5 Reasons To Choose Dark Kitchen Cabinets

There are so many reasons to choose dark kitchen cabinets and I’m just putting it out there, right now. I LOVE our kitchen so I could be biased!

When we moved to the farm two years ago, the kitchen was situated in what is now our ensuite. The previous owners had installed water in the room that would become the kitchen, but other than that, the room was a blank space. And a pretty unloved and ugly one! I had free rein to choose whatever style I wanted for our home. (Within reason. Pretty sure pink cabinets would have been a no go) Anyway, I chose a dark colour and today, I’m going to share with you the reasons why I chose dark kitchen cabinets and why you should too.

Taking the Leap to the Dark Side

Embracing the dark side and choosing charcoal cabinets was not an easy thing to do. Sorry, Darth Vadar. I’d had the idea of a black kitchen in my head for a while before we moved and as we began renovating I collected colour swatches and paint tins. I had paint chips stuck all over the walls. Usually, I’m one to make bold choices quickly but I found it hard to pull the trigger on going dark. Then, when I did decide, the carpenter tried to talk me out of it. I think his exact words were, “Are you sure? Good luck keeping them clean.”

The reason I found it hard to make the jump from a standard white kitchen to almost black was, well, it wasn’t white. Everyone has a white kitchen, White kitchens are timeless and classic. They make selling easier (and we all know how often Mr GGF and I move house.) Dark cabinetry was pretty out there as a choice a couple of years ago and I didn’t want to have the kitchen installed and find I hated it. Plus, a friend had installed a modern black gloss kitchen in her home and frankly, it was hideous. (There’s Buckley’s chance she’ll ever read this, so I’m safe saying that.)

I can remember the night the carpenter rang to confirm my colour choice. I’d been umming and ahhing over two dark grey swatches for a week. I really wanted Dulux Domino but it was so close to black, it was almost scary. I’d started the process of painting the doors and trims in Dulux Raku which was a shade lighter but, having to make a decision, I went for it and chose the even darker grey.

We could not be happier with the result. I was so happy, in fact, I ended up repainting the trim in the entire house to match. I call that lighter grey my transitional colour. (That’s what I’m calling it. I was actually too chicken to go really dark.) I have no idea what I was thinking. It was way too light for the space and I don’t even like grey!

So why did I choose dark kitchen cabinets?

Reason 1: Space/Cosy

Our living area is spacious and the ceilings are over three metres high. I had a feeling if I went with white for our kitchen the room would look TOO big. (Gosh, is that even me saying that? Can a room look too big??)

I wanted to create a sense of cosiness in the room. Going dark does this instantly. I also wanted depth to my living area and layering that I didn’t have to create with a tonne of decor. With dark cabinets, our kitchen has that depth and because they’re technically a neutral they still add a sense of space and calm to this enormous space. I should add here, that our cabinets are NOT BLACK. For me, black was just too harsh. The colour I chose is a very dark charcoal which people think is black until they look closely. It has a warm hue to it, making the room feel even cosier.

Reason 2: Pets

As you know (duh) we live on a working property. We have two dogs that are family members and despite the carpenter’s warning, I find our dark cabinets do the opposite of showing grime. They hide the mess and spills we create. Bonnie runs everywhere. Her tail whisks onto everything. She leaves dog hair flying in the breeze that sticks to things but all this is relatively unseen with our cabinets.

Our cabinets are the lowest sheen they could be sprayed, so not quite flat in colour. This makes the light bounce off them and the grime around the cabinet below the sink, where we are always opening and closing the door, seems camouflaged. In fact, we never notice it until I actually go to clean the doors.

To clean our cabinets, I simply fill the sink with warm soapy water and wipe them down, just as you do any other cabinets. The only thing I have noticed is that if I don’t do this with an almost dry cloth the surface of the cabinets can look smeared. I use microfibre cloths and its super easy.

Reason 3: They’re Bold!

One of the main reason reasons to choose dark kitchen cabinets is actually in the name. They are DARK! They are not white. And mostly, they are a very bold statement. Because our room is so big, I knew it could handle having a big statement like dark cabinets. In a small room they’d pack a punch too, as long as you tempered them with lighter colours. Dark cupboards are not for everyone but Mr GGF and I are not everyone. We like things that are unusual, yet classy. We don’t like to fit the mould. Therefore, choosing dark cabinet was a no brainer. (Once I’d got over my fear) If you want a statement in your kitchen that’s not a colour, this is definitely the choice for you.

Reason 4: Great With Metallics + White

Anyone who’s followed me for a while knows how I love a little understated bling. In the the kitchen, this takes the form of aged brass for the pulls on the doors and the tapware. It also comes in the form of antique gold frames and gold edging on my china.

As far as I’m concerned, metallics of any colour are enhanced when they have black or a dark grey as a backdrop. The colours seem to pop and look even sparklier. This would be one of the main reasons to choose dark kitchen cabinets if you ask me. I mean, who doesn’t want their bling to sparkle even more?

Not only that, but a dark kitchen makes white china look incredible. Put a white plate against a white shelf and it’s lost in space. Put it against a black shelf and it’s a feature. The details of the china are enhanced too when they’re against the dark colour. Of course, you might like the layering of white on white. For me, having a few pieces that stand out because of a dark background fits with my decor style of less being more.

One Last Reason to Choose Dark Kitchen Cabinets: It’s Vintage

I know it’s not really vintage to have a dark kitchen as fitted kitchens were not even a thing until the mid twentieth century, but dark colours make the vintage aesthetic seem move vivid somehow. Its brings blue and green china to life. It makes old rugs seem chicer and more of a statement. And let’s not forget vintage timber accents. Dark cabinets make aged timber pop while adding warmth and cosiness.

If you’re still not convinced a dark kitchen is for you why not check out this post where I show you more of my kitchen

Find out how we made our kitchen island in this post

Do a quick update of your dresser

See a video tour of our house (Including the kitchen!)