10 Pair-Ups for Black in the Kitchen

by Laura Gaskill

Combine black with other colors to add drama, polish and  
modernity.  It also can make a kitchen look more spacious

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 color 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 counters add a sleek, modern note.

Tiles: Gloss White and Gloss Black, Johnson Tiles

2. Black floors + warm gray walls. Black stained wood floors and white cabinetry are warmed up by “greige” walls, a cozier alternative to stark white. Dark floors paired with a 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. Bicolor black and white walls + oak counters. 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.

Paint: Off Black and All White (oil eggshell), Farrow & Ball

4. 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 jewelry against the watery-hued cabinetry.

5. Black counters + chocolate backsplash.Who says black and brown don’t go together? On the contrary, sleek black counters 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.

6. Black counters + black grout + white tile. For such a simple, easy change, swapping out light grout in favor of dark makes a big impact — not to mention it’s easier to keep looking clean! Classic white subway tile installed in a herringbone pattern calls attention to the spaces between more than if it were laid in straight rows.

7. Black cabinets + black trim + dark stained wood floors. If your kitchen is part of a larger, open-plan space, deep, saturated color 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.

8. Black cabinets + white and wood. Black cabinetry paired with white counters is a clean, simple and modern look. Stylish pendant lights, plus a few details in white and wood — like the paint-dipped stools shown here — keep this combination from feeling too simple. 

9. 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 favor of open shelves installed on a glossy white subway tile wall. High-gloss finishes on cabinet fronts and tilework help maximize light.

10. Black cabinets + pops of color. Sometimes what you put on your counters and shelves is just as important as the material they are made of. Here, a handful of brightly hued accessories pops against jet-black counters and cabinets.

Cabinet-S-Top can help you glam up your kitchen by adding black.  Stop by our showroom located at 1977 Medina Road, Medina, OH ~ 330.239.3630 ~ www.cabinet-s-top.com