Kitchen Design
New This Week: 5 New Kitchens With Dark and Moody Elements
See how professionals balance black and dark green features with warm finishes to create welcoming and dramatic looks
Dark and moody elements can add drama and sophistication to a kitchen. When balanced with elements of warm wood, metal or paint, a dark and moody kitchen can also feel cozy and welcoming. Here, design and construction pros share the dark — and warm — details they used to create stylishly inviting kitchens.
2. Black and White Oak
Designer: Paulina Carcach
Location: Redwood City, California
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner envisioned a kitchen that would feel part of their modern bungalow-style home, creating a space that felt both warm and functional,” designer Paulina Carcach says. “They wanted a cozy yet modern kitchen where they could enjoy everyday moments together. One of her key requests was to incorporate a table directly into the kitchen island, as she and her husband prefer to eat in the kitchen. This feature became central to the design, blending functionality with an inviting space.”
Dark and moody features. “With dark accents already featured throughout the home, we wanted to bring a hint of this moody aesthetic into the kitchen millwork, creating cohesion with the rest of the space,” Carcach says. “The cabinetry is crafted from white oak with a light whitewash finish to maintain warmth, while the island and extendable table stand out with a custom black stain and paint finish, adding depth without overpowering the lighter cabinetry.
“To balance these elements, we chose Cristallo Spectrum polished quartzite for the countertops, backsplash and floating shelves, offering both durability and a less porous surface, ideal for everyday use. The black steel hood and white oak with black stain linear pendants further accentuate the dark, moody accents without overwhelming the warmth of the natural wood. This balance of light and dark allows the kitchen to feel both modern and inviting.”
Designer tip. “A design tip we used in this kitchen was incorporating a custom black-stained island with an extendable table and a half-waterfall [countertop] to meet at the table height for blending style with functionality,” Carcach says. “This feature serves as both a focal point and a practical space for dining, without crowding the kitchen. For homeowners, integrating multifunctional elements like an island-table combo can maximize space and usability, especially in high-traffic areas.”
Lighting: Bennington pendant lights in black-stained oak and black metal, Hollis+Morris
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Designer: Paulina Carcach
Location: Redwood City, California
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner envisioned a kitchen that would feel part of their modern bungalow-style home, creating a space that felt both warm and functional,” designer Paulina Carcach says. “They wanted a cozy yet modern kitchen where they could enjoy everyday moments together. One of her key requests was to incorporate a table directly into the kitchen island, as she and her husband prefer to eat in the kitchen. This feature became central to the design, blending functionality with an inviting space.”
Dark and moody features. “With dark accents already featured throughout the home, we wanted to bring a hint of this moody aesthetic into the kitchen millwork, creating cohesion with the rest of the space,” Carcach says. “The cabinetry is crafted from white oak with a light whitewash finish to maintain warmth, while the island and extendable table stand out with a custom black stain and paint finish, adding depth without overpowering the lighter cabinetry.
“To balance these elements, we chose Cristallo Spectrum polished quartzite for the countertops, backsplash and floating shelves, offering both durability and a less porous surface, ideal for everyday use. The black steel hood and white oak with black stain linear pendants further accentuate the dark, moody accents without overwhelming the warmth of the natural wood. This balance of light and dark allows the kitchen to feel both modern and inviting.”
Designer tip. “A design tip we used in this kitchen was incorporating a custom black-stained island with an extendable table and a half-waterfall [countertop] to meet at the table height for blending style with functionality,” Carcach says. “This feature serves as both a focal point and a practical space for dining, without crowding the kitchen. For homeowners, integrating multifunctional elements like an island-table combo can maximize space and usability, especially in high-traffic areas.”
Lighting: Bennington pendant lights in black-stained oak and black metal, Hollis+Morris
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3. Dark Green, Brown, Wood and Cream
Designer: Katie Geresy of KTG Design
Location: Truckee, California
Homeowners’ request. “As a new build, this project was a canvas brimming with endless inspiration and possibilities,” designer Katie Geresy says. “They dreamed of a space perfect for hosting family and friends, where function and beauty would seamlessly intertwine. In this home, the kitchen truly serves as the heart, where the family of five gathers around the expansive island, creating memories together. With its soaring ceilings and generous windows, the kitchen range wall and island stand as striking focal points, anchoring the entire space in warmth and elegance.”
