Scandinavian interiors combine the best of both worlds – a seemingly-effortless style with a functionality you can hide away - making it the perfect décor for your family home. These two Scandinavian apartments show how, by using Scandinavian principles, your home can always belong in a magazine. Make your kitchen white and bright – but secretly child-friendly. Give your kids a larger bedroom than expected – by hiding their toys under bed frame drawers. Create extra room for a lounge, dining room and study – by designing all three together. Make your interior smart and mess-friendly, by using these Scandinavian apartments as inspiration.
Visualizer:Thao Uyen
Our first apartment achieves a white and bright yet child-friendly interior, with the help of Scandinavian design. Opening up to an exposed brick wall, white joinery and zigzagging cream and grey rug, the lounge adds light to darker colours and more durable materials, making it harder for kids to stain. A beige sofa plays the same trick with an array of coloured and patterned cushions, as a woven ottoman relaxes in the foreground.
As monochrome photos and prints lead to the back of the room, a stunning gold-bulb chandelier reveals a dining table. Set on a classic mid-wooden floor with Scandinavian high-backed chairs, two indoor house plants to the side add a touch of nature.
To the left of the lounge, the kitchen appears all-white – but it’s up to its old tricks. White and cream patterned lino meets baby blue cupboards, while grey drops from the ceiling in Vibia Cosmos Cluster Pendants . Touches of gold in cupboard handles, shelf ornaments and stool legs maintain kid-friendly glitz, while simple Scandinavian shelving keeps the look modern. An L-shape bench and corridor mirror make the most of the space, perfectly punctuated by hanging spoons, unique kitchen pendant lights and an entrance-hung hat.
As we walk towards the balcony, large pops of green start to catch the eye. Sharing the interior’s wooden plank floor, the balcony thrives with greenery draping over the ceiling, stacked in indoor herb planters and seated on a coffee table. As white-painted rails shadow patterns on the floor, a white accent chair offers a seat beside roses and a view. A one-wall floral mural creates the feel of more green, as a few stray creepers convince our senses.
Bathed in tones of taupe and white, this apartment’s Scandinavian bedrooms continue the lounge’s feel with exposed brick and monochrome prints. Set on a differently-patterned geometric rug, patterns and textures are mimicked in an ottoman-esque woven throw and flurry of patterned cushions. Clean, white tables provide a place for books and make-up, as a bunch of white roses tie the outside in. A classic Scandinavian headboard ledge creates space, as does a circular mirror, white shelving and drawers. Pot plants and golden handles tie the kitchen in.
Hidden from the children, the bedroom’s walk-in wardrobe is perfectly designed. LED-lit from inside each cubby, each custom-made compartment is just big enough to hold luggage, jackets, handbags and accessories. Hiding away clothes less beautiful or public, cabinets from the kitchen stand high above a lounge-reminiscent geometric rug.
Taking cues from the kitchen, the ensuite explodes in beehive and geometric patterning. The central cabinet expands the space with a mirror and Scandinavian cabinets, while a block sink and basin match the toilet. Hints of light wood in ledge shelving and under-sink storage provide Scandinavian cues, while glass separates off the shower and forms a lantern light up top. A monochrome print and small potted shelving tie the rest of the interior in.
Taking on a bit more colour, the first kids’ bedroom greets the eye with an avocado feature wall. Raised on a wooden platform, this most stylish of kids’ beds references the lounge with patterned cushions and a gingham throw. White and wooden Scandinavian structuring creates a place for study, a classic wardrobe and under-platform drawers, while a steel lantern light creates shadow-shapes on the wall behind. Wooden ledge shelving alongside a golden mirror, portrait and decal add personality to the look.
Designed for the older child, our third bedroom draws in the eye with a pink wall and L-shaped window. Using the interior’s consistent wooden flooring, Scandinavian light wood peoples the bed frame, headboard and edges of a desk. As structured bedroom pendant lights illuminate the side tables, a monochrome quote mirrors two black and white prints. Striped bedding and a white leaning bookcase complete the vibe.
Keeping as white and bright as the ensuite, the main bathroom provides a twist on the tiled theme. Keeping similar black and white floor tiling, the space is made larger by using beige and white from the bottom up. Scandinavian white and wood creates a sink and towel shelf, while a potted plant and monochrome stag link to the rest of the interior.
Visualizer:imade pastel
Our second Scandinavian family apartment uses shades of pastel to keep in style. Featuring classic, easy-to-clean wooden flooring, the lounge welcomes with a low-key charcoal couch and monochrome coffee tables . Featuring a mint-painted study to the side, simple white-painted amenities tie in with a colourful typographic and Scandinavian shelving. Throw cushions in different patterns tie in the theme, as a mottled rug leads to a multi-coloured TV cabinet.
The kitchen makes the most of sharing, in block wood and white. Reaching ceiling-high and bearing chrome appliances, its cut-out corner provides a pastel-grey entrance. As grey and silver reflect off the kitchen inlet, a group of Scandinavian-style chairs find space for breakfast. Looking out to a sun-filled balcony, these multi-coloured seats create their own space beside metallic moon hangings, Scandinavian cabinetry, bold framed prints and unique planters .
Focusing on calm and spaciousness, the master bedroom lifts up high with a wardrobe structure clad in white. Perfect for storage, it detracts from its function with a beige and green headboard inlet, complete with monochrome print. A boldly-patterned sliding door separates the space, while wooden floors bear woven mats and unique laundry baskets in the same hue.
Opposite, a striped mint feature wall surprises in its link to the bedding, clothed in a handy pattern for hiding spills. Lit by black unique floor lamps and a chiffon-framed window, monochrome prints sit beside a chair with the perfect child-watching view.
Through the sliding door, baby-shade pastels and gold hearts and spots make this room a dream nursery. Peopled with panda, cloud, dog and rabbit characters in prints and cushions, a low-lying bed with nifty storage underneath brings in another pattern with stars. Scandinavian shelving in white and baby blue takes on a fun-filled twist, holding favourite ornaments and childhood toys. Lego-style kids wall décor keeps the room full of play, while a sleek wooden floor, matching woven mat and pink and white study provide room to grow.
Two strong colour accents are at play in this modern interior design, visualised by Ruslan Kovalchuk . Predominantly white room schemes alternate between either bold green or blush pink accent pieces, whilst natural wood grains and light grey textiles bring in other subtle hues. The home is completely free from pattern, which makes for a very peaceful and calming visual. Furniture and fixtures are all clean and modern, no-fuss, no-frills, yet the home still feels welcoming and warm. The cosy minimalist look is achieved with balanced room arrangements - holding neither too little nor too much. Small decorative items and chic pendant lights add just the right amount of flourish without crowding the scene.
A split level living room holds the lounge on its lower half, whilst a one wall kitchen with island and formal dining area are a step up. Only the lounge carries any colour, with a bold racing green coloured sofa. Black accent pieces tie the lounge to the black dining chairs behind it, and to the dark integrated kitchen appliances.
Glass doors draw closed around the modern sofa and lounge area to make it a cosier space, sectioning it from an entryway and the kitchen. The doors also come in handy to close off kitchen noise and cooking smells.
An architectural support wall serves as a room divider between the open plan living room design and a hallway organisation area by the stairs. A shoe bench stands against the opposite side of the wall, beneath a coat hook.
Black modern dining chairs encircle a white table. The dining table chair combination is crowned with a chic black pendant light that echoes its round shape.
Two white kitchen bar stools offer a more casual spot to dine at on overhang on the centre island. The white kitchen island offers contrast against a bank of walnut cabinets that tower across the back wall of the room. You can find more inspirational ideas for white and wood kitchens here.
The island kitchen has a black sink and faucet combo in its light countertop.
An unusual staircase design rises through the house, materialising first as a solid wooden block of steps and storage, before transforming into a floating black metal balustrade and suspended steps.
The twisting staircase is reflected in a tall glass mirror, which is backlit with an LED strip. A volume of white storage cabinets flank one side of the stairwell.
Inside the master suite, the bedroom wooden accent wall follows along in the same mellow walnut tones as seen in the kitchen and on the lower half of the unique staircase. A fabric double bed is upholstered in rich teal, and set upon a matching rug.
