20 Moody and Dramatic Dark Kitchen Cabinet Ideas (2024)

Room Design

Kitchen Design

Dark kitchen cabinets have come back into style in recent years, giving theall-white kitchena run for its money. Bold kitchens painted or stained cabinets in deep shades of black, brown, blue, green, gray and more add an element of drama. Check out these dark kitchen cabinet ideas in a range of kitchens and styles to help show you how to pull off this moody look.

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  Use Tonal Finishes

  

  Mix finishes and textures in the same color for a tonal look that feels intentional and cohesive.Ashley Montgomery Designpainted the kitchen cabinetry in this soothing space a dark chocolate shade. Charcoal gray countertops add variation, and aged brass accents add glimmers of light throughout the space.

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  Choose a White Backsplash

  

  If you're worried that dark kitchen cabinets will make your kitchen feel too dark, pair them with a white backsplash. Marie Flanigan Interiors contrasted forest green cabinetry with a gleaming white zellige tile backsplash. Shiny brass cabinet pulls add warmth and reflect light.

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  Use Under-Cabinet Lighting

  

  Install under-cabinet lighting to ensure that your countertops have enough task lighting for food prep while highlighting the beauty of dark kitchen cabinetry. Maydan Architects installed a bright strip of under-cabinet lighting that illuminates a block of black cabinetry in this Manhattan apartment, turning it into a decorative feature by day or night.
  

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  See Also

  How To Lighten Dark Wood Kitchen Cabinets (Quickly & Easily!)How to stain kitchen cabinets – an expert guideDesigners Say These 15 Color Schemes Never Fail in a Kitchen With Dark Cabinets

  Play Around With Shapes

  

  Pair dark navy and textures of bright white for a high-contrast look. House of Chais chose a nearly black shade of navy blue to highlight the decorative arched upper cabinets in this modern kitchen. The arched shape of the cabinets creates a scalloped effect that stands out against crisp white walls, a white hex tile backsplash, and white quartz countertops.

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  Choose a High-Gloss Finish

  

  Choosing a high-gloss finish will ensure that dark kitchen cabinetry will bounce light around and never feel too dark.BHDM Designchose dark gray cabinetry in a glossy finish with gold-toned brass and bronze hardware. A black herringbone tile backsplash with lighter grout completes the look.

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  Mix in Some Open Shelving

  

  Break up dark cabinetry by mixing in some open shelving that will lighten up the feel of your kitchen and create space for storing everyday essentials or displaying decor objects.Sola Kitchensadded a sleek black open shelf above the dramatic stone backsplash of this chic black-and-white kitchenstyledwith plants, objects, and art.

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  Incorporate Mixed Metals

  

  Make dark stained wood cabinetry feel modern by pairing it with mixed metals such as stainless steel and brass.Sissy + Marley Interior Designchose a rich brown stain for the floor-to-ceiling cabinets in this spacious kitchen. The cabinets add warmth to the space, while mixed metal finishes and accents add shine and contrast.

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  Try a Colorful Wood Stain

  

  Dark stained wood cabinetry doesn't have to be brown.Kate Marker Interiorsstained the acres of built-in wood cabinetry in this spacious kitchen in an unexpected dark and stormy blue that allows the wood grain to show through.

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  Choose Reeded Glass Fronts

  

  Break up a wall of dark cabinetry by installing a row of glass-front upper cabinets. Sissy + Marley Interior Design chose reeded glass doors and square aged brass cabinet pulls that pair well with gray stone finishes in the home bar area of the kitchen.

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  Mix With Light Wood

  

  Consider mixing in some natural wood cabinetry or open shelving to balance a kitchen dominated by dark cabinets. Urbanology Designs lightened up this dark green kitchen by trading painted uppers with a mix of glass-front cabinets and open shelving in the light golden wood tones.

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  Commit to an All-Over Look

  

  Embrace the darkness with all-black cabinetry and a matching backsplash.Fantastic Frankclad this Scandinavian kitchen in the same dark wood for a striking and contemporary feel. The wood grain is horizontal for cabinets, with a vertical layout for the backsplash to add some subtle variation to the all-over look. Silver cabinet pulls and plumbing fixtures keep it cool and sleek.

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  Choose Rich Jewel Tones

  

  Pair saturated jewel tones with rich stained wood for a traditional home kitchen. Studio Peake contrasted deep teal paint with clean white countertops and brass kitchen cabinet hardware to create an updated feel in this classic London kitchen.

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  Finish With Black Hardware

  

  Don't be afraid to pair black hardware with brown wood cabinetry for an understated modern feel.Erin Williamson Designinstalled flat-front dark walnut cabinetry in this bright and spaciouseat-in kitchen. It is complemented with black metal cabinet pulls and a blackened wood range hood cover. Pale walls and floors and plenty of natural light balance the moody finishes.
  

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  Go for a Two-Tone Effect

  

  Break up dark cabinets with banks of light cabinetry for a crisp two-tone effect. Interior designer Alvin Wayne mixed matte black and bright white lacquer finishes on the cabinetry and countertops in this NYC apartment kitchen to keep the small semi-open space from feeling too dark.
  

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  Keep it Traditional

  

  Dark cabinetry works well in both modern and traditional kitchens.Mary Patton Designcontrasted white walls and countertops with painted black cabinets in this traditional U-shaped kitchen. The room is framed by an aged arched brick opening, giving the space a high-contrast and updated feel while remaining classic and cozy.

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  Go Wall to Wall

  

  Add definition to a wall of cabinetry by painting it dark. Soothing dark green paint on wall-to-wall and nearly floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in this space from deVOL Kitchensadds depth to the airy space, while brass cabinet pulls add warmth and light.

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  Add Some Gloss and Sheen

  

  Usesemi-gloss paintto lend a subtle sheen to dark cabinetry.Becca Interiorschose a blackened navy blue semi-gloss paint finish for the cabinets in this Westchester, New York cottage, complemented with black countertops. The dark cabinetry contrasts with stainless steel appliances, white shiplap walls, and rustic wood floors and ceiling beams.
  

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  Try an Earth Tone

  

  Add warmth to your kitchen by painting your cabinetry in a darkerearth tone.Cathie Hong Interiorshelped define this airy open-plan midcentury modern kitchen by painting cabinets in a dark olive green. A ridged wood slat range hood adds texture to the flat front cabinetry, and the kitchen island is painted in the same hue to define the kitchen from the rest of the space.

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  Mix Charcoal and White

  

  Charcoal gray can appear black but feels softer, particularly in a room with abundant natural light. In this space fromdeVOL Kitchens, charcoal black cabinets help to ground and define the space. White subway tile with black grout and polished concrete floors add an industrial touch.

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  Vary Dark and Light Tones

  

  Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona installed sections of midnight blue cabinetry to add definition to an otherwise white kitchen.