13 Stunning Dark Kitchen Cabinet Ideas
Updated: Oct. 20, 2023
For the better part of the last decade, homeowners, decorators and builders alike have transformed kitchens with the popular Tuscan aesthetic of the early '00s, that featured dark wood cabinetry, to a cleaner, serene farmhouse or Scandinavian style with white cabinetry and tone-matching backsplash tile. Well, sorry to be the messenger of "that's so last season" but white and bright kitchen cabinetry is now phasing out as dark greys, blues and greens are phasing in. Start picturing the heart of your home in a new way with one of these dark kitchen cabinet ideas.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of the Dark Side
The pendulum has officially swung from light cabinets to darker ones. Hues as deep as black are becoming more popular in kitchens because they provide more depth than an all-white kitchen. Without enough contrast in the kitchen, white kitchens can feel dull and even lifeless… enter the darker tones to bring some vitality and energy to the design. The jury is still out if darker cabinets are easier to clean but anyone with white cabinets can tell you: they aren’t so easy to keep spotless.
Be sure to have enough natural light in your kitchen, however, or your kitchen could start to feel a bit like a dungeon! Look to your current doors and windows as opportunities to bring in more natural light.
Feeling Blues
Blue cabinets are one of the most favored colors on the darker side of the paint palette. Depending on what you’re going for, your kitchen can have a soothing Southwestern, French or seaside feel without the nautical craze of years past. This particular shade draws an intense richness from the copper backsplash tile. If you want to paint your own cabinets from white to blue, then follow this how-to guide.
It’s Easy Being Green
Blue’s younger cousin green is increasing in popularity, but not quite at the same pace. Yet. Emerald tones are covering plenty of new and remodeled kitchens now, which provides a beautiful opportunity to get the bright copper or gold hardware you’ve always wanted.
Dark and Stormy
Gray tones have become the new neutral in recent years, but in the kitchen, that gray has stayed closer to the silver side. Now, stormier and ashier grays are being favored. They’re a perfect combination: they have the calm of a neutral tone but the liveliness of a bold one. And, it’s easy to put your DIY skills to work by adding fun decor in a complementary accent color.
Mix and Match
Mix and match is all the rage all over the house. Now it’s more on trend to mix and match paint colors, materials and finishes. The different styles of cabinets pictured here come across as sophisticated, clean and elegant. If sophistication isn’t your taste in the kitchen, then change it up. For example, you could combine a cobalt blue with a deep wood tone to create a rustic, yet modern, vibe. Keep your eyes on the future by perusing these home tech tools that all DIYers love.
Draw Attention to Open Shelves
Nothing opens up a space quite like open shelving. Over the past few years, open shelves have become a popular way to increase ease in the kitchen and display dishware or mason jars filled with an array of cooking staples. Dark cabinets paired with a clean white subway tile do an excellent job showcasing the quality of the shelf and the items that adorn it. Be sure your open shelves look like the ones in professional photos with these tips.
When you install subway tile for the first time, know the dos and don’ts.
The New Perfect Match for Butcher Block
Butcher block countertops look beautiful against any shade of cabinet, especially these smoky gray ones. The combination of warm and cool tones makes for a perfectly balanced spot to cook your perfectly balanced meals! While butcher block countertops are staying around, granite is making its way out. Stay up on all the trending kitchen countertop ideas.
Still undecided about what kind of countertop you want? Check out these pros and cons.
Sleek and Modern
While minamalism might be phasing out on a large scale for all home interior design, you can’t deny the sleek effect that these black cabinets give. In a way, this kitchen design turns the dial up on the dark cabinetry trend by adding darker walls. For those who love the modern look, don’t worry, your favorite style isn’t completely going away! However, be wary of the McModern trend.
Pantone Radiant
Countless combinations exist for color matching and where better to exemplify that truth than in your cabinets themselves. This kitchen takes the basic two-toned mix-and-match to a whole new level. Very subtly, a unique rainbow of cabinet colors can become a conversation piece. It’s quite a creative way to sneak more color into your home.
Thoroughly prepare to install your cabinets like a pro with these helpful tips.
Dark Wood for the Color Averse
Sure, painted cabinets may look nice, but if you’re one of those people who can’t part with a natural wood tone, you’re not alone. Plenty of folks want to stick with the wooden aesthetic of traditional cabinets. Steer clear of golden and honey oaks of yore and you should be all set! Breath a sigh of gratitude that these other trends of yore are not coming back.
If your trusty cabinets start falling apart, try one of these DIY fixes.
Get Artistic by Going Custom
As more young homeowners either build or remodel kitchens, they’re looking to do what they’ve done their whole lives: customize. By choosing a shade of paint for their cabinets, they can create a kitchen they know will be entirely different from everyone else and it will reflect their personal style. These multi-toned green cabinets paired with a beautiful and bold stone backsplash showcase the homeowner’s artistic taste. Be sure to follow these clever shortcuts for custom built-in cabinets.
Blue in the Mind of Julia Child
If you were to imagine Julia Child cooking in an idyllic French countryside kitchen, then this might be it. We had to include two blue-colored cabinet ideas because it’s just too difficult to try to illustrate the blue cabinet trend with one photo.
Draw Focus to the Island
Color popping islands are a great way to test if you truly like a dark cabinet color… although our guess is that you’ll love it so much, you might go to bed dreaming of a kitchen done entirely in darker colors. When you imagine your perfect island, keep these 12 beauties in mind.
Originally Published: July 14, 2021
