All-white kitchens are a classic. But right now, homeowners everywhere are in love with the drama of black kitchen design.
The black kitchen trend started in 2016, but really gained steam in 2017. Now we’re in 2023, and they’re all over the place!
As each day passes, more people are making the choice to ‘go over to the dark side’. But trust us; it’s not as scary as it sounds. In fact, there are plenty of fun and easy ways to introduce black into your kitchen palette.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- Style of Your Home: Consider the overall aesthetic of your home. Black cabinets can work well in a variety of styles, from modern to farmhouse to industrial. However, if your home has a very specific, traditional style, black cabinets might clash with that.
- Balance with Other Elements: Black cabinets can create a bold statement. To avoid overwhelming the space, balance them with lighter colors in the rest of the room, such as light-colored countertops, backsplashes, or walls.
- Lighting in the Room: Consider the amount of natural light the room receives. If the space is already on the darker side, adding black cabinets might make it feel more closed-in. In such cases, you might want to compensate with additional lighting.
- Personal Preference: Ultimately, your preferences and what makes you feel comfortable and happy in your home should be the most important factor. If you love the look of black cabinets, go for it!
- Cabinets for any Room: Remember that black cabinets are not just for kitchens. They can update an entrance space or make a bold statement around a fireplace or in a bathroom. The sky is the limit with your creativity!
The Benefits of a Black Kitchen
Black kitchen designs are, by nature, a more dramatic style choice. It’s a colour that stands out, and demands to be noticed.
Another benefit is that black blends nicely with every style. Whether you’re going traditional, or leaning towards modern, black makes everything look good.
If you’re looking for a sophisticated kitchen with a universally appealing colour pallette, black is an option to consider.
The Challenges of a Black Kitchen
The biggest challenge with a kitchen that features a lot of black is that it can make your space feel smaller, which no one wants in a brand new kitchen.
While white and lighter surfaces reflect light, black absorbs it. This means that if your kitchen has little to no natural light, it’s going to feel more Batcave, and less like the open entertainment space we all want.
The secret to making a black kitchen work? Proper lighting, and plenty of it. Talk to your designer to figure out how much black will work for your kitchen, and how much natural and artificial light you’ll need.
How Your Kitchen Can Rock a Black Design
Thinking that you could never pull off an LBK (or little black kitchen)? Think again! There are lots of ways you can incorporate the colour black into your new kitchen, without creating a doom and gloom atmosphere.
Black Kitchen Accents
Accents are a major part of any space. They’re also a great way to introduce colours and styles without making the major commitment of countertops and cabinets, which are expensive to change.
For example, you could feature black vases or decorative pots on the window sill, coupled with some black accessories. You could even use it for your window trim!
Lighting and Hardware
Light is essential for black kitchen designs, but it’s also a way to include the colour. Use lamp shades as a stepping stone if you still aren’t sure how much you black you want to incorporate.
The same is true of your cabinet and drawer handles. Your hardware is the perfect small step towards the dramatic, and will give your kitchen some extra flair. The best part? These can be changed if you hate them five years from now.
Don’t Forget: Black plumbing fixtures are still on-trend right now, and are becoming more and more affordable all the time. We’re even seeing black refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers.
Wall Space
Your wall space is a blank canvas – you can do anything you want with it. That includes painting it black.
A black wall becomes a great place to feature different colours and textures like photographs, open natural wood shelving, or anything else that suits your style. After all, black goes with anything.
Paint is something that’s relatively inexpensive to adjust post-renovation, so if you realize it’s not for you, you can opt for something different. On the other hand, you may fall head over heels for the colour, and start incorporating it in other places in your home.
Backsplash is another place where you can experiment with colour. Many people opt for a more patterned design to complement their kitchen, and there’s no reason why black can’t be included in that pattern!
Your Island
Are you spending a lot of time coming up with the perfect kitchen island? That’s what we like to hear – it’s an important part of a kitchen for many people. But when contemplating materials and colours, don’t forget to throw black into the mix.
A black island can add the perfect amount of drama. Paired with a light counter, and you get a sleek monochromatic effect that is light and airy but still has variety. It can either serve as the single accent piece dressed in dark, or provide continuity with your cabinets.
Cabinets
Cabinets are the bread and butter of your kitchen – you can’t have one without them in some way, shape or form. Why not go with black?
Black cabinets are a strong statement when mixed with lighter walls and counters, or they make a striking addition to an already darker-toned kitchen. That’s the beauty of them – they really do go with everything!
You can mix and match styles and finishes to get the right look. Talk to your Laurysen designer about picking the right blend.
Counters
A black countertop is a great option if you’re looking for more than an accent, but less than multiple cabinets. They add a lovely polished look to any space, and are a real asset if you want a black-and-white theme. They also come in a wide variety of materials, so you’ll get the look and texture you want.
Counters are one of the more expensive things to change about a kitchen. We recommend asking your designer as many questions and seeing as many samples as you need to feel comfortable with you decision.
Flooring
For top to bottom, your new kitchen will be getting the Laurysen touch, and that includes flooring. If you’re ready to commit to black, consider including it in your flooring.
A black tile can be a great way to make a statement, and can make your light-coloured kitchen features pop. On the other hand, dark colours tend to show dirt, so if you do go with a black floor, be prepared to stay on top of sweeping.
All-Black Kitchens
For some people, it’s all or nothing. That’s when the all-black kitchen comes into play, and with the right design and materials, it can be absolutely stunning.
If you’re interested in creating an all-black statement kitchen, we recommend adding a lot of light (natural or otherwise) and including some reflective materials (like a metallic finished fridge). This will help keep your kitchen from looking too gloomy. Instead, it will look fresh and sophisticated, making you the envy of your family, friends, book club, and anyone else who sees it.
Remember: Dark floors and furniture are going to show light dust, footprints, and pet hair. If you do go with a darker colour, you need to be prepared to put in the extra cleaning time.
Should I Use Matte or Gloss Finishes?
Finishes are an important part of your kitchen renovation. What one should you choose?
Matte is a popular trend, not just in the home design world. It’s described as a more flat finish, with no shine.
Gloss, on the other hand, is exactly that – a shiny surface. While more and more people are going matte today, gloss is still a great design choice.
At the end of the day, it’s your choice. Your designer will be able to help you by giving you the available options and their recommendations.
We’ll Help You Design the Perfect Kitchen, No Matter the Colours
Our award-winning designers will help you include as much or as little black as you want in your kitchen design. By the time the design is finished, you won’t want to wait to enjoy your new space.
Ready to start creating your new kitchen?
Want more great black kitchen designs? Visit Houzz and Elle Decor; they have tons of great ideas!