Scatter cushions take the teal accent colour over to a window reading nook , where a bespoke seat fills the bay.
Textured glass closet doors offer a mysterious hint of the wardrobe contents without putting the entire collection loudly on show.
Opposite the foot of the bed, a flat screen tv and media cabinet are nestled into a purpose built nook at the centre of a white fitted wardrobe installation.
A second double bedroom offers a soft white and blush pink decor scheme. A padded headboard design has been fashioned out of pink padded sections along two thirds, with the final third being a plain white panel. A orb shaped bedroom pendant light dangles in front of the white headboard section, above a long white bedside unit. Two gooseneck wall sconces provide reading light nearer to the pillows.
The white and pink headboard feature is lit along its upper edge by a strip of LEDs, which create a beautifully subtle glow. The pink bed stands on a two-tone pink and grey area rug.
The bedroom tv wall decor is a wooden panel that seems to lightly float a few inches from the wall, with a flat screen tv at its centre.
Two hanging chairs occupy the space by the windows. Linen curtains match their natural rattan hue. Potted plants create a little indoor flower garden on the floor around them.
White double doors conceal a built-in closet on the opposite side of the room to the windows. A white quilted comforter dresses the bed.
The bathroom follows the same pink and white colour scheme as seen in the second bedroom, with an unusual pink double sink bathroom vanity unit. Two shallow storage drawers rest below twin sunken basins. A frameless backlit bathroom vanity mirror echoes the long linear shape of the wall mounted pink cabinet.
A wall hung toilet and bidet are situated opposite the vanity, on a false wall that has been built to hide away the toilet cistern and plumbing. The false wall also offers space for toiletries storage at one end. An installation of tall cabinets fill the far end of the room, along with a second tower of practical display shelving. The shelves are picked out in a slice of pink to complement the rest of the adjacent wash zone.
A blush pink bench stands inside the shower. Tiny white hexagonal mosaic tiles cover the shower wall - the closest thing to pattern in the entire apartment. A black rainfall shower descends from the ceiling of the stark enclosure. Black faucets at the basins and a black flush plate match with the dark shower fixture.
Dark isn’t the first theme that comes to mind when designing a kitchen. Stereotypical assumptions are of white and bright kitchens matched by light wood—something like the color of breakfast pancakes. Have you ever thought otherwise? Perhaps something like a modern dark kitchen?
We’ve got a collection of stunning spaces sure to switch up your vision. This black kitchen design inspiration is the sexiest interior design can muster. All divulging in shades of black, navy, or dark brown, they add what white kitchens cannot—a seductive allure that says sleekness and sophistication at the same time. Take a peek at some brilliant interiors on the darker side to see if a modern luxury black kitchen could be for you.
Modern Dark Kitchen Design Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation
1. Make it an All Black Kitchen
Visualizer:Design At Sketch
Almost completely covered in black, a few minor elements shine in chrome and wood in this kitchen interior. We love how the textures do the talking, especially through the matte table under black wood-panelled walls. But having an open approach like this means that every one of your accessories on display—including knives, wine glasses, mugs, cutting boards, teapots, cookie jars, etc.—need to be on point.
2. Add Wooden Elements
Visualizer:Bogdan Tovstyy
This black beauty edges towards wooden elements. We see a speckled floor, a white wall, and a central bench. Rounded black lamps hover over the island, providing functionality and style. If you’re wondering how visual intrigue is added to this modern black kitchen… a huge credit goes to the abstract art!
3. Complement the Black Kitchen with Orange
Source:Vancouver House
A bit of curve rounds out the hard edges—adding some much-needed warmth. This wave-design bench leads up to an orange-hued enclave in this black-and-silver interior. The burnt orange sure makes a design statement (apart from the unique central island).
4. Keep Your Dark Modern Kitchen Simple
Visualizer:Panda Fox Studios
A simplistic look makes this black kitchen a winner. We see the basics: a light floor, a black minimalist island, and sleek cabinetry. But the contrast between light and dark keeps the ambiance interesting, while the large window welcomes plenty of natural light.
