Why We Love Dark Kitchen Cabinets
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The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home, and usually where we spend most of our time together as a family. And that means it’s also a room you want to get the design right in. For a long time, that meant all-white kitchens. We can totally get why—they look clean and cohesive, and they don’t feel too risky. And while white kitchens might feel safe, they can also downplay the home’s personal touch. This is your gathering place, so let’s make it feel like you! This is where you spend so much of your time, so it should speak to your personality.
For some, that means going with high-contrast cabinetry that makes a statement. For others, it’s about combining soft colors like creams, neutrals, and wood tones to create a calm but creative palette. Whether you like colorful kitchens, green kitchens, or modern kitchens, dark cabinets can fit into almost any kitchen design. That’s why we’re big fans of dark cabinets.
We know, choosing a color can be scary. But done in the right way, a darker shade can add personality and warmth. They can also be quite elegant and design-forward, especially in unexpected places like cabinetry. You’d be surprised what darker cabinets can do to impact a room’s look. And on top of being stylish, they’re also practical for busy households. Drew says, “Kitchens are meant to feel lived in, and they take a beating. Dark cabinets can hide some of that wear and tear.”
Our Favorite Dark Kitchen Cabinet Makeovers
In the kitchen showdown on season 8 of Brother vs. Brother, Drew and Jonathan both chose a dark blue teal cabinet color to add bold contrast and up the wow factor.
In Jonathan and Zooey’s very own Park House kitchen, they incorporated a dark emerald green on their cabinets that makes a defined style statement.
In fact, many of our favorite kitchen renos actually feature a dark, emerald or forest green that adds some much-needed dimension to the space.
On the San Francisco season of Brother vs. Brother, dark blue-gray cabinets help show-stopping red stools really pop.
The dark cabinets from this Property Brothers kitchen play a strong supporting role to the stunning custom backsplash tile pattern.
The Bros went for glamor in this Forever Home kitchen. They combined dramatic blue cabinets accented with brass pulls, and a wild backsplash pattern that grabs your attention.
How to Make Dark Kitchen Cabinets Work
The key to pulling off the dark cabinet trend is balance. Make sure there’s ample natural sunlight that can brighten your cabinets during the day and highlight their undertones. Then, add contrast with light-toned countertops and backsplashes, like marble, porcelain, or stone. Upgrade your hardware if need be (we love modern brass fixtures against a deep blue.)
Also make sure the colors, undertones, and complementary pieces in the kitchen go together harmoniously. If you have golden marble countertops and a dark wood kitchen table, for example, you’ll want to match that same warm undertone in the color you paint your cabinets. Combined with your other kitchen fixtures, the dark cabinets will make a stylish debut in your cooking space. This way, it won’t feel like you’re in the kitchen; it’ll feel like you’re in your kitchen.
Dark Kitchen Cabinet Paints
When you’re looking for the perfect paint color for dark kitchen cabinets, you have a lot of decisions to make! Do you want to go with a rich, warm tone like brown or maroon? What about a moody but neutral hue to complement the other colors in your kitchen? A bold and inky blue? We picked our faves (all low-VOC paints!) so you can get inspired.
Partner deep greens with metallics, like brass light fixtures or copper kitchen accessories. For real drama, use a navy blue on your lower kitchen cabinets and pair with a lighter, neutral-toned color, like Ammonite by Farrow & Ball, on the uppers. Or instead, opt for a chalky, rich chocolate color. It will sit beautifully in a cozy mid-century kitchen against Calacatta marble countertops and oak floors. The choice is yours!
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