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Black on Black: 7 Designer Ways to Add Dark Drama to Your Kitchen
Black was once relegated to accents in kitchens, but now it's the star of the show – here are 7 tips to make it work
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For sophistication and drama, black is hard to beat – and it’s currently cropping up in stylish kitchens everywhere. “Black kitchens feed into the soft minimalist style that’s popular right now,” says Carole Whiting, director at Carole Whiting Interiors. “Black can look entirely different depending on the materials you use; matt, smooth, mirrored, timber-textured – the options are endless. Luxe black appliances complete the look.”
We’ve teamed up with Winning Appliances, Australia’s leading kitchen and laundry specialist, to reveal the 7 no-fail ways to integrate this moody hue into your kitchen.
We’ve teamed up with Winning Appliances, Australia’s leading kitchen and laundry specialist, to reveal the 7 no-fail ways to integrate this moody hue into your kitchen.
V-Zug appliances at Winning Appliances
1. Appliances
Make a statement – and reinforce the luxurious look of a dusky kitchen – with black appliances. “Black appliances add sophistication to a kitchen,” says Whiting. “The latest releases feature elegant extras, such as matte finishes and recessed knobs and handles for a streamlined look.”
They’re versatile too; “You can make black appliances recede into the background by installing them within black joinery or make a feature of them by building them into pale joinery – a black cooktop and oven, for example, look fabulous in a light-coloured kitchen.
“Another design approach is to include sections of black joinery in an otherwise pale kitchen to ‘hide’ black appliances in plain sight,” she says.
Black appliances with minimalist styling and high-tech functionality are key to the luxe aesthetic. Choose from top-end black fridges, such as Liebherr’s 726L Side by Side Fridge and Smeg’s 604L Side by Side Fridge, fully flexible, flush-mounted black cooktops such as V-ZUG’s 90cm FullFlex Induction Cooktop, and smart and stylish ovens such as V-ZUG 60cm Combi-Steam MSLQ Built-In Oven.
1. Appliances
Make a statement – and reinforce the luxurious look of a dusky kitchen – with black appliances. “Black appliances add sophistication to a kitchen,” says Whiting. “The latest releases feature elegant extras, such as matte finishes and recessed knobs and handles for a streamlined look.”
They’re versatile too; “You can make black appliances recede into the background by installing them within black joinery or make a feature of them by building them into pale joinery – a black cooktop and oven, for example, look fabulous in a light-coloured kitchen.
“Another design approach is to include sections of black joinery in an otherwise pale kitchen to ‘hide’ black appliances in plain sight,” she says.
Black appliances with minimalist styling and high-tech functionality are key to the luxe aesthetic. Choose from top-end black fridges, such as Liebherr’s 726L Side by Side Fridge and Smeg’s 604L Side by Side Fridge, fully flexible, flush-mounted black cooktops such as V-ZUG’s 90cm FullFlex Induction Cooktop, and smart and stylish ovens such as V-ZUG 60cm Combi-Steam MSLQ Built-In Oven.
Oliveri Santorini sink range at Winning Appliances
2. Fixtures
Black isn’t just for joinery and appliances – you’ll also find fixtures galore in the moody hue. Use dark-tone fixtures to reinforce an all-black look or as bold accents in an otherwise neutral kitchen.
Seek out chic, matt-black tapware (such as the Zip HydroTap Arc Boiling and Chilled Filtered Water Tap) a dramatic black sink (such as the styles in the Oliveri Santorini range and the Franke Basis Double Bowl Reversible Drainer Sink), linear, black pendants and striking wall sconces. You’ll find that even a small dose is enough to add some dark magic to your cooking space.
2. Fixtures
Black isn’t just for joinery and appliances – you’ll also find fixtures galore in the moody hue. Use dark-tone fixtures to reinforce an all-black look or as bold accents in an otherwise neutral kitchen.
Seek out chic, matt-black tapware (such as the Zip HydroTap Arc Boiling and Chilled Filtered Water Tap) a dramatic black sink (such as the styles in the Oliveri Santorini range and the Franke Basis Double Bowl Reversible Drainer Sink), linear, black pendants and striking wall sconces. You’ll find that even a small dose is enough to add some dark magic to your cooking space.
Zip HydroTap at Winning Appliances
3. Matt finishes
High-gloss joinery and tiles have given way to ones with soft, velvety finishes that add depth and character to black kitchens. Selecting appliances such as ovens and fridges in chic, matt black further emphasises the look.
Bear in mind that dark, matt finishes will absorb rather than reflect light so you’ll want to make sure the kitchen receives plenty of natural illumination; consider adding sliding doors, a skylight, or painting the ceiling bright white to maximise the available light.
3. Matt finishes
High-gloss joinery and tiles have given way to ones with soft, velvety finishes that add depth and character to black kitchens. Selecting appliances such as ovens and fridges in chic, matt black further emphasises the look.
Bear in mind that dark, matt finishes will absorb rather than reflect light so you’ll want to make sure the kitchen receives plenty of natural illumination; consider adding sliding doors, a skylight, or painting the ceiling bright white to maximise the available light.