Dark and moody features. Dark green cabinets (Studio Green by Farrow & Ball). Dark brown-gray marble countertops (Grigio Armani marble). “Our clients embraced our ideas — even the bold ones — with open arms,” Geresy says. “This home features large windows and bright walls, creating a vibrant backdrop for the open floor plan that seamlessly connects the great room and dining area. The kitchen, with its darker theme, adds a striking contrast to this expansive space. We absolutely adore Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green, and we knew it was perfect for the heart of their home. To enhance this rich color, we incorporated a lighter range wall slab and backsplash (Calacatta Primavera marble), complemented by a beautiful decorative plaster-finished hood and elegant brass plumbing and hardware. The moody cabinets harmonize with these warmer, brighter elements.”
Other special features. A wood ceiling treatment and wood flooring sandwich the kitchen in warmth. “As you step into the great room, you’re immediately welcomed by an impressive kitchen island that stretches nearly 15 feet long, perfectly complementing the length of the range wall,” Geresy says. “Alabaster pendants gracefully illuminate the island, while brass sconces frame the artistic hood above the CornuFé range by La Cornue — a true masterpiece in its own right.”
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Designer: Katie Geresy of KTG Design
Location: Truckee, California
Homeowners’ request. “As a new build, this project was a canvas brimming with endless inspiration and possibilities,” designer Katie Geresy says. “They dreamed of a space perfect for hosting family and friends, where function and beauty would seamlessly intertwine. In this home, the kitchen truly serves as the heart, where the family of five gathers around the expansive island, creating memories together. With its soaring ceilings and generous windows, the kitchen range wall and island stand as striking focal points, anchoring the entire space in warmth and elegance.”
Dark and moody features. Dark green cabinets (Studio Green by Farrow & Ball). Dark brown-gray marble countertops (Grigio Armani marble). “Our clients embraced our ideas — even the bold ones — with open arms,” Geresy says. “This home features large windows and bright walls, creating a vibrant backdrop for the open floor plan that seamlessly connects the great room and dining area. The kitchen, with its darker theme, adds a striking contrast to this expansive space. We absolutely adore Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green, and we knew it was perfect for the heart of their home. To enhance this rich color, we incorporated a lighter range wall slab and backsplash (Calacatta Primavera marble), complemented by a beautiful decorative plaster-finished hood and elegant brass plumbing and hardware. The moody cabinets harmonize with these warmer, brighter elements.”
Other special features. A wood ceiling treatment and wood flooring sandwich the kitchen in warmth. “As you step into the great room, you’re immediately welcomed by an impressive kitchen island that stretches nearly 15 feet long, perfectly complementing the length of the range wall,” Geresy says. “Alabaster pendants gracefully illuminate the island, while brass sconces frame the artistic hood above the CornuFé range by La Cornue — a true masterpiece in its own right.”
10 Design Features Pros Recommend for Entertaining at Home
4. Dark Green, Black and Greige
Designer: Giana Shorthouse of Studio Giana
Location: Atlanta
Homeowners’ request. “The original kitchen was small, cramped and lacked storage and space to gather with friends and family,” designer Giana Shorthouse says. “It was remodeled to an expansive and multifunctional kitchen that includes a range of more function, spanning from the island and range wall to the custom-designed pantry, wall-to-wall china storage, a separate bar and a reworked butler’s pantry. We also built it out to include an adjacent covered outdoor space that carries the space from inside to outside.”
Shorthouse uses Houzz Pro business software to manage projects. “I use it for proposals, invoicing, purchase orders, and time and expenses,” she says.
