center beneath black cabinets, of course. Carrara-style white and grey marble has been making its presence felt all over white kitchen ideas in recent years, but don’t neglect its darker counterpart. Black marble can make a dramatic appearance in the kitchen, whether for its white-flecked patterns, marquina with gold streaks of lightning, Noir Saint Laurent, or the luxe crackle of Nero Portoro. Above, by Eggersmann Design, a stunning marble island anchors a minimal modern kitchen as a dramatic centerpiece. This one is an important part of our list of Top 12 ideas for Black Kitchens to Boost the calmness.
2. Go double black
A black kitchen idea featuring matte black cabinets, stone worktop on the island, brass backsplash and pendant lights. If you can’t get enough of the dark aesthetic, go all out with all black everything. “A dark or black kitchen can work very well in monochromatic schemes,” says Gary Singer, Director of Eggersmann Design. By adding dark materials and layering the space in dark textures, you can evoke a sense of warmth and luxury. “Go bold and use black everywhere for a really sophisticated and luxurious look and feel.” adds Atkins. Just remember to use varying tones of black as in this kitchen by Roundhouse, or even introduce very dark grey kitchen ideas. The mastery of lightness, achievable using a palette made from different black materials and textures within the space, avoids it from looking too dark and heavy,” says Atkins.
3. Pack in a variety of finishes
Black kitchen idea featuring black painted cabinets, green ceramic gloss tiles, aged brass cabinet door – to leave a twinkle in your eye, black kitchens need packing with visual interest. “When working with a black kitchen, it’s important to add different finishes and textures to make sure it doesn’t look too one-dimensional,” says Alex Main, Director of The Main Company, the team behind this Victorian-inspired kitchen. “Glossy tiles, brushed metallics and matte cabinets all combine beautifully. Here, fluted glass and dark worktops also add to the overall look of the kitchen whilst the feature aged brass cabinet frontage adds a true wow-factor.” Main may have dabbled in green kitchen ideas here, but it’s also possible to pack texture into an all-black room.
There’s an enormous selection of ‘black’ materials available, from carbon oak veneer to gloss or satin lacquer, beautifully figured marbles and flamed granite to modern porcelains such as Kerlite—all of which work beautifully together in an all-black scheme,” says Atkins.
4. Explain black schemes with brass accents
Black kitchen design, kitchen in Black wood veneer with Bronze inlays and white worktop. “When choosing which black to use, it’s key to look at how the pigments will pick up on accents and other finishes in the scheme,” says Lauren Wright, a Designer at Roundhouse. “Metallic finishes can work really well with deep, rich colors—for example, pairing brass accents with green-black can evoke a warm, rich scheme.” Most of the experts we asked were of a similar opinion when it came to incorporating brass or other metals into a black scheme. “Metal accents, such as copper, brass, steel or pewter, paired perfectly with dark work surfaces to give the kitchen a lavish and modern feel,” adds Stanley. “Aged brass or brushed metallic accents will always work well against darker cabinetry,” says Main.
5. Partner with wood for organic style
A black kitchen with black quartz island and splashback and wood fronted cabinets. If the aim is to give your wood kitchen cabinet ideas a real jolt of dynamic modernity, then team them up with a suite of black elements. “If metal accents don’t suit your kitchen and you prefer natural finishes, black work surfaces look striking next to wooden cabinetry and accessories,” says Stanley. Caesarstone’s beautiful Black Temple quartz is used not only on the backsplash but also on this handsome island and married with warm wooden cabinetry to add both contrast and another textural element to the kitchen. Organic style is a value able part of our list Top 12 ideas for Black Kitchens to Boost the calmness.
6. Make the most of texture with black wood finishes
A black kitchen idea with black wood-glass front cabinet and white zellige tiles and marble finished counter. Wonder how much it costs to have kitchen cabinets painted? Well, cease right there and think about not painting all of them whatsoever, instead going for a more natural look. Instead of painting the cabinets, they stained them a neutral black, which preserved the naturalness of the wood grain and texture, says interior designer Richard Felix Ashman of this stunning kitchen in a converted Hudson Valley barn. “We used solid ash—which accepts ebony stains beautifully. I recommend keeping sheens to a minimum on the paint or stain finish, for a natural feel—especially in a more rustic or traditional space.”
7. Go monochrome with a black and white kitchen
A black kitchen idea with black lower cabinets and island, and white upper cabinets and subway tiling. For a kitchen that balances both contrast and poise, consider black and white kitchen ideas. “Such dark accents allow the introduction of lighter shades like white to form a monochromatic color scheme,” Atkins advises. “For example, a black monolithic island can look very dramatic against an otherwise white kitchen, or a black main kitchen complemented by a white ‘back’ kitchen in order to demarcate different areas and use.” “I like black cabinets set against white walls and white tile for the clear, graphic quality,” says Felix Ashman. “Even better is no upper cabinets, if one can forgo the storage.” This kitchen by Waterworks almost follows this strategy, but swaps black upper cabinets for white ones to keep the kitchen feeling open and bright around the eyeline.
8. Use black for an industrial chic look
This black kitchen design boasts an exposed brick wall along with black cabinetry and a double-height ceiling with a raised walkway. “Dark kitchens create a particular atmosphere, and can range in style from industrial and raw right through to sleek and sophisticated backdrops,” says Wright. Charcoal blacks work really well for the former, creating a utilitarian aesthetic that can meld into industrial chic. Ditch the painted kitchens for an exposed brick wall, as in this example, where black units marry a black steel raised walkway in a double-height space alongside black metal pendant lights and a black barn-style door.
