Minimalist home decor is often considered a backdrop for more dramatic features. Bright fixtures, unusual finds or striking textures are expected to dominate white spaces. The question is – what if white space was the central feature? These three home designs by Oporski Architektura exemplify spaces that have both character and white space at hand. Creating more effects with the standard white wall, they play with textures while tones of stark black and soft grey add definition and mellow out rooms. Paired with interesting lines and a feeling of calm, we have three interior design winners worth a second look.
Our first space uses all three often-secondary palettes in the one space. In the living room, a squared-off, L-shaped soft grey couch offers comfort, while the black-screened TV provides dramatic viewing. Full white walls transform into geometric shapes, which form sides of the staircase railing and intersect with a white wooden kitchen and dining floor. A grey brick wall stretching upstairs notices depth, lit with simple camera and box lighting. A black abstract art piece gives focus from opposite angles.
A side-lit staircase remains simple in grey and white, referencing the living room. Side-lighting forms a shape of its own, in a zigzag pattern.
Stairs lead to a home office, resplendent in the little details. Grey brick inlets mimic the walls that brought us here, while high-white cabinetry and a whiteboard offer thinking space. Matched by thick white-wood flooring and simply-shaped tables, an LED feature light finds a space between the two.
An all-white corridor is found downstairs, leading to the kitchen area. A space otherwise too small, an elongated kitchen bench and minimal white cabinetry keep it clean and spacious. Two black geometric chairs and a granite breakfast table unite, while a grey brick wall and LED line light carry through space themes.
The bedroom carries softness in its walls, while appealing to clean design. Grey brick walls are colour-matched by a grey futon bed, with bedding in the same colour. An art canvas similar to the lounge adds focus for the dreamer. A similarly-grey Roman blind lets the outside peek in, strip by strip.
The ensuite is also made roomy by minimalism. Using floor-length mirrors and white block porcelain, the space creates room within a feeling of calm. Simple chrome fixtures and all-grey walling give the bathroom depth. Simple features in the black shower head and zig-zag heated towel rail add sophistication without clutter.
Our second home would be almost monochromatic, if not for the ever-presence of grey. Living room and kitchen spaces flow together in a soft, yet dramatic, space. All-white walls in the lounge spread into all-white couches, which extend themselves with ottomans, floor-length chiffon curtaining and L-shapes. A black lacquer feature wall packs a punch in the middle of the space, supported by a set of black Scandinavian dining chairs. Storm-coloured cabinetry in the kitchen and lounge create harmony between the two.
A black-plastic dining table and chairs are both functional and surprisingly classic, especially when viewed against the black lacquer wall. A sprout of orchids amidst grey cabinetry and wooden flooring ties in the lounge. Seen from a grey-walled entrance, black square ceiling lights create a trail for visitors to follow.
Black lacquer walling dominates in the bedroom, too. An otherwise all-white space, a grey wall challenges the black’s authority. Light, dreamy chiffon and low-lying personal features create a space to relax and dream. Grey wooden flooring continues from the living room, while a leaning mirror extends the light.
This ticks off every single trait a minimalist bedroom should have.
White walls run through to the bathroom, through the use of high cabinetry. With an all-white porcelain bath and toilet, high-block sinks and splash-back wall, large-format slate tiles are a welcome break.
Depth and shadow are used to effect in our third space, which uses white, black and grey’s shadow-like properties for interest. In the living room, white, grey and black play off one another in couch cushions. A grey feature cabinet displays a black TV screen, matched by geometric, lacquered black dining furniture in the next room. Cabinets open to reveal black in-panelling and light draping. A white tree motif is the only piece truly bathed in white.
The dining area presents itself in a long, lean space, framed by ceiling-to-floor white drapery. Bordered by another white and grey corridor leading to light, it presents a clean space for talking and eating.
Further down the corridor, the entrance makes its first appearance. Hugged by the corridor’s grey walls, a small seating inlet backed by a mirror welcomes in first-time guests. A ringed tree trunk stump, an unusual shape in the space, sits fiercely on the incoming wall.
