Black Kitchen Cabinets: The One Color That Fits Most

I was trying to decide if black is the new white (because all-white kitchens have been a thing for a while now) or if black is the new black (because black is timeless and classic), but I’m afraid I only ended up confusing myself when it comes to black kitchen cabinets.

That’s right. Black kitchen cabinets. They’re a thing and not a rare or exclusive thing, either.

Things to know about black color

Black is one of the basic colors that are important to the interior design and overall palette. It’s neutral, the same as white and gray. These nuances are highly versatile and used in many different ways. Black in particular, is a powerful color that can be subtle when needed and can also make a statement.

Black is known for elegance and sophistication, which you can use to create gorgeous interior designs. However, if you’re not careful, an interior based on black can end up looking dark and feeling gloomy. Balance is thus essential when decorating with black.

It’s more enticing to use black as an accent color simply because it goes well with everything. It’s also straightforward and robust, contrasting with many other colors. Using black in large quantities can also look beautiful when done right.

Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets Black

Are you ready to resurface your cabinets and paint them black?

Whether you’re on a budget or trying to pair it with white, black cabinets can look great in a kitchen. 

The Best Way to Paint Cabinets

1. First, you need to remove the kitchen cabinets and their hardware.
2. Then give your cabinets is quick scrub and wipe down to make sure they’re clean.
3. Next, go ahead and start sanding the cabinets until they’re smooth.
4. Apply the primer to all sides of the cabinets and dry overnight.
5. Then, paint the interior of the cabinets before you paint the exterior. 
6. Let them fully dry overnight again.
7. Check to see if you need to apply a second coat.
8. If not, reapply the cabinet’s hardware and secure your cabinets. 

Sanding and high-quality paint will ensure you get a nice smooth finish on your black kitchen cabinets. 

Black cabinets are showing up all over the place, in every style and size of kitchen – contemporary, sure, but also country and traditional and tiny and galley and… the list goes on. Do you think you could love black kitchen cabinets? We think so!

A Mix of Old & New.

Paired with this antique-inspired green kitchen buffet, the modern feel of black kitchen cabinetry is softened just enough. {found on tessfine}.

Natural Light as Balancing Feature.

Kitchens, where natural light is abundant, are the envy of all kitchens everywhere. Using black kitchen cabinetry to contrast with that light provides a fresh spin. (And we love the pairing with clean, crisp-white drum shades.)

Farmhouse Black Kitchen Cabinets

Talk about inspiration for a farmhouse kitchen. The white backsplash and colored cement floor bring so much space into this kitchen. The tall black pantry cabinet a drawers just go to show that you can use black cabinets in almost any kitchen.

Black in Small Spaces.

As the ultimate dark color, black isn’t necessarily confined to large spaces. This tiny kitchen looks chic and modern with its black flat-front cabinetry.{found on creative}.

Black, White, and Hints of Red.

This classic color combination goes delightfully right in this cute kitchen, complete with black kitchen cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, and checkered dish towels.

Traditional Black Kitchen Cabinets.

Black cabinets may not be the first thing you think of when you think “traditional kitchen,” but the warmth of the wood tones and earthy hues paired with the distressed black cabinets here balances everything out nicely.{found on kitchendesigns}.

Black Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

These may not be black cabinets, but this kitchen is full of black hardware highlights. There’s black accents all over from the kitchen cabinet handles to the black countertops. This kitchen is inspiring if you don’t want black kitchen cabinets, but you still want to use black in your kitchen.

Black and Butcher Block.

The starkness of the black kitchen cabinetry here is softened significantly by a medium-stained butcher block countertop. A spring green backsplash color adds to the natural vibe.{found on apartmenttherapy}.

Galley Kitchen Cabinets.

Simple, clean-lined black kitchen cabinets in a galley-style kitchen provide a nice framing element to the beautiful stainless steel range at the end of the kitchen.{found on architectus}.

Black Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Black and white beauty all around in this kitchen. There’s a combination of white cabinets with black doors, which really stands out. The black kitchen table, stove hood, and decorations make for an intricate kitchen display.

Black Cabinets with Gold Hardware.

Is there a more luxe or sophisticated combination than black with gold? In an otherwise simple kitchen, black provides the perfect background to these glimmers of gold.

Black and White Kitchen Cabinets

What a unique way to display black in your kitchen with black handles on the white cabinets above the counters. And there’s all-black cabinets below the counters. A very simple way to integrate black and create dimension in your kitchen.

Black and Marble.

A geometric black-and-white backsplash provides a great cohesive element for and visual transition from the darkness of black kitchen cabinets to the lightness of Carrera marble countertops.{found on jewettfarms}.

