Our Favorite Black Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors

I love dark spaces. To me, they can feel glamorous and moody. Black kitchen cabinets can make a space feel more formal and classy since the dark backdrop of the cabinetry accentuates the hardware—particularly my favorite finishes– brass, and polished nickel.

Whether black kitchen cabinet paint is the right choice is based more on the surrounding decor and the aesthetics of the rest of the home. If I’m ever choosing to do black in an area, it’s because I looked around at the rest of the space and it made sense. Black has to fit. It needs to look cool and be a great twist.

What Is The Best Black Paint For Kitchen Cabinets?

My favorite shade of black cabinet paint is Onyx by Benjamin Moore.

Benjamin Moore describes Onyx as, “part of a collection of bold, saturated colors that brings spaces to life for those looking to illuminate their world with pure, extraordinary color”.

It is one of the softer black options out there. It’s a smooth, charcoal black—but certainly not gray—and it works wonders in the right space.

Top Black Cabinet Paint For 2024

While Onyx remains one of the best black paints for cabinetry and design, this year I’ve updated my favorites list with a variety of options that can read a little differently and therefore best reflect the mood and style of your own home. Remember, as with all other colors, black is never just a flat, pure color. It’s always holding other tones within it (red, brown, purple, blue) as well as reflecting and reacting to its surroundings. That’s why it’s so important to choose the best black paint for 2024 and your specific space. Always make sure to test the black paint you choose with existing lighting, cabinetry, hardware, and other features in the kitchen—or wherever you decide to implement one of these best black kitchen paints for 2024.

Best Black Cabinet Paint For 2024: Wrought Iron

This first new kitchen paint color for 2024 has a “soft, malleable character,” and because of that gentle nature, it’s the perfect black paint color for someone ready for a bit of moody personality without the shock of a pure black. Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore pairs beautifully with slightly warmer whites and the moderate, natural blues and greens that have also become popular paint colors in 2024. If used on kitchen or bathroom cabinetry, brass hardware, faucets, and mirror frames will really pop against this beloved black paint.

Best Black Cabinet Paint For 2024: Iron Ore

Sherwin-Williams describes this shade of black—Iron Ore—so well: a cool, deep, and mysterious charcoal that can lend an air of sophistication when used sparingly in well-lit spaces or on exteriors. And lest you think this or any other shades of my black paint for 2024 will look too stark in your own home, check out how @thriftingdecorandmore styles Iron Ore with pretty florals and plenty of natural textures and materials for a cozy, albeit moody, home vibe.

And though this isn’t on cabinetry, it does show how well these black shades would work in a kitchen when combined with butcherblock countertops, rattan-backed bar stools, brushed gold hardware, terracotta-style tile, and more.

Best Black Cabinet Paint For 2024: Flint

Flint by Benjamin Moore is a cooler charcoal that brings a decidedly updated take on neutrals to your home. It’s a touch lighter than the previous best black paint for 2024 picks but still stands to bring some drama to your kitchen. I actually also love the idea of putting Flint in a bathroom and completing the look with brushed nickel faucets and hardware, alongside a modern tile floor for a sleek and contemporary design.

Best Black Cabinet Paint For 2024: Kendall Charcoal

“With its rich, varied undertones, this dark neutral works beautifully with a wide spectrum of colors.” Benjamin Moore has described its shade Kendall Charcoal aptly there. If you look at the lighting options on the paint creator’s website for this particular black, you’ll see how differently it presents throughout the day and in different forms of manufactured lighting. This makes Kendall Charcoal an interesting paint color for the kitchen but can also present issues if you aren’t ready for its dynamic nature. As always, test your space with paint samples to make sure that this is the best kitchen paint color for you!

Best Black Cabinet Paint For 2024: Cracked Pepper

Cracked Pepper is the Behr color of the year for 2024. They say, “Cracked Pepper is a versatile soft black that elevates any room and the way you feel in it.” I say this color has all the beauty of a black paint, without fully committing to a deep black since, in reality it is a very dark gray that looks black in many lights.

Is Black a Good Color For Kitchen Cabinets?

Black can be an amazing look for kitchen cabinets, but there are several drawbacks to consider. Black is not the most maintenance-friendly. It will show food stains like sauces or flour, unlike some other colors that can work to camouflage certain kitchen mishaps. It also shows fingerprint oil and dust the easiest of all the colors. Another consideration is that, if damaged, a chip or ding in the cabinet face will more easily reveal the material beneath black paint.

