What colors go best in kitchens with black appliances? 6 schemes to suit all styles

If you have a kitchen with black appliances, you've most likely thought long and hard about the best color schemes to suit the space. Black appliances command a lot of attention, so it's important to ensure the rest of the kitchen's colors complement them. 

There are lots of kitchen colors that will work well in a kitchen with black appliances. You can either choose to lean into the dark theme and create a moody space with other rich hues, or, the alternative approach is to contrast black with much lighter hues to create a brighter space.

Regardless of which look you want to create, to set you on your way to knowing which colors will work best, we spoke to interior designers to get their take. Below, we've rounded up six expert-approved color schemes to consider for your kitchen with black appliances, guaranteed to create a stylish look. 

Which colors are best for a kitchen with black appliances? 

'Black appliances create a sleek and modern look in the kitchen,' says interior designer Margarita Bravo. 'You can use several color schemes to complement them effectively.'

But before we delve into the top color schemes for your kitchen with black appliances, it's worth mentioning that although black is a neutral color so generally works well with many different colors, you may want to avoid pairing it with bright white tones. This will create a highly contrasting look that can make a kitchen feel very stark, as interior designer Robin Gannon explains: 'The only color I wouldn't pair with black appliances is white because it's such a harsh transition. But apart from that, really any color pairs well with black appliances.'

Robin Gannon

Robin Gannon is the founder and principal of Robin Gannon Interiors, a full-service interior design firm in the metro Boston, MA area. Winner of Boston Home's Best of Boston Home® 2023 – Most Versatile Interior Designer, the firm is known for their use of color, pattern, and layers to make each client's home as distinctive as they are.

1. Persimmon

For a playful look with your black appliances, choosing a colorful hue can create a vibrant scheme. Interior designer Melanie Coddington, founder of Coddington Design discusses the kitchen she designed pictured above which channels a bold persimmon shade on the kitchen cabinets:

'Although unconventional, we opted for a persimmon shade for this California kitchen to accompany the black La Cornue range.' To complete the look, Melanie recommends continuing the black across the room's accents to create a cohesive finish: 'I suggest incorporating black accents consistently throughout the kitchen. In this instance, we installed black pendants and painted the base of the custom island in a matching black hue.'

2. Earthy colors

To create more of a rustic kitchen with black appliances, opting for earthy colors can create a relaxed look. Designer Jennifer Davis explains: 'While the classic choice is white, earthy tones like mossy greens can add sophistication and balance to the space. Dark, rich earthy green tones can bring a moody and vintage feel to the kitchen when paired with accents in gold and copper tones. This combination adds a sense of depth and character, evoking a sense of old-world charm.'

Jennifer Davis

Jennifer fell in love with design at a young age and has been working in the industry for over 25 years. She has developed an eye for detail and a talent for creating timeless designs. Jennifer offers a balance of creativity and forward-thinking with a structured, organized, and detailed mentality. Jennifer is driven by her deep passion for design while curating an exceptional client journey, ensuring pure delight from the very beginning to the end.

3. Black on black

'In my opinion, black appliances look best with dark cabinets so they don't stand out and instead blend in,' says interior designer Soledad Alzaga. Discussing decorating with black or other very deep shades, Soledad explains these will create 'a complementary backdrop that allows the black appliances to integrate smoothly into the overall design scheme of the kitchen.'

Or, for added interest, you could opt for bronze or dark silver tones to elevate the space while still maintaining a similar cohesive look. Jennifer adds: 'We also love to incorporate other deep shades such as Sherwin-Williams' Iron Ore, a near-black tone, and Urbane Bronze, which carries undertones of brown and green, yet maintains a similarly striking darkness like Iron Ore. These rich hues add so much sophistication.'

Soledad Alzaga

San Francisco-based Interior designer Soledad Alzaga has worked on designs projects in San Francisco, Sonoma, Atherton, New York, Martha's Vineyard, Los Angeles, Mexico and Argentina.

4. Soft neutrals

If you want to offset your black kitchen appliances to achieve a much more delicate look, choose to decorate the rest of the space with soft neutrals. 'Earthy neutral tones like beige, taupe, or greige can create a harmonious and balanced look when paired with black appliances,' explains Margarita. 

Margarita Bravo

Margarita Bravo is a luxury interior designer and decorator, green remodeler, furniture curator, and creator of experiences. Her namesake Interior Design partakes in home design projects nationwide from its Denver, Miami, and Montecito locations.

You can channel a neutral color palette across the kitchen walls and kitchen cabinets, but to further establish an organic look, decorate with natural wood. In contrast to heavier countertop materials such as stone, wood will enhance the softer finish.

Interior designer Kati Curtis elaborates: 'Incorporating warm wood tones will introduce natural elements and textures that soften the boldness of the black and create a welcoming, organic feel in the kitchen design. These color combinations ensure that black enhances rather than overwhelms the space.'

Kati Curtis

Kati Curtis is the founder of Kati Curtis Design, an design firm based in New York City specializing in classic design with a global influence. Kati founded the studio in 2005 after 12 years of working with international architecture and engineering firms. 

5. Cool grays

For a cooler take on decorating with neutrals, consider a gray kitchen scheme to complement your appliances. 'Shades of gray, from light to dark, also work well with black appliances,' says Margarita. 'A light gray can provide a neutral backdrop, while darker grays can add depth and a contemporary feel. If your black appliances have stainless steel accents, consider incorporating stainless steel elements in the kitchen, such as hardware, backsplash, or countertops. This will create a cohesive and coordinated look.'

6. Jewel tones

For a striking kitchen color scheme that adds a touch of glamor, decorate with jewel tones such as emerald green, as Kati suggests: 'The rich, deep hues of emerald green cabinets can bring life and luxury to the kitchen, harmonizing with black appliances for a seamless and sophisticated look. The vibrancy of emerald green offers a stunning juxtaposition to the sleekness of black, creating a dynamic yet refined palette without too much contrast.'

Maroon is another jewel tone to consider that will create a similar, sophisticated look while tapping into this year's popular unexpected red trend. 'Deep maroon reds bring a touch of drama and can work beautifully with black appliances to evoke an elegant yet cozy atmosphere.'

Whether you want to offset your black appliances with soft neutrals to create a lighter look or want to achieve a dramatic scheme by decorating with bold hues, there are lots of options to explore. Whichever color pairing you choose, think first and foremost about how well it fits your own interior design style to ensure it's one you'll love for years to come.