Dark colors are making a comeback in the world of interior design. For quite a while, white kitchens with stainless steel appliances were the norm. But homeowners tired of cleaning white kitchens can finally breathe a sigh of relief. As outlined in our 2020 trends post, white and light are giving way to darker tones in the kitchen.
Light colors in the kitchen were a hot trend for many reasons. They tend to make a room feel bigger than it is and it is quite easy to create a bright and cheerful kitchen with light colors. But that doesn’t mean dark colors are necessarily bad. They have certain benefits as well.
Why dark colors?
Dark toned kitchens fit right in with farmhouse or rustic themes. They play quite well with natural wood colors like birch or maple. They are also much easier to clean than an all-white kitchen. As anyone with a white kitchen will tell you, they do look good but get messy pretty quickly when you get around to cooking.
Darker tones pair very well with metallic accents. So you can combine the current trends of dark tones and vibrant jewel colors in one stroke. Imagine a navy blue kitchen paired with rose gold faucets or black cabinets with stunning chrome or satin nickel finishes. You can also mix and match dark colors with lighter shades to provide contrast in the kitchen.
If you’re looking to revamp your kitchen space or wondering what colors to use in a brand new home, here are a few tips for you.
Black is not the only option
When people hear the word dark, black is the first word that pops up. If you love the color, there are a lot of ways to use it in the kitchen. From black accent walls to cabinet fronts, black is as versatile as it is stunning.
But black is not the only option if you want to create a dark-toned and cozy kitchen. Dark shades are almost always rich and vibrant. They can make a room look luxurious without much effort. So consider other shades like a deep navy blue, forest green, maroon, and darker greys.
Pair these rich colors with neutrals or white accents so you don’t end up with a gloomy space. You can also use pastel shades like lavender or yellow for a nice contrast.
Accent Walls
You may not always want dark colors everywhere in the room. If you’re hesitant about painting all 4 walls in a deep green, pick one as a focus or accent wall. It can serve as a nice contrast to the lighter shades on the other 3 sides.
You can dress up the accent wall with other decor ideas as well. Take a look at the architectural elements in the kitchen. Older homes tend to have oddly shaped walls or unused and hidden corners. Use them to your advantage when deciding on an accent wall.
Cabinets and shelves
Another way to incorporate dark colors in the kitchen is with the cabinets and shelves. Deep blue or reddish-brown cabinets are beautiful colors to work with. Use them with white or light countertops for the perfect combination of light and dark. You can still use a dark paint on the walls or go with lighter shades.
If you think dark cabinets are too overwhelming for your kitchen, you can try to open up the room with glass doors (transparent or translucent). Alternating opaque and see-through cabinet fronts allow you to display or hide your dishes as you see fit. Another great addition is open shelving. A few on either side of the sink or a window can work well as a space to display knick-knacks or potted plants and herbs.
Accent pieces
What if your kitchen is light and airy but you still want to use some dark colors without a complete remodel? One easy way to do this is with accent items. Consider things like window treatments, backsplash, sinks, and faucets around the room that you could replace. You might just find those things need replacing or updates anyway.
Choose to coordinate the smaller items like the sink and faucet in the same finish. You can also match them with different shades of the same color around the kitchen. Dark blues and greens pair nicely with white walls, so you can use them for the curtains or create a patterned backsplash.
Contrast is your friend when it comes to decorating, so mix and match different shades to suit your kitchen. Working with dark colors can feel daunting but a little bit of imagination goes a long way when using these shades. Whether it’s a full-fledged renovation or a small change, use deep blues, greys, greens and black to update your kitchen this season!
