Black stainless steel appliances are growing in popularity for modern kitchen designs that want an edgy, sophisticated look. But with this unique appliance finish, it’s important to choose the right cabinetry to complement it beautifully. Here is an in-depth look at what cabinets look best with black stainless steel.
Warm Wood Tones
Warm wood cabinetry is a perfect pairing for black stainless steel appliances. The rich, natural tones create a pleasing contrast against the dark metal finish. Woods like cherry, maple, walnut, and rustic oak have beautiful brown and red undertones that make black stainless stand out.
Darker wood stains also complement black stainless nicely. Espresso, chestnut, and ebony stained cabinets have bold dark colors that match the dramatic look of black stainless. Lighter wood finishes like natural oak, birch, and pine can work too but may look a bit more disjointed. Going with wood cabinets that have richer, darker grains is ideal for this appliance finish.
Painted Cabinets
Another excellent cabinet option is painted cabinets in deep, saturated colors. Cabinet paints in hues like navy blue, forest green, deep red, charcoal gray, and black are all fitting choices that won’t clash with black stainless appliances. The bold cabinet colors enhance the sleek, cutting-edge look of the black stainless finish.
Lighter paint colors are also possible but using darker, grittier tones will definitely look more cohesive. Soft pastel cabinets would look very mismatched and disjointed with the bold black stainless finish. Using paint colors that have a bit of gray, brown, or black undertones are better suited to blend with the appliances.
Stained Cabinets
For a contemporary vibe, stained cabinets are a stylish complement to black stainless appliances. Using a dark espresso or ebony stain on traditional cabinets like Shaker-style will make them feel sleek and modern. The deep coffee and black stained finishes look polished next to the sophisticated black stainless finish.
Lighter stain colors like cherry, pecan, chestnut can work as well but may look a bit more rustic or traditional. Opt for super dark almost black stained cabinets to match the dramatic effect of the black stainless appliances. Frosted glass cabinets stained in ebony also pair nicely for a truly modern kitchen.
High-Gloss Cabinets
If you want a super sleek, contemporary look, choose high-gloss lacquered cabinets. The ultra-reflective shine of gloss cabinetry looks striking beside the moody finish of black stainless appliances. Using a darker color like black, charcoal, navy, or chocolate brown gloss will create a bold, glamorous style.
Lighter gloss finishes like white, beige, or gray can work too but may look more subdued. Opt for deeper gloss colors for a seamless, sophisticated look. The reflective surfaces of the glossy cabinets mirror the sheen of the black stainless beautifully.
Matte Cabinets
For a more understated style, matte cabinets also coordinate effortlessly with black stainless steel. Whether you opt for painted matte cabinets or stained wood with a matte polyurethane, the low reflectiveness allows the appliances to take center stage.
Soft matte grays, deep blue hues, and rich brown cabinet colors offer a tailored, upscale look. Crisp white matte cabinets make a versatile choice that keeps the focus on the dramatic black stainless finish. Avoid an overly busy distressing or grain on matte cabinets to keep the styling refined.
Avoid Stark White Cabinets
The one cabinet color to generally avoid with black stainless appliances is a plain bright white. Stark white cabinets paired with black stainless can look disjointed and poorly integrated. The bold appliance finish calls for a darker, richer cabinet color.
That said, some exceptions can work. A highly modern kitchen with sleek white lacquered cabinets can pull off combining with black stainless, as the glossy surfaces and contemporary style blend well. A farmhouse kitchen with classic white Shaker cabinets may also be able to successfully incorporate black stainless appliances.
Use Decor Elements to Transition Between Cabinets and Appliances
When using lighter cabinets with black stainless, add some décor elements in similar dark colors to create a transition. Dark grout on backsplashes, deep colored countertops, black or metal cabinet hardware, and dark wood open shelving are all ways to bridge the gap between the cabinet and appliance colors.
Creating a good blend of finishes and colors in the kitchen will allow the black stainless to fit in seamlessly. Don’t be afraid to mix some deeper hues throughout the space for a put together look.
Best Cabinets for Black Stainless Steel Appliances
- Dark wood cabinets in cherry, espresso, walnut, mahogany
- Painted cabinets in deep blues, greens, grays, black
- Dark stained cabinets with espresso or ebony finish
- High-gloss lacquered cabinets in black, gray, navy blue
- Matte cabinets in charcoal, navy, brown and soft white
- Avoid plain bright white cabinets (in most cases)
Design Tips for Black Stainless Appliances
- Mix in metals like black hardware, chrome, or nickel lighting fixtures
- Use muted or deep colored countertops like quartz, soapstone, or granite
- Incorporate dark natural stone or porcelain backsplash tiles
- Add black cabinet hardware like knobs, pulls, and handles
- Use dark grout on backsplashes and floor tiles
- Include black wooden open shelving for an eclectic vibe
- Accent with black metal stools, lighting, and décor
FAQ About Cabinetry with Black Stainless Steel
What color cabinets go with black stainless steel appliances?
Dark wood cabinets, deep stained cabinets, glossy painted cabinets in saturated hues, and matte charcoal and gray cabinets all beautifully complement black stainless appliances. Stark white cabinets can sometimes look mismatched.
Do black appliances go with light cabinets?
Black stainless appliances can work with some lighter cabinet colors but it’s best to stick to soft grays, warm wood tones, and off-white paints. Pure bright white cabinets often look disjointed with black stainless. Incorporate some darker décor accents to transition between the finishes.
What backsplash goes with black stainless appliances?
Darker backsplash tile colors help tie black stainless appliances into the design. Opt for darker grout as well. Matte black, gray, navy, or brown tiles look stylish. Natural stone in a muted color is also a safe bet.
Should I get black hardware with black appliances?
Yes, choosing matching black hardware like cabinet pulls, knobs and handles will create a cohesive polished look with black stainless appliances. Brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze hardware can look nice too.
What countertops look good with black stainless appliances?
Deep gray, black, blue, and brown quartz countertops coordinate beautifully with black stainless finishes. Soapstone and granite in darker neutral colors are also fitting options that add natural texture.
Conclusion
Black stainless steel appliances offer a modern, sophisticated update. Choose cabinetry in rich wood tones, deep colors, and dark finishes for the most seamless look. Incorporating black accents throughout the kitchen also creates a stylish, put-together space. With the right complementary colors and materials, black stainless steel appliances can anchor your kitchen design in bold dramatic style.