4th September 2025 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn Dark kitchens have moved beyond trend status to become a confident, enduring choice. In spaces where form and function must work in tandem, deeper palettes provide a refined backdrop for daily life; practical, hard-wearing and quietly dramatic. Discover how Roundhouse are delivering dark kitchens, the bold new sign of true luxury. Black: An award-winning statement Black kitchens offer clarity and composure. Deep tones simplify the visual field, letting proportion, shadow and material take the lead. They frame veining in stone, make metals read as intentional highlights, and sit comfortably in both period and contemporary settings. With layered lighting and tactile finishes, black feels less “statement” and more a quietly confident backdrop to daily life. In the Lipman project, that approach is distilled into a calm, material-led scheme cabinetry in matt black is paired with black-stained, rough-sawn oak, honed Antique Nero granite, and walnut-lined interiors, with a concealed larder keeping elevations composed. Roundhouse’s kitchen bridged the original home and its zinc-clad extension and was named Livingetc’s “Best Kitchen Design” for 2025. Roundhouse Design Dark grey as a modern classic From deep graphite to soft charcoal, dark grey provides a versatile foundation for luxury kitchen schemes. It pairs elegantly with pale worktops for layered tonality and takes on a jewellery-like quality when set against metallic accents. For clients who prefer a softer contrast, pastels and natural neutrals introduce warmth without diluting the overall depth. In the Stephens project, Classic doors hand-painted in Farrow & Ball “Hopper Head” are balanced with fluted-glass wall cabinets and walnut-veneered interiors—an inviting composition that reads both tailored and welcoming. Roundhouse Design Dark green: rich, grounded and enduring Emerald, verdant and racing-green tones bring a natural depth that flatters texture and metalwork. A matt-lacquered kitchen in an earthy near-black green, paired with burnished copper and a monochrome worktop, creates a crisp silhouette with strong architectural lines. Crucially, dark green proves as effective in traditional settings as it is in contemporary ones, its inherent warmth works hard alongside timber, stone and patinated finishes. The Cheung project demonstrates how deep green elevates classic detailing, with proportion and joinery doing as much of the talking as colour. For clients seeking a more accessible route, the Roundhouse Studio Collection includes a Forest Green shade, offering similar impact. Dark blue: calm confidence Deep navy, royal and midnight blues are a sophisticated alternative to black or charcoal, often chosen to encourage a composed, restful atmosphere, useful in family kitchens and open-plan spaces. Blues also excel at framing warm metals and softly reflective surfaces. In the Fawnbrake kitchen, Hague Blue matt-lacquer cabinetry is offset with antique-copper splashbacks and shelving. The result is serene yet characterful, demonstrating how considered material contrast lends depth without visual noise. Roundhouse Design Dark-stained timber: the tactile route to drama If colour-blocked doors aren’t the brief, dark-stained veneers provide an equally striking route while showcasing grain, texture and craftsmanship. The tonal variance and tactility of timber add warmth and longevity to darker schemes, particularly when book-matching or end-grain details are used to express making. The Brooks project with its dark-stained, book-matched veneer, delivers a calm, cohesive space that feels robust and welcoming. Proof that a dark palette can be family-friendly as well as refined. Roundhouse Design A bold, but purposeful choice Dark kitchens succeed when they are personal: tuned to the architecture, the client’s routine and the material language of the home. With thoughtful specification and well-resolved detailing, a darker palette offers longevity, performance and a quietly luxurious presence. Design that works beautifully, day after day. About Roundhouse Design Ltd Founded by architects, Roundhouse is a multi-award-winning British company, creating beautiful bespoke kitchens and furniture. Their stunning kitchen designs feature a signature understated aesthetic, influenced by contemporary and traditional design, using innovative materials, texture and colour. Each project is made to measure from a wide range of stunning finishes. Expertly crafted by skilled designers and makers in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire. Visit any of seven Roundhouse Design kitchen showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford & Cheltenham. Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.