These 12 White Kitchens With Dark Islands Prove Contrast Is Key

Want to make your white kitchen stand out from the crowd? Dark tones add drama, sophistication, and contrast to a space, and look especially luxe when used on a kitchen island. Sure, you can go for white cabinetry and walls everywhere else, but a bit of darkness won't go amiss to make things interesting. We've curated 12 gorgeous white kitchens featuring dark kitchen islands and quite frankly, it's all the inspiration you need to get started on your own revamp.

A dark kitchen island will add oodles of interest to a whitewashed space while keeping it timeless and and classic in style. House Sprucing have got the memo. Can we also just give a shout out to those tall upper cabinets? Oh so fresh.

Get the look: Cabinets: Sherwin Williams High Reflective White; Island: Sherwin Williams Dark Night

We love how Tim Moss has made the elliptical island in this contemporary kitchen the star of the show with just a quick lick of moody green paint. Bring out all the curves of your kitchen island by painting it in a statement dark shade.

Get the look: Cabinets: Farrow and Ball Strong White; Island: Farrow and Ball Studio Green

A dark gray kitchen island adds an elegant touch to a kitchen, especially if marble countertops are on your lust list. Marie and Emily of M. Elle Design finished off the gray paneled island in this retro but modern kitchen with wooden bar stools and globe pendant lights.

Get the look: Cabinets: Behr Ultra Pure White; Island: Behr Cool Ashes

The clever use of color in this luxurious kitchen adds contrast and depth to the space. Seriously, that black kitchen island is almost melting into the dark wooden floor. While the white kitchen cabinetry blends into the background, interior designers Hazel and Brown have also incorporated a black cooker hood for some extra va va voom.

Get the look: Cabinets: Benjamin Moore Simply White; Island: Benjamin Moore Space Black

You've gone with the white cabinets for a farmhouse aesthetic but it's left you feeling a little bit, well, flat. Rebecca of Roses and Rolltops brought her Farrow & Ball Wimborne White walls to life with a dark island painted in a gray with blue undertones, finishing the look with antique gold fixtures and wooden countertops.

Get the look: Cabinets: Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone; Island: Farrow & Ball Down Pipe

Getting the perfect balance between light and dark is by no means an easy feat, but this inviting kitchen by Design Works is rocking it like day and night. The space features a navy blue island with polished concrete countertop, as well as two black and white pendant lights to replicate the contrasting shades of the room.

Get the look: Cabinets: Farrow and Ball Strong White; Island: Farrow & Ball Railings

You might think a dark island will be out of place in your bohemian kitchen, but here's Amber Interior Design showing you just how wrong you are. The black island works beautifully with the white cabinetry and has been softened further with rattan bar stools, brass fixtures, and a vibrant Persian rug.

Get the look: Cabinets: Valspar Ultra White; Island: Valspar Noir

A deep blue kitchen island adds a farmhouse touch to this industrial-style kitchen. The chunky white countertop keeps the look fresh and bright, while wooden decor softens the darker tones.

Get the look: Cabinets: Valspar Ultra White; Island: Valspar Quarry Pond

The midnight blue island in this natural light-filled kitchen creates a focal point like no other. Oh, we do love a little bit of drama. Perfectly paired with the cool blue undertones of the cabinetry, the island draws you to the center of the room, without being a visual overload.

Get the look: Cabinets: DeVol Damask; Island: DeVol Pantry Blue (paint color are only available as part of a deVOL Kitchen — available in the U.K.)

Limited on space? An all-white kitchen will create an airy vibe, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice a statement island. The open storage green island in this kitchen by Juniper Home is just asking for someone to prep veg on it.

Get the look: Cabinets: Madera Cabinets; Island: Benjamin Moore Dragon's Breath

Interior designers Studio McGee decided that the all-white features and dark kitchen island in this design needed a little bit of warming up. They added furniture and accessories in rich colors (we're looking at you tan bar stools) but kept the lighting simple.

Get the look: Cabinets: Benjamin Moore Snow White; Island: Benjamin Moore Newbury Port Blue

It's rare to see a dark island with a dark countertop to match, but if this kitchen by Blackband Design is anything to go by, we'll be seeing plenty more where that came from. The black paneled wood island is a sleek centerpiece, especially with the accompanying globe pendant lighting.

Get the look: Cabinets: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace; Island: Benjamin Moore Black Beauty