Afraid of the Dark? Here’s Why It Might Be perfect for your Home

Using dark colours in any room can often be a complicated design process to navigate and with the kitchen being the main hub of the home it is especially important to get it right. Questions such as “Is this colour too dark…” or “Is this too bold…” begin to creep into our minds, but fear not, when done right, dark colours can be really striking and can create truly knock out spaces. By following a few simple steps you can ensure your space will feel both dramatic and inviting without becoming overwhelming.

contrasting COUNTERTOPS

Along with the wow factor of dark cabinetry, using a contrasting or striking worktop can immediately enhance the impact of the finish. At the Fryerning Project, Interior designer Sally Anne of Edwards McCoy specified our colour ‘Mr Banks‘; a deep, dark black tone which was paired with a striking Calacatta Viola marble worktop with matching splashback and shelf along the back run. The contrast of the bold marble draws the eyes across the room, introducing light and movement, preventing the space from feeling too heavy or flat. The rich veining of the marble pairs beautifully with the richness of Mr Banks creating a perfectly cohesive finish that ties modern textures and accent features with traditional cabinetry design.

Considering the colour and texture of the marble in this way and how it will pair with your chosen cabinetry finish is hugely important. Do you want a bolder, more striking finish such as this, or would you prefer a softer, more pared back finish such as the Belgravia Townhouse project?

NATURAL LIGHT

Natural light can completely change the way a dark kitchen looks. At the St. Albans project, the cabinetry is finished in ‘Soot’ with dark bronze waxed hardware. The room is absolutely bursting with light, thanks to the two Westbury skylights and French windows, which means the dark cabinetry appears much lighter with the bespoke detailing much more visible. Considering the way your chosen colour will appear in different lights is key because natural light can completely change the appearance of a colour and in a light-filled space, you might not get ‘the moody effect’ but instead an open and airy space that feels bold but also perfectly welcoming.

Optimise ARTIFICIAL lighting

The use of artificial lighting can be really important when designing a dark kitchen in a room with minimal natural light. At the Belgravia Townhouse project, the Longford cabinetry is finished in our dark Greenwich Oak with stunning Calacatta Borghini Marble countertops and splashbacks. The result is a truly timeless kitchen with modern finishes. The lighting design at this project was very carefully considered with several different layers, including spotlights built into the cabinetry, uplighting above the cabinetry and numerous spotlights in the ceiling. These different types of lighting allow for a fully customisable light level within the space. You can choose to have just one or multiple layers turned on, depending on the time of day or specific needs. A brighter atmosphere may be preferred during cooking and meal preparation, while a darker, more intimate ambience can be created later in the evening when the kitchen is no longer in use.

COLOUR DRENCHING

Colour drenching is the process whereby a single colour is applied to all surfaces of a room, including walls, ceiling, woodwork and sometimes even furniture and accessories. The technique creates a cohesive and immersive feel that minimises contrast and makes a really bold statement. At the Suffolk project, the boot room is drenched in ‘Yardarm‘, a deep blue/green tone that really comes into its own depending on the light and architecture of the room it resides in. In this particular project, the colour appears quite dark and moody, as opposed to the lighter blue appearance Yardarm can have in light-filled spaces such as the Ascot project seen below where the same colour was used on the island.

Colour drenching can create really stunning spaces, however, ensure you carefully consider the size of the room and type of room in the home you decide to colour drench. In much larger rooms, the effect can become overwhelming and from our experience, we tend to recommend colour drenching spaces like boot rooms, utility rooms, snugs and small bathrooms because the enveloping impact of colour drenching enhances the character of smaller, more contained rooms, making them feel atmospheric and inviting.

Complementing flooring

Choosing the correct flooring as a foundation for your dark kitchen is incredibly important. Both light and dark options work well and will produce differing effects. At our Felsted Showroom, the Contemporary Spenlow kitchen finished in Greenwich oak is paired with our Ebury wood effect porcelain tiles, the tiles provide a great amount of character and really soften the entire space, creating a modern look that stands the test of time. This kitchen was installed 6 years ago and looks just as good now as it did then.

On the other hand, the dark flooring at the Fryerning project, similar to our Whistler engineered oak, enhances the moody and luxurious feel of the space, creating a completely different feel that is just as effective.

If you consider all these factors when designing your dark space, you can ensure your room will have the exact feel you want it to, be it dark and moody, or bright and modern. At HM our team are always on hand to advise and guide you through every stage of your project with us, from choosing paint colours and flooring, to choosing cushions and other accessories. If you have a kitchen project in mind, we want to hear from you, send us your project details here.

Images: Paul Craig