The bedroom blocks out black for a more relaxing space. Floor-length linen drapes reveal a white block bed with simple white bedding. Grey walling and a simple metal table shine rather than stand out. Grey wooden flooring precedes its flow.
Greys take on more concrete forms in the office. White walls with stark, geometric chairs resemble the dining room, while a full-length football player screams passion on the wall. Roman sheath blinding and long grey desking create visual space for a multi-coloured bookcase.
A red heated towel rail is the first to break colouring in the bathroom. Sitting flat upon amongst dark grey cabinetry and white porcelain fixtures, its presence is dominant, but not cluttered. A chrome towel rail and taps add pizazz.
It’s a combination of photo studio, styling lab, creative office. But above all, it’s the gorgeous and endlessly fascinating home of Milan-based photographer Paulina Arcklin . The interior features a contrast of texture and theme – rough industrial accents add depth and character to their light Scandinavian inspired backdrop, its ethereal quality constantly grounded by creative reinterpretations of everyday objects. If you’re the type of decorator that foregoes antique stores in favor of rescuing rusted treasures from moss-covered barns or forgotten warehouse basements, this apartment is sure to stoke your thirst for adventure.
This home boasts inspiring furniture choices built from reclaimed materials. A rolling cart becomes a dining table, stacked lumber serves as a sideboard, and a beautiful live-edge workbench holds a sink-turned-votive holder.
Delicate fabrics and distressed paint weave a breezy, welcoming atmosphere. The grey and white color theme might have felt too cool without the addition of warm rusted metal and naked wood.
Have you noticed the abundance of wheels yet? It’s a very deliberate choice owing to the home’s secondary life as a photography studio. Everything is easy to move around for staging purposes.
The patina of age makes each piece impossible to replicate, but the theme is itself is readily adapted to nostalgic DIY projects.
A mixture of artwork, antiques, and vintage trays make up the eclectic decor theme. Each item is different yet meets a unified aesthetic thanks to age, wear, and sometimes a touch of paint.
Are you in love with the floorboards? The owner/photographer actually makes 26 of the panels available as rental props, so it’s possible to assume the ones in the apartment are modular as well.
Even the most beaten-up signage becomes beautiful repurposed artwork for the home. The font is especially gorgeous – it’s certainly not the average auction find.
Dinosaur figures are just one of many eclectic choices, demonstrating that anything can become whimsical decor with a simple coat of white paint.
Don’t miss the rolling mannequin bust near the entrance. This piece serves as a stylish coatrack for everyday living, but of course makes a useful prop for photography work as well.
The lofted area hosts the chic and simple bedroom, with the kitchen tucked away beneath. There would be plenty of room for a small office behind the staircase if it weren’t occupied by coat racks.
While the interior window allows a somewhat open connection to the living room, an assortment of interesting objects brings character to the view.
The other side of the open living area contains the dining table and a few creative storage solutions. These gorgeous bags currently hold throw blankets, but the possibilities are endless.
Above, the lamp is a classic design by Jean Louis Domecq, famous around the world as the Jieldé lamp. It’s an incredible addition to any industrial interior, but this application highlights its flexibility across themes.
Center-stringer staircases like this one are a cool modern look for those who want to go with open risers. The effect is open and airy, allowing plenty of sunlight to filter right through.
Functional open storage space hides above and below the stairs that lead to the bedroom mezzanine. Both coatracks make it easy to cozy up or cool down while transitioning from one part of the home to another.
Upstairs, the bedroom is so bright and focused. Storage cabinets and an arched closet reduce clutter, leaving plenty of room for king-sized sleeping arrangements.
Bold photography focuses the eye toward the center of the bed. While the headboard shelf takes an unconventional form as a rough repurposed beam, a single antique bedpost sits balanced as a throwback to traditional styles.
Black and white photography plus painted and distressed frames is an easy way to make even diverse prints look coordinated. These, of course, are already coordinated by their subject matter.
Overall, while the architecture is beautiful on its own, the special objects that fill the home are what make it so special. It’s a one-of-a-kind space.
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
