Black is a timeless hue in fashion — there’s the little black dress as well as the debonair black tuxedo, and I’m certain I’m not the only person out there having way more pairs of black shoes in my closet than there are times of this week. Yet when it comes to decorating our homes, most of us tend to shy away from using black more than a mere accent color. Yes, black can suck a good deal of light from a room, which makes it appear bloated and dreary, but when used successfully it can be crisp, striking and refined.
Have a look at eight stunning kitchens which feature this darkest of colors, along with suggestions on how best to work with black in the kitchen.
Urrutia Design
Black absorbs rather then reflects light, so if you are using a large amount of the hue in a place, attempt to counter it with loads of light — preferably of the natural selection. The large white ceiling, skylights and wall of sliding glass doors in this kitchen greater than balance the black out.
Jordan Iverson Signature Homes
But you don’t have to have walls of windows or skylights galore to create black work in your kitchen. You can find different ways to balance it. For example, this gorgeous kitchen includes closets which have a black-washed look which makes them thick and monolithic than closets painted solid black. And since the black is paired with plenty of light neutrals and reflective materials, this kitchen feels open and light.
The Last Inch
I’m a big fan of adaptive reuse, of taking an old commercial or public-use building — in this case a one time Carnegie library in California — and converting it into a living room. I like seeing something classic or classic get tweaked with modern elements in a way that still respects the original.
Here, the big modern black pendants over the island contrast nicely with the classic exposed-brick walls. So simple, and yet the effect is dramatic and refined. The restrained yet rich colour palette of blacks, blacks and brick red is also quite profitable.
Watch more of this kitchen
Laurence Cafritz Builders
If you favor a black and white kitchen, I recommend adding another bold color or accents of warm neutral colors, taupes or beiges to keep it from appearing dull and cold. The wood floor in this kitchen warms things up nicely.
High-Contrast Kitchens for Every Style
Dirk Denison Architects
Use black to call attention to your kitchen’s intriguing architectural details, fixtures or finishes. Against a light background, these elements will stand out, whereas everything white will seep into the background.
William Roy Designer Kitchens
Consider the sheen of the dark surfaces in your kitchen, too. Matte black absorbs light and tends to look flat and dark. Glossy surfaces will reflect light into the space — however, you can definitely see the texture of the surface, so make certain it’s something you would like highlighted. This kitchen has a wonderful mix of shiny and textured surfaces, along with the crisp black actually defines the distance.
Notice how light affects color
Design Line Construction, Inc..
As it’s a neutral, black works with any other colour that you need to present. All these lemon-yellow counter stools add this black kitchen and a twist.
A.S.D. Interiors – Shirry Dolgin, Owner
Black brings a whole lot of drama into a kitchen, so it requires very little ornamentation. You truly can not go wrong with high quality finish workmanship and materials together with a restrained palette thick on black.
Jennifer Ott Design
Most paint manufacturers carry a true black hue, but be sure to check out the many shades of black accessible which have subtle colour differences. Some appear cooler, with hints of green, blue or purple; a few are warmer — of a brownish black. These subtle differences will be noticeable in abundant daylight. As with any paint colour, it’s a good idea to check a couple of different blacks in the actual room you want to utilize it into to see how the colour looks in the space and changes throughout the day and night.
4 enticing black colors to attempt (left to right):
1. Dark Kettle Black 4011-2, from Valspar
2. Caviar SW6990, from Sherwin-Williams
3. Black Berry 2119-20, from Benjamin Moore.
4. Cracked Pepper UL260-1, from Behr
Tell us Should black stay in the fashion world, or are you ready to get cooking with it?
More: Are You Ready for a Dark and Sophisticated Kitchen?
Guides: Working black into your design