If you want to add a dark and natural look to your kitchen, dark wood kitchen cabinets are a safe and timeless choice that allows you to make your kitchen style unique and modern.
Dark cabinets will make your kitchen setting a bit more moody than when you opt for light oak cabinets for example, but this is exactly what will make your kitchen style more unique, characterful, and personal as well.
Below, you can find my top picks of dark wood kitchen cabinets and a variety of different ways to style and design them with a combination of different materials, layouts, and wall colors.
Dark wood cabinets combined with brown walls for a dark interior
The dark wood cabinets with integrated handles in this moody, modern kitchen have a very impressive effect on the interior.
The combination of brown and beige wall colors on the walls paired with a lighter tone of beige on the ceilings makes the perfect backdrop for the dark wood cabinets. This dark palette paired with the dark wood tones on the cabinets makes the white marble countertops and the white-soaped flooring stand out in a gorgeous way.
Styling by Grey Deco, photographed by Fredrik J Karlsson for Alvhem
An elegant kitchen with wall-to-wall wood cabinets and an impressive marble finish
The wood cabinets in this kitchen are placed wall-to-wall, while the upper cabinets go all the way up to the ceiling for a smooth finish in the space.
The impressive marble finishes on the kitchen island, countertop, and backsplash create a beautiful texture that is enhanced with a brass faucet and brass hardware.
via Nordiska Kök
Warm wood cabinets paired up with terrazzo countertops
Kitchen layouts with dark wood cabinets can appear heavy because of the dark tones in the wood. By planning out the kitchen layout with bottom cabinets only, a lighter look can be achieved. In this beautiful example, the wall above the kitchen cabinets is used to display a subtle white painting and a sculptural white wall lamp.
The other side of the kitchen includes tall cupboards for extra storage space and the kitchen island is made entirely out of the lighter terrazzo material, which brightens up the look as well.
Styled by Sundling Kickén, Photographed by Osman Tahir for Nordiska Kök
Dark wood kitchen cabinets matching the original wood beams in an attic space
The dark wood cabinets fit wonderfully in this amazing attic space and the dark wood tones of the cabinets complement the wood beams in the ceiling in a lovely way.
The white countertops brighten up the color palette and the floating shelves fill out the kitchen layout that is dominated by mostly lower cabinets.
via Alexander White
Cherry wood cabinets and warm hardwood floors paired up with a light wood dining area
The cherry wood kitchen cabinets match the warm wood flooring in this apartment with white walls. The upper cabinets go up to the ceiling, while a white wall on the side of the kitchen separates it from the dining area.
The white quartz countertop and white walls highlight the clean lines of the cabinet doors, while the stainless steel sink, Moccamaster coffee maker, and chrome faucet add a modern touch.
via Per Jansson
A modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets and a black marble finish
The dark wood cabinets add a beautiful warm and natural element to this majestic turn-of-the-century space. The kitchen consists of lower cabinets paired up with a black granite countertop and backsplash and eye-catching black wall lamps that finish off the wall above the counter.
On the other side of the kitchen island, a tall white cupboard module with an integrated breakfast nook is placed against the wall. Even though the cabinet doors have the same color as the wall for a more subtle effect, the breakfast nook with the black leather seat is lined with the same dark wood material as the kitchen cabinets for a cohesive look.
via Nordiska Kök
Dark-stained bamboo cabinets in a Rotterdam townhouse
The elegant bright white walls and white-soaped hardwood flooring form the perfect backdrop for this elegant and minimal contemporary kitchen with white countertops. The lower cabinets are paired up with an eye-catching classic brass faucet and open shelving in the same dark wood tone as the cabinet fronts.
A collection from Ask Og Eng in the home of Michiel Bosman
Dark wood cabinets contrast with an impressive white marble kitchen island
The curved wood glass partition doors are the main focal point in this beautiful kitchen with dark wood cabinets, yet the impressive marble kitchen island comes in at a close second, to say the least.
The back wall of the kitchen is filled with a combination of tall cupboards and a middle section with both lower and upper dark cabinets, against which the marble on the island, countertop, and backsplash get all the focus.
via AO/JND interiors and Nordiska Kök
Dark wood kitchen cabinets in a corner layout
The impressive grain in these dark cabinets is highlighted by the corner layout of this living kitchen with an island in the middle. The tall cupboards go over in a lower module by the other wall, which creates a niche space for hanging wine glasses and placing a coffee machine.
