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24 Black Kitchen Cabinet Ideas For a Moody Space

by Holly Antoine | Published 10/14/23 (Updated 11/13/23)

Black kitchen cabinets might not be your first pick, but we are here to show you how they can turn your kitchen into a stylish masterpiece. When paired with the right colors and materials, black cabinets do not feel dark and foreboding but are a lavish and head-turning design alternative that you won’t regret.

Stunning contemporary black and white kitchen features a butcher block freestanding island with black backless island stools, lit by a Suzanne Kasler Morris lantern and black and white checkered kitchen floor tiles.
Photo Credit: Megan Winters – Stunning contemporary black and white kitchen features a butcher block freestanding island with black backless island stools, lit by a Suzanne Kasler Morris lantern and black and white checkered kitchen floor tiles.

While white kitchen cabinets are classic we’re ready for something a little more dramatic: black kitchen cabinets. Whether you’re color-opposed or simply trying to make do with preexisting dark cabinets, we rounded up some examples you’ll really enjoy. Trust us, you’ll want to paint it black after seeing these glam designer kitchens that embrace onyx, jet black, and licorice. Coupled with bright metals and pops of color, the darkest color on the spectrum can truly shine.

Keep reading to see how you can get in on this dark design craze.

Pick the Right Shade

If completed poorly, black kitchen cabinets can easily overpower a room. The key is choosing a tint of black that works with the space. Here, a soft tone was used to blend with the room’s refined feel, and when paired with a white island, the space doesn’t feel too dark.

Modern black and ivory kitchen boasts a faded black runner placed between a black oak island topped with an ivory marble countertop lit by white diamond pendant lights and a stainless steel oven range. The stove sits between black cabinets donning an ivory marble countertop and beneath an ivory wood paneled range hood.
Photo Credit: Collective Studio – Modern black and ivory kitchen boasts a faded black runner placed between a black oak island topped with an ivory marble countertop lit by white diamond pendant lights and a stainless steel oven range. The stove sits between black cabinets donning an ivory marble countertop and beneath an ivory wood paneled range hood.
A black pub style island sits on a black and tan rug and is paired with black oak stools. The island is positioned in front of black oak kitchen cabinets contrasted with a white countertop fixed against a black beveled subway tiled backsplash
Photo Credit: Greg Natale – A black pub style island sits on a black and tan rug and is paired with black oak stools. The island is positioned in front of black oak kitchen cabinets contrasted with a white countertop fixed against a black beveled subway tiled backsplash

Incorporate Into Any Style

Black cabinets aren’t typically the first thing that comes to mind when yearning for a farmhouse-style kitchen, but here they serve as an anchor to the white backsplash and countertops. Details, including the natural wood shelves and brass hardware, pair nicely with the dark cabinets and complete the contemporary look.

Black and white kitchen features blond floating shelves, a black hood over a white marble slab backsplash and black cabinets with brass pulls.
Photo Credit: Ashley Montgomery Design – Black and white kitchen features blond floating shelves, a black hood over a white marble slab backsplash and black cabinets with brass pulls.

Mix and Match

Unique elements combine to make a bold statement in this contemporary kitchen. The blocky, wood-tone cabinets anchor the space and allow other elements to be a bit more funky, like the large black granite island and string pendant lights.

Black center island lit by modern black and white pendants is topped with a black marble countertop paired with black leather stools. Modern brown oak perimeter cabinets are adroned with black pulls and mounted against a white and black marble slab backsplash.
Photo Credit: Kimberley Harrison – Black center island lit by modern black and white pendants is topped with a black marble countertop paired with black leather stools. Modern brown oak perimeter cabinets are adroned with black pulls and mounted against a white and black marble slab backsplash.

Open the Air

For entirely dark kitchens like this one, try keeping as open a floor plan as possible. Instead of feeling trapped and overwhelmed, an open floor plan will allow this shadowy space to feel modern and cool instead.

Beige stools complement a black and beige kitchen island fitted with stacked stainless steel dishwashers in a well-appointed modern black kitchen. Black flat front kitchen cabinets fixed against black brick backsplash tiles lit by under cabinet lighting. A camouflaged black range hood is mounted against black brick cooktop tiles over a black swing arm pot filler.
Photo Credit: Hardenburg Designs -Beige stools complement a black and beige kitchen island fitted with stacked stainless steel dishwashers in a well-appointed modern black kitchen. Black flat front kitchen cabinets fixed against black brick backsplash tiles lit by under cabinet lighting. A camouflaged black range hood is mounted against black brick cooktop tiles over a black swing arm pot filler.

