A Duplex Penthouse Designed With Scandinavian Aesthetics & Industrial Elements [includes Floor Plans]

When we think of Scandinavian design, we may immediately go to ideas of flat furniture with some assembly required. Simplicity and style at its most affordable. But the reality is that while the Scandinavian aesthetic does include an element of affordability, it is also about simplicity, functionality. In this duplex, designed by INT2 architecture for a family of four, the Scandinavian influence lives in harmony with trendy industrial elements . The home is beautiful and functional with no hint of “cheap.”

The ground floor of this three story penthouse includes the kitchen, dining area, and living room which carefully melt into one another, as well as an entrance hall, guest bathroom, and laundry room tucked away underneath the stairs.

The natural wood, from floor to ceiling, is intrinsic to the Scandinavian trend towards sustainability and design that breathes in its natural influences.

Though the space certainly emphasizes the functional, it is not as sparse as some minimalist homes. Instead, there is room for those purely decorative elements, like colorful artwork and vibrant potted plants.

The second floor houses three bedrooms for each member of the family as well as a shared bath. The rooms throughout the house work to highlight the actual construction of the house as much as the furnishings and design elements added to the interior. For instance, the upstairs nursery includes a stunning teal ceiling, which calls attention to the height of the room as well as the craftsmanship of the architecture with its exposed beams.

The bathroom also uses the ceiling as a gorgeous accent, leaving the wood unpainted for a lovely natural effect.

The third floor of the duplex is an attic, which poses its own design challenges. The pitch of the roof in an attic space runs the risk of feeling closed in, but the designers here have used color, light, and texture to create a cozy and welcoming sitting room.

The attic also houses a home office, bar, entertainment area, shower, and storage closet. Rather than an afterthought, it becomes a meeting place for the whole family as well as the perfect entertainment room for guests of all ages.

A cinderblock wall divider is one of those industrial elements that is breathtaking in its simplicity. The ultimate in minimalism with function and style without fuss or overt decoration. The cinderblock patterns of holes are allowed to speak for themselves.

While you could certainly argue that even the most monochromatic interiors are using color in a creative way, there is something particularly satisfying about the bold look of very bright colors, used shamelessly. In these three apartments from designer Sergey Makhno , color and playfulness is in the foreground at every turn. From wild Moroccan-inspired patterns and textured walls to the bold blues of oceanscape paintings, these homes are so full of life they look as though they might start breathing at any moment.

Working with just 50 square meters (538 square feet), the owner of this first apartment still wanted to be able to incorporate every unique space of a much larger home, including a living room, kitchen, dining area, bedroom, dressing room, library, and sizeable bathroom. With some creative design tricks, Makhno was able to make this happen.

One of the easiest space saving techniques connected a small dining surface, complete with striking orange kitchen bar stools , to the kitchen area. This way the surface can double as a preparation space for the chef.

The living room, which is open to the kitchen, is certainly the dominant force in this apartment. Its texture corduroy sofas use bright colors and whimsical patterns to draw the eye from every corner of the rom. The sofa is a modular design from Roche Bobois that can be shifted and reconfigured for different setups, including a cozy guest bed when the need arises.

The bedroom is tucked away in a small cubby hole that provide plenty of privacy when needed but can also stay open to the rest of the home. The bedroom and living area also both feature a unique 3D accent wall in a copyrighted Sergey Makhno design.

The second apartment is a 130 square meter (1399 square feet) space located in Kiev. For this design, Makhno was given free reign by a childhood friend to create a warm, and welcoming space with plenty of his trademark color and life.

Guests in the home are immediately welcomed by the living room to the right, which features a deep plush sofa and is separated from the kitchen and the rest of the house by a partial wood paneled wall. Behind the sofa, the love for color comes into play one again with three vibrant piece inspired by the works of Mark Rothko.

The designer lamps are also sure to draw the attention. The fixtures in the living room are a design called Zepplin from designer Marcel Wanders. The dining room fixtures are from Tom Dixon’s Beat Light series.

Upon turning left at the main entrance to the apartment, you would be led down a hallway that contains the private rooms of the home - including bedrooms, bathroom, and a nursery where the use of unique light fixtures certainly carries over.

The interiors of the bedroom and nursery are simple and clean, with modern angular furniture that serves a purpose without too much ornamentation. Even in the nursery we can see the light fixture theme with a clustered hanging fixture in the center of the room.

In the last apartment, the colors are much more subdued but we can still see the whimsical, playful influence of the designer. The color of concrete dominates the space, but the contrast of soft textures in the furnishings gives it a much more welcoming feel.

The dining chairs become a draw with their plush, bulbous design and lovely sky blue color.

In the bedroom, a low platform bed with white walls and wood flooring is almost zen in its simplicity, both of color and of style.

The private patio has its own tropical atmosphere with a potted palm and knitted ottomans. It’s a step into the islands without leaving home.

Finally the bathroom draws us back to the tongue-in-cheek style preferred by this designer with its clever use of wallpaper on the ceiling.

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