Courteney Cox offers the ultimate inspiration for decorating with black, showing how wood can keep a kitchen grounded and effortlessly elegant

Black paint isn't for everyone, but when it's done well, it really makes its case. In particular, dark paints that are balanced out by light or natural elements prove that the design choice is not as daunting as one might think.

Take Courteney Cox's kitchen, for example. The actor's space fuses a murky, dark paint color with natural wood shelves and cabinetry for a contemporary and organic feel that showcases a fantastic way to decorate with black.

The sleek shelves are adorned with black mugs and bowls, seamlessly blending into the wall paint while adding some dimension to the space. It's a chic, understated look that designers approve of.

Shop the black and wood kitchen look

According to design experts, disrupting a monochromatic palette in a kitchen with natural materials is a go-to way to maintain visual interest in these spaces.

'The beauty of a black-and-white kitchen is its versatility,' says designer Nina Lichtenstein.

'It can lean sleek and contemporary with high-gloss finishes and sharp lines, or warm and classic when softened with natural textures like marble, wood, or woven fibers. This combination also provides the perfect backdrop for layers of personality, whether through brass or matte-black hardware, patterned tile, or statement lighting. Because the palette is so clean, every accent becomes intentional, every material has room to shine.'

You can stray from Courteney's decor technique and instead, incorporate wood accessories onto the wood shelf for a twist on the monochromatic look. This works especially well if you want to lean further into the organic modern aesthetic, which favors natural materials like wood and rattan. Whatever you choose, a balance of dark colors and natural materials is a timeless design choice for the kitchen.