9. Couple black with dark colors
A black kitchen design with black cabinetry, blue walls, and orange dining chairs. “As with art or photography, black can be used to frame other colors and finishes in the space. For instance, colored bar stools or metallic lighting can pop,” says Wright. When marrying color with black in the kitchen, keep it on the dark side. “Black is a neutral shade and so can be used as the perfect backdrop to any color but deeper, darker accents work particularly well,” says Main. “A neutral black coordinates with almost any color, but blue-black and green-black can be equally versatile, depending on taste,” says Felix Ashman. This kitchen by DesignSpace London has done just that, pairing black cabinetry with blue kitchen ideas in the inky teal walls.
10. Complete the look with black appliances
A black kitchen idea featuring a white marble alcove surrounded by black cabinetry and a black wooden island. Your cabinets, worktops, and paint aren’t the only thing you’ll need to think about colorwise in a kitchen. “Many appliances are also available in black, creating a sleek seamless look,” says Atkins. As one of the few colors regularly used for appliances, black kitchens are lucky to have color-coordinated gadgets to hand. Rather than putting them all behind neat cabinetry, feel free to show some of them off. In this kitchen by Design Space London, black glass-fronted cabinets create a pleasant texture contrast to the matte black cabinets. Black appliances is most necessary part of our list of the Top 12 ideas for Black Kitchens to Boost the calmness.
11. Be bold with brass details
Black kitchen ideas with a range cooker. The luxurious interior of a hotel was the source of inspiration for this Officine Gullo kitchen. “The units are painted a dark dramatic blue, which complements powder-blue walls,” says Viktor Skoglund of kitchen supplier Himlekok. “The robust brass detail enhances this color of the cabinetry.”
12. Back to black
Black kitchen with handleless cabinets. This show-stopping kitchen has been masterminded by Melbourne-based interior architecture practice Studio Tate. “To ensure a seamless flow between the external architecture and interiors. A pared-back color palette of soft grey and black was chosen for the cabinetry,” says Alex Hopkins, Studio Tate. A cleverly-placed skylight stops the space from looking too dark or dreary.
Bones ideas for Black Kitchens
Add variations of black and grey
Dark kitchen cabinet idea with Shaker cabinetry. Finding the right dark kitchen cabinet ideas is key to having a kitchen that both mesmerizes and intrigues. The moody colors and rich textures create a modern reinvention of classic Shaker-style cabinetry. This bespoke Roundhouse kitchen is finished in Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black, complete with statement brass handles and hinges for a hint of elegance. “The feature wall of polished plaster frames is the wall cabinets. While the fluted glass adds interest and allows for display of items,” says Paul Welburn, designer at Roundhouse.
Go for drama
Black kitchen with dark kitchen cabinet ideas. This scheme by interior designer Heidi Caillier goes big on drama with units in Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green. Which appears almost black but has a magical depth to it. “The kitchen is to the side of a huge, light room so I knew we needed to make it feel cozy. Dark-colored surfaces are more interesting than traditional white. It serves as a great way to make the kitchen feel like its own space.”
Is a black kitchen a good idea?
Absolutely, there are a plethora of positive design qualities. That black kitchens can bring—offering everything from drama to an unexpected sense of serenity. “I feel that black when used in interiors and architecture has the quality of feeling settled and calm but strong,” says Felix Ashman. “Black is the ideal canvas and starting point,” continues Main. “You really can make a black kitchen your own. It’s modern; it’s traditional—it all depends on how you finish your scheme and design out the rest of the space.” “The dramatic yet warm feel a dark work surface gives is, perhaps, why there’s a growing trend for kitchens to feature this sleek look,” says Stanley.
What color goes with black in a kitchen?
As Main says, “Black is a neutral color and will go with almost anything—you just have to plan your space out well and make sure everything comes together as you want it to.” This is really left down to personal preference. Since black definitely is never going to clash with any color that will be chosen. What you’ll want to consider is the kind of atmosphere you want to create. Black and white is a timeless combination chic. But great for smaller kitchens where one might want to ensure the space feels lofty and airy. Again, playing within a palette of darker tones will always be easiest—so dark blues and greens are things to consider. Wood also works really well in a variety of forms, from dark mahoganies to lighter oaks.
Difference Table for Black Kitchens
Feature | Black Kitchen | Traditional White Kitchen |
---|---|---|
Color Scheme | Monochromatic or dark accents | Bright and airy with light colors |
Atmosphere | Intimate, sophisticated, and calm | Open, vibrant, and spacious |
Maintenance | Requires regular cleaning for dust | Easier to maintain visually, but stains visible |
Design Flexibility | Pairs well with various textures and finishes | Limited to lighter or neutral palettes |
Visual Interest | High with the use of mixed materials | Primarily through color contrast |
Style Trends | Currently very trendy and modern | Classic, yet can feel dated |
FAQs
1. Is a black kitchen hard to maintain?
Black kitchens won’t have everything the same as the lighter ones. In fact in some cases black kitchens may show dust and fingerprints more than lighter colors. But regular cleaning and right finishes can make the maintenance fairly minimal.
2. What are the best colors to pair with a black kitchen?
Good coloring works well with black often in colors like white, gray, blue, and green to bring a sophisticated, nice and inventive look.
3. Can you incorporate natural elements in a black kitchen?
Absolutely! Black makes its way in a sleek way but pairing this with natural wood accents, or stone finishes for example, gives warmth and texture.