Matthew and Camila McConaughey's sophisticated black cabinets are surging in popularity for 2025 – but designers say there's a trick to getting them right

Trust Matthew and Camila McConaughey to be ahead of a trend. Black kitchens, specifically cabinets, are among the most revered design styles of 2025, but the couple set the precedent last year. We first noticed their glossy, black cabinets in Camila's backdrop last September, but since then, the trend has only continued to surge – and as experts explain, it's not set to stagnate anytime soon.

'The recent surge in the popularity of black kitchens can be attributed to their sleek, sophisticated aesthetic, which provides a bold and contemporary look. The rise of open-plan living spaces also plays a role, as black kitchens can serve as a striking focal point within larger, more cohesive home designs,' comments Ross Stewart, the Senior Sales Manager for Neolith.

It's impossible to know if Matthew and Camila's cabinets sit in an open-plan living space, or if the kitchen is confined to one zone. Either way, however, their impact is stunning. The color makes for a dramatic backdrop behind Camila, working as a neutral base that's beautiful in its own right, yet perfect for accessorizing further.

When choosing kitchen cabinet colors, Matthew and Camila offer the perfect inspiration point. However, as Ross explains, the trick to mastering black paint is not so simple. First, you need to master the art of making a contrast.

'An effective dark room really depends on contrast in order to work well, and often in a kitchen setting, this can involve something as simple as cleverly positioned plants and foliage, furniture in bright accent colours, or something boldly different like an exposed brick wall,' he says.

In every kitchen, lighting is your most powerful tool. However, in the case of those with black cabinets, it's more vital than ever to get it right.

'When designing a black kitchen, it's essential to consider lighting, texture, and contrast to prevent the space from feeling too enclosed or sombre, particularly in a country with consistently gray weather,' Ross says.

'For example, you could opt for light sintered stone counter surfaces with dark cabinetry and design the rest of the kitchen around these focal points, taking care not to overwhelm the space with too many deep tones.'

Before changing your kitchen cabinet color, it can be a good idea to experiment with black accents through darker-hued accessories. Or, alternatively, these pieces can make a statement juxtaposed against lighter-hued counters. With these picks, it is impossible to go wrong.