20 Black Kitchen Countertop Ideas for a Sleek and Polished Space

Ready for a redo in your kitchen? A new countertop will instantly create an entirely new look, and to make a serious statement, consider black countertops.

Whether classic matte or dramatically glossy, black kitchen countertops are a statement themselves and provide a neutral backdrop for other elements to stand out too.

An inky countertop color can complement various kitchen design styles, from ultra-modern to traditional, and even add unexpected depth to a farmhouse feel. You’re not limited to a material either; everything from granite to marble to soapstone is available in beautiful shades of black. 

Scroll on for 20 enviable kitchens with black countertops for renovation inspiration.

Design Around Existing Countertops

When Lindsey Jamison, lead designer and partner of Rumor Designs, first took on this kitchen project she made a crucial decision imperative to the budget and the overall look.

Jamison decided to keep the kitchen's perimeter countertops, a granite with dark, rich greens and blacks speckled within. It worked well with the dark green cabinet color—Olympic Range by Sherwin-Williams—and allowed wiggle room in the budget to replace the island's countertop with a white quartz material.

"Working around an existing material is a great way to save costs and splurge in other areas," says Jamison.

Ground a White Kitchen

Not convinced you can have a bright white kitchen and black countertops? Let this Desiree Burns Interiors-designed kitchen prove thought that wrong. The black backsplash and countertops give a grounded feel to the otherwise airy double-height space, while the pair of industrial black pendant lights anchor the peninsula seating.

Prioritize Durability

Fresh and cheery—that's what A.M. Spence Interiors designer Anna-Marie Spence was aiming for with this Seattle kitchen. For the black countertop, the client wanted the look of soapstone but had one concern: its durability.

"We found this perfect, honed granite providing durability while still giving that natural stone look," Spence says.

Embrace Scandinavian-Style Minimalism

For a simple, sleek kitchen, ask yourself: what would a Scandinavian kitchen look like? Perhaps you'll land on a streamlined layout, golden wood accents, white flat-front cabinetry, and black countertops.

Use Black Countertops as an Anchor

In each of her kitchen projects, interior designer Raina Henderson aims for a grounding effect, which can be achieved though a black countertop.

"It allows your eye to rest, and allows the space to have a certain anchor that white or lighter countertops sometimes lack," Henderson says.

Blend Modern and Traditional

This spacious kitchen by Cortney Bishop Design married traditional elements with modern touches, like this black soapstone countertop. The results: a kitchen that feels fresh today and will look just as relevant a decade (or two) from now.

Create a Graphic Focal Point

A dynamic backdrop of black elements—countertops, cabinetry, and ceiling beams included—allow for the patterned tile backsplash to add become the hero of this design. Your eye will be drawn to its dramatic look, especially since it reflects in the  waterfall edge island.

Choose Black Appliances

Can't pinpoint what makes this kitchen look so seamless? Perhaps it's that the black countertops flow easily into the glossy black appliances. Designer Erin Williamson also selected black base cabinets, plumbing fixtures, and light fixtures for a truly harmonious look.

Try a Leathering Treatment

In this bungalow, budget constraints steered Annie Obermann, co-founder at Forge and Bow, away from a desirable soapstone countertop. Instead, she found a black granite that hit the mark for bold-color impact and then added a leathering treatment so it contributed an aged feel to the space.

"Solid black could lean heavy, but leathering helps create movement and soften the weight in the space," Obermann says.  

Play Off Cookware

The beautiful black countertops in this calming kitchen, a design by Raina Henderson Interiors, pop all-the-more when complemented with pretty and practical accessories. Think: inky black cast iron pans, a brass tea kettle, stainless steel pots, and wooden cutting boards.

Go Monochromatic with Black Cabinets

Cortney Bishop Design created this kitchen with tone-on-tone elements. Black countertops anchor a black island with coordinating black cabinets. Yet it's far from dark, thanks to plenty of natural light. Instead, it's sleek and upscale.

Lighten Them Up to Charcoal

Whittney Parkinson Design gave this moody kitchen pantry slight contrast by lightening the countertops from a true black to a deep charcoal. That allows the countertop to stand out as its own element, instead of blending in with the cabinets.

Keep It Minimal

Your eyes will rest easy in this gorgeously pared back kitchen by Elizabeth Lawson Design. Black touches—from the countertops to the farmhouse sink and striking light fixture—provide a glamorous touch to the neutral cabinetry.

Choose an Outdoor-Friendly Material

While this island countertop is light and bright, the countertop around the perimeter of the inside and—get this—an open breakfast bar is a rich black quartzite.

"We liked how the black on the perimeter grounded the kitchen," designer Heather K. Bernstein says, "But more importantly, this stone is able to be installed inside and outside, which was a requirement,"

Complement Black Countertops with Wood Cabinetry

There's no going wrong with a black, white, and wood kitchen. That color recipe is as classic as it comes, and allows for the materials' textures and tones (include shiny black countertops) to elevate the traditional feel.

Match the Countertops with Hardware

For this lake cabin, Form + Field's principal designer Christine Lin chose Dekton's Keyla finish for the countertops. Why? They leaned into more of a rustic cabin vibe than a lighter stone would.

"It ties in nicely with the black hardware and window frames, making them recede from the overall design," Lin says. That allows the green cabinets, wood shelving, and window frame to be highlighted.

Opt for Black Marble-Like Quartz Countertops

For a dramatic statement in your kitchen, choose a veiny black quartz countertop. The engineered slabs used in this condo kitchen by Los Angeles-based Black Lacquer Design resembles luxurious Calacatta marble, but here's betting few will be able to tell the difference from afar.

Pair Black Countertops with Colorful Cabinets

Feeling bold? This kitchen designed by Parker Bathrooms balances a polished black backsplash and quartz countertops with pops of colorful cabinets. It's quirky and eye-catching.

Try Black and White with a Twist

For this dramatic kitchen, Ansley Majit, principal designer of Lark + Palm, aimed for a softer version of a classic black and white combination. Black countertops around the perimeter are paired with a marbled island with white veins, while the cabinets and tiles bring in a rich green tone.

"We love using the same color across different materials," Majit says. "It always expands the space and the results are so dynamic."

DIY a Matching Backsplash

Blogger Nina Holst—you may know her as Stylizimo—created this striking minimalist kitchen with two key elements: black countertops and a DIY plywood backsplash. She cut the plywood to size, then applied a black wood stain to highlight the board's natural grain. To finish, she topped it off with a matte, water-repellent sealer. Voila!

Read Next: 64 Black Kitchen Ideas For Every Style and Mood

Read the original article on The Spruce.