Choosing the right color for your kitchen cabinets can make a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen. With black stainless steel appliances becoming increasingly popular, many homeowners find themselves wondering what cabinet color works best with the modern, sleek look of black stainless. There are several attractive options to consider when selecting cabinet colors to complement black stainless steel appliances.
Warm Neutrals Complement Black Stainless Steel
Warm neutral paint colors like beige, tan, light brown, and cream work beautifully with black stainless steel appliances. The soft, earthy tones provide an appealing contrast against the dark and shiny appliances. Creamy off-whites and warm grays are also excellent choices. These muted, natural cabinet colors allow the black stainless steel to stand out as the focal point in the kitchen. Neutral cabinets keep the look timeless and versatile.
Some great warm neutral paint colors to consider:
- Behr Pale Oak
- Benjamin Moore Linen White
- Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
Crisp White Cabinets Provide Contrast
For a clean, contemporary look, choose bright white kitchen cabinets with black stainless steel appliances. The bold black and white color pairing offers high-contrast drama. Crisp white cabinets keep the kitchen looking light and airy against the dark appliances. They create a striking, modern aesthetic.
To prevent bright white cabinets from feeling sterile or institutional, add warmth with natural wood accents and soft textures. Wood flooring, a butcher block island, and pendant lighting help balance the black and white color scheme.
Some popular crisp white paint colors include:
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Sherwin Williams Extra White
- Behr Ultra Pure White
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
Gray Cabinets Compliment Black Stainless Steel
From light pewter to charcoal, gray kitchen cabinets pair seamlessly with black stainless steel appliances. Cool-toned grays work well with the sophisticated metallic finishes. Light grays help the appliances pop while deeper shades like charcoal or black ground the space.
Look for gray cabinets with undertones that coordinate with your flooring and counters. Green-grays, blue-grays, and purple-grays all look beautiful with black stainless. Consider the overall lighting in the kitchen to determine whether to go lighter or darker.
Some great gray paint colors options are:
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
- Behr Gray Screen
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
- Sherwin Williams Peppercorn
Wood Finish Cabinets Add Warmth
Wood finish cabinets like oak, cherry, and maple bring natural texture and warmth to balance black stainless appliances. Unfinished woods like oak and maple have beautiful graining that pairs nicely with the industrial look of stainless steel. For added depth, consider stained or darker woods like walnut and cherry.
With wood cabinets, pay attention to the undertones. Look for woods with warm red, brown, and caramel notes to match the black stainless. Cool-toned woods like ash will look more muted. Rich wood finish cabinets add comfort and timeless appeal to a kitchen with sleek black stainless appliances.
Black Cabinets for Dramatic Effect
For a bold, dramatic statement, combine black kitchen cabinets with black stainless steel appliances. The dark palette creates a sophisticated, cohesive look. Use glossy black cabinets paired with stainless steel handles and fixtures for a unified modern aesthetic. Adding contrasts like white quartz counters and backsplash tile prevents it from feeling too dark.
Black cabinets work best in kitchens that get ample natural sunlight. Large windows and light flooring help keep the space feeling bright and airy. When designing a dark kitchen, strategic lighting is key. Task lighting, pendants, and accent lighting ensure the blackpalette doesn’t feel too somber.
Avoid Stark Color Contrasts
When selecting a cabinet color, it’s best to avoid stark contrasts against the black stainless appliances. For example, bright red or blue cabinets next to black stainless can feel jarring and disjointed. Instead, look for muted tones and soft colors in the same color family that complement the appliances. Monochromatic schemes typically work better than high-contrast pairings.
Consider Undertones
Beyond the main cabinet color, pay close attention to the undertones. Black stainless has a very dark gray undertone. Cool-toned grays and woods tend to coordinate better than warm orange, red, or yellow undertones. However, for contrast, warm creams, tans, and browns can create pleasing color combinations.
Factor in Countertops and Backsplash
Look at the full picture when selecting your cabinet color. Factor in your countertop and backsplash selections. Contrasting cabinet and countertop colors help each element stand out. If your counters have a bold pattern, muted cabinet colors are ideal. Natural stone and white quartz counters pair nicely with most cabinet shades.
Personal Preference Rules
Most importantly, choose a kitchen cabinet color you love and that fits your personal style. While warm neutrals and gray tones may be the most versatile, only you know what makes you happy. The trendiest new appliances shouldn’t force a color scheme you dislike. Select colors that reflect your personality and complement how you live in your kitchen. With custom cabinetry, you can mix colors and finishes to create your ideal aesthetic.
Cabinet Color Ideas with Black Stainless Steel Appliances
Here are some attractive kitchen color schemes to inspire you:
- Black stainless appliances + white cabinets + marble counters + herringbone backsplash
- Black stainless appliances + light oak cabinets + butcher block island + brick backsplash
- Black stainless appliances + charcoal cabinets + white quartz counters + mosaic tile backsplash
- Black stainless appliances + navy cabinets + brass hardware + cream marble counters
- Black stainless appliances + espresso cabinets + tan granite counters + silver pendant lights
- Black stainless appliances + gray cabinets + slate tile backsplash + stainless steel hood
With the right cabinet color, your black stainless steel appliances can look stylish, elegant, and timeless. Consider the existing architecture, natural lighting, counters, and backsplash to create a cohesive kitchen design you’ll enjoy for years to come. Most importantly, select a color you absolutely love to bring out the full beauty of your new appliances.
FAQ About What Color Kitchen Cabinets With Black Stainless Steel Appliances
What are the most popular cabinet colors with black stainless steel appliances?
The most popular cabinet colors with black stainless steel are white, light gray, cream, beige, tan, and wood tones like oak and cherry. These warm, neutral colors pair well with the dark gray undertones of black stainless.
Should you match black appliances and black cabinets?
Matching black cabinets to black appliances can create a dramatic, bold look. However, too much black can feel dark and closed-in if not balanced properly with light counters, tile, and ample lighting.
Do light or dark cabinets go better with black stainless appliances?
Both light and dark cabinets coordinate well with black stainless depending on your overall kitchen design and preferences. Light cabinets like white and beige contrast dramatically while darker shades like espresso and charcoal feel cohesive.
What color cabinets make stainless steel look good?
White, gray, beige, cream, tan, and wood cabinets make stainless steel look best. Cool-toned grays and woods with similar dark undertones complement stainless well. Warm neutrals like cream and tan also pair nicely.
What backsplash looks good with black stainless appliances?
White subway tile, marble, and slate backsplashes look elegant with black stainless. Metal and stone mosaic tiles in gray tones work well too. Avoid very bright or highly patterned backsplashes.
Conclusion
With the right cabinet color choice, your black stainless steel appliances can feel integrated and stylish. Warm neutrals, crisp white, various grays, and wood tones coordinate beautifully, while allowing the appliances to stand out. Consider the existing kitchen elements and your personal style preferences when selecting a cabinet color. Tasteful, muted hues or dramatic black cabinets can make for a knockout kitchen with black stainless steel appliances as the focal point. Use the appliance finish you love to inform the rest of your kitchen design.