Black Kitchen Cabinets Pros and Cons

When I first chose black cabinets for my kitchen renovation, I got asked the question “are black kitchen cabinets a bad idea?” by basically everyone I talked to. It’s one of those design decisions that can feel bold, but two years in, I’m a self-appointed black cabinet expert and I still love them.

But, we’re going to dive into all the FAQs because, let’s be honest, there are definitely things you should know if you’re considering black kitchen cabinets for your own space.

Do I Regret Black Kitchen Cabinets?

Do I regret the decision? Honestly, not for a single second.

My black cabinets have held up beautifully, and I’m still obsessed with how sleek and modern they look while bringing this unexpected classic vibe to the space. Black is the new neutral, and it feels like having a bold color without committing to something overly trendy.

What About Maintenance? Do They Scuff or Chip?

Here’s where it gets real. Yes, they scuff, but not in a “wow, this was a mistake” kind of way.

Around the floor moldings, there’s some wear and tear from daily life (because we live with tiny humans), but I feel like that happens with any color cabinets, right? No chipping or fading to report, which was a relief since that’s always a worry with painted cabinets. The durability has been pretty impressive overall.

Are They Hard to Keep Clean?

So, yes, fingerprints do show up. If smudges drive you crazy, black might not be your best friend, especially if your cabinets are near a lot of natural light (like mine by the back door). For me, though, it’s a non-issue. I’m in a stage of life where I have small, sticky-fingered kids anyway, so wiping them down every few days when I clean the countertops is just part of the routine.

The way I see it, kids = constant cleaning regardless of cabinet color.

Do They Make The Room Feel Dark?

This was honestly my major concern: the final result looking sort of gloomy. In our kitchen renovation I deliberately chose lighter marble backsplash and countertops to counteract the darkness of the cabinets, and we knew our new open floor plan would help the room not feel like a cave. So, to answer the question, they really don’t make it feel dark in our space but I do see how they could in a more closed off kitchen that doesn’t have much natural light.

How’s the Overall Vibe?

Let’s talk about the vibes. I don’t know about you, but there’s something undeniably cool about black cabinets. It’s modern and classic at the same time. Plus, it gives me this sense of having a “fun” color while still sticking with a neutral palette.

We’ve had dozens of contractors come by (who saw how our house looked when we first bought it), and so many of them have made comments about how they never would’ve thought of black cabinets but they love them, which is honestly silently thrilling.

The Final Verdict: Are Black Kitchen Cabinets a Good Idea?

In my opinion, absolutely! Black cabinets give your kitchen a sophisticated, yet timeless, feel. They’re practical, beautiful, and bring that wow-factor.

Sure, they come with some extra maintenance in terms of keeping smudges at bay, but if you’re like me and already wiping down surfaces every day or couple of days, it’s not a huge deal. I haven’t regretted the decision for even one day, and two years in, they still look just as good as they did when we first installed them.

So, if you’re on the fence about going to the dark side, I say go for it and embrace the drama!

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