Glossy Black All Around.

Integrated into the glossy black cabinets of this dream kitchen are glossy black appliances, and the streamlined look could not look more sleek and chic. Keeping the crown molding black as well is a stroke of design genius.

White Kitchen Cabinets with Black Appliances

If you’re looking for a touch of black in your kitchen, you can always go with black appliances. They really stand out against the white cabinets and don’t add an overwhelming amount of black into the space.

Black Cabinets with White Island.

Often designed in reverse, with pale kitchen cabinetry and a darker kitchen island, this setup is unique, eye-catching, and memorable, not only for its color scheme but also the fabulous traditional details.

Classic Black and White.

A 50/50 split of black and white in this kitchen space results in a gorgeous, timeless look. Black kitchen cabinets showcase beautiful chandeliers and balance the dark floors in the space.

Black Lowers.

If a corner kitchen is small enough that all-black kitchen cabinetry seems like it would overwhelm, consider incorporating black cabinets on the lowers and leaving the uppers white. Combine this with a checkerboard floor, and you’ve got a winning traditional-meets-modern combination.

Black Cabinets with Colored Lighting.

Just as white kitchen cabinets are versatile as far as color accents go, so, too, are black kitchen cabinets. They provide a bold neutral base against which colors (like these orange blown glass pendants) can shine.

Black Kitchen Island.

It’s not a new trick – contrasting the color of your kitchen island with the rest of your kitchen cabinetry. But when that contrast is as dramatic as black-and-white, you’ve got yourself a real stunner of a focal point.

All-Black Kitchen Cabinets

This is a timeless kitchen with its all-black cabinets. If you’re going for a primarily black kitchen, this is an excellent example of black and using it in this space.

Rustic + Black.

The rustic appeal and warmth of grainy wood surfaces, whether they be floors, countertops, shelves, or ceiling beams (or, in this case, all of the above) is absolutely stunning when juxtaposed with black kitchen cabinets.

Black with Glass.

As the ultimate color-absorbing color, it’s interesting to note (and makes sense) that black both is enhanced by and enhances light-reflecting surfaces. Loads of glass in this kitchen make the black kitchen cabinetry an obvious, and gorgeous, choice.

Matte Black Kitchen Cabinets

Matte black cabinets are seamless with no visible hardware or handles. The black cabinets paired with the wood and white give this kitchen and elegant and sleek modern look.

Black Cabinets with Colorful Rug.

Not every component of a kitchen is permanent, so to speak. A colorful rug, like this Oriental rug in deep reds you see here, provides a nice pattern and visual break from the chunk-o’-color that is the black cabinets.

Black Cabinets with Soffits.

Extend the drama of your black kitchen cabinets by painting the soffits (and molding, if applicable) the same color. Floor-to-ceiling impact is stunning.{found on fabulousbydesignblog}.

Wood Cabinets with Black Countertops 

And, just to get you all confused…how about the inverse image of black kitchen cabinets? It’s enticing to use black as an accent color simply because it goes well with everything. It’s also very simple and strong and it nicely contrasts with wood. 

Contemporary Kitchen in Black

As you’ve clearly seen, black is a color that suits modern and contemporary kitchens really well. Of course, that doesn’t mean it can’t also be used in combination with other styles. This rustic kitchen has black cabinets at the top and the bottom with a nice distressed finish, glass panel doors and elegant metal hardware. In contrast, the countertop and backsplash are made of wood.

Minimalist All-Black Kitchen

This is an all-black kitchen which contrary to what one might expect doesn’t look or feel very dark. The fact that the ceiling is white definitely helps to balance out the décor.

Also, the space has large windows, elegant white curtains and a direct connection to the outdoors. What also plays an important role here is the lighting. Warm LED lights illuminate the countertop and a set of minimalistic lamps brighten up the area around the island. This is an interior designed by studio Cielo.

Wood Backsplash and Storage

A beautiful way to prevent black kitchen cabinets from overpowering the space is by adding wood to the design. This warm and natural material contrasts with the black in a very pleasant way. Here it was used to create a stylish accent wall with floating shelves. The backsplash is seamlessly made a part of the wall itself. This is a kitchen by Leicht Westchester-Greenwich.

Go With an Industrial Kitchen

This industrial-style kitchen designed by Nina Williams Interiors also makes use of black as its primary color. All the cabinetry including the island are black which adds a strong vibe to the décor and allows the brick accent wall and the wooden countertop to stand out more. The metal pipe and wood shelves bridge the gap between these elements really well.

