Foolproof Kitchen Colour Combo: Black and White
Chic monochrome suits every style of kitchen, as these up-to-the-minute showstoppers demonstrate
While we’re all up to speed on the benefits of black and white bathrooms, did you know that monochrome kitchens are just as reliably chic in every period of home? From minuscule galley kitchens to large, open-plan family rooms, black and white is unavoidably clean-cut, fresh and uplifting, not just for the ultra-modernists among us but for those with more classic tastes. Here are 10 design ideas to inspire.
Play around with texture
If plain monochrome is too flat for your design personality, throw in a hint of pattern (still sticking to the black and white theme) and even the plainest scheme can suddenly spark to life. There’s a real elegance to this kitchen thanks to the textural light shades and lacy wall panels adding depth and interest.
If plain monochrome is too flat for your design personality, throw in a hint of pattern (still sticking to the black and white theme) and even the plainest scheme can suddenly spark to life. There’s a real elegance to this kitchen thanks to the textural light shades and lacy wall panels adding depth and interest.
Block it out
For modern apartments and studio apartments, you can’t go wrong with an ultra-modern gloss kitchen in striking black and white. Use white on a bank of floor-to-ceiling cupboards so your storage melds into the background, then go all out on a fabulous high-shine, monolithic black island for a jolt of glamour.
For modern apartments and studio apartments, you can’t go wrong with an ultra-modern gloss kitchen in striking black and white. Use white on a bank of floor-to-ceiling cupboards so your storage melds into the background, then go all out on a fabulous high-shine, monolithic black island for a jolt of glamour.
Fall for a family-friendly scheme
Black and white kitchens with easy-to-clean, flat fronts are a family-friendly, stalwart for sure. This classic monochrome combo is unfussy and unpretentious, and a doddle to design. Accessorise with flashes of silvery appliances and giant chalkboards to enhance the feel-good factor.
Black and white kitchens with easy-to-clean, flat fronts are a family-friendly, stalwart for sure. This classic monochrome combo is unfussy and unpretentious, and a doddle to design. Accessorise with flashes of silvery appliances and giant chalkboards to enhance the feel-good factor.
Pepper with bold colour
Of course, another great reason to plump for a black and white kitchen is that monochrome offers the perfect neutral base for sprinkling in a vivid hue. Any paint-pot bright will work wonders, such as the toning hot fuchsia, neon pink and rich purple in this scheme.
Of course, another great reason to plump for a black and white kitchen is that monochrome offers the perfect neutral base for sprinkling in a vivid hue. Any paint-pot bright will work wonders, such as the toning hot fuchsia, neon pink and rich purple in this scheme.
Accent with black
White is, without doubt, one of the most effective design devices for making a small space appear larger. This petite kitchen has undergone a wraparound white job, with rich, dark timber floors adding contrast and depth. Scatter with a few black appliances for a fresh, modern tempo.
White is, without doubt, one of the most effective design devices for making a small space appear larger. This petite kitchen has undergone a wraparound white job, with rich, dark timber floors adding contrast and depth. Scatter with a few black appliances for a fresh, modern tempo.
Streamline your kitchen
Black and white is as unfussy as it gets and ideal for all you minimalists out there. Here, the slick, regimented lines are enhanced by the handle-free cupboards and faultless monochrome colour palette (with just a sneaky hint of red to pep things up).
Black and white is as unfussy as it gets and ideal for all you minimalists out there. Here, the slick, regimented lines are enhanced by the handle-free cupboards and faultless monochrome colour palette (with just a sneaky hint of red to pep things up).
Go for a classic look
A black and white palette might naturally suit a super-modern kitchen, but it’s also the perfect colour partnership for traditional designs. White Shaker-style cupboards with black benchtops and accessories look completely at home in this traditional farmhouse kitchen amid the rustic beams and stone pavers.
A black and white palette might naturally suit a super-modern kitchen, but it’s also the perfect colour partnership for traditional designs. White Shaker-style cupboards with black benchtops and accessories look completely at home in this traditional farmhouse kitchen amid the rustic beams and stone pavers.
Blend it in
Monochrome is also a great choice for large kitchens, as it can naturally harmonise different zones with ease. The enveloping white ceiling and walls unify the kitchen and dining areas, and allow the white units to blend into the room. The scheme is anchored with low-level black units and a matching island for a highly livable, un-kitcheny look.
Monochrome is also a great choice for large kitchens, as it can naturally harmonise different zones with ease. The enveloping white ceiling and walls unify the kitchen and dining areas, and allow the white units to blend into the room. The scheme is anchored with low-level black units and a matching island for a highly livable, un-kitcheny look.
Soften the look
If a black and white scheme is too brutal and unforgiving for your design palate, there are several ways to soften the look. Paint cupboards in a matt, velvety charcoal shade rather than a high-shine jet black, and choose a beautiful Carrara marble packed with natural veining rather than stark glossy white. To finish off, swap flashy silver taps and light fittings for warm metals, such as copper.
TELL US
Are you a fan of black and white kitchens? Please share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
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Clever Corner-Cupboard Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen Renovation
How to Plan a White Kitchen That’s Anything but Boring
If a black and white scheme is too brutal and unforgiving for your design palate, there are several ways to soften the look. Paint cupboards in a matt, velvety charcoal shade rather than a high-shine jet black, and choose a beautiful Carrara marble packed with natural veining rather than stark glossy white. To finish off, swap flashy silver taps and light fittings for warm metals, such as copper.
TELL US
Are you a fan of black and white kitchens? Please share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Forget Kitchen Triangles – Work Zones Are Where It’s At
Clever Corner-Cupboard Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen Renovation
How to Plan a White Kitchen That’s Anything but Boring
Open-plan living demands an easy-on-the-eye, restful palette and there’s no denying the classic, harmonious vibe that black and white can bring. With this monochrome kitchen offering such a calm, clutter-free look, there’s plenty of scope for injecting colour, personality and print throughout the rest of the room.