Cooking Up Style
We are so excited to show you our best design tips and tricks that will help you kill it on your kitchen reno and how to give it that designer touch we all desire. They’re sleek, they’re moody, and they’re just the right amount of attitude (like your sassy dog that won’t quite give up the tennis ball). Yes, you guessed it. It’s a trend alert… Black Kitchens are a thing. Now, we know what you’re thinking… A black kitchen? “Won’t that make my space feel so small and dark?” Let’s not kid ourselves here. Creating a black kitchen is more than just painting your cabinetry black and calling it a day. No, no, it is so much more than that. Let’s have a little chat on how you can cook up a stylish black kitchen
Lighting
Make sure your lighting is right and bright. In the best-case scenario having a ton of natural light flood through a space is always lovely. If this is not the case, make sure you are using multiple layers of lighting such as task, general and ambient to ensure your kitchen is well lit. Oversized island pendants are always welcomed!
Colour contrast
If you aren’t going for a dark moody feel, you are going to want to throw in some contrasting colours to pick things up a bit. No need to go all or nothing with the black. Whites, putty, or lighter contrasting colours will all be a great addition to a kitchen and create contrast against striking black features. This is the yin and yang to a black kitchen.
Feel the space
Bring in that texture, baby. Implied or tactile. Allow your kitchen to have some personality. Add texture in places that are obvious, for example, backsplash, lighting and counter stools, and not so obvious places like kitchen hardware, countertops and the range hood.
Is black really black?
Just like all paint colours, there’s not just ONE black to choose from. There are thousands of options when choosing the right black, something a little more charcoal, what about a touch of blue or jet black? A colour selection may be dependent on areas around the space in focus, make sure you are sampling your colours in the space they are going to be in.
Feeling a little cold?
Pull in some warmth with natural materials and textures like wood, leather, or stone.
Not into commitment?
It’s okay, this doesn’t have to be an all or nothing type of relationship. If it will make you feel better, try the one foot out the door trick. Say it with me, “two tones”. Use black on the lowers to ground your space and pack the punch you want. Then keep it light and fresh on the top with a white or putty colours.
Hardware
Get those light metals going! Incorporate pops of gold, silver, or whatever finish you are fancying against the bold and saturated black colours.
Know what you’re getting into with a black kitchen!
Just like cilantro, black kitchens are not for everyone!! If a fingerprint or scuff will send you right over the edge, then you may want to reconsider getting jazzy with the black. Just like everything in the kitchen, giving your black cabinets a wipe down will help maintain the look of the cabinetry. Don’t be afraid to take a risk and go for it.
Award-winning Designer Michelle Berwick is the Principal & Creative Founder of Michelle Berwick Design. For almost a decade this notable GTA firm has become sought after for providing livable stylish and uniquely personal interiors.