Aquarian Renovations I love black! My bedroom has 2 black walls with black and white damask wallpaper and apple green as an accent color. The black makes my room seem bigger as those walls receeed. My main floor has a lot of Kendall charcoal from BM. It is true that it eats up some light but in a space with high ceilings it creates drama without being too bold with color. I also think it works well to balance out wood that is too warm. I'm stuck with 1980's oak cabinets and although the charcoal doesn't play down the orange undertones, it cools down the overall space and updates it. My only caution concerning dark paint is to be careful what finish that you choose. My bedroom walls are done in a flat finish and anytime skin touches it, it leaves a white chalky mark (like a chalkboard). I wash these walls more than any other in my home. Overall, black and charcoal get 2 thumbs up from me!

William Roy Designer Kitchens How about all black gloss. Although most of us would not dare to do this in our own homes, when you walk into this living kitchen room your jaw would drop and the inevitable would come from your lips, "WOW."

bainmrb The Dirk Denison kitchen has the lighting placed over the traffic area and none over the island. That is so disfunctional. Working in that kitchen would require some supplemental lighting as shadows will constantly be a problem.

Rough Linen I want to paint my servicable but crappy kitchen in 'invisible'! I have a feeling black would only draw attention to its shortcomings...

ragsangle these kitchens are depressing,gloomy and just too not so inviting to cook and bake in...maybe for a city person but not for a real person who really cooks and bakes like I do...

appytrails I'm thinking as I look at all these photos "What a beautiful kitchen... if only they didn't use BLACK, the space would be amazing."
More power to them, I guess.... but it's definitely not for me.

vee22 Black shows to many flaws, good luck keeping little fingerprints or wet noses off everything, you people probably don't have kids or dogs! I agree with some of the comments, the kitchens are depressing and gloomy, but some people are so superficial, they'd rather be in "style" than anything else especially practicality and if some bozo says, this is the "trend" then lots of mindless people will follow the "trend" no matter how foolish they look.

jdeuble Love!!

redwildgoose What do you think of black/dark grey counter tops? With natural maple cabinets and stainless appliances....love shades of black ....never thought of it in the kitchen. Thanks Houzz!

patricia beharry @vee22 you are correct. Some people DO NOT have kids and/or dogs nor want kids and/or dogs.And some of the people with kids teach their kids it's not all about them. They have to learn to live in a world with grown-ups because we are also part of this world.

elklaker We have black walls with maple cabinets and grey counters with black flecks (Corian). It is neither cold nor gloomy. We love it AND we have both kids and dogs. As was mentioned in the article, it is a matter of pairing the black with color. Personal taste but it works for us.

LDC corp. Wondering what would be your reaction on using blacks on traditional kitchen?
We used black with silver leaf to satisfy client's request to create a bold show-off kitchen within 6300 sf. $18.5 million luxury apartment that may be seen on Sotheby's Intl. Realty http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/toronto-on-can, Web ID: 4000030437.

Full video tour can be seen on YouTube

Pictures/video © Sotheby's.

P.S. Please disregard cheap table set, as it was put temporarily :)
Criticism on overall interior heaviness is anticipated...lol. :-)

gdcsmith These kitchens are amazing! I would love to add a black backsplash to my kitchen to add drama. What do ya'll think?

bettygothere Hilarious ! Do the large modern black pendants over the island also work as range hood ?

LDC corp. yep, its also serves as a pull to open helicopter pad above lol

trasgorshek Jennifer, stunning! Just beautiful! Loved the article, I'm getting ready to do charcoal above wainscoting in our loft area because it absorbs light! Very dramatic and great for movie watching. Would love to have any of these kitchens, especially the old library space with the exposed brick.

trasgorshek And side note...love what Houzz has done with their logo for Valentines! Very cute!

