While lightly colored kitchens are trendy, nothing says sharp and classy like the color black. While some shy away from this dark, mysterious hue, fearing it will make space seem smaller, black has recently emerged as a popular interior color for a unique sleek look in many areas and rooms, including the kitchen. When deciding on a color countertop to pair with your black cabinets, color choices can seem endless. We have researched this topic extensively to bring you a condensed sample of countertop looks that feature multiple different colors in a variety of materials.
Using black in the kitchen brings a sleek modern look to one of the most frequently used rooms in many homes. Black cabinets are eye-catching, bold, and paired with several different colors and materials of countertops to create completely different looks. The colors of countertops (irrespective of material) that we will discuss in further depth are:
- Dark stone
- Light stone
- Black stone
- White and gray stone
- White stone
- Light natural wood
- Gray concrete
- Stainless steel
- Red
- Turquoise
While color coordinating your kitchen, other questions will undoubtedly arise. What color appliances with black cabinets? Should countertops match floor or cabinets? How do you brighten up a dark kitchen? We will answer all of these questions and address other closely related topics, just keep reading.
Countertop Colors for Black Cabinets
Whether you choose to use black as a dark neutral dominant color or as an accent color, black is extremely versatile, adding a touch of sophistication and detail to your space. These colors pair brilliantly with black.
1. Dark stone
Naturally sophisticated and mysterious, using dark stone for your countertops can add a look of cozy warmness to your kitchen. Dark stones, such as this dark marble pictured below, complement black cabinets giving the dark color dominance throughout the room. This room's different textures, such as the large rocks surrounding the oven, give it lots of character and almost a cozy country cottage fireplace look. Wooden beams bring some light color accents into the space while adding to the country cottage-like feel of this kitchen.
2. Light stone
Lighter colors in general, and when used as a color for your stone countertops, can make your space seem larger. The particular shade in the example below provides some light and warmth to the mostly black and white space. This light neutral stone speckled with a combination of darker colors is the perfect soft accent to the black cabinets and contrasting white backsplash in this kitchen. The combination of colors and darker lines and accent, gives this kitchen a trendy Parisian cafe feel.
3. Black stone
Using the same color for cabinets and countertops may seem like an abundance of black, but gives the room a fierce look. Topping your black cabinets with a similarly shaded countertop can bring a bold mood to your room. A countertop in the same sleek black shade as your cabinets can create the illusion that the two are blended for a very sharp, streamlined look. In the example below, the cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and appliances seem to blend into one another for an ultra-modern design.
4. White and gray stone
Combinations of whites and blacks can combine in shades of gray for small breaks in a monochromatic color scheme. To brighten up your kitchen with black cabinets, consider lighter colors such as white and gray for your countertops. In the example below, these white and gray marble countertops soften the room's look while also adding texture with the flowy, hazy gray lines of color through the mostly white stone. The crisp white in the background contrasts these cabinets' dark color and brings in the white color from the rest of the kitchen for a more cohesive feel.
5. White stone
For a more drastic contrast, skip the soft gray lines and go for a stark white countertop to pair with your black cabinets. While solid white may seem boring, the multi-colored backsplash draws the black from the cabinets and the white from the countertops together and add some lively detail to the countertop. The stark contrast between white and black in the example below brings a lively feel to this kitchen and provides some depth to the cabinets and countertop space's overall look.
6. Light natural wood
Wood is another material option for your countertops that can add a light warm color accent to your space. Light natural tones can also soften the look of black cabinets. The light natural wood countertops pictured below give this kitchen a warm, airy feel combined with the white backsplash. Dark hardware and sleek modern appliances coordinate with the black cabinets and add to the contrasting light and dark colors.
7. Gray concrete
Gray has recently gained lots of popularity as a cool neutral color used for interior room colors and accent color. These cool gray concrete countertops combine with these black cabinets to create a rustic feel in this kitchen. The light wood shelving and decor help warm the space, making this concrete countertop look less cold and industrial.
8. Stainless steel
For a durable, nonporous surface that will really make your countertops stand out, look at stainless steel as a material option for your countertops. Stainless steel is a great option for a metallic color to pair with your black cabinets. Opt for stainless steel appliances to really embrace the stainless steel look.
9. Red
For a brilliant and unique look, red countertops are a vivid and exciting color choice to pair with your black cabinets. A vibrant, bold color that is said to stimulate hunger, red is a popular color for kitchens but is uncommon to use as a countertop color. In the example below, these brilliant red countertops create a sexy modern ambiance in this kitchen.
10. Turquoise
For another unique, bold color choice, turquoise is a cool blue shade that pairs with black for a sleek icy look. In the example below, these turquoise countertops provide a large burst of color throughout the room. Lightening this kitchen's look and coordinating with the knobs on the cabinets, these bright countertops combine with the black cabinets for a unique funky feel.
What Color Appliances With Black Cabinets?
Appliances are available in an array of colors, from traditional white, flat and regular black to modern stainless steel. To create a cool blended look, consider black appliances to pair with your black cabinets. If stark contrast is the look you want, use bright white appliances to contrast your black cabinets. Stainless steel is another option to pair with your black cabinets for a modern appeal.
Should Countertops Match Floor Or Cabinets?
Countertops can change the entire look of your kitchen. By coordinating your countertops with other large items in your kitchen, such as the floors or cabinets, you can create various looks of cohesion in your room. Countertops in a matching color to your cabinets will create a blended illusion of the two, creating an expansive feel. Matching floors and countertops will create a cohesive look, with cabinet color in the middle to create a color break.
How Do You Brighten Up A Dark Kitchen?
While modern and trendy, black cabinets can darken the look of your kitchen, especially if your room doesn't have a significant amount of natural light. If a darker color scheme is not the look you are going for, lightening your space can be accomplished through several methods. Using lighter colored tile or your material of choice for the backsplash in your kitchen is one method to lighten your kitchen. Another effective method to lighten your kitchen is to use a light-colored wall color that complements your kitchen's darker tones.
Final words
Since much of your family life will be spent in your kitchen, this space should reflect your personal style and tastes. Finding the perfect countertops to pair with your black cabinets will likely be one of the biggest decisions you will make through your kitchen project, and at times it can seem like a daunting task. We hope that after seeing this selection of kitchen cabinet and countertop combinations, we have inspired some decorative ideas to help you choose the perfect countertop color to pair with your black cabinets.
Before you go, be sure to check out these other guides that may be helpful to you: