8 Stylish Tuxedo Kitchen Designs to Inspire You

A classic tuxedo kitchen is typically defined by white upper cabinets and black lower cabinets, as in this kitchen from Ashton Woods, which also incorporates a black center island. This dual-tone look is both chic and timeless. A tuxedo kitchen ups the room’s sophistication without requiring a great deal of time and effort to transform the space. For small kitchens, the look can also brighten and open up the room.

Add more pop and pizzazz to your tuxedo kitchen by integrating thoughtful black and white decorative accents, like the oversized black and white dominoes, dice in a jar, and striped planter on the counter in the design above from Tracy Lynn Studio. These elements soften the floor-to-ceiling black cabinets, which could otherwise overwhelm the small space.

Put a twist on the typical tuxedo kitchen by harmonizing the two contrasting colors, in this case with glossy, light-reflecting grey subway tiles applied to the entire wall, not just a backsplash. Stainless steel appliances further serve to unify the black and white in a mindful way, as does the brushed stainless steel hardware on kitchen drawers and cabinets.

For those who like the black-and-white look of a tuxedo kitchen, but aren’t ready for mismatched cabinets, an easy place to start is with the floors. A checkered tile is a fabulous way to get the look without making a major investment in cabinets. It’s also a fun way to rev up the foundation of the space and can serve as the basis of a retro-style kitchen, like the one above, which features retro-inspired Northstar appliances.