10 Colour Combos for Black in the Kitchen
Find the perfect pair-up to black to achieve drama, modernity and sleek design
Laura Gaskill
31 March 2015
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
It can be cool and modern, elegant and traditional, or something in between – black in the kitchen may be having a moment, but this classic colour isn’t going anywhere. As in other rooms, remember that a little bit of black can go a long way, so consider the size of your room and the amount of natural light before committing. From cabinetry and tilework to floors, here are 10 ideas for incorporating the deepest, darkest hue into your kitchen design.
1. Black and white striped tile + polished concrete
Give simple subway tiles a fresh treatment by alternating horizontal rows of black and white tile. Varying the width of the stripes makes the look more dynamic; stainless steel appliances and polished concrete benchtops add a sleek, modern note.
Gloss White and Gloss Black tiles: Johnson Tiles
More on the foolproof kitchen colour combo: black and white
Give simple subway tiles a fresh treatment by alternating horizontal rows of black and white tile. Varying the width of the stripes makes the look more dynamic; stainless steel appliances and polished concrete benchtops add a sleek, modern note.
Gloss White and Gloss Black tiles: Johnson Tiles
More on the foolproof kitchen colour combo: black and white
2. Black floors + warm grey walls
Black stained timber floors and white cabinetry are warmed up by ‘greige’ walls, a cosier alternative to stark white. Dark floors paired with lighter hues on the walls and ceiling can make a room feel taller. Bright window shades and stools, plus a large framed beach photograph, give this space a playful feel.
Black stained timber floors and white cabinetry are warmed up by ‘greige’ walls, a cosier alternative to stark white. Dark floors paired with lighter hues on the walls and ceiling can make a room feel taller. Bright window shades and stools, plus a large framed beach photograph, give this space a playful feel.
3. Black cabinets + pops of colour
Sometimes what you put on your benches and shelves is just as important as the material they are made of. Here, a handful of brightly hued accessories pop against jet-black benchtops and cabinets.
Benchtops: Essastone
Sometimes what you put on your benches and shelves is just as important as the material they are made of. Here, a handful of brightly hued accessories pop against jet-black benchtops and cabinets.
Benchtops: Essastone
4. Bi-colour black and white walls + oak benchtops
Can’t decide between black and white? Split the difference: Paint the lower half of the kitchen black and the upper half white for a creative look. In this kitchen a line was drawn around the room and everything below it – including the bottom portion of the upper cabinets – was painted black, and everything above it white.
Wall and cabinetry paint in ‘Off Black’ and ‘All White’ (oil eggshell): Farrow & Ball
Can’t decide between black and white? Split the difference: Paint the lower half of the kitchen black and the upper half white for a creative look. In this kitchen a line was drawn around the room and everything below it – including the bottom portion of the upper cabinets – was painted black, and everything above it white.
Wall and cabinetry paint in ‘Off Black’ and ‘All White’ (oil eggshell): Farrow & Ball
5. Shiny black appliances + aqua cabinets + brass hardware
Black appliances and a black sink surround add a polished note to this pale aqua kitchen. The bright brass gooseneck faucet and hardware stand out like jewellery against the watery-hued cabinetry.
Black appliances and a black sink surround add a polished note to this pale aqua kitchen. The bright brass gooseneck faucet and hardware stand out like jewellery against the watery-hued cabinetry.
6. Black benchtops + chocolate splashback
Who says black and brown don’t go together? On the contrary, sleek black benchtops paired with glossy chocolate brown subway tiles make for a rich combination. The rest of this kitchen was done in crisp white, which keeps the space feeling light and spacious.
Who says black and brown don’t go together? On the contrary, sleek black benchtops paired with glossy chocolate brown subway tiles make for a rich combination. The rest of this kitchen was done in crisp white, which keeps the space feeling light and spacious.
7. Black benchtops + black grout + white tile
For such a simple, easy change, swapping out light grout in favour of dark makes a big impact – not to mention it’s easier to keep looking clean! Classic white subway tiles installed in a herringbone pattern call attention to the spaces in between more than if they were laid in straight rows.
For such a simple, easy change, swapping out light grout in favour of dark makes a big impact – not to mention it’s easier to keep looking clean! Classic white subway tiles installed in a herringbone pattern call attention to the spaces in between more than if they were laid in straight rows.
8. Black cabinets + black trim + dark stained timber floors
If your kitchen is part of a larger, open-plan space, deep, saturated colour can make the space feel kitchen-like. In this room, dark stained floors, black cabinets and black trim are enhanced by sculptural Tom Dixon pendant lights and a Carrara-marble-topped island.
If your kitchen is part of a larger, open-plan space, deep, saturated colour can make the space feel kitchen-like. In this room, dark stained floors, black cabinets and black trim are enhanced by sculptural Tom Dixon pendant lights and a Carrara-marble-topped island.
9. Black cabinets + white and timber
Black cabinetry paired with white benchtops is a clean, simple and modern look. Stylish pendant lights, plus a few details in white and timber – like the paint-dipped stools shown here – keep this combination from feeling too simple.
Black cabinetry paired with white benchtops is a clean, simple and modern look. Stylish pendant lights, plus a few details in white and timber – like the paint-dipped stools shown here – keep this combination from feeling too simple.
10. Black lower cabinets + white subway tile + white floors
Increase the sense of space in a small kitchen by using black on lower cabinets, and forgo uppers in favour of open shelves installed on a glossy white subway tile wall. High-gloss finishes on cabinet fronts and tilework help maximise light.
Kitchen cabinets and appliances: Ikea
TELL US
Would you use black in your kitchen?
MORE KITCHEN COLOUR STORIES
6 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
Increase the sense of space in a small kitchen by using black on lower cabinets, and forgo uppers in favour of open shelves installed on a glossy white subway tile wall. High-gloss finishes on cabinet fronts and tilework help maximise light.
Kitchen cabinets and appliances: Ikea
TELL US
Would you use black in your kitchen?
MORE KITCHEN COLOUR STORIES
6 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
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My 1908 American Foursquare had a kitchen remodeled in the late 80's, with red oak cabinets, oak floors, and black formica. While the cabinets would now be a bit dated, the counters made a casual pile of fruit or veggies look like an artful still life. BUT, every single crumb showed; it was an upkeep nightmare. So, be careful with black counters...a little bit of pattern will make your life easier. And the same goes for black floors.
I choose black white and gold, it i my wining combination
A little off topic but looking at these kitchens made me laugh. I'm a grandmother and find it funny that so many young women now-a-days demand, granite counters, high end appliances and fixtures, lots of cabinets and a huge island. Then, you find out that they don't even cook! I have a mid-sized kitchen(12x16) and I use every inch of it and every cabinet, appliance, pot, pan and utensil in it as well. What's happening where people just go out or order in. Learn to cook.