Live small, think big. The designers of these four small but beautifully formed studio apartment interiors have put together decor schemes that are filled with gorgeous home style, furnishings and attractive accents without feeling overstuffed, despite their limited proportions. A small open plan studio layout can too often feel like each and every area is forced up to the next without pause or breathing space, but not in these examples. Take a look at how the designers of these compact homes have managed to create visual separation and even a feeling of airiness by using carefully considered colour palettes and modern furniture silhouettes in cleverly thought out arrangements.
Source:Husman Hagberg
Our first interior is set in an apartment that was originally built in 1906. The total area of this small studio home is just 21 square metres. The tall black storage unit that stands between the bed and the sofa is the wardrobe; this provides the only large scale divide in the room.
The vibrant colour choices would have you think that this was a new build rather than being well over a century in standing.
The small loveseat is stuffed with cosy cushions and a faux fur throw. Juicy orange colour pops contrast against luscious green indoor plants . A base of grey and white tame the brighter hues so that the palette doesn’t become childish or overbearing.
Opposite the sofa, black kitchen cabinets match the storage unit on the other side. Wall units make full use of the vertical space. A glossy white backsplash prevents the look from becoming too heavy.
A modern fruit bowl and a set of decorative candles sit on top of a small breakfast bar that’s big enough to seat three people for dinner.
An induction hob keeps the countertop sleek. A tidy selection of cooking oils and cutting boards are dotted along the work surface as decoration and to free up some valuable cupboard space.
Wall mounted coat hooks keep the hallway tidy and keep bulky winter coats out of the narrow wardrobe in the main room. A small nook contains a tiny washbasin by the front door.
A stool makes a handy bedside table, and a wall shelf over the head of the bed provides an attractive display surface. The bedding is a bold mix of tribal print and geometric pattern, which brings bags of character to the limited space. Wall art matches the edgy modern tribal theme of the bedclothes.
Little nuggets of greenery are everywhere throughout this small apartment. The plants make the scheme feel friendly and provide cleaner air in these close quarters.
The tiny bathroom has been given its own pop of style with the simple and easy introduction of geometric and colourful towels.
An outdoor balcony is adorned with sweet colourful fabric cushions, plus matching blooms.
A neat table helps make the limited outdoor space a practical and sociable area.
Plant pots have been hooked over the railing to achieve extra gardening opportunities for green fingers.
Visualizer:Lina Zaharova
This one room apartment in St.Petersburg has an entirely different colour story. Here things are of a more serious industrial vibe, with expanses of raw concrete and swathes of grey.
Not every area is dark and dramatic though, white and light wood tone balance out the shade.
The entertainment wall acts as a half height divide between the lounge and dining room.
Four upholstered dining chairs provide a bit of colour around the table, whilst a swing arm wall lamp illuminates the eating area.
A white and grey kitchen forms the backdrop to the dining area.
Another pop of deep colour is found on the pillow cases in the bedroom.
The bathroom is a dramatic charcoal scheme.
Visualizer:Recent Spaces
Our third studio apartment is a sunlit chic space. The tone for the sophisticated home is immediately set by two golden dining pendant lights that gleam above a four setting dining table. The table is anchored in an area that could possibly have allowed for a six seat suite but the spacious feel of the room would have been compromised.
The gold dining pendant lights work beautifully with surrounding blonde wood tone. The other accents in this space, such as the dining chairs and tabletop, are all bold solid black. The base note provide great contrast against lighter elements.
A fruit bowl makes a simple table centrepiece.
In the open plan bedroom, a black bed throw, wall art and a bedside table provide more black accents to the scheme.
Everything else in the sleep space is crisp white, from the duvet cover and pillows, to wall paint and bedside lamps.
A neat wooden chair holds reading material.
The Scandinavian style sofa has a slimline frame to save precious space.
Visualizer:Recent Spaces
Our last studio apartment tour is unusual in that it has a centrally placed sofa.
The sofas central position is due to walkways flanking either side, providing access to the bedroom and a desk.
The lounge area has a small round coffee table, adorned with a simple decorative vase filled with a bunch of cheerful flowers.
An area rug defines the sitting area.
A pendant light sheds light over the work area in lieu of a desk lamp, freeing up table space.
and table add soft wood tone into a grey kitchen-diner.
