“Louis period styles” is a collective term for French design trends spanning between 1600 and 1790, encompassing the transition from Baroque to Neoclassicism. Royal families were the de-facto tastemakers of the time - and in this case, those tastemakers were Louis XIII, Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, and their fashionable queens and mistresses such as Marie Antoinette and Madame Pompadour. While ornate styles have been replaced by clean minimalism today, these fabulous visualizations offer a rare glimpse of French palatial decadence translated to lighter modern-day interiors.
Visualizer:Pure Art
A gorgeous stateroom dressed in olive and white, influenced strongly by the baroque designs associated with the “Sun King”, Louis XIV. The intricate scrollwork takes on an almost silver hue – Louis XIV loved the precious metal so much that he often commissioned solid silver furniture (later melted to refill the treasury post-war). Thankfully, the furniture here is much more subdued.
Gallery sofas – sometimes referred to as boudeuse (French for ‘sullen’) – allow visitors to appreciate the sophisticated surroundings from any angle. For a very similar contemporary version, check out the Epoch sofa by British designer Christopher Guy.
Rounded furniture more accurately represents the Louis XVI period, rather than Louis XIV, yet they work wonderfully in this design. Of all the Louis-inspired furniture available today, those oval-backed chairs are probably the most beloved. The thickness and ornamentation makes them quite different from the ones you’d find at the market, however.
Visualizer:Sergey Tomenko
This luxurious home combines neoclassical and modern design. The streamlined aesthetic is reminiscent of Louis XVI – note the fluted legs on the sideboard and side tables. Neoclassical decor took cues from Etruscan influences, which itself is derived from Greek architecture.
These sofas and chairs offer a luxurious take on the Chesterfield, made quite unique with oversized diamond tufting and ornate Chippendale legs. They’re perfectly coordinated with the rest of the space even if furniture like this didn’t exist until many years after the last Louis gave up the throne. Although, interestingly, Thomas Chippendale and Philip Stanhope (the Earl credited for commissioning the first Chesterfield) were both contemporaries of Louis XVI.
Greenery, gilt, and heavy fabrics create a warm look despite the home’s vast proportions. The colors are truly lovely - not as flashy as the gold typically applied in Louis-era designs, but still sophisticated enough for a palatial theme.
A small outer-parlor makes good use of extra space in the hallway and features a decidedly more subdued style. Simple lines and textures are well suited to this area’s purpose. Mirrored cabinetry reflects the light and makes the hallway look even more weightless and spacious.
Such a decorative chandelier won’t work in every hallway, so take note of this brilliant application - it works wonderfully here.
Louis XVI championed neoclassical design as a less-extravagant alternative to the excesses of rococo, but this lavish staircase provides a necessary counterbalance to the straight lines that define the rest of the interior. Despite its association with baroque design, the acanthus scrollwork is another feature derived from Greek architecture – so it’s still true to the neoclassical theme overall.
Visualizer:Maximilliion Design
Different from the baroque and rococo inspiration of the previous homes, this unique space seems to rely more on Provincial and Empire influences. It’s an eclectic and romantic aesthetic – appropriately titled “Coffee with Milk”.
Only the faintest hint of baroque influence touches the kitchen. It’s elegant, low-key, and demonstrates how versatile French provincial design can be. The damask dining chairs are especially admirable.
Compared to the baroque influences present in the Louis-era, this boiserie is more understated and the bas-relief crown moldings take center stage instead. Note how crown molding replaces the traditional function of window cornices by hiding the curtain hardware. It’s a surprisingly minimalistic touch for such a classically inspired interior. It makes the curtains look so neat and tidy!
Visualizer:Azer Dizayn
Louis XV would have approved of this design, without a doubt. It has an undeniable rococo vibe and embraces the strong scrollwork and ornamentation of the era. Madame Pompadour – Louis XV’s famous mistress – actually had shades of blue and pink named after her, so the soft palette used here is incredibly on-trend.
Not to be overshadowed by the intricate and artful ceiling, weighty furniture draws immediate attention. The chairs (bergère) and sofas (canapé) feature a camelback design that perfectly echoes the arched windows and gilded wall panels.
Visualizer:Archiviz
Absolutely gorgeous! This private room shares many similarities with the style found throughout the petit appartement du roi at Versailles, famous for demonstrating the clearest examples of Louis XV’s design influences. This visualization is just as opulent as the iconic Versailles rooms, yet displays its own unique character with the addition of a breathtaking inlaid floor.
Time for some chair terminology! The lovely seat featured here is a fauteuil, or an open-arm chair, in contrast to the fully enclosed bergère. The curved leg style is referred to as a cabriole or, outside of French design, as a Queen Anne leg. The good news is that knowing the language isn’t necessary to find what you’re looking for (especially since so many classic French designs are timeless and constantly reinvented) but it does help!
Do you remember how clunky office desks used to be? Outside of a few bespoke exceptions, the paper-and-pencil age offered only two primary choices: tankers that looked a little like sideways refrigerators, and the cabinet-packed credenzas that took up half of the room. They were utilitarian – and definitely fit the needs of the time – but wow, how times have changed! Now that most desks need little more than a laptop and a few writing supplies, there’s a lot more room to focus on aesthetics and cool designs. Let’s take a look at today’s modern desks and explore how beautiful a workspace can be.
The super-streamlined Multi Storage Desk offers a clean and distraction-free form, with simple shelves tucked away on the sides of the legs. It’s available in a variety of finishes to suit any environment.
Charge, connect, and store absolutely anything with the Hollow Core Connect IT Desk. The unique slide-to-open design makes it easy to organize your devices while keeping your workspace clean and clutter-free. Tangled cords are yesterday’s problem.
A simple mid-century design with today’s simple workspaces in mind, the Celine Desk by Nazanin Kamali is easy on the eyes and easy to assemble. This desk is available in oak and walnut, each featuring the distinctive white panel and a convenient cubby in which to store your laptop or important papers.
Too perfect! Danish-American furniture designer Jens Risom is an exemplar of mid-century modern design, but he certainly predicted the future of minimalistic workspaces with his namesake desk. He originally designed this light and cheery piece for his own Connecticut home in 1968, originally meant to serve as a simple writing desk – a place to read books or take down notes. The singular drawer features a lift-out compartment to hold basic office supplies.
Classic and contemporary elements combine to form the perfect lightweight desk for everyday needs. It features a two-toned design with wood-panel tops and drawers, centered by a polished work surface that draws the eye to the task at hand.
The super-sleek Berkley Desk slides out to reveal a nice little compartment. This is a boon for small spaces because it means the desk can be closer to the wall – you don’t have to account for the extra space needed to open a standard drawer.
This minimalistic desk cuts out all unnecessary details in favor of extra storage space – the drawer doesn’t even have a handle, but instead uses a simple cutout, easy to grasp and fitted with multiple compartments for easy organization. Smooth wood laminate and powder-coated steel legs provide unprecedented sturdiness for the price.
Beautiful AND functional, Knack features clean lines and simple materials but with an added twist: four wood-grained panels along the back hide a magnetic frame to hold storage trays, penholders, or any photos and notes you might want to keep around for inspiration.
The Brioso Table is sure to delight any fan of Bauhaus-inspired design. A smooth tempered-glass top and chrome frame provide a streamlined style appropriate for any workspace.
Not a huge fan of drawers? The Bin Desk puts everything on the table – literally. Slide working items into the provided niches when you’re not using them, and easily retrieve anything you need without a fuss. Keep your inspiration right where you need it with this classic and beautiful design.
Focus, pure focus, is the intent of the iconic Copenhague Desk by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. The split-top work surface is perfect for hiding cords and propping up your tablet, books, or inspiring odds-and-ends.
Natural minimalism at its finest – the Avélére Desk provides a simple workspace made of sensible materials that are easy to assemble without tools in under a minute. Of course, the best designs are tried and true: the Avélére team says they use this model for their day-to-day tasks.
The quirky Origami Desk is a classic yet innovative design, with an abundance of well-arranged drawers to hide the essentials. Its smooth folded shape would look great anywhere, and would look especially fitting in the office of a mid-century design fan.
A smart and simple design made of converging angles and folded planes. Beautiful from every angle, the folded ledge makes it easy to store items within reach without the need to pull out a drawer.
Weightless and elegant – the Abeyance desk features a tempered glass top suspended by a polished a-frame form, with wooden drawers beautifully balanced on a subtle crossbeam.
The perfect desk for a pilot or aeronautic engineer: the Aviator desk from Safavieh features smooth materials and characteristic rivets to recreate the look of an airplane wing.
The Josephine Desk is functional, simple, and undeniably beautiful. X-shaped legs keep the form sturdy, and the drawer helps keep you organized. Finished in high-gloss white, Josephine is a great desk for any space that calls for simple streamlined design.
For those who are tired of losing pencils and misplacing notebooks, the Leo Desk offers a transparent glass top that allows the user to view the contents of the drawers below. Designed to mimic the shape of a drafting table, this piece is perfect for those who value functionality as much as they value aesthetics.
Do you often find yourself rolling from one workspace to another? The LAXseries Wall Mounted Desk eliminates troublesome table legs for a clean, functional, and down-to-earth design that maximizes visual space and reduces visual clutter – ideal for small spaces.
Another wall-mounted desk with an emphasis on pure productivity, the Modern Ledge Workstation Desk is perfect for people who are limited on space but chock-full of creative ideas. This gorgeous design reimagines the traditional secretary desk with drop-open drawers, but integrates all the necessities of modern workspaces, like seamless cord management.
Orange22 created a perfectly thin desk with a perfectly spacious working surface. A full-length table slides out to accommodate a keyboard, utensils, or anything else necessary to get the job done. Rounded corners and simple materials ensure this weightless wall-mounted desk would look great in any interior.
It would be difficult to find a desk more minimalistic than this one. The Walker Desk is a cantilever design supported by a smooth backing base (it almost looks more like a canvas than a piece of furniture), and supports two pullout drawers perfectly integrated into a continuous rectilinear shell.
If ergonomics is your ultimate concern then Herman Miller’s Envelop desk is THE desk you need to get. At $1200+ its pricey, but worth the investment if you are the kind of person who sits for 8+hrs a day. Designed to prevent the standard desk hunch that we are all guilty of, the top of this desk is capable of sliding and inclining at an angle which enables you to sit back or sit straight while maintaining a healthy posture at both these positions.
Manage those cords like a pro with the Bluelounge Studiodesk. The leather-covered top slides out to reveal a convenient charging station with room to spare for accessories you’d rather tuck away out of sight. A long slot along the back of the desk makes it easier to route cords of any length, so even devices with shorter cords can sit within reach.
Fluid, adaptable, and customizable – the Milk Desk by Danish designer Soren Rose packs an abundance of advanced features into a streamlined and eye-catching design. With the touch of a button, an electronic mechanism adjusts the height to accommodate sitting or standing. Four modular spaces make it easy to add or remove accessories.
If standing is healthier than sitting, and walking is healthier than standing, the Sit-to-Walkstation is the logical evolution of modern desk design. When the day starts to drag and desk-bound workers wish they could take a quick stroll, this desk steps up to the challenge with a low speed treadmill complete with an integrated health-tracking display to show stats like distance walked and calories burned.
Trekdesk is a more affordable walking-desk option for those who want the health benefits but don’t need all the fancy features. It fits most treadmill sizes (you have to provide your own) so it’s ideal for people who already have a treadmill and don’t really want or need to purchase another.
Typography fans are sure to love this one! The Kattedra Table is made from a single plate of metal, neatly folded and decorated with laser-cut lettering - a fun addition to any classroom or design studio.
Ikea does it again – the Micke computer desk is a simple and delightful way to brighten up any workspace. The back is fully finished so you can set it up right in the middle of a room, and the legs can be mounted on either side so it’ll look great just about anywhere. Cord management and sliding drawers provide the complete package at an unbeatable price.
The Julien loft bed and desk is a space-saving combo with a sleek and modern design. With lots of room for storage and a spacious work surface tucked underneath, kids and teens can harness their creativity without compromising on style. The stairs are a nice alternative to ladder rungs and make it easier to carry a book or binder to the top for some light studying before bed.
Clean lines and organic wood texturing give this compact desk a lightweight and cheery appeal. Storage cubbies and two shelves leave plenty of room for decorations or peripherals.
Not into super-modernist design? Check out this updated take on a classic style.
Another classically inspired desk – this one with updated modular features and cool sled-style legs. A wheeled file cabinet slides easily underneath, easy to pull out when you need to search for an important paper. It includes two drawers: a standard drawer to organize office supplies, and a fold-down drawer that would work equally well as a keyboard tray or a convenient spot to stash a laptop.
The Tvilum Function Plus desk takes a traditional form and adds contemporary asymmetric details for a distinctive look. Two drawers and a tucked-away shelf offer light and easy storage.
Modular desks are a fantastic solution for small spaces that require flexible functionality. The Liber-T collection offers a variety of configuration options – slide the storage compartment underneath the desk for a more compact form, or pull it outward for more legroom and a broader work area.
Very cool! The shelf rotates outward to create an L-shaped workspace with plenty of room for storage and reference materials. Simply rotate the arm back into place when finished working to save space in a small room.
Taking cues from the Star Trek starship USS Enterprise, the Warp desk explores a new frontier of curvaceous lines and space-age appeal. It’s a highly creative form for adventurous souls.
With metal a-frame legs and a weightless elevated workspace, this
L-shaped desk
provides a minimalist approach to industrial design influence. Large cabinets and plenty of storage space ensure this desk remains as functional as it is attractive – a nice design for executives and creatives alike.
Need more storage? Strates is ready to rise to the challenge. Modular interlocking units allow for endless arrangement possibilities: stack as high or low as you like, create an L or a U, or add extra shelves above or below the desktop.
Curvaceous and dripping with attitude, the Bean Desk features an exciting retro shape wrapped in a high-gloss candy-colored finish.
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
