Decorating & Design
How To Bring Contrast To Your Kitchen
Published on October 18, 2022
If you’re looking to branch out from classic all-white kitchens but aren’t quite ready to venture into bold color and pattern territory, there are so many other ways to bring drama and definition to your space. In 2022, House & Home featured dozens of high-contrast hubs that stood out for their dramatic stone, showstopping vent hoods, striking islands and beyond.
Scroll down for some of our best high-contrast kitchen ideas!
1. Embrace The Warmth Of Walnut
Designer Barbara Wigmore used dark walnut on an island to create contrast in her client’s white kitchen. Using darker tones of wood is a great way to bring warmth and texture into a neutral space so it doesn’t feel stark.
2. Source Moody Marble
There’s no better way to bring drama into a kitchen than with some standout stone. “It was love at first sight when we found these Calacatta onyx marble slabs. Bring on the etch marks, and think about the wonderful patina of an old European kitchen counter or dining table!” says Barbara. She spent time with the fabricator to ensure that the most dramatic parts appeared front and centre.
3. Trim Your Cabinets
Designer Anne Hepfer went outside the box (literally) in her client’s Muskoka boathouse. In the kitchen, she created a symmetrical look with black-outlined cabinets and added a quintet of pendants in the same palette.
4. Divide Uppers and Lowers
Off-black lower cabinets are amped up by a sprawling island by designer Kassandra Arbour of Bloomsbury Kitchens. The island’s inky hue is emphasized by soapstone counters and matte black accents, resulting in a sophisticated, streamlined look. “Farrow & Ball’s Off-Black is one of my favorite colors to ground a space,” says Kassandra. “It’s softer than a true black, and it’s a beautiful contrast to the paler tall cabinets and floating shelves.”
5. Use Charcoal Tones
The millwork and hood in this Toronto kitchen are stained a deep, rich charcoal, which contrasts the creamy, hand-applied Venetian plaster on the walls. Dramatically veined Arabescato Corchia marble and two-tone sconces play up the tuxedo vibe in this kitchen.
6. A Graphic Vent Hood
“For me, anything graphic is a great way to grab attention,” says designer Jackie Di Cara. In her client’s Rosedale home, a slick black vent hood and island fixture make a statement the moment you walk in the room.
7. Swap Black & White For Blue & Grey
If you’re designing a two-tone kitchen, consider introducing a softer combination like blue and grey in place of black and white to achieve the same high-contrast look. This kitchen island’s base cabinet is painted in a blue-black hue, bringing depth and dimension to the neutral space.
8. Ground The Space With Wood Furniture
To break up the dark green cabinets and marble in this brownstone-inspired kitchen in Toronto, designer Sam Sacks introduced warmer tones with white oak dining stools and herringbone wood floors.
9. Consider Dark Appliances
In this California kitchen, a vintage-inspired black and brass range stands out against the white cabinets and match the smoky hued millwork on the island.