Small Kitchens with Dark Cabinets (Design Ideas)

Welcome to our design gallery of small kitchens with dark cabinets. Small kitchen designs offer unique challenges for combining style and function. Below are a variety of small kitchen ideas that match dark cabinets with countertops, backsplash, and flooring to create a beautiful cooking and dining space. A small kitchen may prove to be a design challenge, such as lacking enough counter space, not enough space for the appliances, and a restricted working area. But having a small area for a kitchen doesn’t mean you can’t turn it into your dream kitchen.

Kitchen Ideas for Dark Cabinets

The secret to creating a fabulous cuisine corner in a small or limited space is to establish an illusion of making it look larger with a few design techniques. Usually, an open floor plan would make a small culinary space appear and feel larger by allowing the cooking space to flow into the living or dining area. It is also important to remember that in creating an efficient kitchen design, you have to consider storage, lighting, and the appliances you need to incorporate in such a small area.

Storage – Don’t be restricted to just the walls of your culinary space; make use of the space in the center as well. By incorporating an island or peninsula in the center of the kitchen, you are actually creating an extra counter and storage space that is also accessible from any point in the culinary space. Adding an island or peninsula can be a challenge for a small space. Portable kitchen islands are available in a variety of sizes for those with limited floor space.

Storage is very essential in the culinary space. Maximize your storage capacity as well as work space by installing deeper counters which can be spacious enough for more appliances to be stored or fitted in. Extra-deep drawers provide more storage and can be easily integrated with the base cabinetry; plus, they are more accessible. Make best use of high ceiling for additional storage up top by installing ceiling-height cabinets. Eliminate wasted space and take advantage of extra wall space by incorporating open shelves or built-in hutchs.

Appliances and Furniture – In small cooking space, limited counter space is always a challenge. Incorporate a functional counter space by using a butcher block countertop which could make the most of your preparation area. Take full advantage of adding a island to achieve more counter space and have the option of having the base open or have some open shelves for additional storage. If you wish to have a seating area by the kitchen island, try incorporating movable seating such as benches that roll out of the way when not in use. This way, you could maximize the functionality of the space by making room for food preparation and having a dining area as well. You could also incorporate appliances such as the oven and stove with the island.

Downsizing appliances are the best option when choosing cooking accessories and devices. Removing small appliances keeps the cooking space from feeling too cramped and provides more counter space. Downsizing is fast becoming a trend and applied to universal design principles in order to keep the culinary space looking attractive. Another way of making a small cooking space look more spacious is to use see-through chairs or bar stools that don’t block the view.

Lighting – Proper lighting sets the overall feel of any room and area; small kitchens are no exception. Pendant lights and lighting below the cabinets will cast light away from the countertop and backsplash, thus expanding the space and mood of the cooking hub. It also helps spotlight the work zones and important areas of the culinary space. Make sure that the lighting are installed where it is needed most. Incorporate a lighting fixture that adds drama and a decorative element.

Colors – Light color palette could make a small culinary space feel spacious. Adding a pop of color could also make the kitchen look brighter and fun. You may also add color through window treatments such as fabric curtains, shades and blinds. Most of the time, white is right. White kitchen will never be outdated or be out of style. Accentuate white kitchen design scheme with the kitchen flooring, backsplash, countertop and accessories.

Explore more small kitchens with dark cabinets designs and decorating ideas with our collections below. Don’t be afraid to dream big with your small kitchen ideas. Always remember, “Good food, beautiful, welcoming and warm kitchen are what makes a house a home.”

Dark Cabinet Kitchen Design Ideas

The contemporary kitchen in the picture above features stainless steel appliances which can easily be integrated with the neutral dark brown cabinets and white quartz counter. Top cabinet with smoked glass front provides a perfect mix of extra hidden storage and create bright and dramatic feel. The large window allows natural light to shine through during daytime; at night, the lighting fixture under the wall hanging cabinetry provides ample lighting in the work zone. The exposed brick wall gives this kitchen style added rustic character.

This contemporary L-shape kitchen features black kitchen cabinets balanced by wall hanging cabinets with glass front panel. Lights inside these glass front panel cabinets helps uplifts and make this small kitchen brighter. Light tone matchstick glass mosaic backsplash, cool neutral tone countertop and stainless steel appliances creates a perfectly elegant kitchen scheme.

This studio-type contemporary one-line kitchen features dark cabinets and stainless steel appliances. The big picture window allows plenty of natural light to shine through the room. The drop ceiling allows more drop lights to be installed for ample lighting in the absence of natural light. Medium tone wooden flooring provides balance to the design and color scheme.