Designers usually recommend a lighter color scheme for small spaces to make them appear bigger than they are, but that’s not always the case. Although light colors can open up a room, darker elements can add depth without making the area feel congested. In small spaces, designers often suggest dark furniture to draw the eye to the furnishings and make it the focal point.
Darker cabinets add visual complexity to a room because you attach them to the wall rather than being part of it. It might take a little more intentional planning when it comes to the details of the kitchen in order to create the perfect contrast in the room. If you want to make your kitchen appear larger, you can add contrasting whites throughout the room.
Our team at Steiner Homes put together a list of ways you can make your small kitchen look good with black cabinets to help you achieve a classy, modern look.
Install White Countertops
If you’re looking to install black cabinets in a small kitchen, add white countertops to reflect the light. The contrast between the black and white can help the room not feel too congested with the darker elements in the cabinets or appliances. Adding white flooring in the room can also help keep the room bright and open while maintaining the modern look you’re wanting in the kitchen. The black cabinets can become the kitchen’s focal point with the white color above and below.
Use Glass Doors
Glass cabinet doors can emphasize the modern kitchen look you’re aiming for with the black cabinets. The glass doors can be an elegant element, especially when you add details like gold door handles. When the doors are see-through, it creates a more open and spacious illusion as opposed to extending the black cabinets up through the doors. Having glass doors also allows another decorative element in the kitchen. Using glass doors to display white or colorful dishes can help brighten the space.
An alternative to glass doors, if you don’t want the added stress of maintaining orderly cabinets at all times, is by installing frosted or etched cabinet doors. The frosted or etched doors allow the room to feel open, but you won’t have to worry too much about what the inside of your cabinets look like constantly.
Brighten Up the Space With Colorful Accessories
Brighten up the space using colorful accessories and accents around the kitchen. For example, you can use gold handles on the drawers and doors to continue the modern, elegant kitchen vibe. You can also think about the smaller details of the kitchen you may overlook but can make all the difference in lightening up the room. Some areas you can focus on making brighter or colorful include:
- Backsplash.
- Light switches and fixtures.
- Handles and hinges.
- Faucet and other hardware pieces.
- Kitchen decorations, like tea towels and chairs.
Try Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are a great way to give the illusion of a small room feeling more open, especially when you place the light above the kitchen island if you have one. There are several types of pendant lights you can purchase to give the room a certain vibe, like contemporary or farmhouse style. You can hang a single pendant light from the ceiling or install three of them in a row over an open counter or table. Pendant lights with glass or an exposed bulb can create an elegant look and make the room seem more spacious.
Incorporate Open Shelving
Incorporate open shelving into the room to open up the room. This is similar to the way glass cabinets can open up the kitchen, but open shelving allows you to remove some of the upper cabinets from the space. To brighten up the space, make sure you choose white or light-colored wood shelves. You can also use the open shelves to add more colorful or glass items to the room, such as serving bowls, drinking glasses, plates, and containers.
This design choice can also allow you to add greenery to the kitchen by adding a potted plant on the open shelves. Plants can add warmth to a room without taking away its modern, elegant vibe. These shelves are another area you can decorate for the holidays in the fall and winter, which can also add warmth and depth to the room based on the types of decorations you choose. For example, during the holidays, you can choose silver-themed items.
Install a Black Kitchen Island
If you’re worried about your smaller kitchen feeling congested by installing black cabinets in the entire room, but you still want to modernize your kitchen, install a black island. The island can become the focal point of the room by drawing the eye toward the center of the room to the island. Contrast the island by having the rest of the cabinets be white. This option allows you to have an elegant and modern room without it feeling too dark when you’re in the kitchen.
There are also mobile islands available for you to purchase to make your small space more functional yet still adhere to the aesthetic.
Get Started With Steiner Homes
If you’re planning on moving to the Northwest Indiana suburbs and buying a family home here, contact us. Our housing specialists can help find you a home that fits all your needs and wants, including finding you a home with a modern kitchen featuring black cabinets. Or we can help you find a home that you can work with your family to renovate to give it a more elegant and contemporary vibe you’re looking to have in your home.
A home is an investment, so we want to help you find an affordable place near Chicago, Illinois, and ensure you’re happy with your choice. Our team can also provide you with helpful advice on contractors to hire when renovating your kitchen. All you have to do is ask us for our recommendations.
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