Dark kitchens are one of the biggest trends for 2024. Small spaces benefit from their cocooning feel while large open-plan areas become bold and atmospheric when a dark palette is applied. With this coveted trend in mind, Italian porcelain surfaces brand, Laminam has rounded up its top five dark surface designs ideal for adding depth and drama to any kitchen.

Claudio Corniola, Research & Development Director at Laminam, confirms that black is back: “Intense, dark shades such as black are set to be huge news for kitchens this year, especially when used in abundance for worksurfaces and splashbacks alike. To make it stand out, pair with black stained or painted cabinetry or with neutral furniture to really make it sing. This statement look will come in many forms, including porcelain, which is easy to clean and care for and won’t lose its lustrous sheen if cleaned daily and buffed up with a dry cloth.”

Diamond Series – Calacatta Black (also available in book match)

Available in three finishes – Polished Starlit, Bush Hammered and Rain – Calacatta Black is a refined black marble effect with fine white veins across a deeply rich and intense black backdrop. Stunning and instantly eye-catching, this large format porcelain surface is ideal for large islands, cabinet cladding, worksurfaces and dining tables. The Polished Starlit version reverberates with light thanks to its special formula, which appears like a night sky studded with stars. It also looks exceptional when applied to tall floor-to-ceiling handleless cabinets for a sleek and streamlined kitchen. Choosing the book matched variation will add extra flair to any kitchen design.

I Naturali Series – Noir Desir

With a choice of a Natural, Bush Hammered or Polished finish, Laminam’s best-selling Noir Desir is elegant and sophisticated. Perfect for evoking a decadent and sumptuous feel, it gives the kitchen a luxurious quality to its aesthetic and functional design. The dark marble effect is imbued with the soft movement of ivory veining detail, which gives the surface a precious metal look.  It is also ideal for use as hardwearing, durable and easy-clean flooring thanks to its anti-slip finish.  Available in a range of thicknesses, it is perfect for cabinet and island cladding, worksurfaces and splashbacks.  This beautiful and stunning large format ceramic slab is perfectly designed for dark kitchens and looks striking teamed with walnut cabinetry and on trend matt black appliances.

Calce Series – Nero

Simple and understated, Nero comes in one finish – Textured – for feel appeal on walls, floors and surfaces within the kitchen. This single block coloured surface is strong and striking. Confident enough to stand on its own, it has the look of a freshly painted wall and as such, looks stunning as cabinetry cladding, as well as ceiling cladding, flooring and feature walls. Stylish, elegant and luxurious in look and feel, Nero sits well with kitchens featuring natural organic elements and pops of bold colour as well as metallic accents such as brushed brass or rose gold pendant lighting, sockets, switches, sinks and taps.

IN-SIDE Series – Terra Di Pompei

For a lighter take on the dark kitchens trend, Terra Di Pompei in a Natural or Flamed finish captures the essence of hot volcanic magma dried in the Naples sun. The warm brown hues offer a softer look for those who prefer a dark kitchen with a warmer vibe. Perfect for worksurfaces and islands, this earthy palette has an almost metallic feel with hints of green and it also looks stunning underfoot.

I Naturali Series – Verde Alpi (also available in book match)

For a truly bold way to take on the dark kitchens trend while keeping with the current vogue for dark green kitchens, Verde Alpi is a vivid green marble effect, which comes in a Bush Hammered or Polished finish. With the textural effect of natural stone, this richly deep green palette features crisp white veining and evokes the Alpine forests and snow-capped peaks of the Valle D’Aosta, from which this highly decorative stone originates. It looks stunning as a fully clad island, with worksurfaces and splashbacks to match. For the ultimate show stopping kitchen splashback, the bookmatch variation will turn heads.