Add Contrast

Black cabinets allow the stunning white marble island and backsplash to really stand out in this glamorous kitchen. The marble is the perfect contrast to the black cabinetry because it features complementary colors in the veining.

Modern spacious kitchen features a black and white kitchen islands with black leather stools, a black hood over cooktop and light brown floating shelves on black tiles.
Photo Credit: Widell Boschetti – Modern spacious kitchen features a black and white kitchen islands with black leather stools, a black hood over cooktop and light brown floating shelves on black tiles.

Incorporate a Bold Backsplash

The key to having black kitchen cabinets is in how you blend them with the rest of the room. Here, a shiny tile backsplash wraps around the entire kitchen to add some glam to the dark cabinets and complement the bold pattern floor.

Modern kitchen features a black pantry with a glass door fridge, a wooden floating shelf on glossy black square backsplash tiles, black cabinets, a stainless steel dishwasher, black shiplap ceiling and black and white mosaic pantry floor tiles.
Photo Credit: Jean Stoffer -Modern kitchen features a black pantry with a glass door fridge, a wooden floating shelf on glossy black square backsplash tiles, black cabinets, a stainless steel dishwasher, black shiplap ceiling and black and white mosaic pantry floor tiles.

Bring on the Drama

Black is a simple way to add drama to even the most traditional spaces. These dark cabinets sport a distressed look, and a few have been lightened with custom leaded glass panels, pairing nicely with the antique notes seen throughout.

Stylish contemporary black kitchen is accented with a yellow and black painted floor and glossy black cabinets donning wooden countertops and black pulls. A farmhouse sink is matched with an aged brass vintage faucet fixed to a butcher block countertop fixed against a white and black wallpapered wall.
Photo Credit: Crystal Blackshaw – Stylish contemporary black kitchen is accented with a yellow and black painted floor and glossy black cabinets donning wooden countertops and black pulls. A farmhouse sink is matched with an aged brass vintage faucet fixed to a butcher block countertop fixed against a white and black wallpapered wall.

Clean it Up

You don’t have to try too hard to have a beautiful kitchen. Just keep it clean and classic, like this black-and-white beauty. Texture and stark contrast are the names of the game for this simple space.

Gorgeous black kitchen features black shaker cabinets accented with brass pulls and holding a black marble apron sink with a brass deck mount faucet beneath a row of windows. The faucet is fixed to a black leathered marble countertop, while white and blue flower vases sit beside a glass front china cabinet.
Photo Credit: Shelter Interior Design – Gorgeous black kitchen features black shaker cabinets accented with brass pulls and holding a black marble apron sink with a brass deck mount faucet beneath a row of windows. The faucet is fixed to a black leathered marble countertop, while white and blue flower vases sit beside a glass front china cabinet.

Pair Dark Floors and Cabinets

For another dramatic look, install black flooring alongside dark cabinets. The pairing establishes the space as the heart of the home, sitting prominent and eye-catching in the center of everyday life.

Contemporary kitchen features a green and black marble waterfall island with a matte black pull out kitchen faucet, and antiqued mirrored black cabinets with modern brass pulls topped with ivory and black marble.
Photo Credit: Black Lacquer Design – Contemporary kitchen features a green and black marble waterfall island with a matte black pull out kitchen faucet, and antiqued mirrored black cabinets with modern brass pulls topped with ivory and black marble.

Dress to Impress

Pair lighter wood floors and bright countertops with striking cabinets. Darker colors don’t necessarily make the space feel smaller and can often help open the room up, as illustrated by this kitchen’s distinctive cabinetry.

Decorative surfboards hang beneath a vaulted plank ceiling and over blond wood floating shelves mounted in front of light gray glazed backsplash tiles. The shelves are fixed over black cabinets finished with a farmhouse sink and polished nickel gooseneck faucet. Black lanterns light a black island boasting cookbook shelves and a gas integrated cooktop positioned in front of brown leather woven counter stools.
Photo Credit: Anne Chessin Designs – Decorative surfboards hang beneath a vaulted plank ceiling and over blond wood floating shelves mounted in front of light gray glazed backsplash tiles. The shelves are fixed over black cabinets finished with a farmhouse sink and polished nickel gooseneck faucet. Black lanterns light a black island boasting cookbook shelves and a gas integrated cooktop positioned in front of brown leather woven counter stools.

