Design Around Existing Countertops
When Lindsey Jamison, lead designer and partner of Rumor Designs, first took on this kitchen project she made a crucial decision imperative to the budget and the overall look.
Ground a White Kitchen
Not convinced you can have a bright white kitchen and black countertops? Let this Desiree Burns Interiors-designed kitchen prove thought that wrong. The black backsplash and countertops give a grounded feel to the otherwise airy double-height space, while the pair of industrial black pendant lights anchor the peninsula seating.
Prioritize Durability
Fresh and cheery—that's what A.M. Spence Interiors designer Anna-Marie Spence was aiming for with this Seattle kitchen. For the black countertop, the client wanted the look of soapstone but had one concern: its durability.
Embrace Scandinavian-Style Minimalism
For a simple, sleek kitchen, ask yourself: what would a Scandinavian kitchen look like? Perhaps you'll land on a streamlined layout, golden wood accents, white flat-front cabinetry, and black countertops.
Use Black Countertops as an Anchor
In each of her kitchen projects, interior designer Raina Henderson aims for a grounding effect, which can be achieved though a black countertop.
Blend Modern and Traditional
This spacious kitchen by Cortney Bishop Design married traditional elements with modern touches, like this black soapstone countertop. The results: a kitchen that feels fresh today and will look just as relevant a decade (or two) from now.
Create a Graphic Focal Point
A dynamic backdrop of black elements—countertops, cabinetry, and ceiling beams included—allow for the patterned tile backsplash to add become the hero of this design. Your eye will be drawn to its dramatic look, especially since it reflects in the waterfall edge island.
Choose Black Appliances
Can't pinpoint what makes this kitchen look so seamless? Perhaps it's that the black countertops flow easily into the glossy black appliances. Designer Erin Williamson also selected black base cabinets, plumbing fixtures, and light fixtures for a truly harmonious look.
Try a Leathering Treatment
In this bungalow, budget constraints steered Annie Obermann, co-founder at Forge and Bow, away from a desirable soapstone countertop. Instead, she found a black granite that hit the mark for bold-color impact and then added a leathering treatment so it contributed an aged feel to the space.
Play Off Cookware
The beautiful black countertops in this calming kitchen, a design by Raina Henderson Interiors, pop all-the-more when complemented with pretty and practical accessories. Think: inky black cast iron pans, a brass tea kettle, stainless steel pots, and wooden cutting boards.
Go Monochromatic with Black Cabinets
Cortney Bishop Design created this kitchen with tone-on-tone elements. Black countertops anchor a black island with coordinating black cabinets. Yet it's far from dark, thanks to plenty of natural light. Instead, it's sleek and upscale.
Lighten Them Up to Charcoal
Whittney Parkinson Design gave this moody kitchen pantry slight contrast by lightening the countertops from a true black to a deep charcoal. That allows the countertop to stand out as its own element, instead of blending in with the cabinets.
Keep It Minimal
Your eyes will rest easy in this gorgeously pared back kitchen by Elizabeth Lawson Design. Black touches—from the countertops to the farmhouse sink and striking light fixture—provide a glamorous touch to the neutral cabinetry.
Choose an Outdoor-Friendly Material
While this island countertop is light and bright, the countertop around the perimeter of the inside and—get this—an open breakfast bar is a rich black quartzite.
Complement Black Countertops with Wood Cabinetry
There's no going wrong with a black, white, and wood kitchen. That color recipe is as classic as it comes, and allows for the materials' textures and tones (include shiny black countertops) to elevate the traditional feel.
Match the Countertops with Hardware
For this lake cabin, Form + Field's principal designer Christine Lin chose Dekton's Keyla finish for the countertops. Why? They leaned into more of a rustic cabin vibe than a lighter stone would.
Opt for Black Marble-Like Quartz Countertops
For a dramatic statement in your kitchen, choose a veiny black quartz countertop. The engineered slabs used in this condo kitchen by Los Angeles-based Black Lacquer Design resembles luxurious Calacatta marble, but here's betting few will be able to tell the difference from afar.
Pair Black Countertops with Colorful Cabinets
Feeling bold? This kitchen designed by Parker Bathrooms balances a polished black backsplash and quartz countertops with pops of colorful cabinets. It's quirky and eye-catching.
Try Black and White with a Twist
For this dramatic kitchen, Ansley Majit, principal designer of Lark + Palm, aimed for a softer version of a classic black and white combination. Black countertops around the perimeter are paired with a marbled island with white veins, while the cabinets and tiles bring in a rich green tone.
DIY a Matching Backsplash
Blogger Nina Holst—you may know her as Stylizimo—created this striking minimalist kitchen with two key elements: black countertops and a DIY plywood backsplash. She cut the plywood to size, then applied a black wood stain to highlight the board's natural grain. To finish, she topped it off with a matte, water-repellent sealer. Voila!