To balance out the dark wood tone on the cabinets, the kitchen is finished off with white paint on the walls, white shelves for kitchen decor, and thin white countertops.
via Erik Olsson
Dark cabinets paired up with an elegant beige wallpaper on the kitchen walls
Rather than using wall paint to match the dark stained wood cabinets in this kitchen, an elegant beige wallpaper is applied above the countertops to create a mix of modern and romantic style elements matched up with a contrast between the dark cabinets, bright white ceiling, and the light wood floors.
The black hardware, sockets, hood, and the black details on the pendant lamps add an extra contrasting element against the wallpaper, while the black appliances blend into the dark cabinets perfectly.
A modern corner kitchen with dark cabinets and white walls
This impressive kitchen layout includes a lot of cabinets on a relatively small surface, yet by keeping the top area rather empty, with the exception of the tall cupboards and the white hood, the space gets a clean and minimal expression.
The warmth of the wood cabinet design is enhanced by the beige limestone countertops and the black stools and chrome faucet really stand out in this warm and inviting kitchen setting.
via Himlekök
A beautiful mix of green marble and dark cabinets
The impressive green marble kitchen island, countertop, and backsplash in this kitchen design enhance the dark expression of the wood cabinets that stand out against the light wall color and the light wood herringbone flooring.
The impressive green marble backsplash is met by two tall cupboards on either side in between which a floating shelf rests. The green marble waterfall kitchen island is finished off with the same dark wood cabinets for an impressive play of materials in the space.
via Nordiska Kök
A spacious dark wood kitchen against light grey walls
Limestone countertops and a subtle grey wall color complement the walnut cabinets in a beautiful way. The open shelving by the window provides the kitchen layout with a lighter look and the ceiling height is accentuated by the wide white trim on top of the grey paint color.
The stainless steel sink and faucet add a modern look to the room along with the LED strip lighting that is applied to the bottom of the cabinets and open shelf.
A dark stained wood kitchen on two walls
Bigger spaces are ideal candidates for a darker kitchen or a kitchen with black cabinets. In this spacious, light-flooded room, an impressive wall of storage cupboards covers the wall opposite the windows. The main kitchen module with the stove and sink has a lighter layout with the hood cover as the only dark element standing out against the light wall color.
The dark wood cabinets are finished with a beautiful beige limestone countertop and backsplash. The same material is also used to create an elegant open shelf that spreads along the entire kitchen module.
via Historiska Hem
Stainless steel appliances and kitchen island paired with dark wood cabinets
The dark wood cabinet design adds a contrasting natural touch to this modern interior setting, which is styled with beautiful accessories and art pieces.
The stainless steel appliances and kitchen island add a modern style to the natural wood cabinets and the wood grain and details on the countertops create a beautiful textural effect in the room.
Styled by Sarah Widman, photographed by Andrea Papini for Nordiska Kök
Dark wood kitchen against subtle beige walls
This long kitchen module has very dark wood cabinets, which contrast nicely with the subtle beige paint color on the walls. The black appliances, chrome faucet, and grey stone countertops pair perfectly with the dark tone of the cabinets and the open shelves provide a lovely spot for storing pretty ceramics.
The cabinets underneath the sink are pushed to open for a minimal effect in the room, while the tall cupboards and drawers are fitted with elegant black hardware that matches the setting of this beautiful kitchen inspiration.
via Entrance Makleri
A minimal kitchen with dark wood kitchen cabinets in a small space
This minimal kitchen design with dark cabinets and elegant black countertops fits perfectly spread over the entire wall of this rather narrow kitchen space. The top cabinets don’t go all the way to the ceiling, which gives them a lighter look.
The other side of the room is dedicated to open storage space and a small dining area. The dark wood cabinets pair nicely with the light grey wall color and the light wood flooring in the space.
via Asplund
Warm wood cabinets paired up with open shelving and stainless steel appliances
The subtle light grey paint color on these kitchen walls is the perfect backdrop for the beautiful dark cabinets with integrated handles, paired up with stainless steel appliances and matching open shelves. Rather than planning out the kitchen with wood cabinets entirely, the designer opted for a white upper cabinet above the kitchen sink so the look wouldn’t get too heavy.