Go Sleek + Modern

Black cabinets along all the walls make this large kitchen appear even bigger. The marble backsplash and island paired with stunning pendant lights finish off the sleek, modern look.

Kitchen features black cabinets and a brown island with brushed gold deck mount kitchen faucet with black tractor stools, lit by white and gold vintage lanterns.
Photo Credit: Light and Dwell – Kitchen features black cabinets and a brown island with brushed gold deck mount kitchen faucet with black tractor stools, lit by white and gold vintage lanterns.

Go Matte

One way to elevate your space is through the integration of matte finishes. Cabinets are often finished with a bit of a shine, but matte finishes make a different kind of statement. Pair these cabinets with additional matte stone detailing, or mix it up with shiny, coated stone countertops.

Black kitchen cabinets adorned with black knobs are accented with a butcher block countertop fixed against black shiplap trim and a beneath black shelf that wraps around to a black shiplap range hood. The range hood is mounted over a stainless steel oven range.
Photo Credit: Heidi Caillier – Black kitchen cabinets adorned with black knobs are accented with a butcher block countertop fixed against black shiplap trim and a beneath black shelf that wraps around to a black shiplap range hood. The range hood is mounted over a stainless steel oven range.

Complement Darks with Metallics

To add depth and a pop of sparkle within a darker kitchen, utilize dynamic metallic details. Whether through chair detailing, dishware on the counters or hanging light pendants, the incorporation of metallics will make your dark kitchen shine.

Black and white kitchen features brass swivel stools at a black island with gold gooseneck facuet.
Photo Credit: Micah and Co – Black and white kitchen features brass swivel stools at a black island with gold gooseneck facuet.

Reach for the Ceiling

Extend your cabinets all the way to the ceiling. They will create a new height and dimension for your space, especially if they sit in darker tones like the cabinetry pictured here. The combination of dark and light sleek lines in this kitchen also create an ultra-modern finish.

Black kitchen design features black plank cabinets with a black range hood over a black marble slab backsplash and black French stove and red brick hexagon floor tiles.
Photo Credit: Ashe Leandro – Black kitchen design features black plank cabinets with a black range hood over a black marble slab backsplash and black French stove and red brick hexagon floor tiles.

Go For an Industrial Vibe

Black and gray are the palette for this edgy kitchen, capitalizing on the mood set by modern hanging pendants and the marble backsplash. Dark cabinets ground the look, while the warm wood stools provide a beautiful contrast.

Modern kitchen design features a black oak island with black waterfall edge and wooden and metal tractor stools
Photo Credit: Cortney Bishop – Modern kitchen design features a black oak island with black waterfall edge and wooden and metal tractor stools

Make the Most of Your Pendant Lights

With a black backdrop, these pendant lights are crowning jewels in this kitchen design. Bring in gorgeous accents like these to really take your black kitchen design up a notch.

Contemporary black and white kitchen features black cabinetry with brass pulls and gold and black island stools at a marble top island lit by square crystal chandeliers.
Photo Credit: Lori Morris – Contemporary black and white kitchen features black cabinetry with brass pulls and gold and black island stools at a marble top island lit by square crystal chandeliers.

Select the Right Appliances

Rich black cabinets lined the walls of this galley kitchen, and black appliances were chosen to match the cabinetry perfectly. The black appliances create a seamless and streamlined look, bringing an upscale, luxe vibe to the space.

Stylish black kitchen boasts black cabinets donning brass knobs and holding a sink with a brass gooseneck faucet beneath glass and brass shelves.
Photo Credit: Alexandra Kaehler – Stylish black kitchen boasts black cabinets donning brass knobs and holding a sink with a brass gooseneck faucet beneath glass and brass shelves.

Try Just an Accent

Not ready to go all-in with black cabinets? Try this: a black kitchen island with a black countertop, contrasted by all-white surrounding cabinetry and countertops. This is a clever compromise to going all-black, while still incorporating an edgy accent.

Two-toned ivory and black kitchen features white diamond pendant lights hung over a black oak center island topped with an ivory marble countertop holding a sink with a matte black gooseneck faucet kit front of backless woven gray counter stools. An ivory range hood is fixed over a stainless steel range placed between black cabinets and behind a faded black runner.
Photo Credit: Collective Studio – Two-toned ivory and black kitchen features white diamond pendant lights hung over a black oak center island topped with an ivory marble countertop holding a sink with a matte black gooseneck faucet kit front of backless woven gray counter stools. An ivory range hood is fixed over a stainless steel range placed between black cabinets and behind a faded black runner.

