Rich shades of espresso and midnight black finishes give kitchen cabinets a sense of drama and elegance. But these statement pieces can also make the rest of your kitchen design a mystery. Finding elements to soften the surrounding space and add a touch of airiness may seem like a difficult feat, but never fear. Here we’ll share five additions that will beautifully complement your dark kitchen cabinets.
- Light It Up
Dark kitchen cabinets are not synonymous with a dark room. Dim lights are great for setting the mood, but not appropriate in a kitchen. Keep things bright and open by incorporating as much natural light as possible. Big windows, side doors or a sky light will all help bathe your dark cabinets in sunshine, so the room looks magical not monotonous.
If natural light is limited, compensate with artificial lighting. Beautiful light fixtures can brighten the room and enhance the design.
- White For The Win
Contrast is so captivating, especially in a kitchen with dark cabinets. A black and white color scheme is easily one of the hottest kitchen trends of all time, and incorporating white elements such as the walls, countertops, or a kitchen backsplash can create a chic ambiance while also warming up the cabinetry.
These additions will also pick up the natural light and help to illuminate the room.
- Go For The Gold
When it comes to fashion, we already know black and gold are best friends. Bring this dynamic duo into the kitchen by installing golden-toned brass hardware on your dark cabinets. This warm metal will soften the shock of your cabinetry’s finish and play off of the different lighting fixtures and décor in the room. If you prefer a less shiny material for your knobs and pulls, bronze is another brilliant choice.
- Open Up To The Outdoors
A touch of greenery can do wonders in making the kitchen feel more welcoming. When you have dark cabinets, this becomes even more important. Traditionally, kitchens tend to be bright and light. When you have a kitchen with predominantly dark elements, you need to find other ways to make the room feel approachable — and adding houseplants or a vase of fresh flowers can do the trick. This easy addition will not only complement the room, but put a smile on your face.
- Break Things Up
Swap some of your dark cabinet doors for glass fronts. This gives guests a glimpse into your favorite serving ware or sparkling glasses, but also breaks up the darkness. At Willow Lane Cabinetry, you can create your own custom look with our kitchen design tool. Add some glass cabinets to your design, a wine rack, a kitchen island in a contrasting color, or other personalized kitchen trends. The possibilities are endless and the choice is yours!
Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, bar room, laundry room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood, semi-custom cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!
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Whether you are an avid cook or just getting started, there are certain basic culinary tools that every home chef needs. These handy gadgets will help make things easier and more organized when cooking in the kitchen. Here are the top ten tools you need to whip up your favorite culinary creations. Hurry, your kitchen is calling!
Knives: Knives are the most important tools in the kitchen, since they do everything from chopping and slicing, to dicing and mincing. A set of quality, sharp knives makes cooking quick and easy — and safer. A cheap, dull knife makes you work harder, and is more likely to slip and cause injury. You will need a Chef’s Knife, a paring knife, a serrated knife, a slicing knife, and a honing tool for sharpening. Hold different kinds to see what works best for you before buying, make sure it feels natural in your hand, and practice 
Bakeware: Be sure to have a roasting pan, a pizza pan, cookie and muffin sheets, two round cakes pans, and rectangular, loaf, and square glass baking dishes on hand.
When your kitchen and living room are one room, you have to treat them that way. The colors in your kitchen must complement those in your living room to achieve cohesiveness and avoid awkward transitions. Now, don’t construe this as meaning that your kitchen and living room have to match. That’s not necessary, and could actually have the opposite effect that you’re striving for. Instead, find a few colors in your kitchen and use those as a guide or color palette when making selections in your living room. This could mean rich brown throw pillows that accent the espresso 
One common misunderstanding when it comes to open floor plans is that there can’t be any divide between the kitchen and living room. This is far from true. There are many ways to join the two rooms, while also incorporating some form of separation — The most popular and visually pleasing options being a kitchen island or the building of partial walls. A kitchen island works wonderfully because it has a clear purpose and doesn’t feel like a strictly decorative item. You get more countertop space and seating, while also creating a partial boundary between the kitchen and living room. Likewise, partial walls allow for the room to be visually one, while still creating an active border between the two areas. Couches, side tables, and other furniture can also provide less permanent options for creating a substantial but simple divide.
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Blue: Ask any Interior Designer or Real Estate Expert and they will tell you the most timeless and popular interior color is blue. To achieve the look of 2016, start with a cool, smoky, mid-tone blue on walls to anchor your space, or opt for neutral walls in cool gray or sandy beige, paired with ocean blue accents and accessories. Think area rugs, throw pillows, blankets and lamps in the living room and bedroom, or natural-fiber linens, fabric valences, pottery canisters, and small appliances in the kitchen.
Gray: Cool gray is right on trend, and works well with all styles of decorating, from classic to contemporary. This muted neutral can look dreary if you go too dark, so stick with a silvery light gray with blue or green undertones. Remember, this year’s palette is upbeat and cheerful! Not just for walls, cool gray can also be found in furniture, granite or marble countertops, wood and tile flooring, and beautiful kitchen cabinets, like 
Green: This neutral brings a touch of nature indoors. The popular green of 2016 is muted and has a hint of blue that pulls it towards the serene aqua color of sea glass. The perfect choice for walls that want a hint of color, this green gives off a spa-like atmosphere when paired with crisp white in a bathroom, and can be a stunning choice for the kitchen, working equally well with most 
Pink: The right shade of gentle pink can be feminine and classy, without being overtly sweet. Select a cool, pale pink that leans towards light coral or salmon to achieve the look. This pink looks lovely on bedroom walls or incorporated into duvet covers, shams, area rugs and lamps. It is also a natural choice in a foyer or dining room.
Orange: Orange can be energizing without being brash. This year’s zingy color will leave you craving a refreshing, citrusy creamsicle. Add a little or a lot! Include a pinch of orange in bathroom shower curtains and towels, or add a colorful stand mixer or accent wall in the kitchen. This color can be used just about anywhere to liven up a space.
Engineered hardwood is made from layers of plywood stacked in opposite directions and laminated together. This method makes engineered hardwood more stable and less susceptible to moisture damage, and therefore an excellent choice in in the kitchen. Quality engineered wood generally ranges in thickness from 3/8 to 3/4 inches.