The white-soaped hardwood flooring balances the warm wood cabinets out in a lovely way and I love that the warm wood tones come back in the bentwood chairs around the round dining table.
via Historiska Hem
Oak cabinets paired up with grey stone countertops and walls
The dark gray stone on the countertops, backsplash, and hood adds a darker palette to this kitchen design with herringbone hardwood flooring. To accentuate this darker palette, elegant dark cabinets are added to the decor for a moody and impressive effect in the space.
The appliances are hidden behind the cabinets and the hood is covered with the same stone material as the backsplash to make it blend into the background.
via Nordiska Kök
A modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets and fluted glass doors
This timeless and minimal contemporary kitchen has contrasting dark wood cabinets that stand out in the loft space with white walls and light wood flooring. The thin white quartz countertops add a minimal appearance to the large kitchen island that includes the sink and a breakfast bar.
The back kitchen module includes the appliances behind the dark cabinets and is fitted with glass cabinet doors behind which ceramics can be displayed.
via Vipp
Dark oak cabinets finished off with viola marble and brass hardware
The minimal dark cabinets in this spacious kitchen with hidden appliances are finished off with impressive viola countertops that also come back on the backsplash and on the kitchen island with the sink.
The kitchen design is finished off with two floating shelves and black wall lamps above the counter and two elegant pendant lights above the kitchen island. The dark wood tones on the cabinets also come back in the sliding glass partition and on the beautiful dining chairs.
via Reform CPH
A very dark cabinet design combined with dark hardware and a dark backsplash
This is the darkest and moodiest kitchen design on the list and it has such an impressive effect in the room with dark flooring. The black stained doors are paired up with a black stone backsplash, and an elegant black faucet for a modern look that makes the beautiful grain in the door surfaces shine.
designed by Norm Architects in collaboration with Menu for an apartment in Copenhagen
Dark stained wood cabinets for a strong contrast against off-white walls
The dark-stained wood cabinets in this kitchen have a simple design that is paired up with white stone countertops, a chrome faucet, and a stainless steel sink for a minimal yet elegant effect in the room.
The bottom cabinets have black hardware that is very subtle and both the top cabinets and the black hood stand out against the off-white walls in a very powerful way.
The wood tones of the flooring, dining table, and dining chairs balance out the strong contrast with their soft warm color palette.
via Stadshem
Walnut kitchen cabinets spread over three walls
The clean lines of the minimal kitchen with walnut cabinets feature a layout that has been spread over three walls, connected by a kitchen island with a breakfast bar in the middle. This is a layout that works better in larger spaces, especially when you opt for a darker door color.
The elegant grain in the walnut doors is paired up with white quartz countertops that are also continued on the backsplash behind the kitchen sink. A large rail spreads over the counter, which is great for hanging spoons and pans, however, it additionally provides the kitchen with a beautiful and elegant detail.
via Sjoman Frisk
Textured dark wood kitchen cabinets paired up with terrazzo countertops
The beautiful paneled texture on these dark wood cabinets can transform a room and the lines add an extra dimension to a space, visually adding more height. The dark wood door design is paired up with a detailed white terrazzo worktop and backsplash and finished off with beige limewash walls, a stainless steel sink, and a chrome faucet.
Photographed by Mike Karlsson Lundgren for Superfront
Dark bamboo cabinets in a space with an intricate floor detail
The beautiful pattern in the hardwood flooring is a design element on its own in this space and pairing it up with a dark wood tone on the cabinets makes them stand out even more. These dark-stained bamboo cabinets have elegantly integrated handles and the kitchen island is lifted off the floor with legs for a lighter look in the room.
via Ask og Eng
White and dark wood cabinets for an organic fit in the space
If you like the impressive and sometimes slightly dramatic effect of dark wood cabinets in a space but are afraid you will end up with a kitchen look that is too dark, you can always take the middle route and opt for two-tone kitchen cabinets. When you place the lighter cabinets on the top, your layout will get a light and elegant appearance, while the bottom, darker cabinets will add these characterful dark wood tones.
In this beautiful example, a combination of open and closed cabinets in white are placed on top of the bottom module of dark wood cabinet fronts. The white cabinets blend into the wall and lighten up the entire kitchen layout.
The stainless steel countertop and natural stone backsplash add yet another tone and color to the setting, giving it an interesting and natural style.
via Nordiska Kök
