Room Ideas
Black and white kitchens are crisp, stylish, and clean. Using these two shades as a base for your kitchen decor gives you plenty of opportunities to toss other colors into the mix with everything from small appliances to dishware, so you'll never get tired of your surroundings. Black and white never go out of fashion, so black and white kitchens are timeless classics that will look as good a decade from now as they do today. The black and white kitchen ideas here show you a variety of ways to keep a two-tone kitchen interesting and airy.
When a kitchen is small and narrow, focus on white and use small touches of black. This opens up the space and keeps it from becoming too confined. A fluffy rug and throws add texture in a room filled with hard surfaces. Windows that let in tons of light should be framed in simple, white fabric to maximize the brightness. Don't be afraid to use functional pieces as art - the bold graphics of the black and white wall calendar stand in for a painting and add to the overall theme.
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Love the look of a black and white tile floor but don't want to commit to floor renovations? This easy-care rug in a white and black, checkerboard design gives you the look for less without overshadowing the beauty of the surrounding hardwood. Use white cabinets and stainless steel appliances to keep things bright. To balance the room, add features like black small appliances and, in this instance, a cup rack.
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In a small kitchen, you have to be selective. By choosing those pieces you use most often and keeping them on stacked, floating shelves, you combine a beautiful display with practicality. Choose your favorite wine glasses, the teapot you use every morning, and the spices you usually reach for, then arrange them artfully on the wall. In this kitchen, the shelves use the space usually reserved for a window. Green demitasse cups and an assortment of tiny plants add pops of color. If you're using floating shelves or glass-front cabinets, put your spices into decorative jars for a curated look.
A black and white kitchen can tend towards overly sleek. To avoid this, light-colored hardwood floors and upper cabinets in a light wood bring blonde warmth into the space. Adding a runner in a galley kitchen adds another layer of warmth and a rich, elegant pattern blends the room's colors masterfully. The rug's black border emphasizes the limited number of black details in the room.
A bold, star-patterned rug in black and white can be the star of the show. The geometric intricacy of this kitchen rug is the ideal size for high-traffic areas, protecting the wood floors from damage while adding a punch of visual interest. Balance black countertops with white or light cabinets, then accent with nickel hardware that's pretty and practical. An area of blue tiles behind the stove are a lovely accent color; with black and white, feel free to choose any color you love and use it in small patches around the kitchen.
Use a strong diagonal line in a long, narrow kitchen to give the illusion of more space. Here, The black cabinets are opposite the black range hood, creating a diagonal that draws the eyes upward. You can bring in different textures creatively to liven up the walls, as in the rooms. Over the stove, the wall has richly patterned, sleek tiles. In contrast, the backsplash around the sink is rustic slate that breaks the line between upper and lower cabinets, pushing back the wall visually.
If you prefer a contemporary kitchen, focus on the lines as much as the colors. Contrasting black with blonde wood cabinets creates some tension but keeps things crisp and angular. Door panels with strong vertical lines enhance the effect. To balance the heavy, black cabinets on the left, use artistic light fixtures powder-coated in black. Use a transition rug to blend the two sides of the room. The rug here works perfectly because it has black and neutrals that are gently blended in a faded design to counteract all the sharp lines in the room.
Here's another example of using black kitchen cabinets successfully. They look sleek and contemporary with brass accents and simple, Shaker style. Use a richly veined, black and white marble for the backsplash to continue the colors on the wall. Display frequently used pieces on floating shelves. This keeps things open and gives more depth to the room. You can add color with a muted, striped rug in a deep color like teal to use as a runner in front of the cabinets. In this room, the rug also draws a line to the window and seating area, inviting guests.
When you're using black kitchen cabinets, don't go overboard. Consider black lower cabinets, then add some contrast elsewhere. Alternatives include adding a bright white farm sink and using open shelving above in a neutral or blonde wood mounted on pale walls. The tiny pattern in the vintage flooring makes the space seem larger, and the rug's autumn shades of gold, orange, and red add warmth.
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If you intend to go all out with black cabinets top and bottom, look for an off-black such as charcoal. These dark cabinets have a powdery, matte finish to keep the cabinets from being too stark. Shiny, white subway tiles and smooth, reflective countertops can amplify natural light. To add an industrial touch, choose old-fashioned warehouse style light fixtures and aluminum stools.
Nothing looks as clean and bright as a white kitchen, but you need to avoid sterility. To recreate this cheerful kitchen, accent the all-white cabinets by throwing in one set in black for an unexpected pop of color. Under a white porcelain farm sink is a great choice. You can add some interest with warm color using brass or gold fixtures. The empty space above the upper cabinets raises the ceiling visually and giving depth to the space. A rug in soft, natural hues with greens and yellows alongside black and cream guarantees the room is vibrant.
You can make even the smallest kitchen seem expansive if you use contrast to add depth. This kitchen has layers of contrast. Sleek, modern cabinets unbroken by any hardware play off the rough texture of an aged plank ceiling. Choose an area like the breakfast bar to add a dark color to break up the sameness and define the seating. As a final touch, toss down a rug that pulls colors from the paint and wood, creating color balance.
Pulling off a black and white kitchen requires balance. This kitchen balances the dark cabinets against white walls and pale wood shelving and windows. To keep the lower cabinets from feeling too heavy, a roughly textured, neutral rug softens angular lines. Let the walls pop by limiting artwork aside from the stylish containers and lush plant on the shelves.
You can transform a basic black and white kitchen by adding luxurious details. The bones of this kitchen are good, with black cabinets below and white above. What elevates the esthetic are the details. Custom molding on the upper cabinets personalize the look. You can add gilded gold wall decor grouped together and a golden band around the countertops. Echo the gold with the drawer pools. Finally, choose a sparkling, crystal chandelier that captures and magnifies the light.
Galley kitchens can be challenging, but if you work with instead of against the length of the room, the results can be striking. Choose an elaborately detailed runner rug as the starting point, then opt for restrained cabinets. Find creative ways to use the room effectively, such as the wonderful bench seat here. Choose upholstery in a dark, earthy hue like this green, then repeat it throughout the room with pottery and plants. Landscape paintings can create depth and connect your kitchen to an adjoining living room.
You can have a cottage-style kitchen in black and white by keeping organic elements front and center. In this kitchen, the black and white cabinets feature raised panel details and rustic hardware for a casual feel. Brick walls radiate warmth in shades of terracotta, beige, and tan. To accentuate the warmer shades in the brick, add a copper kettle and other metal and wood accessories. Pull the colors together in a worn-looking, muted rug weaving together the warm colors with touches of black.
Plan an urban oasis in your kitchen by keeping things sleek and paired-down. This serene kitchen has plenty of urban touches, like the classic subway tiles and glass and black pendant lights. For a breakfast bar, choose stools of iron and wood to add a light industrial touch. Minimal embellishments and simple planters keep everything streamlined and fresh. Add a dash of pattern on the floor with a vintage-inspired rug to bring together urban decor's blended style.
The best black and white kitchen ideas keep function as well as form in mind. Even if you love black, too much of it can make your kitchen into a tomb rather than a bright spot for food prep, relaxation, and the many other activities commonly centered around the kitchen. Lighting becomes incredibly important in black and white spaces. When you're planning your black and white kitchen, take every activity into consideration and accommodate accordingly.
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