How To Design A Dark Kitchen Using Cement Effect Tiles

A dark kitchen is certainly in vogue, Pinterest have reported an 85% increase in 'goth kitchen décor' searches!

But a kitchen is a heavy investment so it’s important to choose the right style for your home as well as your taste. If you’re on a budget or have inherited a newish kitchen when moving home, then covering your existing kitchen to create dark kitchen cabinets is a great starting point.

We’ve recently been inspired by Emma Hill’s (@emmahillhome) kitchen upcycle collaboration with Coverstyl and the very chic textured black wood grain she’s opted for in her kitchen makeover. With a huge array of colours and textures to choose from you can create a new dark grey gloss kitchen or even a dark blue kitchen in only a couple of days (and at a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen!) Not to mention it’s better to reuse what you already have from a sustainability standpoint.

Another great place for inspiration is of course Pinterest. We’ve pulled together a few of our favourites...

Image credits: Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right

You can continue creating a new space with the tiles you choose; something we think is lacking in Emma’s design, but we could be biased! Here’s a few tiles we think would work well with a dark kitchen.

A darker kitchen works best in a more open and spacious environment, so if you’ve got a galley kitchen it will have to work a little harder. But if you’re lucky enough to have the space and natural light then concrete or cement effect tiles are a great option. They feel modern and slightly industrial providing a minimalist feeling.

Real polished concrete kitchen floors are quite the investment, both in money and time and can be a bit of a faff if you don’t employ the right trader. The easier option is a realistic cement effect tile, as quick as laying tiles but printed to expertly replicate the look of concrete.

For a seamless look go large, like really large, this means fewer grout lines and therefore a more open looking flow to the tiles, the Revolution range ticks every box. If you’re looking for something on a smaller scale then Abrasio is a great go-to option, we personally love the look of the Basalt with darker units to create a seamless flow between unit and floor.

If you want to carry the vibe into your outdoor area then we’d suggest going for the timeless Spaces Bruges, the outdoor version of the tile is specially formulated to be laid easily outdoors whilst matching its indoor counterpart perfectly, offering a seamless flow indoor to out.

If you’re going for a dark kitchen, this can often swamp a room given that you have a large expanse of a light sucking colour. However, it’d be best to remove some of the heavier cabinets if they’re not needed and create a bit more space.

Stick to a neutral colour on the wall to contrast nicely with the darker units and, to create a mid-tone, a wood effect tile is a great option. A classic oak hue will bring warmth and depth to the room helping to balance the contrast between the light and dark elements.

Mora Oak is our favourite tile for this look but you could also create a lovely parquet effect with Andira Rural Oak as the range utilises a smaller plank size.

Add a touch of femininity to a darker kitchen with the use of pattern. If you’re looking for something extremely subtle that just adds texture and interest then try a natural stone marble tile, whether it be a contrasting white or complementary dark hue. Serac is a good in between as it has a grey base and a delicate veining.

If you’re looking for a true pattern, a monochromatic style like Gatzby adds a classic yet eclectic touch to your kitchen. You could continue the Art Deco feel with gold metal accents and reeded tiles like Flute as your splashback.

Alternatively, for a more modern feel, opt for a shaped tile like Apini. You can make the hexagon shape stand out with a contrasting grout colour.