The black kitchen trend: are kitchens going over to the dark side?

Published on: https://www.dreamden.ai/ 

Anchor: switching to black kitchen cabinets

URL: https://kitchenwarehouseltd.com/kitchen-colours/black-kitchens

Image source: https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/21993773-desk-of-free-space-for-your-decoration-of-product-or-text-illustration-ai-generative

Black kitchen trend

There’s a rumour going around in the world of kitchen design that black is the new white. Some might find it hard to believe that such a trend exists, but a quick search online will reveal that black kitchens are indeed a thing, as strange as it may seem initially.

The surprise and disbelief come from the fact that white has always been the default choice for the most important kitchen components – from furniture to countertops to backsplashes – for as long as one can remember. The all-white kitchen aesthetic is considered the height of style and refinement due to its versatility and timeless appeal.

White and all the nuances on the spectrum are also associated with cleanliness, order, freshness, brightness, and having the ability to make a space seem bigger, all of which are important aspects that most people want to check off when designing their kitchen.

Therefore, going over to the dark side and switching to black kitchen cabinets all of a sudden might seem a little extreme – if not straight-out ludicrous. This raises the question: to what do we owe the popularisation of this peculiar trend, and, most importantly, are black kitchens a good idea, or is this a fleeting fad that you’re better off ignoring?

Here’s a quick look into black kitchens’ origin story and a rundown of their most notable characteristics to help you understand what’s going on and draw your own conclusions.

The beginning

Black kitchens entered the interior design scene around 2015, when designers and homeowners alike started exploring and experimenting with all sorts of black kitchen items, starting with cabinetry and countertops and working their way to other elements like floors, walls and even appliances.

It might have been that people were growing tired of all the light and bright hues that were dominating the kitchen design landscape during that time and needed something to counterbalance the trend. Some say this was part of a broader movement toward minimalist and modern spaces inspired by the growing popularity of Scandinavian interior design, which favours contrasting light and dark tones. Social media certainly played a role in it as well, as it promoted sophisticated and dramatic kitchen looks featuring predominantly black colour schemes.  

Regardless of what prompted the trend’s emergence, manufacturers took note of consumers’ increasing interest in darker hues and responded by expanding the range of black kitchen products, leading to an influx of such items on the market. Nowadays, if you want to create an all-black kitchen, you’ll be met with a wide variety of options to choose from. This has encouraged many design enthusiasts to take the leap and give black kitchens a try – and many of them have been pleasantly surprised with the results.

The case for black kitchens

Beyond product availability, there are several reasons why black kitchens have been picking up pace as an interior design style lately. People would not embrace a trend if it didn’t provide them with any real benefits. So, although black represents an unusual choice, these types of kitchens are not without their perks.

First of all, using black as the dominant colour can be a very smart choice in a space that is known to withstand intense use, which often leads to stains, scratches, grime and other forms of wear and tear. All these flaws are less visible on black surfaces, making cleaning and overall maintenance less of a hassle. 

Let’s not forget that black is also a non-colour, so many of the advantages that white kitchens boast also apply to their black counterparts. They are incredibly versatile, as they work perfectly with all design styles, pair well with other hues and kitchen components, and have a timeless quality to them, ensuring they won’t go out of style in the blink of an eye, as so many kitchen trends do. 

A lot of people find white kitchens to be a little clinical and boring. As for other colours and hues, there’s always the risk of getting tired of them, as well as the difficulty of integrating other nuances into the design. It’s highly unlikely you’ll have these issues with an all-black kitchen.

For some homeowners, it all comes down to originality and aesthetic appeal. Say what you will about black kitchens, but you can’t accuse them of being ordinary or lacking character. Quite the opposite, they are unique as the use of dark hues, and the contrast they create with other colours guarantees a strong visual impact. Black furniture, in particular, can help you achieve a striking look, bringing a bit of drama and an air of understated elegance and luxury to the space. 

The downsides

Black kitchens have a lot going for them, but as with all other trends, there are also drawbacks to consider, with the biggest one being the risk of making the space feel smaller and darker. Black hues may add a touch of refinement and sophistication, but they also absorb light and can be too intense, overpowering all the elements in the room. You should be careful when integrating dark elements into your kitchen, especially if you have limited or poorly lit space, making sure to balance the design with warm tones and lighter features.

While black kitchens are able to withstand wear and tear better, when it comes to smudges and dust, they’re a tell-all. This means you might have to wipe them clean more often, so keep that in mind if you’re a neat freak.

Moreover, since dark kitchens are not exactly mainstream and don’t appeal to everyone, they might become an impediment when trying to sell the house. Buyers who prefer lighter or neutral kitchens could shun your house for this very reason.

Black kitchens can be truly stunning, so they’ll likely become a permanent presence in interior design. But they can be equally challenging, which reassures us they won’t be taking over the design narrative and overshadowing other trends. Whether you want to create your own little (or large) black kitchen or not, make sure you do it for the right reasons and prepare thoroughly for it.