10 Kitchens Show Why Dark is Beautiful
Don’t be scared of the dark! These gorgeous kitchens show how great darker colours can look when they’re used cleverly
Gabrielle Orcutt
10 May 2017
I'm a writer and editor, working as part of the Houzz UK editorial team. I love good design, doing things myself, and learning how to!
I'm a writer and editor, working as part of the Houzz UK editorial team. I love good... More
Just look at how these beautiful kitchens use darker colours, and take inspiration from what they do that works so well. Whether you like the idea of pairing dark accents with light shades, or want to go the whole hog and paint everything in your favourite dark shade, read on to find out how to choose the right fittings and lighting to create a strikingly colourful kitchen to remember.
Work with clean whites
Blue and white is a winning combination that always makes a strong visual impact. In this period kitchen, the white butler’s sink and pale worktop really pop against the blue background, helping this largely dark room to glow with light. White accessories add to the contrast for a beautifully simple space.
Blue and white is a winning combination that always makes a strong visual impact. In this period kitchen, the white butler’s sink and pale worktop really pop against the blue background, helping this largely dark room to glow with light. White accessories add to the contrast for a beautifully simple space.
Mix with bright colours
Pairing greys and dark blues with bold colours can really energise a scheme. In this colourful family kitchen, deep grey is punctuated by the colourful spines of a cookery book collection and a bright red KitchenAid and rug.
Dark greys and blues also work well with neon pink, turquoise, acid yellow and chartreuse.
Pairing greys and dark blues with bold colours can really energise a scheme. In this colourful family kitchen, deep grey is punctuated by the colourful spines of a cookery book collection and a bright red KitchenAid and rug.
Dark greys and blues also work well with neon pink, turquoise, acid yellow and chartreuse.
Pair dark walls with light cabinets…
In this eclectic kitchen, white cabinets are paired with deep purple walls painted in Brinjal by Farrow & Ball. The contrast is heightened by the successful mix of modern and traditional in the room – period furniture sits alongside slickly modern cabinetry, while a black Aga has a copper splashback.
In this eclectic kitchen, white cabinets are paired with deep purple walls painted in Brinjal by Farrow & Ball. The contrast is heightened by the successful mix of modern and traditional in the room – period furniture sits alongside slickly modern cabinetry, while a black Aga has a copper splashback.
… or pair dark cabinets with light walls
This industrial loft kitchen pairs dark charcoal cabinets with white metro tiles and wall paint. Open shelving adds to the sense of space and light in the top half of the room, contrasting with the heavy colour below. The use of brass fittings and a wooden worktop provides a warm note, bringing the room together.
This industrial loft kitchen pairs dark charcoal cabinets with white metro tiles and wall paint. Open shelving adds to the sense of space and light in the top half of the room, contrasting with the heavy colour below. The use of brass fittings and a wooden worktop provides a warm note, bringing the room together.
Use different shades of the same colour
If you’re going to paint your whole kitchen in one colour, using several different shades is a great tactic for adding depth and interest. This striking room, for instance, is decorated in a range of blues from slate to navy, which emphasises the details on the woodwork and helps to frame the crockery beautifully.
If you’re going to paint your whole kitchen in one colour, using several different shades is a great tactic for adding depth and interest. This striking room, for instance, is decorated in a range of blues from slate to navy, which emphasises the details on the woodwork and helps to frame the crockery beautifully.
Choose fittings that shine
Dark colours pair well with warm metals, which add warmth and a touch of luxe. Here, very dark grey is brought to life by shiny brass taps and a rich copper sink. You could go a step further and have a copper worktop or splashback if you want to make a big impact.
Dark colours pair well with warm metals, which add warmth and a touch of luxe. Here, very dark grey is brought to life by shiny brass taps and a rich copper sink. You could go a step further and have a copper worktop or splashback if you want to make a big impact.
Light it right
With dark colours, you need to be especially careful to get the lighting right to keep a kitchen bright and welcoming. In this sleek and luxurious space, recessed ceiling spots spread light across the whole room. Socialising areas, meanwhile, are softened by pendant lights hanging low over the dining table and breakfast bar.
With dark colours, you need to be especially careful to get the lighting right to keep a kitchen bright and welcoming. In this sleek and luxurious space, recessed ceiling spots spread light across the whole room. Socialising areas, meanwhile, are softened by pendant lights hanging low over the dining table and breakfast bar.
Add recessed lighting
In this sophisticated kitchen, recessed lighting beneath the cabinets keeps the worktops brightly lit for easy food preparation, creating a swathe of light between the rich, dark units. The light is enhanced by a shiny white worktop and splashback. The marble wraparound island worktop, meanwhile, catches light from the pendants and lifts the dark unit beneath.
Explore ideas for incorporating marble into your home
In this sophisticated kitchen, recessed lighting beneath the cabinets keeps the worktops brightly lit for easy food preparation, creating a swathe of light between the rich, dark units. The light is enhanced by a shiny white worktop and splashback. The marble wraparound island worktop, meanwhile, catches light from the pendants and lifts the dark unit beneath.
Explore ideas for incorporating marble into your home
Add visual coherence to open-plan areas
A strong colour can work beautifully to visually link an open-plan kitchen and dining area. Here, the charcoal cabinets tie in with the grey sofa and dark blue pendant lights in the otherwise white and natural wood space. The consistent use of colour brings a sense of order to the different parts of the open-plan space.
See more of this beautiful kitchen-diner
A strong colour can work beautifully to visually link an open-plan kitchen and dining area. Here, the charcoal cabinets tie in with the grey sofa and dark blue pendant lights in the otherwise white and natural wood space. The consistent use of colour brings a sense of order to the different parts of the open-plan space.
See more of this beautiful kitchen-diner
Cleverly conceal storage
You might not guess, at first sight, that this dark grey panelling high on the wall actually conceals kitchen cupboards. The charcoal tone and lack of handles make this area look more like a feature wall than your usual units. This kitchen-diner actually conceals a wealth of hidden storage – even the upholstered bench opens to reveal handy extra space.
TELL US…
Have you gone for a kitchen in a darker shade? How did you make it work in your space? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
You might not guess, at first sight, that this dark grey panelling high on the wall actually conceals kitchen cupboards. The charcoal tone and lack of handles make this area look more like a feature wall than your usual units. This kitchen-diner actually conceals a wealth of hidden storage – even the upholstered bench opens to reveal handy extra space.
TELL US…
Have you gone for a kitchen in a darker shade? How did you make it work in your space? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
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I'm. I'm considering going to the dark side with our kitchen refurb. I'm wondering how wrong can it go? Going for light colours is easy so I've always stuck to that formula, does anyone have advice on what not to do re very dark cabinetry?
I think if you are really frightened make sure you go for light worktops to break it up a bit. Also if you are just going for a painted finish whats the worse that can happen? You hate it so you paint it back. GO FOR IT!