What to Know Before Painting Kitchen Cabinets Black

When it comes to bold design elements, few things make a statement like black kitchen cabinets.

Over the years, we've tackled a lot of painting projects like black accent walls and statement Black furniture pieces, and black painted front doors. But as with any major painting project, there's more to it than just grabbing a brush and going to town.

So, if you're considering painting your cabinets black, there are some considerations you need to know before you dip your brush in that gorgeous ebony paint. From prep tips to finish options and everything in between, we're here to make sure your cabinets turn out stunning and durable enough to handle all the traffic your kitchen (or basement bar!) sees.

Our Project

When we priced having these cabinets made, it was going to be about $4300, and that did not include the countertops, sink, faucet, or the columns on top.

We decided to build our own instead, which cost about $1500 for everything except the countertop. Since this is a pretty advanced and niche project, I won’t be writing a tutorial on it, but I will answer questions.

Upgrades: We used maple plywood and solid maple door frames. We also upgraded the hardware too with these slow close hinges, undermount slow close rails, and antique brass handles.

Door Design: This door is made from a combination of router bits including a shutter bead edge bit, ⅛ inch channel bit, and a specialty ogee door bit. Knotless Maple Luan makes up the centers of the door.

This area is still in progress, so it’s not styled, but I love how it turned out. It's dramatic, timeless, and just moody enough to complement the industrial dark academia-inspired vibe we've cultivated down here.

Cabinet Paint Color Mix: For the cabinets, I lightened Fusion Mineral Cast Iron just a bit. The exact quantities were 4 pints of Cast Iron + ¾ cup of Victorian Lace, and I have about 1 pint leftover for touch ups.

1. Black Cabinets Appear Dirty Faster

One thing you'll notice right away with black cabinets is how quickly smudges, fingerprints, and dust become visible. It’s not that black attracts dirt, although it may feel that way. It’s the contrast that dust has, although we haven’t had problems with these cabinets.

Regular cleaning and dusting is a must, so I feel it’s important to know this before painting so you can make the right decision for your needs. Beyond just cleaning, black will show knicks or deep scratches more because the underlying wood is going to be lighter.

2. Dark Colors Often Show more Paint Streaks

Dark paint colors, especially black, have a knack for highlighting imperfections like brush strokes or roller marks. To avoid this, invest in high-quality brushes and rollers designed for smooth finishes. We elected to spray these cabinets to avoid any possibility of brushstrokes.

For more tips on avoiding streaks, I have an in-depth post >>>> Tips to Avoid Brush Strokes.

To create the smoothest possible coat, I sanded after the first layer of primer because the cabinets were raw wood. Painting raw wood absorbs the moisture, raising the grain and creating an unevenness in finish. I added a second primer coat.

3. Going a few shades lighter will still feel like Black

If jet black feels intimidating, consider opting for a softer charcoal or near-black shade. These hues still provide the bold, dramatic effect of black but can feel a bit less stark or like falling into the abyss.

4. Does Black make spaces feel smaller?

It really depends on how you look at it. I’ve read for years how dark colors make spaces feel smaller. Black cabinetry can make a space feel cozy and intimate, so I don’t think of it negatively.

Pairing black cabinets with ample lighting and contrasting elements, like lighter walls, open floor plans, or metallic hardware can keep the room feeling balanced and open.

5. Sheen is Very Important

Matte finishes are modern and understated but will be harder to clean. Semi-gloss or satin finishes balance style and practicality, looking polished and darker while being easier to maintain.

Because our project is a basement wet bar, it won’t see as much action as a full kitchen. For that reason, I was more comfortable with a matte black paint finish. If it were my actual kitchen, I would have gone with a different paint and a top coat.

To learn more, check out our post on The Best Paints for Kitchen Cabinets. There is a good option for every project!

6. Use a Dark Primer

I highly recommend using a tinted primer. It not only ensures better coverage but also helps the black paint achieve its full depth and richness without multiple coats. Also, the primer being the same color as your cabinets might make scratches or knicks less visible.

7. Crystal Clear Caulk

One of the odd problems we dealt with was choosing the right color caulk. It seems like a small distinction, but the project had red brick walls, dark cabinets, and light countertops.

In the end, the best solution was to use crystal clear caulk. This is different than clear caulk which often appears cloudy and will still show a pretty obvious line.

I'd love to hear what you think about black cabinets and if it is something you could see in your home. Leave me a comment!