7 Ways to Pair Dark Kitchen Cabinets With Dark Benchtops

Dare to dive into the deep for a dark, sophisticated style in your kitchen

Amanda Pollard 19 July 2019

Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.

Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More

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We often assume that dark kitchen cabinets need lightening up with pale benchtops, or vice versa, but in fact a double-dark design can look dramatically stylish. Check out how these kitchens use dark cabinets and benchtops, and see whether the look could work in your home.

Chantel Elshout Studio

1. Highlight with white
If you’re doubling down on deep tones in your kitchen, it’s a good idea to include a few paler colours as well to help ensure that there’s enough illumination for cooking and to really showcase the darker elements.

In this kitchen, a couple of white cabinets contrast with the dark cabinets and benchtops. The white walls and LED lighting add to the bright feel in the paler section, helping frame the stylish black granite benchtops and the dark timber veneer on the cabinets.

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Outpost London

2. Feature the combination on the island
If you’re nervous about using too many dark surfaces in your kitchen, try the look in just one area. These homeowners chose a thin black benchtop for the island and a lighter timber surface along the wall.

The light benchtop blends in with the white walls and the pale timber floor, while the dark benchtop helps the kitchen island stand out.

JamesFurniture

3. Mix benchtop materials
For added interest, combine different types of dark benchtop materials. On this kitchen island, a ceramic surface with a mottled finish complements the black walnut along the side that forms the breakfast bar.

To make the mix of materials work, the designers stuck to plain flat-front cabinets in matt charcoal.

Absolute Architecture

4. Simplify for an uncluttered look
In this kitchen, it’s almost as if the benchtops are part of the cabinets. The deep grey doors merge into the slim expanse of work surface along the top.

This streamlined design helps create an uncluttered feel in the open-plan room.

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Boldfort

5. Add some bling
For a really dramatic look, try teaming deep-toned benchtops with dark metallic cabinets. The gleaming patinated metal adds luxurious interest to this kitchen. An extra-thick work surface provides even more bold personality, but the dark tones maintain the elegant feel.

deVOL Kitchens

6. Soften with white marble
Dark tones can give a room a chic understated look, but if you’re worried that they may be too harsh, there are ways to soften things up. Take this elegant space, for example: the Carrara marble splashback is just what’s needed to add a brighter layer to the deep-hued kitchen cabinetry and the Belgian blue limestone benchtop.

The gentle grey veining in the marble gives the walls a texture that contrasts with the flat finish on the cabinetry.

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Sustainable Kitchens

7. Make it cohesive
Create a balance between the cabinets and the benchtops by choosing a unifying element. Here the designers opted for black cabinet knobs, which match the black benchtop.

By using the same black tone in a detail on the cabinets, they created a space that feels harmonious and considered.

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