Grey interiors, whilst gorgeous, can slide easily into a cool spectrum that appears a little chilly and even uninviting. There are many ways to combat this, from attractively encasing walls with modern textured wall panelling and employing lush soft furnishings to adding small pops of contrasting accent colours and modern artwork. In this pair of inspirational home designs, we’re looking at how to warm up cool grey home interiors with welcoming warm lighting schemes, including unique table lamps, stylish floor reading lamps, atmospheric courtyard lighting, and quietly recessed perimeter mood lighting. We’ll also take a look at how indoor plants add life to a shadowy interior decor scheme with uplifting organic forms.
Visualizer:Anastasiia Reznichenko
This luxury villa is located on a mountain in Italy. A wide terrace looks out over a magnificent sea view on one side of the house, whilst windows at the rear gaze upon the dramatic rockface. In the large lounge area, a small living room floor lamp nestles between two gray sofas , where it emits a cosy glow.
The tufted sofa design is a flexible modular solution that can be reconfigured to suit.
A small side table is set beside a stylish modern lounge chair. A rectangle coffee table and a freeform counterpart nest out in front, displaying artistic ceramics and a decorative tray .
A large grey area rug provides a soft landing beneath the lounge area, separating it from a neat home workspace on the other side of the room.
are dotted around the cool grey home interior, providing magical pitstops of pretty illumination.
The home workspace that stands to the side of the living room can be concealed behind smooth, secretive doors when not in use.
The concealing doors open up and slide partially inside of their casing to allow the desk space to be opened up to natural light from the windows.
A grey granite backdrop gives the small home office area a luxurious touch.
A unique table lamp brightens the desk nook and gives it a stylish modern flourish.
In the kitchen, a wide skylight feeds an interior courtyard design, where small trees and lush shrubs flourish.
A kitchen island draws along the length of the central courtyard, enjoying the green, natural view across every inch.
The tiny marble lamp that stands aboard the kitchen island is the Solid Table Light , by Terence Woodgate. Modern ceramics extend the countertop adornment.
A hefty linear suspension light pushes an intense tube of light above a black breakfast bar, which attaches to the side of the kitchen island design. Modern black kitchen bar stools complement its stark aesthetic.
Uplighters call further attention to the stunning courtyard design, where they highlight the intricacies of dense foliage and its depth of colour. A granite border is installed around the border of the courtyard to form a shallow seat. Seat pads provide a comfortable landing spot.
The dressing room benefits from the dramatic view and proximity of the mountain rockface. A small floor lamp lights a seating area of tufted ottomans.
The master bedroom design features an open plan ensuite area with sleek light grey bathroom fittings and fixtures.
The upholstered bed is placed peacefully against a plain headboard wall, leaving all eyes magnetised toward the terrace view.
A small bedside table lamp adds a warm moment of interest upon a neat wraparound bedside table.
A matching floor lamp is teamed with a bedroom chair by the window to fashion a welcoming reading spot.
Heavy grey drapes brush up behind the bedroom chair , where they smartly frame the panoramic view.
The bedroom is home to an open plan bathing area, where the bathtub melts into the concrete floor, almost like clay on a potter’s wheel.
A freestanding bathroom faucet fills the tub from the side, whilst a small side table is on hand to hold a selection of toiletries.
Visualizer:Igor Sirotov
In our second grey home interior, a decorative living room rug lays down lacy pattern.
The rug helps to establish zoning between the lounge area and a closely adjacent kitchen dining area.
A black granite slab raises a breakfast bar from the concrete kitchen island. A black linear suspension light complements the breakfast bar’s dark finish.
As well as the linear lighting installation, recessed perimeter lights paint a warm glow across the concrete kitchen wall.
A wooden frame warmly accents the back wall of the grey kitchen, where it calls attention to the sink area.
A miniature Zen garden is set into the kitchen island countertop.
A glass wall separates the living space from the bedroom.
LED strips emit soft mood lighting beneath the bed.
A freeform bedroom pendant light hangs low to the headboard to provide focussed reading light.
A walk-in wardrobe is attractively decorated with another open weave rug and a round pouf.
Customisable closet systems furnish the walk in wardrobe on three sides.
The wardrobe is separated from the bedroom by a glass wall and a small interim area, where a mini floor lamp and a curvaceous lounge chair fashion a reading nook. A full length mirror increases the sense of space.
Portieres provide the glass wall bedroom and bathroom with privacy,
Indoor plants grow beautiful organic silhouettes in front of the bathroom window.
Growing tall beside the bathtub , the indoor plants create a fresh feeling of bathing in the great outdoors.
