Pros & Cons of Black Cabinetry

Tony Thomas November 4, 2021

There are so many hot trends in cabinet colors right now but there are some tried and true colors that look great year after year. Recently, white cabinetry has reigned supreme as the most popular kitchen cabinet color but black cabinets are another great neutral color that almost any design aesthetic should consider as an option. Below, we take a closer look at the pros and cons of black cabinetry to help you determine what will be best for your kitchen remodel.

• PRO – Timeless
  • Black is a timeless kitchen cabinetry It will never go out of style and will look great even if you change home decor styles.
• PRO – Sophisticated
  • Black cabinets are a bold choice that automatically adds a different level of sophistication to your new kitchen.
• PRO – Contrast
  • Black cabinets can be an excellent way to add contrast and offset a lighter home color palette.
• CON – More Cleaning
  • Black cabinets can hide a lot of dust but they show things like grease from fingers, smudges, and water splatters much more than their lighter counterparts so they will require more cleaning.
• CON – More Susceptible to Scratches & Damage
  • Black cabinets tend to be more easily damaged by rough products, cleaning agents, and other things scratching or affecting the surface of the finish.

How to maintain black cabinetry?

Home cabinets play a significant role in any kitchen. It helps people to store and organize cooking essentials without any hassles. The most important role of cabinetry is improving the overall appearance of the kitchen. However, these cabinets are susceptible to dust, moisture, dirt, and other issues that will affect the look and function. To avoid such problems, people should follow maintenance measures.

Cabinet care 

Cabinetry can provide a lifetime of satisfaction and use when maintained properly. Proper care is essential to avoid any damages in the surface. People should ensure attentive cleaning to protect the variations in the material. These variations include natural characteristics like graining and hue. These features could get affected without any kind of care.

First, wipe the cabinetry with clean, damp cloth. One should always wipe in the direction of wood grain. Then, apply a thin coat of polish by following the manufacturer’s directions. A high-quality wax will help to protect the cabinets from excessive moisture, scratching, and staining. Grime buildup may also destroy the look of a cabinet. Individuals must use damp cloth soaked in warm water to remove grime buildup. If necessary, make sure to add a mild dishwasher for better cleaning. This cleaner will help to remove any residual moisture.

If this method isn’t removing grime or dirt, people may use baking soda mixture for scrubbing. Mix a spoonful of baking soda with lukewarm water and scrub until the stain disappears. A mix of vinegar and water will also prove powerful for removing sticky grime. However, restrict from using any solvents, bleach, or paint thinners because these materials will damage the cabinets.

How to prevent natural damages?

One of the worst enemies of cabinetry is excessive moisture. Cabinetry installed near dishwasher or baseboards are most susceptible to these problems. People must immediately dry off any moisture and avoid using wet items over the door. This will prevent water from penetrating the cabinet directly.

Extreme temperature drops will cause the wood material to expand and contract. This will damage the finish of the cabinetry. Make sure to control the temperature or humidity near the cabinetry to prevent any minor warping. In any worst-case scenario, people should consider immediate replacements.

Directly exposing cabinets to sunlight may lead to many problems. This will affect the finish of cabinet. Especially, cabinets laminated with painted wood or thermofoil surfaces are susceptible to fading when exposed to direct sunlight. People can use window coverings to reduce such damages.

Using harsh cleaners will have a negative impact on the wood materials. It could affect the finish of the polished surface. People should avoid using cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, organic solvents, or citric acid. Instead, choose the ones recommend by the manufacturer.

Professional assistance

People must hire professional refinishing experts for better results. They have the right knowledge and experience to handle different materials. The involvement of professionals will reduce any kind of long-term damage to the wood materials. They can also finish the job much efficiently than DIY works.