It’s a combination of photo studio, styling lab, creative office. But above all, it’s the gorgeous and endlessly fascinating home of Milan-based photographer Paulina Arcklin . The interior features a contrast of texture and theme – rough industrial accents add depth and character to their light Scandinavian inspired backdrop, its ethereal quality constantly grounded by creative reinterpretations of everyday objects. If you’re the type of decorator that foregoes antique stores in favor of rescuing rusted treasures from moss-covered barns or forgotten warehouse basements, this apartment is sure to stoke your thirst for adventure.
This home boasts inspiring furniture choices built from reclaimed materials. A rolling cart becomes a dining table, stacked lumber serves as a sideboard, and a beautiful live-edge workbench holds a sink-turned-votive holder.
Delicate fabrics and distressed paint weave a breezy, welcoming atmosphere. The grey and white color theme might have felt too cool without the addition of warm rusted metal and naked wood.
Have you noticed the abundance of wheels yet? It’s a very deliberate choice owing to the home’s secondary life as a photography studio. Everything is easy to move around for staging purposes.
The patina of age makes each piece impossible to replicate, but the theme is itself is readily adapted to nostalgic DIY projects.
A mixture of artwork, antiques, and vintage trays make up the eclectic decor theme. Each item is different yet meets a unified aesthetic thanks to age, wear, and sometimes a touch of paint.
Are you in love with the floorboards? The owner/photographer actually makes 26 of the panels available as rental props, so it’s possible to assume the ones in the apartment are modular as well.
Even the most beaten-up signage becomes beautiful repurposed artwork for the home. The font is especially gorgeous – it’s certainly not the average auction find.
Dinosaur figures are just one of many eclectic choices, demonstrating that anything can become whimsical decor with a simple coat of white paint.
Don’t miss the rolling mannequin bust near the entrance. This piece serves as a stylish coatrack for everyday living, but of course makes a useful prop for photography work as well.
The lofted area hosts the chic and simple bedroom, with the kitchen tucked away beneath. There would be plenty of room for a small office behind the staircase if it weren’t occupied by coat racks.
While the interior window allows a somewhat open connection to the living room, an assortment of interesting objects brings character to the view.
The other side of the open living area contains the dining table and a few creative storage solutions. These gorgeous bags currently hold throw blankets, but the possibilities are endless.
Above, the lamp is a classic design by Jean Louis Domecq, famous around the world as the Jieldé lamp. It’s an incredible addition to any industrial interior, but this application highlights its flexibility across themes.
Center-stringer staircases like this one are a cool modern look for those who want to go with open risers. The effect is open and airy, allowing plenty of sunlight to filter right through.
Functional open storage space hides above and below the stairs that lead to the bedroom mezzanine. Both coatracks make it easy to cozy up or cool down while transitioning from one part of the home to another.
Upstairs, the bedroom is so bright and focused. Storage cabinets and an arched closet reduce clutter, leaving plenty of room for king-sized sleeping arrangements.
Bold photography focuses the eye toward the center of the bed. While the headboard shelf takes an unconventional form as a rough repurposed beam, a single antique bedpost sits balanced as a throwback to traditional styles.
Black and white photography plus painted and distressed frames is an easy way to make even diverse prints look coordinated. These, of course, are already coordinated by their subject matter.
Overall, while the architecture is beautiful on its own, the special objects that fill the home are what make it so special. It’s a one-of-a-kind space.
This gorgeous 203 square meter home in Belarus uses its bright white interior as an effective canvas for a dramatic meeting between organic shapes and clean lines, plus its beautiful contrast of natural wood panels and textural industrial-style concrete cladding. The result is a space that feels undeniably fresh and modern but retains a hint of cutting urban edginess – a welcoming atmosphere with a touch of adventure. Dmitry Sheleg created the flawless visualizations below for ZROBYM Architects , leaving plenty of open space for the reader to imagine their own decorative take on this flexible interior aesthetic.
Opening with the living room, it’s easy to appreciate the combination of flowing curves and crisp edges. Linear shapes define the primary seating area but the suspension lamp influences the entire room with its fluidity.
Hard lines split the open plan living space to define functional areas. Darker floorboards denote a “hallway” of sorts, directing the flow of traffic from the entryway and crossing the thresholds of the interior doors.
Concrete accents draw attention to crucial spaces, drawing the grey doors up to the ceiling and providing a nice neutral backdrop for the media wall.
Inset lighting banishes all shadows between the concrete and ceiling – always a smart tactic to enhance the perceived spaciousness of a room. Here, it ensures the concrete really “pops”.
The strong texture palette adds character in the absence of bold colors or patterns. Rough concrete, woven fabrics, fluffy blankets, and even houseplants all play a distinct role in the overall composition.
One tangible source of contrast is the armchair, smooth and organic with light blue upholstery. The wall lamp by Bernard-Albin Gras is highly adjustable to provide ambient or task lighting in turn.
Sunlight easily filters through the slim forms in the dining room and kitchen, a deliberate and effective choice to counteract the overhang that protects the gorgeous outdoor dining table outside. The unique dining pendant lights used here are Aplomb Suspension by Foscarini.
Like the transition from living room to “hallway”, large concrete tiles distinguish the kitchen space from its adjoining dining area.
The kitchen island and suspension light both boast a concrete texture as well.
Planters are a creative way to make any kitchen look homey and comfortable, and they’re extra useful if you use them to grow fresh herbs for your favorite recipes. This built-in planter ties the space to the outdoors.
Let’s take a quick peek at the entryway before heading to the private areas of the home.
Small entryway tables and mirrors are a must-have. Set down your keys, smooth down that stray hair, and be on your way. The planter enlivens the otherwise concrete heavy space.
It’s simple, clean, and effective. Notice the material tie-in, with the same round dimples in both the white painted concrete and the unfinished concrete.
The office uses casual materials and sleek organization tactics to gain the best of both comfort and professionalism. There’s plenty of space for reference material and even decorations.
Corkboard is an endlessly useful tool for those that love to keep organized, but they’re also great for those who need a little visual prompting to stay on track.
Corner windows flood the room with light, endlessly energizing for productive days and inspiring starry nights.
Simple, clean, and open – the aesthetic transition from the public areas of the home to the bedroom is an easy and comfortable affair.
Streamlined storage holds bedtime and early morning reading materials right at the end of the bed.
Wood panels match the height of the headboard to balance and lengthen the room. Its height is impressive, but this stylistic choice keeps the eye anchored to the functional areas below.
What an adorable way to label a closet! The tiny hanger applique is outright charming against its rather serious-looking background of textured concrete.
The chair is an iconic design by Hans J. Wegner, positioned beneath an adjustable wall lamp for light reading in the evening. And check out that concrete detail on the low table!
A designer table lamp by Arne Jacobsen sits to the left of the bed. High-end pieces like this one demonstrate a focus on quality over quantity. Each addition deserves the attention it generates.
And finally, a quick look at the bathroom – always an interesting part of any home tour. This space demonstrates a greater reliance on wood elements for a more natural and welcoming atmosphere.
One of the more distinctive architectural features of this space is the entrance to the master bedroom, accessible through the shower.
Modular planters create a beautiful vertical garden within reach of the window’s sunlight. These plants likely thrive in the humid environment.
More planters line the shelf above the bathtub.
It’s always fun to see how so many bathrooms seem to amplify and condense the decorative themes found throughout the rest of the home.
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