5. Make it Dark… Or Not?
Visualizer:Who Cares Design
If you’re eyeing a dark kitchen aesthetic but are hesitant to make the change, this is it. Introducing more light, this black kitchen is hardly dark at all. Black benches, cabinetry, fixtures and stools are intersected by large-panel windows, a white shelving stand and light flooring.
6. Make Use of Asymmetry in the Black Modern Kitchen
Visualizer:Visual Method
This modern black kitchen takes another angle on this kaleidoscopic space, breaking all spatial boundaries. Black and glass alternate in this chic kitchen as the interesting ceiling design keeps the space unconventional. We’ve also got to appreciate the cherry blossoms, doubling as decor even within the interior.
7. Factor in Some Warmth
Source:Modulnova
This warmer-looking kitchen makes a move to brown. It strategically achieves the purpose with the use of wood. This not only introduces natural textures but also makes the ambiance inviting. Talk about a modern style that’s equal parts welcoming!
8. Place a White Island in a Black Modern Kitchen
Visualizer:Jean Regauer
An instant way to brighten up a dark kitchen (we mean, get the best of both worlds)? This kitchen space shows us how by using a white island on a black floor. The backsplash further enhances this dark-and-light effect, while the cowhide rug adds just the right amount of coziness.
9. Make Marble Your Best Friend
Architect:Chamberlain Javens Architects
If you’re looking to create a modern luxury black kitchen, you know what you’ve got to do: Go big on marble! This natural stone adds the luxe factor to any space, especially as a large, central island, as seen in the kitchen above. You can also add it through the backsplash.
10. Make it Mysterious
Visualizer:Tomek Michalski
You can double the visual intrigue in your all black kitchen by adding some mystery. In this kitchen, mood-lighting sets the scene in black and grey, while a marbled bench acts as the hero. The back inlet and flooring create contrast and depth. Taken together, these elements make the space an interesting one.
11. Layer Gray and Gold
Visualizer:Mitaka Dimov
Black kitchens are cool, but what if we layer in gray and add accents of gold? This stunning kitchen space uses gray flooring to add diversity to the otherwise black palette. The thick gold panel is one way that makes the space look incredibly high-end.
12. Add French Style to Black Kitchen Design
Visualizer:Aeroslon
Make your kitchen both modern and French with traditional black cabinetry. In this space, standing armoires act as sinks, and all other displayed items remain black. The stark white clock can surely act as the focal point of the space!
13. Consider Soft Elements
Visualizer:Julia Sultanova
Rough, light wood and low-hanging white lights set this kitchen interior a world apart. You can also notice a layer of light gray cabinetry, adding variation to the otherwise dark color palette. These elements factor in softness to the black kitchen design.
14. Let the Accessories Do the Talking
Photographer:Mikko Ryhänen
In this black-and-wood creation, the accessories take center stage in adorning the interior. We love the houseplant, but the crockery deserves a special mention for doubling as decor. The light oakwood backdrop further warms the space up.
15. Consider a Matte All Black Kitchen
Visualizer:HDR Designer
Neat square panels perfectly line up to emphasize the stark black minimalism that is at play here. We love how the cabinetry is matte black with no hardware, adding a sense of simplicity. The herb planters are a healthy green addition to bring the otherwise simple space.
16. Add Some Stencilling to Black Kitchens
Visualizer:Julia Sultanova
Fine lines and stencilling set this monochromatic space apart. Lined by black magnetic lights, black stencils and glossy white facades, it makes its mark on a light wooden floor.
17. Build a Shape Out of Black
Visualizer:Huso
18. Create a Modern Dark Kitchen with Gradients
Visualizer:Mario Nogueira
If you’re wondering how the intrigue in this space is working… It’s the gradients from black, to charcoal, to light grey. White surrounds in the walls and a monochromatic hanging light. This clever design technique makes sure the space is anything but boring, even if it’s using mere neutrals (minus the stunning orange dining chairs, of course).
19. Leverage Black Textures
Visualizer:Nefeli Kallianou
One instant way to add interest to a black kitchen is with textures, as seen in this metallic matte kitchen. This accounts for decorative presence in the light and bright space, providing character to an otherwise simple room.
