Skip to Content

Do Black Kitchen Cabinets Show Dirt?

Do Black Kitchen Cabinets Show Dirt

Those with black kitchen cabinets are really divided on the issue of whether black kitchen cabinets show more dirt! The truth is that while they hide certain kinds of grease and grime better than, for example, a white kitchen cabinet, black kitchen cabinets are more likely to show everyday dust, fingerprints, and smudges. 

The trick to owning black cabinets in your kitchen is considering how much natural light you have in arguably the most important room in the house.

This can make a huge difference not only with the appearance of dirt, but the overall effect of your color scheme. 

Black Cabinets- A Bold Choice?

If you were to close your eyes and imagine you were standing in a kitchen consisting of black cabinets, you might imagine that you’d stepped into a Gothic nightmare. But the reality is very different.

Dark cabinets in the kitchen are nothing new.

After all, there have been plenty of kitchens crafted from mahogany wood to give a deep, red-brown richness.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links which will take you to online retailers that sell products and services. If you click on one and buy something, I may earn from qualifying purchases. See my Affiliate Disclosure for more details.

But black? Is that taking things a little too far? 

No. 

They’re elegant, stylish, and gutsy.

If any of those adjectives fit you, then there’s every reason to think that black cabinets would give your kitchen a dream makeover.

But they’re not for the faint of heart nor are they for certain kinds of kitchen.

Should You Get Black Kitchen Cabinets?

Black kitchen cabinets will draw your kitchen together more dramatically.

This is great if you have a large kitchen area that may look a little stark or bleak with white cabinets.

However, if your kitchen space is already small, you’ll probably want to go for a color that will make it look larger.

Natural light also plays a huge role.

The more light you have coming into your kitchen, the darker you can go with your cabinets. However, if your kitchen is situated in a basement or other space with little to no natural light, you could end up creating more of a dungeon than a homely, welcoming space. 

Don’t forget, though, that there are different shades of black, in the same way there are different shades of blue or red (I once read there were at least fifty shades of a certain color).

So, a matte, charcoal black would give off a very different impression to a glossy, high-sheen black.

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize 

If you’re thinking about getting black kitchen cabinets, then you’ll also have to give careful thought to your accessories. What color is your floor? What about your walls? Have you decided on a sink and faucets yet?

It’s true that white cabinets are easier to accessorize.

By using white cabinets as a base, you’re free to completely overhaul your color scheme every couple of years if you feel like it, simply by changing your wall color and surrounding accessories.

Black is less forgiving. It feels like more of a commitment and requires much more careful planning.

Take a look online at styles that you like. Once again, thinking carefully about the amount of natural light in the room. 

You’ll find the black cabinets need contrast so as not to look so dramatic it’s scary.

White wall tiles, a white sink, one or two glass-fronted cabinets, or even open shelving… they all add light and break up the dark. 

How Do You Keep Black Kitchen Cabinets Clean? 

As mentioned earlier, black kitchen cabinets show less of some grime, but more of others.

They require less cleaning and are much more forgiving when it comes to discoloration and staining than lighter cabinets.

But those who own black kitchens note that some stains will show up more frequently.

Black cabinets are known for showing up dust more easily, as well as fingerprint smudges.

If you live in an area with hard water, too, splashes of water from the sink onto the cabinets will show up because of the high mineral content. 

But these are all fixable ‘problems.’ A clean, microfiber cloth will buff out fingerprints and smudges, and if you need something a little more effective, make a solution of washing-up detergent, distilled white vinegar, and some water, and put into a spray bottle.

Spray onto the cabinets and wipe down, again with a microfiber cloth, which will leave the cabinets streak-free.

Verdict?

Go for it! Black kitchen cabinets are so stylish and fashionable and add great dramatic warmth to a kitchen.

Just remember that if your kitchen is small and doesn’t have much light, you’ll want a lighter shade of cabinet, but you can always accessorize with splashes of black.

Perhaps, a black sink or black wall tiles?

Embrace the idea of black kitchen cabinets and make a real statement!