Black and White Kitchens Can Be Boring, but Miley Cyrus Shows How To Make The Scheme Feel Modern and Fresh

Forget modern farmhouse, in 2026, black and white kitchens are getting a new elegant yet contemporary look. Miley Cyrus's Malibu space is the perfect blueprint for reinventing this classic scheme, so it's chic and never boring.

The singer and actress worked with her mother, Tish Cyrus, to transform her California home into an ultra-cool pad worthy of a rockstar. Her black and white kitchen completely embodies this ethos. A base of hardwood floors, a subway tiled backsplash, and white cabinets creates a simple start, which is elevated by zebra chairs, black siding, and black iron lighting. Rather than feeling done-before, the classic scheme is completely reinvented in her home.

So, what tricks does Miley use to make this scheme work well in a white kitchen? To explore, Homes & Gardens curated an edit of our favorite black and white kitchen products for creating a similar energy. We also spoke with a collection of experts on their favorite way to keep a black and white scheme interesting. Let's begin with a picture of Miley's kitchen.

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Shop The Modern Black and White Kitchen Edit

First, it's important to understand that while black and white rooms may evolve, the color scheme is never going out of style. New York-based interior designer Nina Lichtenstein tells Homes & Gardens: 'Few color pairings have stood the test of time as gracefully as black and white. In a kitchen, one of the most used, most lived-in rooms of the home, this contrast does more than create visual drama. It creates balance. Black anchors the space, grounding it with weight and sophistication, while white lifts it, reflecting light and bringing a sense of airiness. Together, they strike a harmony that feels both timeless and modern, crisp yet inviting.'

She concludes: 'Ultimately, black and white endures because it tells a story of balance. It’s the meeting of shadow and light, structure and openness. In a kitchen, that duality becomes more than visual.
It mirrors the way the room functions, as a place of energy and utility as well as gathering and comfort. Few palettes capture that complexity as beautifully as this one.'

Nina advises thinking in terms of rhythm and contrast for those who hope to emulate the charm of Miley's scheme. She recommends incorporating texture, as we see in this kitchen, through the tiled walls and sandy stoneware to keep the palette from feeling flat. She adds: 'Don’t be afraid to introduce a subtle third element, such as soft metallics, greenery, or even a muted color in art or textiles. These small touches keep the room from feeling too stark while preserving its striking simplicity.'

The zebra-print accent chairs are another element that sets Miley's space apart. Whether or not this is your style, it's easy to add interest to a black and white kitchen with any pattern of your choice.

Neha Gupta, interior designer at founder at NU Curations, explains: 'Using patterns is a highly effective method for incorporating interest into a design without the use of accessories. A strong pattern can act as an accessory by incorporating a visual element to draw the eye. In a dining room, an interesting rug can be a unique addition without needing anything else. Patterns can unify a design by repeating an element in another way. Think of a black and white trim on a chair that can reflect the design of a table or a border of a curtain that can repeat an idea in a cushion. Patterns, when used correctly, give a design a purpose and a goal, and can be inviting to guests.'

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