Kitchen Remodel? 8 Ideas for Black Cabinets and White Countertops

If you're considering a kitchen remodel, going with a dramatic black and white color scheme is a bold yet timeless choice. The high contrast between dark cabinets and light countertops makes a striking statement and shows off your personal style.

Black painted or stained cabinets feel luxe and modern, while crisp white counters brighten up the space. It's a versatile look that works with a variety of materials and decor styles. Read on for tips to help you design your dream black and white kitchen.

Tips for Designing a Black and White Kitchen

Achieving the perfect balance between black cabinets and white counters takes careful planning. Follow these guidelines to create a cohesive look.

Select the Right Black Cabinet Finish

Opt for painted cabinets in a semi-gloss or matte black shade, or go for a black wood stain. Painted cabinets provide a uniform solid color, while stain shows off wood grain. For painted cabinets, semi-gloss has a sophisticated shine, where matte is more understated.

Stained black cabinets bring out the richness of natural wood. Oak or walnut stained an ebony or espresso shade looks luxe. Consider your overall kitchen style when deciding between paint and stain.

Choose Durable White Countertops

With black cabinets, white countertops really pop. Quartz, marble, and granite all come in crisp white tones. Quartz is durable, non-porous, and easy to care for. White granite has gray veining for visual interest. Marble is elegant with soft gray patterns but requires more maintenance.

For a bright contemporary look, a white quartz like Calacatta Michelangelo is perfect. Statuario marble has dramatic gray veining. White Fantasy granite blends white with smoky grays. Select a material that fits your lifestyle.

Incorporate Wood Elements

Adding wood accents like open shelving, floors, or a butcher block island counter can warm up a black and white kitchen. Rich oak or walnut stained floors ground the space. Use shelving for added storage and display.

Wood island countertops contrast beautifully with white quartz counters and black cabinets. Or paint the island white but use a natural wood top. Stain colors like dark espresso or reddish mahogany complement the color scheme.

Use Tile and Metal for Backsplash/Accents

For the backsplash, subway tile, marble mosaics, and stone tiles all complement black and white kitchens. Metal accents in black or stainless steel add to the contemporary vibe. Matte black hardware blends in with dark cabinets. Stainless steel appliances and fixtures pop against the neutral palette.

Simple white subway tile makes a classic backsplash. With dark grout, it embodies urban edge. Elevate with decorative tiles like a marble mosaic or Moroccan fish scale tile.

Layer in Textures and Curves

Too much black and white can look stark. Layer in visual interest with varied textures and shapely silhouettes. Try a shag rug, textured window treatments, or arched doorways. Curved islands, round dining tables, and comfy upholstered chairs soften the look.

A chunky knit throw, rattan pendants, leafy plants, and artisanal ceramics add natural flair. Use a mix of materials, shapes, and textures to give the space warmth and dimension.

Light It Up Under Cabinets and Over Island

Proper lighting can make or break a black and white kitchen. Use LED strip lighting to illuminate countertops and create ambiance. Under-cabinet lighting provides task lighting for food prep. Light inside glass-front cabinets displays collectibles.

Over a kitchen island, dramatic black pendant lights pop against white ceilings and cabinetry. Consider a statement chandelier for visual drama. Proper lighting illuminates while enhancing the color scheme.

8 Gorgeous Black and White Kitchen Ideas

From industrial chic to bohemian luxe, implementing black and white kitchen cabinets can take many forms. Here are 8 stunning ways to bring this versatile color combo to life.

Modern Industrial

Exposed pipes and ductwork, concrete accents, and matte black hardware embody modern industrial edge. Black pendant lights add striking contrast. Try open black shelving to display cookbooks and plants. A sleek glass-front refrigerator completes the look.

Vintage Eclectic

For a playful spin, pair distressed white shaker cabinets with vintage black subway tile and checkerboard floors. Wood plank ceilings and multi-colored Persian rugs lend a bohemian vibe. An apron-front farmhouse sink feels fresh yet timeworn.

Minimalist Contemporary

The ultimate in refined elegance, a minimalist black and white kitchen features handleless cabinetry, a waterfall island, and integrated appliances. A polished stone or white quartz backsplash and counter accentuate seamless lines. The absence of ornamentation is serenely luxurious.

Sophisticated Glam

Bring the drama with a mirrored glass backsplash, marble slab island, crystal chandelier, and glossy black lacquer cabinets. White quartz counters ground the space. Accent with gilded barstools, glass vases, and brass hardware for ultra-glam luxe.

Farmhouse Chic

A timeworn farmhouse sink and exposed pitchers feel rustic and welcoming against sharp white shaker cabinets. Natural wood accents, open shelving, and a beadboard backsplash balance classic farmhouse coziness with striking black stained cabinets.

Monochromatic Contrast

For bold monochrome contrast, pair matte black base cabinets with glossy black uppers, along with a high-gloss white waterfall island. The mix of textures within the same color family makes a statement. A graphic black and white floor tile reinforces the motif.

Scandinavian Style

Scandinavian style embraces a bright, airy look with light wood accents, black framed windows, and gallery walls of modern art. White shaker cabinets keep things crisp. The minimalist aesthetic feels both fresh and cozy.

Urban Loft

Exposed brick walls, acacia wood plank floors, steel doors, and track lighting embody downtown loft living. Ebony stained cabinets and sleek white quartz counters strike a sophisticated balance. An industrial steel kitchen island on wheels adds an adaptable touch.

A black and white kitchen color scheme allows you to be bold, elegant, or eclectic. Crisp white countertops keep things airy against dramatic black cabinets. Natural wood, tiles, and metal accents enhance the look. When planned thoughtfully, this versatile combo creates a showstopping space.

Use these design tips and color scheme ideas to guide your own black and white kitchen remodel. Choose materials and finishes tailored to your personal style. With the right touches, you can achieve a striking, stylish kitchen that wows.