Some kitchen pairings are easy. Coffee and cake, bacon and eggs, and vegemite and toast all go hand in hand. But other kitchen pairings are a little harder to figure out, and kitchen benchtops and splashbacks are a good example.
With darker and navy and inky black kitchens on-trend right now, it can be challenging to work out what colours to use to complement your dark kitchen.
Common concerns with dark kitchen are less natural light, or that a dark room can make a space seem smaller. However, there is no denying that dark kitchens can pack a punch. If you do decide to go to the dark side, here are some benchtop and splashback ideas that can be used to suit your space.
Basic Hints
Some of the most basic hints when it comes to making these choices are the best. The first thing to think about is selecting your benchtop first. There are practical reasons for this.
First of all, the benchtop will generally cover the most “surface” area of any kitchen element, so it’s important you like it. It also generally takes up a substantial chunk of any DIY renovation and kitchen renovation budget, so it pays to get it right.
In contrast, once you have a benchtop you’re happy with, you can find a splashback to suit. There are many more choices when it comes to splashbacks, and your benchtop selection narrows the field of options.
Choose Your Focus
It’s common to choose to focus the attention of your kitchen towards a “feature” element. That might be either the benchtop or the splashback, but it’s rarely both. The two features should not compete with each other, but rather, should be complementary.
Monochromatic
The main driving force behind having a monochromatic, or single colour tone as the overall theme of a dark kitchen.
If you’ve gone for dark kitchen cabinetry and a dark benchtop, for example, this will lend itself to a darker (but not identical) toned splashback to pick up the tones of the large benchtop space and transfer it to the splashback.
The key with a monochromatic look is to think about texture so you have some elements that are totally the same but contrast texturally with the cabinetry. For example, you could have matte black cabinets, black benchtop with white veins through it and a splashback featuring dark grey and inky black herringbone tiles.
Two-Toned Options
Of course, if you want to introduce a two-toned colour or material scheme to get some variety into the space, this can still be done in a complementary way.
A stone or concrete stone inspired benchtop contrasts nicely with a mosaic tile splashback with long, thin tiles to mimic a rock wall, for example. The mosaic splashback can use a range of colours within the same colour spectrum (shades of grey, for example) to give a strong two-toned effect.
Contrast Options
Of course, you can still have a benchtop and splashback that go well together, even if they don’t match in colour.
Pairing a light grey or white benchtop or splashback with darker cabinetry can help open up a space. While pairing a bold colour like gold or copper with dark cabinets and benchtop can make the space more dramatic and give it some wow factor.
The contrast colour doesn’t necessarily mean a “block” of colour either. A splashback in a dark kitchen that is looking to add colour and contrast can do so by having a row of coloured tiles or glass, or a feature mosaic within a more conservatively coloured tile splashback.
Warm it in Wood
Pairing your cabinetry with warm timber tones can also provide a stunning look. A timber laminate benchtop that contrasts with dark cabinetry can give make your kitchen feel warmer. This works well when paired with a lighter tile on the splashback.
If you need a little help designing and making the final decisions about your splashback and your benchtop, or you don’t even know where to start, then Smart Kitchen can help! Just drop into one of our three conveniently located showrooms in Preston, Maribyrnong and Kilsyth and have a conversation with our friendly, experienced team who can set you on the right path.
What colour splashback with black benchtop?
The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in any home. It’s where we cook, eat, and socialize. As such, it’s important to create a space that is both functional and stylish. When deciding on kitchen design elements, one important consideration is the splashback. This is the panel of the material located behind the stovetop and sink. Splashbacks not only play a practical role in protecting walls from splashes and spills, but they also provide an opportunity to add style and personality to your kitchen. Black is a popular choice for benchtops as it provides a striking contrast with other kitchen elements. But what colour splashback should you choose to complement a black benchtop? One option is to go for a bold colour that will make a statement, such as red or yellow. Or you could opt for a more subdued hue, such as white or grey.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the overall look you’re trying to achieve for your kitchen.