Black Kitchen Cabinets with Gold Handles

Contemporary kitchens and black cabinets go hand in hand as you can expect from such a simple and versatile color. Studio Hurst complemented the large black units with a beautiful white marble backsplash and also used this material for the island top. Another noticeable detail is the use of golden metal accents to highlight the elegance of all the materials and colors involved.

Small Black Kitchen Cabinets

If you have a small kitchen and compact space, black cabinets can add space and dimension to the look of your kitchen. The use of white and wood brings this space to life and maximizes the area’s size.

All Natural Lighting

As mentioned before, too much black can make a space feel dark. To make up for that, studio Renovation Design Group gave this kitchen lots of natural and artificial lighting. The cabinetry is all concentrated on one wall, creating a bit unit with very simple and clean lines. The style is obviously industrial, hence the ceiling design.

Black Kitchen Cabinets FAQ

Are Black Kitchen Cabinets a Bad Idea?

Darker cabinets give the feeling of luxury and depth to a kitchen. So, if you’re going for a more sophisticated look in your kitchen, black is a good idea.

However, black cabinets might make the space look more cramped if you have a smaller kitchen. And poor lighting can contribute to a gloomy space. Use your best judgment based on your area, lighting, and what you’re going for in your kitchen.

Are Black Kitchen Cabinets in Style?

Black cabinets have become increasingly popular over the last few years. And they’re still trending.

Black is a beautiful, classic color to use and could make for an excellent addition to your kitchen. 

How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets

Organizing your kitchen can feel amazing. You know where everything is, and there’s no clutter. 

You can use the following steps to organize your kitchen cabinets:

1. Take everything out of your cabinets so you can sort through the items on the counter.
2. Then, wipe down your cabinets with an all-purpose cleaner.
3. Once everything is out of your cabinets, decide what items to keep and what you’ll get rid of.
4. Next, decide what items make sense to put in each cabinet – pots and pans near the stove.
5. Then, to make the best use of your cabinet space, fit the items into appropriate size cupboards – big bowls and equipment in spacious cabinets.
6. Finally, stack what kitchenware you can – pots, bowls, pans, etc.

Once you organize the kitchen, it’s easier to keep it clean and tidy. 

Can You Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

If you can sand the surface of your cabinets, then you can definitely paint them. It’s best to use high quality paint and choose a paint that’ll bind to your cabinet’s material. And it’s recommended to use acrylic paint because it’s easier to clean than latex paint. 

How to Get a Smooth Finish When Painting Kitchen Cabinets

The best way to get a smooth finish on your kitchen cabinets is to do the prep work and use high quality paint.

Here are a few tips to get a smooth finish on your kitchen cabinets:

• Sand before you paint.
• Use a good primer.
• If available, use a paint sprayer.
• Paint with high quality paint brushes and rollers.
• Paint the final coat with a roller.

These tips should help you get a smooth finish on your kitchen cabinets.

How Much do New Kitchen Cabinets Cost?

New kitchen cabinets can be an expensive endeavor. It can be cheaper if you do it yourself. But having cabinets installed can add up quickly.

For fewer design options and stock cabinets, it’s around 50 to 100 dollars per linear foot if you do it yourself. And about 100 to 300 dollars if you get them installed.

Custom cabinets will run you 300 to 750 dollars per linear foot if you do it yourself. And 500 to 1,200 if you get the cabinets installed.

And prices will also range depending on if you use plywood cabinets or solid wood cabinets.

How to Clean Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets

Grease on your kitchen cabinets is the worst. One of the best ways to remove the grease is with this eco-friendly grease remover solution:

• One part baking soda
• Two parts warm water
• Juice from half a lemon

Combine these ingredients in a spray bottle, spray your cabinets, and let the solution soak for 3 to 5 minutes. 

Then you can use a soft kitchen sponge to scrub the grease away.

How to Update Your Kitchen Cabinets

If you want to update your kitchen cabinets without removing them or doing a complete remodel, here are some ideas:

• Use wallpaper on the outside or the inside of your cabinets – it’s affordable and can be easy to remove if you’re in a rental.
• Change out your handles – it’s affordable and can quickly bedazzle your cabinets.
• Remove the doors for open shelving.
• Brighten your space with lighting under the cabinets.
• Replace glass cabinets with metal grates.

Sometimes it’s easier to reface rather than replace. 

Black Kitchen Cabinets Are Versatile and Bold

Black is an essential color for interior design. It’s highly versatile and is a powerful color that can make a bold statement or have a subtle appearance in the background. Add black kitchen cabinets if you want to enhance your kitchen with elegance and sophistication.

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