Dark and moody features. Dark warm-green island base (Andiron, Sherwin-Williams). Black-framed stools. Black pendant lights. “We went dark to give the space a richer and more dynamic feeling,” Shorthouse says. “The homeowners had lived in the home for over a decade with old, nonfunctioning windows and years of white paint, so when it came to colors we decided to go dark to give the space dimension and a richness it was missing before. Coming from prior years of loft living, the homeowners’ personal style reflects a more modern and industrial perspective, so when it came to finishes, we chose black to honor their personal style. Mixing dark green, black and aged brass details allowed us to blend their more modern outlook in a home that was fit for a more traditional style. I designed the island base with more classic detailing and color in mind but paired it with a more modern waterfall countertop to add contrast to the style.”
Other special features. Warm greige perimeter cabinets (Skipping Stone, Benjamin Moore). Pacific White marble countertops and backsplash.
Designer tip. “Balance through contrast,” Shorthouse says. “When you look at the material selections, you’ll notice that there is an inherent balance between materials because I chose to place darker materials next to lighter materials to create a lot of contrast.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We had a construction mishap with the installation of the flooring,” Shorthouse says. “We chose to go with a limestone floor, and due to the settling in the home between the original foundation and the new foundation underneath the new addition, we started seeing cracks in the floor shortly after install, which had to be repaired and wasn’t ideal for such a beautiful flooring selection.”
Stools: Asher, Jamie Young; faucet: Lombardia, Rohl; wall, ceiling and trim paint: Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams
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Designer: Giana Shorthouse of Studio Giana
Location: Atlanta
Homeowners’ request. “The original kitchen was small, cramped and lacked storage and space to gather with friends and family,” designer Giana Shorthouse says. “It was remodeled to an expansive and multifunctional kitchen that includes a range of more function, spanning from the island and range wall to the custom-designed pantry, wall-to-wall china storage, a separate bar and a reworked butler’s pantry. We also built it out to include an adjacent covered outdoor space that carries the space from inside to outside.”
Shorthouse uses Houzz Pro business software to manage projects. “I use it for proposals, invoicing, purchase orders, and time and expenses,” she says.
Dark and moody features. Dark warm-green island base (Andiron, Sherwin-Williams). Black-framed stools. Black pendant lights. “We went dark to give the space a richer and more dynamic feeling,” Shorthouse says. “The homeowners had lived in the home for over a decade with old, nonfunctioning windows and years of white paint, so when it came to colors we decided to go dark to give the space dimension and a richness it was missing before. Coming from prior years of loft living, the homeowners’ personal style reflects a more modern and industrial perspective, so when it came to finishes, we chose black to honor their personal style. Mixing dark green, black and aged brass details allowed us to blend their more modern outlook in a home that was fit for a more traditional style. I designed the island base with more classic detailing and color in mind but paired it with a more modern waterfall countertop to add contrast to the style.”
Other special features. Warm greige perimeter cabinets (Skipping Stone, Benjamin Moore). Pacific White marble countertops and backsplash.
Designer tip. “Balance through contrast,” Shorthouse says. “When you look at the material selections, you’ll notice that there is an inherent balance between materials because I chose to place darker materials next to lighter materials to create a lot of contrast.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We had a construction mishap with the installation of the flooring,” Shorthouse says. “We chose to go with a limestone floor, and due to the settling in the home between the original foundation and the new foundation underneath the new addition, we started seeing cracks in the floor shortly after install, which had to be repaired and wasn’t ideal for such a beautiful flooring selection.”
Stools: Asher, Jamie Young; faucet: Lombardia, Rohl; wall, ceiling and trim paint: Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
5. Black, Dark Stone and White Oak
Designer: Alex Bowman of Kirby Kelly Studio
Location: Salt Lake City
Homeowners’ request. “The old kitchen was a late ’80s melamine kitchen in shades of beige,” designer Alex Bowman says. “The homeowner was clear they basically ran out of steam when it came time to design the kitchen. The rest of the home was so dynamic and contemporary that an all-black kitchen really fit the bill.”
Dark and moody features. Black cabinets. Dark stone countertops. “The cabinetry is clad in Cleaf matte black veneer,” Bowman says. “It’s an amazing Italian brand boasting fingerprint resistance and some self-healing properties. The countertops were found in South Carolina and brought in to add another matte finish with some beautiful swirls of grays and whites. We lined the perimeter inset with white oak to really make it pop.”