Siemens appliances at Winning Appliances
4. Streamlined joinery
Keep the look simple and contemporary with generous floor-to-ceiling cabinetry or floating wall cupboards with flat-panelled fronts and minimalist handles or push-touch openings.
Concerned that all that black might veer towards the gloomy? “There are several ways to prevent this,” says Whiting. “Try mixing different textures, such as matt joinery and glossy tiles or install a black-toned mirrored splashback to reflect the light and open up the room. And of course, don’t forget good lighting to make the space feel warm and welcoming – and ensure you can see what you’re doing during food prep.”
4. Streamlined joinery
Keep the look simple and contemporary with generous floor-to-ceiling cabinetry or floating wall cupboards with flat-panelled fronts and minimalist handles or push-touch openings.
Concerned that all that black might veer towards the gloomy? “There are several ways to prevent this,” says Whiting. “Try mixing different textures, such as matt joinery and glossy tiles or install a black-toned mirrored splashback to reflect the light and open up the room. And of course, don’t forget good lighting to make the space feel warm and welcoming – and ensure you can see what you’re doing during food prep.”
Carole Whiting Interiors + Design using V-Zug appliances and PITT Cooking at Winning Appliances
5. Pick the right black
The fact is, not all blacks are created equal. According to Whiting, the most liveable ones are nuanced; “I favour charcoal or a slightly brown-based black rather than absolute black. The cleaner the black the better, but a tiny touch of brown saves it from looking lifeless.
“Black can throw lots of different colours so it’s important to view the finishes you like under different light conditions,” she says. Hold samples up to the light at different times of day and night and under both natural and artificial light.
Also look at them beside the other colours and finishes in the kitchen and any adjoining rooms.
5. Pick the right black
The fact is, not all blacks are created equal. According to Whiting, the most liveable ones are nuanced; “I favour charcoal or a slightly brown-based black rather than absolute black. The cleaner the black the better, but a tiny touch of brown saves it from looking lifeless.
“Black can throw lots of different colours so it’s important to view the finishes you like under different light conditions,” she says. Hold samples up to the light at different times of day and night and under both natural and artificial light.
Also look at them beside the other colours and finishes in the kitchen and any adjoining rooms.
Falmec rangehood at Winning Appliances
6. Texture
Luscious textures provide the finishing touch to an all-black kitchen, bringing warmth and energy to the space. Timber is a great way to introduce it, says Whiting; “Timber has a beautiful, natural texture – think a characterful timber floor. Even the way timber flooring is laid can be textural, such as parquetry flooring. You can add timber to a black kitchen in other ways too – for example, open timber shelving, light fittings with touches of timber or wooden edging on a door frame.
“You can also add texture to a kitchen with natural stone – for example a striking marble splashback or benchtop or a soft, limestone floor,” says Whiting.
When it comes to texture, don’t feel the need to go overboard, she adds; “Often a little is all you need”.
6. Texture
Luscious textures provide the finishing touch to an all-black kitchen, bringing warmth and energy to the space. Timber is a great way to introduce it, says Whiting; “Timber has a beautiful, natural texture – think a characterful timber floor. Even the way timber flooring is laid can be textural, such as parquetry flooring. You can add timber to a black kitchen in other ways too – for example, open timber shelving, light fittings with touches of timber or wooden edging on a door frame.
“You can also add texture to a kitchen with natural stone – for example a striking marble splashback or benchtop or a soft, limestone floor,” says Whiting.
When it comes to texture, don’t feel the need to go overboard, she adds; “Often a little is all you need”.
V-Zug showroom, Richmond, designed by Carole Whiting Interiors + Design
7. Balance
If a black kitchen connects to a lighter living or dining room, you’ll want to create a sense of balance between the two. “It’s best to do this subtly – for example, you might choose black dining chairs or black frames for artwork. Black steel-framed doors or windows can be a fantastic way to pick up on the black elements in a kitchen.”
Alternatively, look to introduce one or two light elements into the kitchen – consider a black benchtop with pale vein detailing, a tiled floor that incorporates both black and white, or brass tapware or handles.
More: Find stunning black kitchen appliances here.
Tell us: Is black high on your clients’ wish lists right now?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
7. Balance
If a black kitchen connects to a lighter living or dining room, you’ll want to create a sense of balance between the two. “It’s best to do this subtly – for example, you might choose black dining chairs or black frames for artwork. Black steel-framed doors or windows can be a fantastic way to pick up on the black elements in a kitchen.”
Alternatively, look to introduce one or two light elements into the kitchen – consider a black benchtop with pale vein detailing, a tiled floor that incorporates both black and white, or brass tapware or handles.
More: Find stunning black kitchen appliances here.
Tell us: Is black high on your clients’ wish lists right now?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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We are Australia's leading kitchen and laundry specialist, with an unmatched selection of the world's best... Read More
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Think I like number 6 best but overall like the whole concept of black on black.
I looove black, and have used it a lot in my own kitchen, but I do prefer to balance it with white and other natural finishes and surfaces so that it does not overwhelm. My pref would be for number 5.