Black handles, vases, and photo frames—we've all seen the rise in black accessories in the home. But have you ever considered decorating with it before? Even using it in such a prominent place as the kitchen?
Black kitchens are on the rise, and we’re not just talking about small details like taps or kettles; it's worktops, splashbacks, and even kitchen cabinets. Would you ever go to the dark side? We’re here to share some kitchen ideas to inspire your renovation.
Black is a fashionable and unusual colour choice for a kitchen. It's striking, sleek, and classy, and it's been a popular choice in recent years. However, it doesn't have to be frightening; you can make it work with any kitchen, whether you choose to go with all-black cabinets and walls or just a few accents here and there.
Read on for some inspiration on how you can inject black kitchen ideas into the hub of your home. We think you’ll love the distinguished effect it has.
Design Considerations for a Black Kitchen
Balancing elements: When designing a black kitchen, balance is key. Pair dark with lighter tones to prevent the space from feeling too heavy or closed in. Consider using lighter walls or countertops to contrast with your dark kitchen cabinets.
The right finish: Not all blacks are created equal. Consider the effect you want your kitchen to have before you choose the finish. Matte will give an air of modernity and understated elegance, while glossy will add a touch of luxury. Pick a finish that suits your design aesthetic.
Black Kitchen Cabinet Ideas
Matte vs. Glossy: Matte black kitchen cabinets will give your space a sleek and contemporary look. Plus, they’re less likely to show fingerprints and smudges compared with a glossy black kitchen. But the upside of a glossy black kitchen is that it will leave your space feeling more open thanks to the reflective finish, giving the kitchen a sense of depth.
Keep it all black: Another design route for kitchen cabinets is to pair a whole black kitchen with black walls. This will give the space a sleek, streamlined look.
Base cabinets: If a whole black kitchen still seems a little daunting, you could stick to lower cabinets only. Pairing these base cabinets with light-coloured walls and upper wall cabinets will keep the kitchen feeling light and airy.
Black Island: Again, if you want to try the dark trend but are worried about the intensity, you could try a black island paired with light wall cabinets. It’s still a striking effect, but you won’t feel drowned by the dark shade.
Black Worktop Kitchen Ideas
Clashing worktops: Black cabinets look beautiful paired with a variety of different worktop materials, which is great for adding your unique touch to the space. White marble or quartz will give a striking contrast, whilst wooden worktops add warmth and a touch of rustic charm. Stainless steel can finish off a modern kitchen design beautifully.
Bold patterns: Even with such a dramatic kitchen colour, don’t shy away from bold patterns and textures. A veined marble worktop will add visual interest and break up the monotony of a solid black surface.
Add texture: Consider unique options like a concrete worktop in a black kitchen for added texture to the space. There are a wide variety of kitchen worktop ideas that will work beautifully and add a distinct touch.
Black Kitchen Splashback Ideas
Black splashback: If you aren’t convinced by kitchen cabinets, you could start small and install a black kitchen splashback instead. A gloss splashback will have a reflective surface that almost acts like a mirror, which will help the kitchen feel bigger.
Black tiles: Black subway tiles look beautiful paired with any colour kitchen, adding an interesting edge to your space. If you’re installing them behind a hob a dark colour grout might be a better choice. Light grout adds contrast but will be better suited for installation behind a sink or just a worktop surface.
Black Kitchen Appliances
Integrated appliances: Black appliances will blend seamlessly into a black kitchen cabinet design, creating a unified look. A matte finish will give an ultra-modern touch, whilst a stainless steel accent gives it a sophisticated edge.
Downside: While they fit seamlessly into a black kitchen design, the downside to these kitchen appliances is the hard work required to keep them clean. Fingerprints and smudges are much more noticeable, so take this into account when designing your kitchen space.
Accent Colours and Materials
Adding warmth: Wood accents can soften the strong, bold look of a black kitchen, giving your space a natural warmth. It doesn’t have to be something as big as a wooden worktop; you could add wooden elements through bar stools, cutting boards or open wooden shelving installed on one of the walls.
Metallic accents: To add a luxurious edge, use metallic accents like brass, copper, or gold. Use them on taps, light fixtures, and even plug sockets to give your kitchen a sense of luxury and contrast against the black.
Black Kitchen Floor Ideas
Cohesion: For a more dramatic look, you could pair your dark kitchen with a dark floor. Black tiles, dark-stained wood, or even polished concrete will create a seamless look throughout the kitchen. The important thing is to look for texture, give your floor a lift by incorporating a grain of some kind and stop the floor from looking dull and boring.
Contrast: Light flooring will balance out the darkness of black kitchen cabinets, helping to look at more space. Pale tiles, light oak or whitewashed wood, can all look great installed in a dark kitchen.
Add some fun: Install a mosaic tile to give your kitchen a fun and interesting element. This will instantly lift a dark kitchen and add something exciting to the dark cabinets.
Small Black Kitchen Ideas
Making it feel bigger: Black in a small kitchen might not seem like the right choice, but using glossy finishes will reflect light to create the illusion of more space. You can also add big mirrors and install ample lighting to help prevent the space from feeling cramped.
Space-saving tips: A small black kitchen must be kept clear and uncluttered, so design must be considered. Use smart storage solutions like pull-out cabinets, vertical storage, and multi-functional furniture to help ensure an efficient space.
Open Shelving
Create an air: Open shelving can prove invaluable in a black kitchen, as it lightens the visual weight of a whole wall with black cabinets installed. Two simple shelves can break up a wall installation whilst also offering storage space for your kitchen.
Organisation: Whilst you might find that you need to use the open shelving for storage in your kitchen, you want to maintain organisation to keep the space looking neat and stylish. Use decorative storage solutions to maintain a uniform look, and don’t add too much to the space to avoid clutter.
Black Kitchen Ideas and Designs
Not sure what style you’d like in your black kitchen, here are some design ideas that you could take.
Sleek and minimalist: Handleless cabinets, integrated appliances and a polished worktop all help you to achieve a clean, streamlined look for a black kitchen.
Industrial: Blend your industrial kitchen with raw materials like brick, concrete and metal. Use features like exposed pipes, rustic wood and Edison bulbs to enhance the edgy, urban aesthetic.
Traditional: Black shaker-style cabinets paired with marble worktops and vintage-inspired fixtures create a timeless appeal that will never date in your home.
Vintage: Channel vintage charm with the installation of monochrome chequerboard floors, retro appliances, and antique decor. This style is the perfect blend of old and new, giving you a space that is contemporary with nostalgic touches.
Monochrome: Black and white is a timeless colour scheme. You could balance black kitchen cabinets with white worktops or vice versa. Give your monochrome kitchen a unique touch with patterned tiles as a backsplash or on the floor.
There are ample ideas that can transform the centre of the home into a sophisticated haven. With careful design, you can create a striking, beautiful, and functional black kitchen. Whether you prefer modern minimalism, rustic charm, or classic elegance, there is a style for every taste.
