Little black dress, black tuxedo, black limousine, black comedy, black coffee, black belt, blackmail, blackout. Black is classic hue in fashion and, well, life. Yet when it comes to decorating our homes, most of us tend to shy away from using black as more than an accent color. Yes, black can suck a good deal of light out of a room, making it appear cramped and dreary, but when used successfully it can be crisp and dramatic.
Check out six gorgeous kitchens that feature this darkest of hues. Who says black is boring? Not us.
If you favor a black kitchen, add another bold color or accents of warm neutrals to keep it from appearing stark and cold. The wood floor in this kitchen warms things up nicely.
One concern with black is that it might absorb too much light. This kitchen is proof that it doesn’t have to. The gloss finish provides just enough sheen to reflect light around the space, while the light counters and light wood floors keep the overall feeling bright.
Black brings a lot of drama to a kitchen, so it requires little ornamentation. You really can’t go wrong with high-quality materials combined with a heavy dose of black.
Bi-color kitchen cabinets are definitely a growing trend. Choosing a stronger color for bottom cabinets will anchor the room without overpowering it. Doing so can also be a less intimidating way to incorporate color into the kitchen.
Look closely, this kitchen features cabinets that have a black-washed look, which makes them less heavy than cabinets painted solid black. And because the black is paired with plenty of light neutrals and reflective materials, this kitchen feels light and open.
Finally, I’m a big fan of taking an older commercial or public-use building and converting it into a living space, which is the case here. You can see how contemporary elements have been incorporated in a way that still showcases the original space. Here, the backsplash and black countertops contrast nicely with the vintage exposed-brick walls.