Deborah Landers Design Black is a classically elegant color that I first used 12 years ago. I used it in my butler's pantry where I set up the bar for guests. 12 years later, it is still one of my favorite rooms. I needed a black to bring together two neutrals in the adjoining rooms.(kitchen and dinning) Wine bottles look rich and handsome in the evening light and the crystal glassware shimmers making it a very romantic room. I always get compliments on it. I used Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry Great article! Here’s another great example of the first tip. This kitchen uses a black island with a white countertop and is contrasted by white kitchen cabinets with a black countertop. This creates a visual effect making the space same larger.

jtrbug For almost 30 years I had white walls, now I am going black. In my kitchen which has large windows, I am using black with stainless steel countertops and mirrored backsplash. For the rest of the first floor rooms I am using black beadboard. There will be big pieces of art to bring color back into the room. The trim will be gloss, the beadboard satin. My inspiration was old fashioned scrapbooks with the black paper. The background recedes and ever thing else comes into focus. There will layers of light ceiling lights on dimmers.

meganderson219 Building a house right now. I am doing gorgeous black cabinets with built in lighting above and beneath them. It will have a large white island and medium toned hickory floors. I have three small children and a dog and I spend most of my time in the kitchen. It is perfect! I LOVE black when it is done right. I would take it any day over golden oak or maple!

apriest We have a stunning black and white kitchen with stainless appliances, and get compliments all the time. We also have 3 children under the age of 8 that have grown up in a neat and orderly house, and it is not a problem. Having children isn't an excuse for having a sloppy house or poor design.

nsalta Well maybe now I should keep the black granite that I can't wait to replace ; )

Dura Supreme Cabinetry redwildgoose – I think Black/ Dark Gray countertops would look great with natural maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances. A lot of stainless steel appliances already use black as accent colors. They added a light gray backsplash to coordinate with the stainless steel.

Using neutral color like black/gray allows you to have more freedom with your accent colors and use the latest color trends. This kitchen uses green and orange. When the home owner is tired of green or green goes out of style they can easily repaint the walls and swap out the décor and still have the dramatic look without having to purchase new backsplash tiles, cabinets, or countertops.

Here’s a kitchen with natural Fir cabinets with black/ dark gray countertops and stainless steel appliances…

Dura Supreme Cabinetry jtrbug – that’s an incredible way to explain the visual effect of using black against white!

squilly15 I am currently redesigning a small basement kitchen diner and am using white, to maximise the light and create the illusion of space and openness, but am accenting it with black tile splashback and back wall (which is a tiny space due to the lower ceiling) appliances and sink. I'm hoping the detailing will be quite classy and am adding a much needed injection of colour with a red kettle, toaster and coffee maker.

leslieg2013 Here is my all black kitchen. I just sold this condo but plan to do something very similar in my new home because I loved it so much! I miss my black kitchen!!

Misty I have kids AND dogs AND black in my kitchen, living, baths, bedrooms... I love black and have for years. Not because it's a trend, but because I think it's beautiful and has a way of pulling everything together. Much like some people who use brown. Everyone has their own color palette they relate to if they are really thinking for themselves. I'm glad my home isn't decorated identical to my neighbor's house! If I'm trendy on houzz, I'll take that as a compliment. Where I live, everyone is french country!

Custom Fireplace Mantels Love it.
Don't think cooking and baking will taste different because of colour of the cabinets. And for me, practicality is associated with storage space and room to function and notes much as colour of cabinets. I think trends are important. They did get us out of tiny kitchen with separate tiny dinning rooms into an open concept living. We should pay attention to them.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry gdcsmith – A black or dark grey backsplash would look great in your kitchen! I would make sure to also install lighting under your upper cabinets as well if you don’t already. This will help add drama and reflection. It will also help prevent the color of backsplash to look too dark or shadowy and let you still see the details of the tile. Here’s a great example of a black backsplash with under cabinet lighting.

gdcsmith Dura Dupreme, I love that! I would love to have under cabinet lighting, but don't have a clue how to install it now that the cabinets are in place. Any suggestions? Thank you!!

Georgia Evenson Black/white kitchens are true classics, never out of style and there are so many varying degrees....mine is as much of those 2 that I can afford right now with lots of cherry red accents...luv!

joyc01 Black cabinets fit like a little black dress, so elegant!

Dura Supreme Cabinetry gdcsmith – There are a lot of options that you can do. For example, you could install wireless lighting with a switch or a remote. That would remove the need to wire the lighting into a light switch. I would talk to your local light fixture store or electrician and they’ll be able to give you options without having to remove your current cabinetry.