These three pastel homes positively sing with prettiness; “I feel pretty, Oh, so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright!”… Well, not literally obviously, but you get the gist. Sweet shades of baby pink, powder blue and chalky mint green cover the furniture, walls and accessories of this trio. If you worry that a candy coloured interior might make your teeth hurt a little, then this inspirational collection of interiors will show you how such shades can be comfortably neutralised with light wood floors and fresh white elements. See how to hold the hues within simplistic contemporary outlines to keep your scheme from appearing frilly or trite.
Visualizer:Ruslan Kovalchuk & Stephen Tsimbalyuk
Throwing you straight in at the deep end with our most pastel filled home, this first apartment is awash with soft shades of blue, pink and green. At the centre of the scheme the pink couch looks like a row of soft marshmallows but is of an unfussy contemporary style. In direct contact and contrast with the centrally placed couch, a sky blue area rug matches the powdery blue curtains and a light blue coffee table. To earth these airy colours, a selection of amber glass vases decorate the table surface. These tones are echoed over in the dining area situated behind the sofa, where six dining chairs stand in natural rattan.
The rattan dining chairs have pale blue cushions to match the nearby rug and curtains. Their natural tone carries through via wooden accents in the open plan kitchen. The surrounding walls are all awash with minty green.
A floor lamp and a wall mounted bookcase carry through more of the calming blue hue.
Beneath the wall mounted flat screen television, a long wooden console perfectly matches the tone of the wood floor.
The wall art is almost a continuation of the view beyond the window pane.
The kitchen backsplash countertop and adjoining dining table are all pale marble.
The dining room pendant lights are a grouping of organic shaped white glass vessels.
The simple table centrepiece coincides with the natural elements in the room.
In the hallway, a couple of bike wall mounts provide a practical storage solution and transform the homeowners transport into a focal point.
and beams strike of modern rustic note.
A second pink sofa is located in a room with a study area and a relaxing swing chair.
This pink couch would double as a bed. The natural rug beneath it neutralises the sweetness of the pink upholstery.
Beside the home office area is a large bank of bespoke white storage units that feature a cut through of wooden display cubbies, which hold frequently used items close at hand.
This bedroom has a towering upholstered headboard design in powder blue. The rest of the feature wall is finished in wood panelling that matches the side tables .
The furniture and bed linen are of a geometric design, which sharpens up the look of the pastel coloured room.
The opposite wall tells us this is a kid’s room: A blue wall has been made into a subtle chalkboard, and a set of wall bars are all set for swinging.
A cute kid’s desk chair sits at a computer table that has been accessorised with a copper desk lamp.
Geometric accents can be found around other parts of the scheme too.
Visualizer:Ruslan Kovalchuk & Stephen Tsimbalyuk
Our second apartment belongs to a ballet dancer, and uses just a soupçon of pastels here and there; like this exquisite sea breeze sofa.
Opposite the L-shape sofa is a blue feature wall with a giant debossed leaf motif.
The rug is purest white faux fur.
A console underneath the TV has curvaceous wooden design.
Sea breeze and wood tones are carried through from the lounge into the dining room.
Two copper dining table pendant lights are suspended over the neat eating area.
The ballet dancer’s small porch has hardy enough room to pirouette in, though manages to accommodate a bar area where one could enjoy a coffee and the view, plus a tidy home office area complete with designer table lamp .
Light cabinets and exposed kitchen shelving form the backdrop to the small dining area.
The bedroom is just a ‘jete’ from the living room sofa, and can be seen through sliding glass doors. Natural light makes its way through from the lounge, and privacy curtains may be drawn when company is present.
The bed is coral pink. The feature wall is a repeat of the leaf motif used in the lounge to join the two spaces.
The bathroom is a minimalist design.
A small selection of essentials are out on open shelving, with no other storage present in the room.
Architect:GA Interior| Designer:Guan Pin
Our third home is a cosy den of pastel surprises, where an upper volume is reminiscent of a treehouse.
Beneath the mezzanine ‘treehouse’ nestles a small white kitchen and a pink and wood dining suite.
The walls are painted in mint green or white.
Tiny pink accents are sprinkled over ice cream colours.
The kitchen backsplash and breakfast bar side panelling are a blue hue.
Sunshine accents brighten quirky cutouts.
On climbing the open sided staircase you will find the master bedroom, where a black floor lamp creates an unexpected heavy base note beside a sweet selection of pink, blue and white bed cushions and covers.
Expanses of blue and neat pink accents continue up in this space.
One of the pink dining chairs has been utilised as a desk chair.
A large wooden wardrobe earths the pastel scheme.
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