A rainfall shower thunders into a large shower enclosure.
Wall-mounted bathroom faucets fill a double sink bathroom vanity unit.
Floor plan.
Green and red decor accents come together to create bright breaks of colour inside these two predominantly monochrome modern home interiors. Breakthroughs of green provide the comforting hue of the great outdoors that soothes and revitalises the soul. Punchy red decor elements drop in moments of unapologetic energy and vigour, which transform the character of cool contemporary surroundings into edgy, offbeat settings. Our first colour infused home interior is a tour of freeform minimalism with smooth curves and a powerful execution. Our second tour is shaped with a blend of contemporary and mid-century modern silhouettes, and strong concrete foundations that solidly underpin a host of vibrant statement pieces.
Visualizer:梦太初
A fabulous freeform living room rug spreads a gradient of colour across the floor of our first featured home interior. A black living room floor lamp echoes the curves of the rug design with an oversized arched arm.
is non-existent except for a freeform mirrored spectacle that puddles on the plain white wall like liquid mercury.
A masculine black leather sofa design boldly stalks the perimeter of the room. A segmented backrest helpfully lightens the look of the large black volume.
In the centre of the minimalist living room layout, a white marble coffee table nests with a contrasting black counterpart. The lounge chair beside it is the Barcelona chair , designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, which was originally designed for the king and queen of Spain.
Steps at the side of the lounge area give rise to an elevated dining space. A modern dining room chandelier competes for attention above a startling red dining table.
The round pedestal dining table is encircled by sleek, glossy black dining chairs .
The modern black dining chairs contrast strikingly with the table, making its gloss red finish appear even brighter still.
In answer to the eye-catching nature of the statement dining area, the neighbouring dining island is executed in a more understated palette of black and clear acrylic.
Above the table and kitchen island , a linear lighting feature smoothly extrudes from the ceiling stucco.
A plain white kitchen extends peacefully behind the black kitchen table and satin silver kitchen island. White integrated appliances blend quietly with the flat-fronted cabinetry.
Designer:梦太初
Our second featured home design dips a little darker in shade, with dark grey elements and large black wall panels taking up a dominant role. A large round rug places a charcoal base beneath the open plan lounge area, which gathers an assortment of contrasting furniture pieces together into one snug brood.
A black and white houndstooth pouf ties in with the shape of the large living room rug, and a curved sofa pulls tightly around its edge.
Living room wall decor continues the rounded shape theme and introduces a bold pop of green.
A cylindrical stool rounds out the living room furniture arrangement without adding any bulk.
A mid century modern coffee table places a reuleaux-triangle silhouette into the centre of the lounge, where it nests with a matching circular coequal. Decorative ceramic vases make a shapely adornment and bring in a small burst of red.
Over by the TV, a slimline chaise lounge chair design makes more waves.
As we move through into the kitchen diner space of our second home design, we’re met with a sleek, gloss red dining table.
A unique dining room chandelier blazes bright and bold along the full length of the red table, creating light reflections across its bright surface.
A decorative shelving unit builds a useful room divider between the vivid kitchen dining area and a less colourful formal dining room. A restrained collection of curiosities and books sparsely occupy its double-sided shelves.
Concrete details cool the red accent interior, in the shape of a minimalist modern staircase design, concrete kitchen countertops, and cool concrete flooring.
A low pile area rug underlines the red rectangular dining table with a solid black base.
Modern artwork drops a point of interest onto a dark feature wall by the kitchen. A kitchen peninsula partially fills the opening between the dining room and the culinary space, creating a functional division between the two zones.
A wall of light fills the back of the kitchen in brilliant contrast to stark black appliance cabinets and a matching black panelled ceiling treatment.
A white kitchen island is settled in the centre of the open concept kitchen, where it serves as a casual breakfast bar too. Black kitchen bar stools are paired to accommodate a breakfast or coffee break for two.
Whilst one kitchen sink is situated on the kitchen peninsula, a second finds its home on the kitchen island.
The island runs tandem to the kitchen peninsula in perfect alignment.
Stainless steel bar handles brighten the black kitchen units, whilst black integrated appliances merge simply with their housing units.
The open-sided bookcase allows line of sight to pass all the way from the kitchen to the formal dining room at the far end, which is equipped with a wet bar.
Despite its predominantly dark decor scheme, the home interior appears bright and welcoming thanks to well placed modern lighting and brightly coloured accents.
A moon sculpture is perched on a raised platform beneath the modern concrete staircase. A glass balustrade maintains the floating effect of the concrete treads.
The heavy concrete treads appear almost weightless in their cantilevered design.
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