Here’s a great example…

http://www.brylanehome.com/Product.aspx?PfId=122482&ProductTypeId=1&affiliate_id=049&affiliate_location_id=01&mr:trackingCode=3753C566-B7C3-E011-8116-001517B1882A&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=18614601834&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=24443113194

sherrybartley I have black lower cabinets with metal and glass upper cabinets that look totally awesome! Black is gorgeous in the kitchen!!

CAROLE MEYER I love my black cabinets. I think the look is warm and inviting. The examples in this post are fabulous!

therustyrazor I love black and have used it extensively in my kitchen with table, chairs, china cabinet, counters. It's great for warmth and depth in a room.

gillianne I find black a striking and inviting tone on cabinetry but not on walls--strictly a matter of personal preference--and only in spaces that are flooded with natural daytime light and adequate evening light. Even then, I prefer a dusky charcoal gray-black and on bottom cabinets, with lighter tones for uppers. As always, however, I appreciate the breadth of homes Houzz features. It's helpful to see what doesn't speak to me, as well as what powerfully calls my name. Everything helps me refine what I like now, so thank you, Jennifer and Houzz.

gdcsmith Dura Supreme, I can't open the link you posted for the lighting. Do you mind posting the link again?

Mary Sarkees I love black cabinets in the kitchen. My husband did not agree. We ended up with cream shaker cabinets ,black granite and black tile with stainless steel accent peices. I love the look !!! The one problem I do have is the black counter shows everything..We made a huge mistake...She have done what I wanted or just a lighter counter..

Dura Supreme Cabinetry Sure! Let me know if this works... It's a long link.

http://www.brylanehome.com/Product.aspx?PfId=122482&ProductTypeId=1&affiliate_id=049&affiliate_location_id=01&mr:trackingCode=3753C566-B7C3-E011-8116-001517B1882A&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=18614601834&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=24443113194


If not, you could go to BrylaneHome.com and search for the product Wireless Super-Bright LED Under-Cabinet Lights (item# 1592-69917-1046) Here's the image of the product. There are many other kinds of lights similar to this, this is just one example.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry gdcsmith - You could also Google "cordless cabinet lighting" and "wireless cabinet lighting."

designher2 Nice to see that the surfaces shown are light. Black highlights water spots!

flsue1 I have cherry cabinets, Venetian gold granite, black subway tile backsplash. It's great, the granite shows NOTHING, the black has drama. I have a Canadel dinette set/bar stools in distressed black with cherry seats.

Carolyn Zone9alady We are planning to have a 4x7 black stained island in the second half of our kitchen reno. The Cambria quartz we installed has black veining so it should compliment it nicely.

gdcsmith Dura Supreme: The lights are awesome and the price is amazing. Thanks so much!

jbfrlt Remodeling my 1930 kitchen using existing walnut wood floors, high gloss white cabinets with stainless steel pulls, stainless appliances, gun metal gray walls, absolute black granite and off white textured marble back splash! Looks clean, streamlined and elegant! Could not be happier.

gdcsmith flsue1: Do you happen to have a pic of your kitchen? I can't find anything much online. I don't want to make a mistake...

Dura Supreme Cabinetry gdcsmith - You are welcome! Let me know if you'd like any other ktichen tips or advice. We pin alot of tips like this on our Pinterest page and our Blog too. Have a great day!

dianef13 I have black and white polka dot wall paper in my galley kitchen and everyone who sees it loves it! Black granite cabinet tops, white cabinets and stainless steel fridge and oven.
St. Simons Island, Ga

Susan Jennings appytrails - I had the exact opposite thought looking at these photos -- that every kitchen should have black because these all look so great! To each his own, indeed... :)

Pamela Irarrazabal Just great! The Elegance that black color presents to any kitchen invite not only to cook also to do it with elegance and style!... Love it!

susan9692 I just did my kitchen cabinets in shiny black formica with "carerra marble" formica counter tops and back splash. Stainless appoiances and a red walled dining area in the kitchen. Let me tell you, there is not a friend or neighbor or family member that has not gone gaga over the look. For all those negative people, maybe they need to get out there in the real world and take some courses in the effects of color in your home. .Eegant and classy is a perfect description of these kitchens. And for all those that are on board with me for using black, Kudos to you.

