Choosing the right color schemes for kitchens with dark cabinets can significantly impact your space’s overall look and feel.
The color scheme you select sets the vibe: you can opt for deeper hues to create a cozy atmosphere, choose lighter tones to provide contrast and enhance brightness, and personalize the space with unique and unexpected elements. If you’re tasked with selecting the perfect color schemes for kitchens with dark cabinets, these 10 tips will certainly help.
Tip 1: Light and Neutral Wall Colors
When selecting wall colors for dark cabinets, one practical approach is to brighten up the space with white, beige, or light gray, as they create visual contrast. This enhances the overall aesthetic and allows more light into the room, making it feel more open and less confined. It also creates a sense of depth.
Think About Tone
For example, if you have cool-toned dark gray kitchen cabinets, pair them with a light gray or white wall color. Conversely, warm, rich browns work great with beige and off-white shades. This approach will ultimately give the room a high-end feel.
A kitchen features dark gray cabinets that contrast elegantly with off-white walls and a light gray backsplash, creating a sophisticated and modern aesthetic – Image: Jose’s Kitchen
Consider Flow
Sometimes, considerations must extend beyond the kitchen itself, especially if your home has an open-concept layout or the kitchen flows into another space, such as a dining room. In these cases, the color scheme in your kitchen should complement the connecting room(s).
The Open Concept of Blending Kitchens and Living Rooms – Image: Wilson’s kitchen
Do a Paint Test
Paint tests are great because they allow you to see the paint color in the space where it’s intended to go. You can evaluate its appearance in different lighting conditions, such as natural sunlight during the day and artificial lighting at night.
Tip 2: Contrasting Countertops
Light countertops add contrast and visual interest to kitchens that have dark cabinets, effectively establishing a cohesive color scheme. Unlike wall colors, which introduce another hue to the space, countertops bring in a different material, adding visual depth.
Fossil Nuovo cabinets ground this kitchen, while a light wall color and countertop choices tie the look together.
Tip 3: Bright and Warm Backsplashes
Consider a bright, warm backsplash when choosing the color schemes for kitchens with dark cabinets. In addition to brightness and warmth, it introduces a thoughtful design element. Take our nano-crystallized materials, for example. This light-colored quartzite features warm tones that are versatile enough to pair with any of our dark cabinet options.
Image: Phuong’s kitchen
Alternatively, you might choose a more striking choice which is still on the lighter side with warmer tones but features dark amphibole (black specks), making it an excellent fit for kitchens with dark cabinetry.
Whatever you choose, here are a few general guidelines to keep in mind during the selection process:
- Coordinate with other kitchen elements: Doing so establishes cohesion.
- Choose materials wisely: Stone adds classic elegance to the space but requires more maintenance. Engineered options offer a similar look but are easier to maintain and come at a lower price point.
- Obtain samples and test: It’s hard to decide without samples in front of you. Due to screen display differences, it can make it difficult to accurately assess colors online.
Bright white walls and countertops distribute lots of light into the space, making the rich, deep cabinet color a focal point. Image: Tuan’s Kitchen
Tip 4: Incorporating Metallic Accents
Add elegance with metallics like stainless steel, gold, or brass, which will develop a beautiful patina over time. There’s something about the combination of metal and dark colors that works beautifully together. The most obvious way to incorporate metallic accents is through hardware, specifically handles and drawer pulls. That said, metallic touches can be as simple as your appliances (stainless steel instantly makes a kitchen look expensive) or fun pieces of décor ranging from clocks to a vase you place at the center of your kitchen island. To keep the look cohesive and stylish, avoid mixing your metals, as it will create more chaos rather than the desired serenity.
Tip 5: Maximizing Natural Light
The easiest way to let light into your kitchen is with sheer window treatments. Blinds are also a great option as they allow control over how much light is let in.
Those undertaking a more extensive remodel may decide to replace windows, add windows, or even install a skylight. However, it can be as simple as choosing the right paint color and countertops. Using a light-reflecting color can help more light fill the space. Additionally, mirrors and reflective surfaces can amplify this feature. as well as make your kitchen appear more spacious.
Letting light into your kitchen – Image: Kyle’s kitchen
Tip 6: Adding Pops of Color
Add accent walls to liven up the kitchen, or incorporate colorful pieces like window treatments or small countertop appliances; a bright coffee maker or toaster can also look amazing! Whatever you choose, turquoise, yellow, and red are a few of the best accent colors to enhance color schemes that are best with kitchens with dark cabinets because they energize the space without overwhelming it.
The yellow brings this space to life – Image: Christina’s Kitchen
Tip 7: Blending with Wood Tones
Mixing dark cabinets with natural wood creates harmony by grounding the space. You can opt for a more literal approach with wood flooring or a more subtle approach with shelves (floating shelves are always a great choice) and furniture pieces like counter stools. And don’t shy away from incorporating texture, as it adds character.
Tip 8: Choosing the Right Flooring
Light hardwoods and tiles are excellent options when choosing flooring to complement dark cabinets. They provide a striking contrast, brighten the space, and make the room more open and inviting.
Whatever material you decide, ensure the flooring you pick is resistant to scratches and stains to maintain its appearance over time. Furthermore, select a finish/color that complements the overall aesthetic of your kitchen for a cohesive look.
Image: Dean’s Kitchen
Tip 9: Bringing in Greenery and Natural Elements
Image: Michael’s Kitchen
Bring nature indoors with houseplants to make the space livelier. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can add low-maintenance plants (like succulents and air plants). Never underestimate the power of green because it will enhance any color scheme. Go simple with a windowsill herb garden or try a pothos (they quickly adapt to different lighting conditions). It’s also worth knowing that spider plants don’t need direct sunlight, and snake plants significantly improve indoor air quality.
Tip 10: Adding Personal Touches
Image: Phuong’s Kitchen
Lastly, when choosing color schemes for kitchens with dark cabinets, don’t forget to add personal touches to make the space truly yours. These should complement the color scheme while bringing your personality into the space. Artwork, family photos, handmade pottery, and those vintage spice tins you’ve collected over the years are all excellent options. Unique fixtures, whether for lighting or water, are also worth considering. 405 Cabinets & Stone can help you customize your space by organizing your ideas and, most importantly, streamlining a layout to create your dream kitchen.
At 405 Cabinets & Stone, we offer expert help and high-quality products to bring your vision to life. Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you design your dream kitchen.