Don’t Forget About Hardware

These black cabinets are adorned by lucite and gold hardware that ties in perfectly to the gold chandeliers located above the island. Selecting the right hardware is essential in your kitchen design, so don’t forget this critical design feature when redesigning your kitchen space.

Well-appointed kitchen boasts a gold and black faucet accenting a sink fixed to a gray marble countertop accenting a black island adorned with brass hardware and lit by two gold crystal chandeliers. A black hood with brass straps is mounted against black backsplash tiles over a gas integrated cooktop fixed to black drawers completed with brass hardware.
Photo Credit: Amy Carman – Well-appointed kitchen boasts a gold and black faucet accenting a sink fixed to a gray marble countertop accenting a black island adorned with brass hardware and lit by two gold crystal chandeliers. A black hood with brass straps is mounted against black backsplash tiles over a gas integrated cooktop fixed to black drawers completed with brass hardware.

Pair Colorful Touches

This kitchen pairs black and gold, bringing a feeling of glamour to the space. The black countertops and cabinets are brought to life by the colorful notes seen in the blush pink barstools.

Gold and black hanging shade lights illuminate a marble island top accenting a black kitchen island seating gold and blush pink stools.
Photo Credit: Studio Thomas James – Gold and black hanging shade lights illuminate a marble island top accenting a black kitchen island seating gold and blush pink stools.

Be Moody

If you’re looking for a way to bring a moody vibe to your kitchen space, look no further than black cabinetry. Here, dark cabinets bring a sleek, minimal look to the space and add a touch of drama for that wow factor.

Modern black and white kitchen features a black island fitted with a white quartz waterfall edge countertop lit by a black dome lantern hung from a ceiling finished with wood beams. Sleek black flat front cabinets are adorned with oil rubbed bronze pulls.
Photo Credit: Marea Clark Interiors – Modern black and white kitchen features a black island fitted with a white quartz waterfall edge countertop lit by a black dome lantern hung from a ceiling finished with wood beams. Sleek black flat front cabinets are adorned with oil rubbed bronze pulls.
Modern black kitchen pantry is clad in black textured backsplash tiles covering the walls and ceiling. Matte black flat front cabinets donning oil rubbed bronze pulls is topped with a black countertop holding a sink beneath a matte black gooseneck faucet positioned under a glass front cabinet.
Photo Credit: LC Interiors – Modern black kitchen pantry is clad in black textured backsplash tiles covering the walls and ceiling. Matte black flat front cabinets donning oil rubbed bronze pulls is topped with a black countertop holding a sink beneath a matte black gooseneck faucet positioned under a glass front cabinet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there any cons to black kitchen cabinets?

While they might not show them, black kitchen cabinets are very susceptible to getting scratches from fingerprints to wear and tear marks, and others. Apart from frequent cleaning, you might need to add paint coats now and then to protect your kitchen cabinets.

Black kitchen cabinets have become amazingly trendy in the last five years or so. You’ll now find these modern kitchen cabinets and all the elements that go with them in kitchens of all sizes and in various locales, from small urban spaces to large suburban homes

What are good colors to go with black kitchen cabinets?

Colors that go well with black kitchen cabinets are shades of green, blue, grays, white, and tans.
Black cabinets tend to be higher in maintenance than medium-tone cabinets or even light or white ones. The color often shows more dirt and smudges, so you might find yourself doing more cleaning and upkeep. This can be especially true if you have a full house and a lot of foot traffic in your kitchen.
If you’re going with dark cabinets, you’ll want to install hardwood flooring that’s 1 to 2 shades lighter than the cabinetry. This will bring some light into the room without totally overwhelming the space. Typically, gray and white hardwood goes best with dark blue, green, and black cabinets.

If you love these dark and moody cabinets, here are some more kitchens that you may enjoy:

Holly Antoine

Holly Antoine is a Home, Lifestyle and DIY content creator. After leaving behind an 11-year career in the dental field to pursue her passion for design and decor, she developed her own branded site, HollyGrace.ca, where she shares her love of home design, decor, DIYs and inspires others to get creative and build[...]

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