murpet Love all those black kitchens. I wasn't brave enough to go all black, but used black for my island, honed granite countertop on the white cabinets, front entry and staircase. I'm so happy with it! And those 2dogs in the pictures rule the roost around here :)

Sue Snuggs I have a black & white kitchen and everyone that sees it loves it. My cabinets are white with black counter tops and stainless steel and black appliances and we love it.

lindaaimhigh I need advice from those of you who have a black granite countertop in your kitchen. I have found a black granite with gold mica specks that I am very interested in. Are they difficult to keep clean? Do you love it/hate it? Comments welcome!

redwildgoose Dura Supreme cabinetry -- your photos are spot on the look I want. Thanks so much...I was debating a yellow or green backsplash -- so risky! A grey backsplash is so much better. I like wilsonart oiled soapstone for my countertop. Anybody have experience with it?

trasgorshek Lindaaimhigh, I love ours and it isn't difficult at all but I'm a little anal and clean it after every meal...But i would do that no matter what color it was. I've noticed through Houzz several complaints about theirs. But as for myself, love it and wouldn't change it out for another color.

luvmicasey When we built 6 years ago, I decided to use black galaxy granite in the kitchen and have never regretted it. We have cherry cabinets, black counter tops, stainless appliances and the back splash is an off white (to match the painted walls) with elements of charcoal to blend with the black. I love it!! It is so sleek and sophisticated. I have always been so traditional, but decided to go transitional or traditional with a twist. Our kitchen is open to the family room so we are looking at it constantly and have never tired of it. It does show finger prints but I'm a wiper anyway so that doesn't bother me. I wouldn't change a thing! I made my husband a believer...:-)

Dura Supreme Cabinetry redwildgoose - That's great! I'm glad our photography helps inspire you. I have not personally owned a soapstone countertop. I've heard both sided reviews. I believe when looking for a countertop material, first think about your cooking & kitchen cleaning style. Then look at the maintenance and cleaning requirements for each material type.

For example if you loved the look of a butcher block counter, but don’t have the cleaning patience and time, you will most likely be frustrated with your purchase choice. If you currently do a lot of cutting board cooking and have a routine with your cutting board maintenance and cleaning this choice might work wonders for you and you’ll have a positive experience with the product.

I would ask… Have you used soap stone cookware in your kitchen and if so how was it for you to keep clean? Do you currently polish your countertops on a regular basis? Are you comfortable with the Oiling process and the time it takes? Do you feel your current counter take a rough beating with scratches and dings, or are you nimble in the kitchen?

Here’s a great link about the care of Soapstone counters. If these seem like easily manageable steps, you should have no problems. But if you aren’t a “high maintenance” kind of cook and like to cut corners on your cleaning time, you may need to look at other materials.
http://www.soapstones.com/soapstone_care.html

Dura Supreme Cabinetry If you aren’t brave enough to do black throughout the entire kitchen, you could do just an island in black… I love these dark rustic kitchen islands.
Mountain Resort Kitchen 1
Mountain Resort
Mountain Resort Kitchen 2
A Decidedly Painterly Palette of Finishes 1
A Decidedly Painterly Palette of Finishes 2


Or use cabinetry with black highlights scattered throughout your kitchen…
Urban Loft Living Kitchen by Dura Supreme Cabinetry 1
Urban Loft Living Kitchen by Dura Supreme Cabinetry 2
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 1
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 2

Aquarian Renovations To lindaaimhigh: In my experience with glossy black granite, you have to MORE than clean it. Every time you damp cloth runs over it, it needs to be polished to "look" clean. I am no neat freak and I think it looks bad most of the day. Keep in mind you cannot use windex without compromising the seal on the granite so it takes special granite cleaner or some elbow grease. I love black but I would lean toward the matte finish if I were to use it again. A honed or leathered texture is both luxurious and practical and just a little bit different than what "has been" done the last 10 years. Most granite fabricators can change the finish on what they have in stock or source out other finishes.

