A black kitchen will need to have something wood and colourful to stop it being too intense.
Caveat: unless you’re all for the inevitability of maintenance of dark surfaces, as dark tones tend to show off dirt and smudges more than their lighter counterparts, but natural light – task lighting for countertops – works to balance out these considerations.
Matte black surfaces
Black surfaces create depth and texture that make a powerful drama in a neutral-clad, or bolder accent-colour zone scheme. Meanwhile not only no shortage of flooring options to pick from, also a matte black sink – under-mount for slick profiling, or top mount to mark out and relevant cues of character – is an option, too.
Homeowners who want to prevent a matte sink from water spots and soap marks should use pH-neutral cleaning products, and maintain the sink regularly; installation of accessories like sink grids or mats can also help to reduce risk.
Kitchens that are used often can benefit from hardwearing and colourfast matte black finishes, and black surfaces can also work well with either a modern or a traditional decor. The use of such finishes in a kitchen setting can help imbue an atmosphere of opulence and luxury when the right materials are incorporated.
White cabinetry
If you want to add instant glamour to your kitchen, consider black cabinetry. Although its deep hue is undoubtedly dramatic and impactful, black is another of those ‘chameleon’ shades that’s essentially neutral, and so will respond well to a number of other tones. Assess your space to see if black is right for you – and how you might integrate it with other elements of the room, such as the flooring, counters and lighting fixtures.
You can create an natural stone counters (for a modern look) or concrete for a more urban aesthetic; paler wood counters contrast nicely with dark cabinets; and white or tan flooring will keep the room light without being oppressively dark.
Now, if you are not sure that you are ready to take the plunge into black kitchen cabinetry, you might like to experiment by painting your upper-cabinets black. It is an easy way to get the look and feel of black kitchens at a low cost and low effort. And, of course, Farrow Ball’s Off-Black is the perfect pigment to use for this effect. It creates a silky finish that is easy to wipe clean.
Black countertops
With the right context, black countertops can bring a luxurious sophistication to a room, whether paired with wood or metallic accents, lightweight neutral white or grey cabinets and backsplash tiles, or more dramatic colourful elements, like the forest green walls, brass faucet and bright green plant that make an appearance here: Black can also serve as the perfect neutral canvas for any other colour to pop against as an accent or foundational feature in a room.
Black and other dark hues are dramatic and sensual and can really add depth to a space, but it needs to be able to handle the light (and sometimes dark) of a kitchen setting. Tie back into the natural light you have and think about any supplemental light sources, such as pendants, sconces or even pot lights.
Black quartz, veined with marble or simple in matt, is a reliable and popular choice in modern kitchens. The surface is extremely hard-wearing and capable of coping with just about anything our everyday cooking and cleaning practices can throw at it – the perfect choice for open-plan kitchens.
Black backsplash
A black backsplash creates an eye-catching focal point, no matter your kitchen’s style, whether you opt for plain solid-colour tiles or more adventurous patterns. If you want to reveal the beauty of your black cabinets, while also adding ambiance, your designer can help you find the right one for your kitchen.
A herringbone pattern provides a stylish focal point for any black backsplash but ultimately draws the eye up, counteracting the urge to fixate upon pendant lights, which can overwhelm an otherwise classical or contemporary look. A black herringbone backsplash complements the graceful swirls of a marble countertop.
Benjamin Moore’s deep blue shades for black paint that you’ll use for a black backsplash (above) – or evenry, for that matter. Keep in mind that you can also use black chalk and charcoal paints. Dark colours absorb light; more lighting (natural, overhead and sconce) may be necessary in order to brighten up the space by the end of the day.