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Design Dilemma
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Dark kitchen units question ...

8 years ago
Hi!!

Well we are hopefully onto our next project after having sold our house (fingers crossed for me!) and the new place will need gutting - plus a loft conversion as soon as we move in

To speed things up, we are trying to get some ideas of kitchens and bathrooms we might want as I know how long it takes to choose these.

I've always fancied darker kitchen units - be it dark grey wood effect or a rich dark blue black colour mixed with gold discreet handles. I'm just worried that you need a really bright or really large kitchen to pull this look off??

Our current one is white gloss and as much as I love it, our black pug's hair just loves it even more

Anyone want to share pics of their dark kitchen units? Any tips??
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I think you can get away with dark in a smaller space. Keeping the top light actually helps to make the space look larger.

    Comments (9)

    • 8 years ago
      last modified: 8 years ago

      Dark kitchen units work well with light upper units or no upper units. As long as you have a variety of dark, light and medium tones then it can work in any space. All of the images below are tonally balanced (pale floor, dark units or pale walls, medium floor etc). My kitchen isn't light so I didn't bother trying to make it so and it does work.

      Photography for Orsman Construction, home in Hackney, London · More Info

      Berlin · More Info

      Contemporain Cuisine · More Info

    • 8 years ago
      Ah fabulous, thank you!
      Yes we are considering having a lighter top. Depending on the unit colour and the light in the room, would depend on the material as the walnut looks fab with the dark colour as well.

      The room won't be small as it's one big open plan kitchen/living area (we don't use a dining table but eat at an island) but it's just not south facing as such.

      I was hoping to use the same floor as we have in ours which is a rich walnut laminate as it's held up to water spills and dogs, so we would then have to go for a more neutral top I think
    • PRO
      8 years ago

      Hi Tani,

      We'd suggest using lighter flooring to create striking contrast with the dark units.

      Here's an idea with grey oak:

      Stormy Oak

      And to give an example of how a warm parquet looks with dark shades:

      Coffee Oak

    • 8 years ago
      Yes I definitely like the lighter wood with the darker units. The flooring we have is not a dark walnut - it's a warm tone like the parquet.

      We want something that would work from the kitchen into the living area and be durable against general day to day water drops. Not keen on tiles as they are too cold and I don't want to split the room up by having two floor types.

      Does the karndean et al work better than standard laminate?
    • PRO
      8 years ago
      last modified: 8 years ago

      Hi Tani,

      It depends what look you'd like to go for. For a lovely natural wood look, engineered wood flooring is your best option. Lots of people choose it for their kitchen - a lacquered finish can offer a very durable and resistant surface. As long as spills are wiped away, you won't find yourself with a problem.

      Laminate is a good choice too but of course won't last as long as real wood.

    • 8 years ago
      Thank you.
      It's the maintenance of engineered wood I'm worried about. We have dogs and I work from home and I'm worried about claw dents and having to keep sanding it back or re varnishing it?
    • PRO
      8 years ago

      Hi Tani, that's understandable! Sometimes people don't feel comfortable choosing engineered flooring for pets as it can be a little trickier to keep in great condition.

      We suggest keeping dogs claws trimmed and using rugs as preventative options. Mopping up any little accidents is key too! But there wouldn't be a need to sand and revarnish unless you felt like you wanted a bigger refresh later down the line. Our engineered floors have multiple coats of oil or lacquer for protection from scratches. Here's a guide to finishes. There are also products to touch-up scratches too.

      Wood is a very hardwearing, durable option that will last you a lifetime. Food for thought anyway!

    • 8 years ago

      If you want inspiration for darker kitchens it might be worth checking out Devol and Plain English on instagram - it's pretty much their hallmark. I think as its part of a larger space it would probably be helpful to go pick up some paint charts from Farrow&Ball and Little Greene, not because you have to use their paints but because all their colours are grouped to work together. That way you can choose 3 or so colours to make the space flow.

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