Color Palettes

What colors go with black appliances?

Black appliances look sharpest with crisp whites, warm greige and soft greens. Repeat the black elsewhere, in hardware, lighting or an island, so the appliances feel planned. Very dark walls can swallow them.

Black appliances: typical tones

Approximate colors of the material, to compare with paint swatches.

Gloss black#1A1A1A
Black stainless#3A3A3B
Matte black#262626

Best wall colors

Real paint colors from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr. Tap one for its codes and closest matches.

Extra White SW 7006Sherwin-Williams · #EEEFEA · LRV 86A bright, slightly cool white for a graphic black-and-white kitchen.Swiss Coffee 12Behr · #F1EDE0 · LRV 84A creamy Behr white that softens black appliances for a warmer farmhouse look.Classic Gray OC-23Benjamin Moore · #E3E0D7 · LRV 73.67A very light warm gray that reads as soft white and balances black finishes.Natural Choice SW 7011Sherwin-Williams · #E3DED0 · LRV 73A warm off-white with a hint of beige that keeps black from feeling harsh.Colonnade Gray SW 7641Sherwin-Williams · #C6C0B6 · LRV 53A light-to-mid greige that ties together black appliances and wood floors.Healing Aloe 1562Benjamin Moore · #D5DBD2 · LRV 68.25A pale gray-green that brings a fresh, natural feel next to black.Dried Thyme SW 6186Sherwin-Williams · #7B8070 · LRV 21A deep muted sage, best for cabinets or an island to echo black's weight.Hale Navy HC-154Benjamin Moore · #434B56 · LRV 8.36Navy lower cabinets sit well beside black appliances without matching exactly.

Accent colors

Warm wood#A87A4FButcher block or open shelves soften the black.
Brass#B5964FBrass pulls and lights add warmth.
Matte black#262626Repeat black in hardware so the appliances look intentional.
SageSaybrook Sage HC-114 · #B1B7A2Sage textiles and pottery freshen a black-and-white kitchen.

3 color palettes

Copy the codes or open a palette in the editor to tweak it.

Modern farmhouse

Creamy white, butcher block and black hardware.

Classic graphic

Crisp black and white with a soft gray.

Garden kitchen

Sage greens with brass and wood.

What to avoid

Tips by room

Kitchen

White or light cabinets with black appliances is timeless. Add black pulls or a black faucet to tie it together.

Laundry room

Black machines look striking against a light sage or warm white wall.

Basement bar

Pair a black fridge with navy or green cabinets and warm wood counters.

Frequently asked questions

What color cabinets go with black appliances?

White, cream, light greige, sage, navy and natural wood all work. White cabinets give the most classic contrast.

What wall color goes with black appliances?

Crisp or warm whites, light greige and soft green. Choose the undertone based on your floors and counters.

Are black appliances in style?

Yes, especially matte black and black stainless. They suit modern farmhouse, transitional and moody kitchens.

How do I make black appliances blend in?

Repeat black in hardware, lighting, a faucet or a dark island. A black backsplash accent can also help.

Related guides

Paint names and codes are trademarks of Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr; this site is not affiliated with them. Hex values are digital approximations, and material swatches are typical tones, not exact matches. Paint looks different with light, sheen and screens, so test a sample next to your own material before you commit.