 It’s also important to know that black can dominate a room and kill natural light. So, if you don’t want the space to feel very dark, you’ll need to balance your black cabinets with light or white walls and flooring in order to create some harmony in the room.

 It’s safe to say black is not the right choice for every kitchen. But, when done right, it can be a gorgeous statement or a backdrop for other colors to pop from.

What Colors Go With Black Cabinets?

My favorite combination is black paint with a natural, clear-finished oak. The beauty of the earthy wood alongside a clean black cabinet creates a look that is unmatched, in my opinion. I can also really appreciate the classic black and white look in the right room.

Another benefit to black cabinetry is the way it accentuates the right hardware. I love an unlacquered, polished brass, or polished nickel or chrome against a black backdrop.

Should I Paint My Cabinets Black?

Whether black is the right choice is often a matter of what else is happening in the space. If I’m trying to decide which cabinets should be black, my decision will be based on surrounding décor and design.Or if you have a space where you can truly embrace the absolute boldness of black paint, go for it! For instance, in my own home, I’ve painted my mudroom walls entirely black I love it. To me, it feels like a secret agent kind of room, and it just works.

How To Choose The Right Black For Your Cabinets

While black seems like a more straightforward color than most, selecting the best black paint for cabinets can be tricky. The different undertones in various shades of black can be harder to detect, which makes picking the best black cabinet paint a little harder. On your quest for the best black paint for kitchen cabinets, try these things:

• Test paint samples in your kitchen or other space where they will live.
• View the paint samples at different times of the day and in different types of light.
• Buy a sample container and paint a big enough swatch that you can really get a feel for it. The store paint chip is not big enough.
• Pair your sample with different accent colors and materials.
• Think about the overall theme of your home. Even if the black paint is a departure from the rest of your home, it should still reflect the same style and allow everything to flow together.

One of the most important things to remember with black cabinet paint is how it plays into the overall feel of a space. Black can make an area feel darker, moodier, and more closed off. For those reasons, it’s important to balance black cabinets with other light or natural elements. This will allow you to get the chic look of black without it overpowering the room.

Pairing Black Cabinets With Hardware

After searching for the best black for cabinets, you’ll want to pair it with the right hardware. This means selecting the best shape and type of hardware and the perfect finish to complement your style. I love brass and polished nickel hardware with black cabinets, but I love them for different reasons.

Brass hardware carries with it a classic gold look, and it pairs elegantly with black kitchen cabinet paint. If your goal is to create a space with a high-end feel, then I recommend going with a black paint and brass hardware option. You then have two choices: polished brass or aged brass. The polished brass is bright and shiny, while the aged brass has more of a satin finish and coppery tones. Both are excellent options.

Polished nickel, on the other hand, lends itself to a more casual look. It still offers a stunning contrast, but doesn’t carry with it the rich feeling of brass. I would use this combination in a room that is less formal.

Matte black or painted cabinet hardware are also great options for black cabinets. These tend to be the most subtle choices. Again, the hardware you choose should reflect your style and the desired feel of the space.

General Paint Must-Knows

What Is Paint “Sheen” And How Does It Play Out In A Space?

The sheen of paint is how shiny or dull it is. There is an entire spectrum (see below) ranging from completely matte to glossy, and everything in between. I personally believe satin sheen is the best paint for kitchen cabinets because it’s the perfect balance of not too dull or too shiny. Shiny paint can appear plastic or fake, but something too matte won’t wear well over time against grease and oil.

Sheen Spectrum:

Matte

Dull

Eggshell

Satin

Semi-gloss

Gloss

High Gloss

What Should People Know Before Picking Their Paint Color?

You’ve got to consider what is happening with the rest of the room: flooring, walls, trim, hardware, lighting, and art will all play a part in how a room comes together. You have to ensure your paint color is cohesive with everything else as part of the overall game plan. You can’t just design a room and then drop in cabinets at the end—holistic design sense is key.

You can see more of my design projects—kitchens, bathrooms, built-ins, and furniture—on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Choosing the right black paint color for your kitchen is no small task, which is where our team of expert cabinetry craftsmen comes in. Whether you are based in Utah or anywhere across the nation, our team is ready to help you design the perfect kitchen for your home. Contact us today to start your dream kitchen!