7 Ways to Team Dark Kitchen Cabinets With a Dark Worktop
Dare to dive into the deep for a sophisticated look in your kitchen
Amanda Pollard
21 February 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
We often assume dark kitchen cabinets need to be lightened up with a pale worktop or vice versa, but in fact a double-dark design can look dramatically stylish. Check out these kitchens to see whether the look could work in your home.
Highlight with white
If you’re going double-dark in your kitchen, it’s a good idea to include a few paler colours, too, to ensure there’s enough illumination for cooking and to really showcase the darker elements.
Here, the designers have incorporated a section of slim white cabinets that contrast sharply with the dark units and worktops elsewhere. The white walls and LED lighting add to the bright feel in the paler section, helping to frame the stylish black granite worktops and dark wood veneer on the cabinets.
Planning a new kitchen? Search for kitchen designers and fitters in your area.
If you’re going double-dark in your kitchen, it’s a good idea to include a few paler colours, too, to ensure there’s enough illumination for cooking and to really showcase the darker elements.
Here, the designers have incorporated a section of slim white cabinets that contrast sharply with the dark units and worktops elsewhere. The white walls and LED lighting add to the bright feel in the paler section, helping to frame the stylish black granite worktops and dark wood veneer on the cabinets.
Planning a new kitchen? Search for kitchen designers and fitters in your area.
Feature on the island
If you’re nervous of using too many dark surfaces in your kitchen, try the look in just one area. Here, for example, the homeowners have chosen a thin black worktop for the island and a lighter wooden surface along the wall.
While the timber worktop blends in with the white walls and pale wood floor, the dark worktop helps the island to stand out.
If you’re nervous of using too many dark surfaces in your kitchen, try the look in just one area. Here, for example, the homeowners have chosen a thin black worktop for the island and a lighter wooden surface along the wall.
While the timber worktop blends in with the white walls and pale wood floor, the dark worktop helps the island to stand out.
Mix materials
For added interest, combine different types of dark worktop material. In this space, the designers have fitted a ceramic surface with a mottled finish and complemented it with a section of black walnut along one edge of the island to zone the breakfast bar.
To make the mix of materials work, they’ve stuck to plain, flat-fronted cabinets in matt charcoal.
Find out more on how to mix and match kitchen worktops.
For added interest, combine different types of dark worktop material. In this space, the designers have fitted a ceramic surface with a mottled finish and complemented it with a section of black walnut along one edge of the island to zone the breakfast bar.
To make the mix of materials work, they’ve stuck to plain, flat-fronted cabinets in matt charcoal.
Find out more on how to mix and match kitchen worktops.
Simplify for an uncluttered look
In this kitchen, it’s almost as if the worktops are part of the cabinets. The deep grey unit doors merge into the slim expanse of work surface along the top.
This streamlined design helps to create an uncluttered feel in the open-plan room.
In this kitchen, it’s almost as if the worktops are part of the cabinets. The deep grey unit doors merge into the slim expanse of work surface along the top.
This streamlined design helps to create an uncluttered feel in the open-plan room.
Add some bling
For a really dramatic look, try teaming deep-toned worktops with some dark metallic units. Here, the gleaming, patinated metal adds luxurious interest to the kitchen.
An extra-thick work surface provides even more bold personality, but the dark tones maintain the elegant feel.
For a really dramatic look, try teaming deep-toned worktops with some dark metallic units. Here, the gleaming, patinated metal adds luxurious interest to the kitchen.
An extra-thick work surface provides even more bold personality, but the dark tones maintain the elegant feel.
Soften with white marble
Dark tones can give a room a chic, understated look, but if you’re worried it might be too harsh, there are ways to soften things up. Take this elegant space, for example – the white marble splashback is just what’s needed to add a brighter layer to the deep-hued kitchen units and Belgian blue limestone worktop.
The gentle grey veining in the marble gives the walls a texture that contrasts with the flat finish on the cabinetry.
Dark tones can give a room a chic, understated look, but if you’re worried it might be too harsh, there are ways to soften things up. Take this elegant space, for example – the white marble splashback is just what’s needed to add a brighter layer to the deep-hued kitchen units and Belgian blue limestone worktop.
The gentle grey veining in the marble gives the walls a texture that contrasts with the flat finish on the cabinetry.
Make it cohesive
Create a balance between your cabinets and worktop by choosing an element that ties the two together. Here, the designers have opted for black knobs, which match the black worktop.
By using the same black tone in a detail on the cabinets, they’ve created a space that feels harmonious and considered.
Tell us…
Do you like to use dark hues in your kitchen, or do you prefer to keep the room light? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Create a balance between your cabinets and worktop by choosing an element that ties the two together. Here, the designers have opted for black knobs, which match the black worktop.
By using the same black tone in a detail on the cabinets, they’ve created a space that feels harmonious and considered.
Tell us…
Do you like to use dark hues in your kitchen, or do you prefer to keep the room light? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Dark and dramatic
Love the Black it is dramatic and sensual
I love the Cabri design! I hate white anywhere, but with all the black it works.