<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The kitchen’s often a room to experiment — with decor, as well as food and drink. Over the years we’ve seen yellow, turquoise, avocado green, greige and white take their turn as favored hues.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">But right now, black is back.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“It makes perfect sense, style-wise,” says New York City designer Elaine Griffin. “We began seeing the rise of black applian</span><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">ces as sleek and stylish non-white alternatives to pricier stainless options at the new millennium, and black as the ‘new neutral’ wall color has been gaining popularity over the past decade.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">You can go ultramodern or traditional when bringing black into the kitchen.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">High-end, Euro-style lacquered cabinetry from companies like Boffi, Poliform and Bulthap is sleek and sexy. Marble countertops and geometric fixtures can create a glamorous, jewel-box kitchen, great for entertaining.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Put the hue on Shaker-style cabinets, add rustic French tile, smooth quartz counters and hand-rubbed brass fittings, and you’ve got a sophisticated space. Or add a walnut or maple slab island and saddle leather stools for an industrial look.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">A few things to remember if you’re going to get a black kitchen right:</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; font-family:" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Contrast is key</span><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">. Going overboard with black will get you a kitchen that resembles a bad mall hair salon, says Griffin. Use black on the cabinets and a paler hue on counters and floors, or vice versa.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Maria Killam, a color expert and designer in Vancouver, British Columbia, agrees.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Make sure your floors and countertops are very light to balance and contrast the super-dark cabinets. Working with black is a balancing act and requires some skill,” she advises.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Simple white tile with black grout is a great way to get some light in the space and give a nod to classic kitchens.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Killam suggests including wood elements like</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">a butcher-block island countertop. “Wood lower cabinets would work with black countertops and upper shelving, for example. I would keep the wood finishes as natural as possible … and relatively pale so the overall effect isn’t too heavy,” she says.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">You can repaint existing cabinetry if you’re budget-conscious. Consider Benjamin Moore’s Midsummer Night, Sherwin-Williams’ Black Fox, Valspar’s Raven Black or Behr’s Black Suede. Many shades of black pick up other hues in an interesting way — midnight blues, chocolates and sooty grays, for example. Choose the right finish: Save the glossy paint for trim or you’ll be swabbing fingerprints forever.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Like a little black dress, accessories make a statement in a black kitchen, so choose your hardware and fixtures with care,” advises Griffin. “Polished or antiqued brass and black is a white-hot finish option right now, for both contemporary and traditional looks.”</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; font-family:" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Add a cool stool</span><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">. Options include stools with chic, slim hairpin legs, as well as comfy-looking upholstered ones, and several stools in snazzy hues like red, orange and blue.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Embossed or painted concrete, sculpted limestone, pressed tin, or wallpaper would be striking complements to black cabinetry and fittings.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Add an Art Deco touch to a black kitchen with Giorbello’s Water Jet glass tiles. Daltile’s Bamboo Forest faux wood tile would be a durable, style-savvy backsplash or floor. Italian ceramic tile maker Fap has a matte-black subway tile in its new Boston collection.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The right lighting is important in a black kitchen. Killam likes skylights and large windows to take advantage of natural light.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">To avoid what Griffin calls “black hole syndrome”, install lights at multiple height levels: ceiling, pendant, under-cabinet and even countertop lamps.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Lamps Plus has forged-iron and rubbed-bronze chandeliers and pendants. Hudson Valley Lighting’s Lydney polished black nickel pendant would work well in any style of kitchen.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Those who like the idea of black but are tentative might consider introducing one or two black elements like islands, lighting, kitchen ladders and window treatments.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Artwork and textiles incorporating black with brights, whites, or subtle neutrals like sage, putty and cream add drama.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Instead of paint, consider black appliances.</span><p>In this photo provided by Ikea</p>HONS<p>the Laxarby cabinet door has a distinctly traditional look</p>HONS<p>in a warm black-brown hue. Pairing black with metallic elements</p>HONS<p>like these big pendants</p>HONS<p>is on-trend. (Ikea via AP)</p>HONS<p>In this photo provided by Lampsplus.com</p>HONS