The open concept kitchen enjoys continuing popularity in today’s homes. Because a kitchen like this flows visually right into other rooms in the house, many homeowners choose neutral colors for their kitchen cabinets. Cabinets in neutral cabinets can indeed be a safe choice, one that leaves you with wide-open color options for the rest of the house. If you find the prospect of neutrals colors a bit boring, there’s an easy way to incorporate color, style, and timeless design: choose white kitchen cabinets and black countertops.
You may also hear this style referred to as “two-tone” cabinets or the “tuxedo look.” Black countertops with white kitchen cabinets create a bold contrast that gives the kitchen a contemporary and modern feel. You can then add colors that tie in with the rest of the house with decorative accessories, art, and appliances.
Choosing the black countertops
Many homeowners ask: “Are black countertops still in style?” The answer is a resounding yes. For a deep black countertop that is durable and long-lasting, you have several materials to consider. Quartz, granite, and marble remain preferred countertop choices because they hold up well to daily use and look good for a long time. Attractive patterns and veining in any of these materials can add variety and a little flair to your kitchen.
Take a closer look at different types of quartz, granite, or marble countertops, and you’ll learn if your style preference leans toward a lively or more subdued pattern. Each material offers excellent resistance to heat, stains, and water. Countertop experts recommend sealing granite to protect its porous surface – you’ll want to then re-seal once or twice a year. If you have concerns about a material’s ability to withstand high heat, consider quartz or granite over marble. Each of these three materials have similar price ranges: quartz comes in at $80 to $150 per square foot, granite at $50 to $200 per square foot, and marble typically costs between $40 – $100 per square foot.
What color cabinets go with black countertops?
Once you’ve chosen your black countertop, complete your “tuxedo” look with one of three cabinet design configurations:
- A complete set of white upper and base cabinets.
- White upper cabinets, with black base cabinets.
- White upper and base cabinets for any wall cabinets and a black island with black countertop.
Choosing white kitchen cabinets
Prepare to be dazzled by the array of white kitchen cabinets available; your choice will depend on the look you’re trying to create. A common question is, what color countertop goes with antique white cabinets? Almost any black countertop works well antique white cabinets, Shaker-style cabinets in bright white, or white gloss frameless cabinets.
A brighter white or glossy finish will give your kitchen a modern feel. A white cabinet with a grey undertone, often called dusk or off-white, will add a contemporary ambiance to your kitchen. An antique white will warm up the room and create a comfortable feeling in the space.
Put the white cabinet + black countertop look together: 12 lively design ideas.
Here are the perfect white Shaker-style cabinet and solid black granite countertop, a luxurious transitional or modern kitchen style.
This wild transitional kitchen features a mixed marble pattern in the black-and-white countertop, paired with white Shaker-style cabinets.
The full black granite waterfall countertop with white veining lined up next to white cabinets adds a lively focal point in this U-shaped kitchen.
This open-concept kitchen nicely integrates light and dark. The light wood floor and white cabinets would overpower the space without the bold black countertops to add balance.
If vintage is your style, these dusk Shaker-style kitchen cabinets paired with black satin finish countertops and a range hood and stools in brushed nickel range make a perfect combination.
This small open-concept kitchen features a solid black focal point with its waterfall island countertop and work area on either side of the stove. The result? A clean and modern look.
This high-gloss black countertop provides a stark contrast to the bright white Shaker-style cabinets. The light bounces off of both to give the room a lively and appealing feel.
The high-gloss finish of both the black granite countertop and white Shaker-style cabinets reflects the light created by a mosaic backsplash.
The black countertop and white cabinet mix in this transitional kitchen add to space’s airy and light feeling, even with black hardware and lighting fixtures.
This kitchen brings in dark wood tones to soften the high contrast between the black countertop and white cabinets. This adds a feeling of warmth and comfort to the kitchen.
The more traditional look of this French Provincial kitchen mixes antique white cabinets with a high-gloss black countertop.
Finished in high-gloss white, these modern frameless cabinets give the whole room an open feel, even with an oversized island with black countertops.
Designing the perfect look in your kitchen with white kitchen cabinets and black countertops can be easy with the free design services at CabinetCorp. The expert in-house designers can help you choose the layout, cabinets, accessories, countertops, and flooring to add a lively look to your kitchen. Contact a designer today to begin your kitchen project.