20. Work on the Functionality of the Modern Dark Kitchen
Visualizer:İbrahim Ethem KISACIK
This dark modern kitchen makes sure it’s as functional as is stylish. The central island is paired with a black dining table, while all necessary appliances are fixed into the cabinetry. We also see pendant lights and lighting under the hood providing just the right illumination.
21. Create a Modern Classic All Black Kitchen
Visualizer:A&L Interior Design
Folks seeking an inviting all black kitchen can look towards this modern classic space. It merges contemporary elements (through sleek black cabinetry) with traditional ones (as seen in the wooden backsplash) to bring together the best of both worlds.
22. Put Essentials on Display in Your Modern Black Kitchen Interior
Visualizer:Polygon
Yet another kitchen that uses black and wooden elements to create a dark-themed interior. What sets this one apart is the hanging pans. They do offer easy access as the residents cook, but they also double as decor! (Note how the pans also use black and wooden elements to stay coherent with the theme).
23. Add the Industrial Style to the All Black Kitchen
Via:Emotion School
Industrial style lovers, rejoice! This is THE inspiration to set up your favorite interior design style, the dark way. This kitchen uses rustic wood and exposed elements for the ceiling to create an industrial black kitchen interior.
24. Make a Statement with Black Chunky Lamps
Via:HomePicture.in
All eyes on the two chunky lamps hanging in this monochromatic setting. They do add focus but also allow the contrasting white inset to shine. Not to forget the central island, providing plenty of storage space.
25. Make Room for Keepsakes
Visualizer:Maxim Goryachev
There’s nothing like personalizing your space to who YOU are. This kitchen serves the purpose by adding keepsakes and heirlooms. Also, black leaves room for details, so it’s one of the best colors to use if you’re hoping to display knick-knacks.
26. Use Black to Add Intimacy
Visualizer:Helen Bank
Who says dark colors make small spaces feel smaller? We only see black adding luxury to this compact space (with some credit to the white flooring adding brightness). This kitchen—with black marble backsplash—speaks opulence, and for all the right reasons!
27. Enhance Black Kitchen Design with Patterns
Visualizer:Ksenia Lenski
This black kitchen interior makes a design statement with the patterned marble island. Its sleek metallic legs lift it off the floor, creating an illusion of space. Simultaneously, the textured inset makes sure visual interest is added.
28. Don’t Forget a Black and White Rug
Visualizer:Nada Aboelrous
If you’re not in for a complete kitchen renovation, simply painting your cabinets black and adding a black-and-white patterned rug will achieve the purpose! We love how this kitchen keeps sets the base with white and tops it with black.
29. Let the Lighting Make a Statement in the All Black Kitchen
Architect:Artpartner Architects
When everything else is understated, letting the lighting create a statement is a good idea. This matte black kitchen interior uses rod lighting to do the talking. It sticks to the all black kitchen color scheme, though!
30. Tone it Down
Visualizer:Valeria Mosolova
This open floor plan uses dark gray throughout, showing us that black can work in more spaces than the kitchen 😉 It sure makes a design statement for those cooking and dining—or lounging!
31. Consider a Black and Wooden Bar
Visualizer:Amir Emami
This is the ultimate modern luxury black kitchen! After all, what’s better than displaying your favorite collection of beer right behind the black kitchen island? The low-hanging pendant lights also add to the black kitchen design.
32. Add the Gothic Vibe
Visualizer:Sebastian Lorio
This dark-gray kitchen is super simple with its sleek, hardware-less cabinetry. Well, except the far left end. Here, we see a statement piece of art and intriguing layered lighting created a focal point.
33. Stick to the Minimalist Style for Black Kitchens
Visualizer:Miguel A. Ramos
This compact kitchen space follows the simple rule: white walls paired with black cabinetry and an island. Even in this nook, the space is able to make a style statement while providing optimal functionality. The window here gives a contrasting element of light to the otherwise dark modern kitchen.
34. Layer Lighting in the All Black Kitchen
Visualizer:Tatiana Durnescu
We see shades of gray and black coming together to bring this modern dark kitchen to life. What we especially love is the multiple types of lighting, all layered together to bring visual interest to the space.
35. Set the Backdrop For Your Living Space
Visualizer:Sasha Zolotukhin
