How to Create a Stylish Dark Kitchen

Published on 15 Jan 2020

Dark kitchens are considered a brave choice among many, but it looks like they’re going to be at the forefront of kitchen design in 2020.

Light and airy white kitchens will always be popular, but we're seeing more and more people opting for dark kitchens.

Why you say? Well, dark shades can make a kitchen look warm and cosy or create an alluring, intense aesthetic, but due to the intensity and complexity of the colours involved, dark kitchen's are not easy to pull off.

Whether you want to make a bold statement with completely black cabinetry or just want to add some dark design features to your kitchen, these tips will help along your way to creating a dark kitchen design that suits your style. Here are some things to consider when planning a dark kitchen...

Natural Lighting

Dark kitchen featuring kitchen island

The first and arguably most important thing to consider is natural lighting. Natural lighting is your best friend when it comes to dark kitchen designs. Darker shades naturally absorb more light and your dark kitchen may end up looking small and gloomy without enough natural light available, but with good lighting, it can make a real showstopper. There are other ways you can add more light to your kitchen which we'll get onto later...

Open Shelving

Open shelving in a modern dark kitchen

Open shelving is a great way to ensure that your dark kitchen doesn’t feel small and cramped. Exposed shelves open up the space and allow your space to breathe as they don’t take up as much room as cabinets. Open shelving also gives you a chance to make your kitchen unique and introduce new colours that complement the colours of your cabinetry.

Create a central focus kitchen island

Large kitchen island in a modern dark kitchen

Central kitchen islands are perfect for dark kitchen designs as they allow you to introduce a different colour or material in a large area of space. This helps break up the space and is a great opportunity to make a bold design statement.

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights in a dark kitchen

Not only do they make a beautiful design feature, pendant lights are a great way to illuminate areas that need more light. Pendant lights also allow you bring light closer down than the ceiling and are great for accent lighting as you can choose areas which require more light. Make sure you choose pendant lights with colours that complement the dark shades in your kitchen.

Balance dark shades with light and metallic colours

Brass handles and tap in a dark shaker kitchen

Both natural and artificial light will bounce off metallic details across the room. There are plenty of opportunities to incorporate metallic features in your kitchen. You could opt for a metallic sink, taps, kettle, handles, pendant lights or appliances. If you have open shelves, why not make the most of them and add display some copper pots – this will definitely add some character.

Alternatively, you could incorporate brighter colours that complement the rest of the room. You could compliment dark cabinets with a lighter, accented splashback. Gloss finishes are also great for getting that extra light reflecting around the room.

Natural wood tones

Gloss dark kitchen in Surrey

Natural wood tones and dark shades truly are a match made in heaven. This kitchen embraces the wood features that have been bestowed on the house and incorporates wood open shelving bring warmth to the space.

Mirrors

Mirror splashback in a dark kitchen

Mirrors are a perfect addition to a dark kitchen. Mirrors are a simple but effective way to make a kitchen seem bigger as they create the illusion of more space. Light also bounces off their reflective surface which will boost the brightness of your kitchen.

Try other dark colours

Dark blue kitchen in Cardiff

Other deep dark colours can still create a stylish, luxe look if you’re not a fan of black and grey. Alternative shades like our Hunter Green or Oxford Blue are a perfect way to express your individuality and add a show-stopping feature to your home. We love how natural wood tones like our Portland Oak and Madoc Broder Oak complement these gorgeous dark shades.

So, will you be joining the dark side?

Our experienced, dedicated designers are equipped with the knowledge to help you create a dark kitchen that meets your budget, taste and requirements. View our FREE brochures find your inspiration, or book your free, no-obligation design appointment.