Halle Bailey's kitchen cabinet color is a 'risky' choice – but her bold choice pays off

The actress didn't play it safe with her cabinet color – and experts love how it brings a dramatic, modern feel to her space

halle bailey
(Image credit: Getty Images)

There's no question that Halle Bailey is a rising star. The actress's central roles in The Little Mermaid and The Color Purple have cemented her as a fixture of contemporary cinema. Therefore, it's no surprise she has a kitchen fit for an emerging movie icon.

Halle took to Instagram to share a mirror selfie in her costume for her new movie, holding her cat and inadvertently showing off her daring kitchen cabinet color

Her dark kitchen stuns with a gray and white backsplash, white countertops, and gray marble tiled floors alongside stainless steel hardware. However, as hinted, the most intriguing feature is Halle's lightly striped, glossy black kitchen cabinets.

Though black has sometimes been criticized as a cabinet color, designers agree it has important benefits for Halle Bailey's space. 

Interior designer and architect Julio Arco states: 'From the perspective of evidence-based design, the color black can add a sense of depth and elegance to your kitchen, creating a visually striking contrast if paired with lighter hues, like white or gray. A black kitchen can indeed express a modern, sophisticated, and timeless style that can be quite appealing.'

Julio Arco
Julio Arco

Julio Arco has been practicing as an architect, interior designer, and online interior designer for the past several years in the United States. He holds a degree in Architecture from ITESM and a Master’s degree in Urban Design and Housing from McGill University. He is also a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).  

Erin Hayes, interior designer and owner of Woodland Road Design, also approves of the cabinet hue. 

'Black is so chic and will continue to be a timeless look–think Parisian bistro! As dominant as white kitchens are, black kitchens are equally classy and elegant when done right,' she says.

'Black is having a moment right now, but it's not as trendy as other color choices. You don't see it everywhere, so it just feels riskier, which makes it less common, and for me, that only adds to the appeal!'

colors that go with dark green, black and white small kitchen with green painted backsplash, window to garden black cabinetry, marble countertops

(Image credit: Fenwick & Tilbrook)
erin hayes of woodland road design
Erin Hayes

Erin started Woodland Road Design in 2016, to create elegantly designed interiors that focus on the client and their families’ active and busy lifestyle. Erin’s favorite spaces are kitchens and baths, and she has a knack for bringing out each client’s unique style and sensibility. She has also developed a keen ability to focus on a family’s wishes and needs, both aesthetically as well as from a functional stand-point.

'One of my favorite aspects of a black kitchen color scheme is its ability to deliver a statement-making interior,' Julio adds.

Black, as a color, commands attention and can give your kitchen a unique character and a strong presence. It also offers versatility, as it can be easily paired with various other colors and materials, enabling you to blend different styles and create a truly personalized space.' 

The glossy cabinets in Halle Bailey's kitchen certainly achieve this effect, effortlessly taking the kitchen design to the next level. 

Shop the Black Kitchen Edit


Love it or hate it, the black kitchen cabinet has become a timeless staple of kitchen design. Follow Halle Bailey's example to get ahead of the trend.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

I am a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens. My interests lie at the intersection of design and popular culture with a particular focus on trends and celebrity homes. Before joining Future, I worked as a Content Writer and Communications Lead for Fig Linens and Home, a luxury linens and home interiors brand based in Fairfield County, CT. I have a BA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College in New York and an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology.