Ever wanted your own book-lined wall? This 1,937sqft home in Mexico City, Mexico, is both book and nature-smart. Designed by Paul Cremoux Studio , 70% of the year is dedicated to outdoor living in a light, bright, and natural indoor-outdoor flow. Rain water is drained through two filters, eliminating dependency on the grid. Direct sunlight enters from the south, east and west, while a halved home conversion decreases household costs and lets in the forest. Take a walk with us as we explore, with the help of working drawings and renders, an eco-friendly dream with the most breathtaking of bookcases.
Walking through an open-framed sliding door, a Scandinavian living space awakens. Wide-leaved ferns lead into a wall of books, zig-zagged over by a stunning white staircase. Kept in a wooden block frame and leading past the eye’s reach, the myriad colours in the shelves provide a scintillating backdrop for muted furniture. A view towards the space at night turns the exterior panel dark; the light glowing inside like a beacon.
Spaced on similarly-hued floors, the lounge and kitchen create a relaxed space. A powder blue couch offers a few pastel cushions, as it faces two wooden school chairs, a table and two-lighter hued cabinets. Facing a window around a corner, the dining room sits neatly in simple wood. As the day turns dark, a mounted light spreads out like the rays of the sun, a design feature all its own over a light grey rug.
As the dining room dominates the other corner, a view outside shows a clever joining of plaster and wood panels. Showing as far as the bookcase and as near as the dining table, a peek directly inside shows a simple white dome light and MOMA bowl marking the space. Surrounding lush greenery gives a view from the inside.
An outside area bathed in wood and plaster makes the most of outside plants. Hedges and ferns tumble over an outside garage, as wooden decking leads the way to paths. As the stony walkway around the house extends, large trees give off a forest feel and view to the main interior.
On the second floor, large steel frames create perpendicular grates. A wooden-floored balcony with a small, rounded light extends into the home, while wide window joinery offers a view for rainier days. The overall construction maintains a block effect, adding interest at the intersection of wood and plastered white.
From the front, a slatted wooden door opens to plinths in tiled white. As stony paths hold plants, the sunlight dapples over the open-roofed space.
Another white-tiled space, the bathroom also beckons with a wooden door. Oblong furniture shows off a wooden-hued double sink and mirror panel, while a magnifying glass shows a closer view. Its LED-lit frame leads to a rainforest shower, a perfect match for a forest-look setting. Separated by a misted glass panel, the toilet views the outside, maintaining privacy within a light and bright feel.
A step away shows a space in the forest need not be far from the roadside. Two trees create shade, a plaster wall privacy from the neighbours.
See our sets of 3D models and house, levelling, bookcase and staircase plans below, for a more intricate lesson on creating a book lover’s forest home.
Grey is not usually equated with exciting. Evocative of boredom, it is nevertheless finds expression in many contemporary designs – and there is a reason why. Grey is versatile. The colour between black and white, it finds depth of shadow to enhance traditional and modern living spaces. Compatible with a range of themes, it adds finesse without boldness. These three living spaces use grey to achieve greatness, in three very different interiors. The first is art-deco, inspired by the raw nature of the rainforest. The second is industrial, perfect for the polished couple. The third is more brutal, more masculine, stark.
Visualizer:Olia Paliichuk
Our first apartment, at 80sqm, was designed for a couple passionate about travelling. Inspired by rainforests and the exotic, the outdoors is brought indoors, with ‘60’s detailing and south-east Asian gold thrown in. In the living room, unpainted corrugated iron sits stark upon a grey wall, a surprising backdrop for a chic wooden bookcase. Beige block sofas and one-piece wooden chairs open enough space for gold statuettes and a leaf-shape chair. Low-hanging idea lights light up black-potted cacti, while a golden kitchen panel acts as a hat for green-marble. Multi-panelled black windows and a soft green rug circle off the area.
The bedroom feels more dragon’s den, less apartment with lengthy potted cacti climbing up high-ceilinged windows. Taupe wallpaper adheres to an elongated oval mirror. A grey headboard printed with sea lions stretches to a mat and stone chaise longue below. Thin, low-hanging lights balance out the elements.
The TV area looks ornate with a gold-feature wall, accentuated by a marble-clad palm. Mid-wooden floors hold black shelving underneath and to the side.
Looking through the bedroom, the bathroom appears a jewellery box. Top-to-toe glass and gold panelling gives off luxury whilst increasing space.
Inside, the bathroom wows in speckled marble. Mimicking the bedroom’s mirror, an oval turns sideways to reflect white-tiled walls. Rounded porcelain fixtures trimmed with gold give a taste of the ornate.
Architect:Martin Architects| Visualizer:Olia Paliichuk
Our second space uses shades of grey, along with wood and iron, to create an air of the industrial. In the living room, a grey-speckled rug matches with grey curtains and a grated wall, playing off bolder colours. Starting with a brown leather chair, the room winds around in thin stencil lighting. A stone L-shaped couch and wall provide a frame for a stencil-and-wood table, straight off the manufacturer’s block. A diagonally-tiled wooden wall holds a TV, bookcase and bust, adding a hint of the informed. Factory lights peep from the stark black ceiling.
An iron deer’s head lurks above the entrance, kept company by a wooden sheet wall. Metal grating holds a chair lit by factory lighting. Grey walls hold wire coat racks; grey flooring the rest.
An iron and wood staircase acts the central element of the space, adding structure. The dining room mimics its zag-zagging, thin lines in high wooden stools . Featuring a communal stove and dining table, a low-lying fanned light mirrors over the table. Around the corner, metal grating meets the stairs on a grey concrete finish. Towards the elevator, the stairs show diagonal wood tiling, as grey doors assimilate to its black frame. The stairs are matched at every angle.
From the kitchen, the stairs present another view. Led by a grey wooden dining table and kitchen bench, their shape zig-zags over the top, providing colour inspiration. Lit by factory lights in the kitchen, the chairs shine wood and gold at different times. Grey matte walls soften the glow.
The bathroom presents grey again, but in a new capacity. Grey beehive tiling clothes the floor and central wall, with taupe covering another. Feature green-grey marble hangs porcelain blocks on its sides, creating a staircase effect. Metal stencil shower framing and chrome polish off an industrial space.
Visualizer:Landusheva Nastia
Designed for a bachelor in his 20’s, this 124sqm apartment was designed as a bachelor pad – in a brutal, masculine style. Here, grey alternate-slanting tiles shine beside a grey concrete ceiling and linen curtains. A white canvas hangs down for movies and laptop work, a young man’s dream. Natural wooden flooring holds taupe and quilted brown block couches. Black metal stencilling in the standing lamp, hanging lights and tables add structure, as reflected in the grey Venetians behind.
Further behind, a stark kitchen takes effect in top-to-toe wooden panelling. Holding an LED-lit black matte inlet and another stencilled-frame above, a cylindrical fan completes the bachelor’s kitchen. A steel pod chair watches on.
Through the kitchen, another catching-up space opens up. Lit by an LED-stencilled ‘Stronger than yesterday’, grey beanbag couches slouch on a wooden floor, met by an oblong and grey wooden table. Light grey industrial fabric strains the room, pairing with slatted wooden entrance panels demarcating the space. A view from the outside shows white squared windows filling the room with light.
A dining room space is small enough to look functional, and big enough for four. Grey tiling covers a feature wall, as four drop lights grounded by thick fixtures centre the table. Nestled next to grey floor-to-ceiling curtains, multi-shaded wooden floors and a table are greeted by velvet teal chairs. A stencil table to the side harks back to the industrial.
The kitchen ties in the central space, as it leads visitors away. A stencilled ceiling feature, black-framed kitchen panelling and block benching closes off the 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
