The Black Kitchen Cabinet Trend

I don't know about you, but I've been seeing black kitchen cabinets pop up everywhere I look lately.  It has been a strong trend for about four years now, but it has gotten to the point that it's showing up in mainstream products.  Which probably means that it will burn bright and then fizzle out in the next five years.  

What I'd like to tell you is that I'd love it if black sticks around for a while.  Honestly, I'm hoping that it's going to have some staying power because it's such a lovely foil to the most classic color of all times...white.  It adds depth to any room it's in and looks fantastic with lots of different wood tones.  

However, the "wall to wall" black kitchen cabinet look that is so popular now, will not last.  In ten years, we will walk into a kitchen like that and know which decade it came from.  

I'm not trying to discourage you if this is your jam.  I absolutely love what I'm seeing (perhaps that's because, as a Realtor, we tend to get a little burnout on the "white kitchen" thing), I just want to make sure you consider your investment and make sure you're prepared for when the trend changes, because as always, it will.

You need a plan of action to implement this trend that meshes well with your wallet and your sensibilities!

So here is my take on this, using black cabinetry throughout the whole kitchen is a trend and it is going to date like pretty much every other trend.  

However, I think there are lots of ways you can still strategically approach this if you really love it and want to incorporate it into your space.

1) LOOK FOR WAYS IN WHICH IT CAN BE ALTERED IN THE FUTURE WHEN IT STARTS TO DATE.

On-site painted cabinetry.  Factory painted finishes are admittedly more durable, so that's definitely a consideration.  However, hand-painted cabinetry will need a fresh coat of paint every 10-20 years, so by the time the cabinetry is needing that, most people would probably be ready to update the color a bit anyhow (unless you're choosing a crisp white, which is timeless).  

If you can satisfy your craving for black painted cabinetry in such a way that you can paint it a different color down the road, then you've got a plan worth considering.  

Remember to keep that in mind as you select your countertop materials, backsplash, etc.  If this is your plan of action, you'll want to make sure that your other material selections will work well with another color of cabinetry down the road.

Paint the walls instead of the cabinetry.  Knowing that this was a trend that wouldn't last forever, these folks were very clever and got the black and white kitchen trend by putting black on the walls while keeping the cabinetry white.  

Walls are arguably lots easier to paint than cabinetry.  If I was going to interpret this trend for a client with a modern farmhouse kitchen, this is how I would envision it...with wide, vertical v-groove planks on the walls (more timeless than horizontal shiplap) that would be painted black, combined with crisp white cabinetry and a few distressed wood elements that could be ditched later on...like floating shelves.

2) INCORPORATE THE TREND IN A NON-TRENDY WAY.

There are lots of ways to incorporate black into your design.  The kitchens that date the least are often ones that really march to the beat of their own drummer. 

3) LIMIT THE SCOPE OF IT.

The best case scenario for longevity would be to use it on the island only.  The second best scenario would be to use it on the lower cabinets only.  

While some of you out there may love this look for twenty years, you should still do yourself a favor and at least mentally prepare to repaint it in ten years or less, especially if re-selling your home around that time.   

4) TRY THE DARK TREND WITH ANOTHER COLOR THAT IS A LITTLE LESS "COLOUR DU JOUR." 

Again, it will have more staying power if you go in your own direction and do something a little less trendy.  Make your cabinetry color something that reflects the colors in your overall home and, of course, a color that you love.

5) BE CAREFUL NOT TO COMBINE IT WITH TOO MANY OTHER ON-TREND IDEAS AT THE SAME TIME, SUCH AS LIGHT WOOD FINISHES, TRENDY TILES, ETC.

These kitchens combine several trendy elements, which will call for big updates when they have all run their course.  Again, the kitchens (below) are beautiful. Absolutely stunning and made for this Instagram world we live in.  

I have pinned all sorts of kitchens like these to my Pinterest board "Kitchen Design Inspiration."  Keep in mind, though, that these homeowners may be super on-trend people who will call their favorite designer up to redo their kitchen every ten years and not bat an eyelash.  If you are not one of those people, (I know I’m sure not) then be more strategic with your selections.