murpet I used honed black granite because I was worried about too much glare from my big window, especially as the afternoon sun shines in onto my counters. The honed was really high maintenance to begin with, every fingerprint, watermark, grease, etc showed and couldn't just be wiped away. Had to clean the whole counter evenly. But now that it's about a year in, I don't have that problem so much as scratches showing up on the surface...I much prefer my boldly patterned grey and white shiny granite on my island. Shows nothing!!! And still looks like new.

surfor Great photos. I've read that black in the kitchen also kills the appetite...a couple of these kitchens seemed so dark that I would not want to live with them. On the other hand, the open kitchens that mixed black with woods and white/light walls were dramatic and welcoming.

Affirming Kitchen Clarity love black, and shades of, this was white oak ...we made it charcoal....then had to add the laminated glass to get some more white in, and lots of stainless.....thanks for the fun and interesting article

alibonelli For lindaaimhigh- I had my eye on a gorgeous black counter with mirrored specks in it. My kitchen guy had me pick another one at the last minute because he had a complaint about the specks actually coming out of the surface after use. I went with plain black quartz and I love it.

redwildgoose Hi dura supreme cabinets ......The Soapstone I would install is WILSONART laminate called "oiled soapstone". Completely fake! I think its laminate... ..I had wilsonart counters years ago and they were low maintenance and looked good, so I'm partial to the brand over Formica.....

Dura Supreme Cabinetry redwildgoose – You are correct. If it’s laminate, it should be easily maintainable.

tammytimamy I don't think I could live with an all black kitchen myself, but most of these are lovely. Dark walnuts etc. are pretty much just as dark as black in my opinion, and I think it 'grounds' the room if use with a lot of white or bright colours.
As for kids and dogs, don't get gloss! They will find a way of messing up everything, no matter what colour you have!

Custom Fireplace Mantels Colour choices and design are more like music. One likes this and the other that. Its verrry personal. Does not make one wrong and the other right. Whats left is the reasons people express why they like one and not the other. I came across people that dont buy houses because they could not see pass the wall colour. I did a reno to my previous (tiny) house and painted my walls hunter green. No one noticed the dark colour until I pointed it out. It worked with trim and the decor. Everyone was fine with it until they fixated on it. Those might be the same individuals that buy art to go together with the rug or the couch. And i think proper design is an art, have to be looked at as a whole and not in parts (countertop, backsplash, sink....etc). If the room makes you feel good in it, If the picture of the room makes you stop to examine it before viewing next, than there was something there for you. People did their houses from Seers catalogue before ... and there was nothing wrong with it. But if you like different than it usually takes courage and risk. Rooms with statement stick in your memory. Cant say the same about rooms pictured in Brick and Leons catalogues. Thats usually because of design and colour. And black is one of the statement colours.

tj50 If you look at black as a neutral you will be fine. You can accent it with whatever color you want. At least it is something other than beige! That color I AM tired of. I think black can make a room look larger if done properly.

esabol Question One: Are upper cabinets going out of style?

Question Two: I read the Europeans are going back to butcher block or laminate counters. Has anyone else read that?

murpet I have happily sacrificed some upper cabinets to be able to have nice big windows instead in my last 2 kitchen renos, and am planning to do the same again for my new cottage build. It really opens up the space and makes it so bright! I have been using deep drawers in the islands for my dishes. Works great!
And I am also looking at laminate for counters. There are some beautiful, realistic looking ones out there!

esabol @murpet: Yes, I agee. Kitchens without upper cabinets seem so much more open and roomy. Besides lower cabinets, I am thinking of doing some type of pantry. Actually, two. Both at the end of a long kitchen with a refrigerator in between, One pantry will be on the dishwasher side close enough that you could unload it into the panty. Right now I'm running all over the kichen to unload it. The other pantry will have food and the stove will be nearby. Now what to put on the walls?

Ana Ramirez These kitchens are super amazing!! One day I hope to afford something like that.
I will like to paint my cabinets black and change the backsplash. Any suggestions for the backsplash? I don't want to use a dark color because with the counter top it might look to busy. I will like to use for the walls Macadamia by shewing Williams. Please help!! First time I am doing a few changes in my house.