Other special features. “The lighting was professionally designed with gorgeous tiny spots that wash the black perfectly,” Bowman says. “This is actually our first kitchen where no tile was used.”
Designer tip. “All the finishes are matte black, which requires some breathing space with lighter floors and crisp walls to really make it a focal point,” Bowman says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “We cut pop-up outlets into the island, which really killed the whole vibe of the clean space,” Bowman says. “There was just no way to hide them, so we ultimately replaced the countertop on that space to get rid of them. The new outlets are hidden perfectly out of sight for the homeowner to plug in a laptop or phone.”
Light fixtures: Precision square, Visual Comfort; faucet: Gessi
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Designer: Alex Bowman of Kirby Kelly Studio
Location: Salt Lake City
Homeowners’ request. “The old kitchen was a late ’80s melamine kitchen in shades of beige,” designer Alex Bowman says. “The homeowner was clear they basically ran out of steam when it came time to design the kitchen. The rest of the home was so dynamic and contemporary that an all-black kitchen really fit the bill.”
Dark and moody features. Black cabinets. Dark stone countertops. “The cabinetry is clad in Cleaf matte black veneer,” Bowman says. “It’s an amazing Italian brand boasting fingerprint resistance and some self-healing properties. The countertops were found in South Carolina and brought in to add another matte finish with some beautiful swirls of grays and whites. We lined the perimeter inset with white oak to really make it pop.”
Other special features. “The lighting was professionally designed with gorgeous tiny spots that wash the black perfectly,” Bowman says. “This is actually our first kitchen where no tile was used.”
Designer tip. “All the finishes are matte black, which requires some breathing space with lighter floors and crisp walls to really make it a focal point,” Bowman says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “We cut pop-up outlets into the island, which really killed the whole vibe of the clean space,” Bowman says. “There was just no way to hide them, so we ultimately replaced the countertop on that space to get rid of them. The new outlets are hidden perfectly out of sight for the homeowner to plug in a laptop or phone.”
Light fixtures: Precision square, Visual Comfort; faucet: Gessi
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for your kitchen
Designers: Michael Grant of Modern Rustic Homes, in collaboration with the homeowners
Location: Blue Ridge, Georgia
Homeowners’ request. “For a new mom, organization was paramount in this kitchen — a place for everything, spaces assigned for specific tasks such as cooking, serving, prep, cleanup, beverage bar and food pantry,” designer Michael Grant says. “They each had great vision for the layout, utility and flow of the kitchen and the house at large. They recognized that room adjacencies can allow for privacy when needed as well as community as family and friends gather. Other criteria included natural light, easily maintained surfaces, the merger of indoor and outdoor entertaining and views of the surrounding mountains.”
Grant uses Houzz Pro business software. “We use Houzz Pro for client lead and qualification processes, also to create mood boards and for some procurement,” Grant says. “I encourage our clients to share their ideabooks with me to better understand the design intent and to capture details.”
Dark and moody features. Dark green cabinets. Black range hood. Black appliances. “The driving force for color, texture and pattern comes from the location,” Grant says. “Here nature is your closest neighbor. Selecting Black Olive by Sherwin-Williams as the cabinet color mimicked the deep greens of the forest around the house. The herringbone wood backsplash pulls from the fall color of the many hardwood trees. The stove hood is clad in Thermory’s Ignite product to replicate the shou-sugi-ban method of preserving wood by charring the outer layer, a clever metaphor for this application. Aterra Blanca quartz was selected for the countertops to provide contrast to the dark colors and textures of the cabinets, backsplash and GE Cafe appliances in matte black. The floors are a wide-plank European oak.”
Designer tip. “The wide open shelves over the prep and cooking stations made plating easy,” Grant says. “The shelves also broke up the monotony of enclosed cabinets. Again, a place for everything. What is not in the eye of the camera is a sliding window (on the right) that when opened allows for guests to sit on the opposite side of the window and keep the hosts company. This pass-through also makes serving the guests on the porch a breeze.”
Hood: Ignite, Thermory
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