I didn’t see it coming, but Jennifer Aniston’s dark kitchen color scheme is dominating trends – and I can’t look away

Actress Jennifer Aniston is no stranger to style, and her kitchen – a masterclass in mid-century modern luxury – beautifully preserves the timeless ethos of her 1965 home. While the clean lines and pale wood cabinetry take center stage, the rich black kitchen color scheme used on the dramatic central island and perimeter countertops is the real star of the show.

Daring and decadent, black kitchen ideas are difficult to get right, but once mastered, they can add elegant confidence to your space like no other color. Without a doubt, decorating with black is the dominant color trend across 2025 and 2026, as homeowners crave depth, contrast, and sophistication to replace the stark white minimalism of the last decade.

Something truly magical happens when you introduce black in an interior space. 'The delicious contrast between lighter objects against a dark background emphasizes unique qualities in materials and finer details you might have missed in a light-filled, colorful space,' explains Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux. This dynamic interplay between light and shadow is key to the enduring appeal of the modern kitchen look.

And even if you're not ready for floor-to-ceiling black, small accents can add definition and drama without overwhelming a room. 'Picking out a door frame, shelves, or window frames in black makes a space come to life,' adds Alison Teverini of Milward Teverini.

When choosing this bold hue, there are many shades of black to consider, and some may not work with the rest of your scheme. The trick is to identify the subtle undertones that define one black hue from another. Source samples of fabric and wallpaper and compare these to your paint swatches, so you can see which shades feel harmonious and which feel wrong.

'It's sometimes hard to see subtle variations on small swatches, so make sure you order a larger sample,' advises Helen Harlow of London-based design studio, Paintbox.

Fortunately, it doesn't matter which space you choose to paint black; it only matters how you apply the color. Black is a dramatic, strong, and surprisingly forgiving room color idea in a kitchen – so in this environment, use rich shades of charcoal or blue-black. Then, follow Jennifer Aniston's example by balancing the look with pale wood, white ceilings, and light countertops to prevent the space from feeling oppressive. The depth of pigment of darker grays and blacks means that they offer an emotional content that can be as nurturing or soothing as any neutral, particularly when you embrace a matte, velvety finish.

For some homeowners, the idea of dark colors might feel foreboding, but for others, it is the dark 'night' of a shade that offers serenity in a room scheme.

A final word of warning for your renovation: don't scrimp on the quality of your paint. Blacks and dark colors are notorious for showing up roller marks, scuffs, and imperfections – investing in a high-quality matte formula is essential for a flawless, luxurious finish that will last well into 2026.

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Black doesn’t have to come from paint alone. Whatever you choose, invest in high-quality finishes. For an effortless color update, bring in black through decor accents – think rugs, floor runners, curtains, or upholstered pieces. Dark-hued patterns can anchor a neutral scheme, adding depth and sophistication without a full repaint.