The Coral House is a stunning project by Guz Architects , located in a quiet residential neighbourhood, in Singapore. The home was designed for a young couple with three small children, with the aim of creating a space that encouraged interaction between family members and a welcoming environment for play. The house was built on a flat, square shaped site and incorporates open sided outdoor rooms to embrace the tropical climate. The naturally ventilated volumes create a dynamic interlocked composition of living space and garden, plus swimming pool, pond, and rooftop gardens. The unique home stands as a natural, lush green oasis in the middle of the bustling urban environment of Singapore.
The three metre deep swimming pool is encased in acrylic walls, which wraps around a verandah living room. The pool goes on to merge into a shallow freshwater reflective pond as we approach the living and kitchen area, and finally the body of water becomes a large fish pond within the water garden inside of the main entrance.
The entry door design is a series of wooden panels and slatted wood, which allows a peek through into the garden greenery inside the boundaries. The modern landscape with its tropical flourishes is soothing to the eye.
An open sided staircase climbs up to a roof garden at one end of the two-story building.
The overhang of the roof garden helps to shade the windows and modern outdoor chairs from the burning glare of the sun, which works as a passive way of cooling the patio and interior without the need for mechanical cooling.
The lush gardens assist in water retention, thus reducing the pressure to the surface water system at times of heavy rainfall. Extensive landscaping on all floors leads to a reduction in carbon dioxide from the family home.
A circular cutaway in the top deck allows sunlight to nurture a tree planted in the downstairs living quarters, and provides it with growth space. The calming vista of the young tree, with its surrounding mini garden and reflection pool, can be enjoyed from an interior kitchen diner on one side and the open sided living room on the other. The interior decor brings in the natural feel of the outdoors by incorporating wood grain furniture and accents, all set against a simple airy white backdrop.
The house uses cross ventilation as another passive environmental principle to minimise the need for mechanical cooling; this has been maximized by the position of the build on site.
On the second storey, the master bedroom and bathroom are separated from the kids’ rooms by the main staircase and a glass sided landing. The transparent balustrades running each side of the landing provide a green view to one side and a glimpse of the ground floor at the other. A strong orange stripe takes leave from the white painted walls on the first floor landing; it matches the warmth of the wood tone structure, framing, flooring and ceiling panels. The coloured section frames the windows of the study, where we can see an abundance of computer equipment and office shelving.
On passing through the main entrance we’re met with a bubbling pond in the central water courtyard. A tree filled island is set at its centre, with leaves swaying in a blissfully cooling through-breeze. The rippling water, swimming fish and swaying boughs bring movement and life into the courtyard design , drawing focus to nature rather than to man-made bricks and mortar.
The acrylic sides of the outdoor swimming pool extend down to the home’s basement level, where they become the windows of a media room and bathroom. The watery views filter natural light into the subterranean rooms, with twinkling movement, to an area that would otherwise have been a very still and shadowy place. In the basement bathroom there is a curved wall of mosaic tile that plays on the water theme, arranged in a design that looks like bubbles. A frameless mirror at one end of the room doubles the look of space, and doubles the pool view too.
The modern home exterior includes a sweeping roof line at one end of the build, which scoops up toward blue skies.
Prolific planting seems to drip from every surface, as though nature has taken over and is claiming back the land.
There are a number of dining areas located on the ground floor, providing options for al fresco meals, indoor formal dinners and casual snacks right in the kitchen. Service areas and staff sleeping quarters are hidden from plain view behind the main staircase. There is also a guest bedroom, a snug lounge and a couple cloakrooms on the ground floor, but it is the central water courtyard with garden that takes up the single largest part of the home’s footprint.
A different roof garden can be enjoyed on each wing of the building, to serve the master bedroom suite and the separate children’s bedrooms. The home office is accessed from the parent side and provides a double workstation.
There are a couple of relaxation spaces down in the basement media room.
The main staircase leads off the central courtyard on the ground floor.
The roof gardens and mature trees blur the levels of the home, feathering the 2 storey mass. From the street, the bedroom volumes can just be seen peeping above the border of the roof gardens, and the overhanging vegetation.
Just about everyone loves the idea of having a stylish bedroom, but this is perhaps particularly important to teenagers and 20-somethings. At the younger end of the age scale a bedroom isn’t just for sleep. Tween rooms and teenager’s bedrooms are a place where a large proportion of time is spent just hanging out and seeing friends - either in real life or video chat - and studying (hopefully). Similar can be said about the student demographic of 20-somethings, and even some 30-somethings nowadays! So, this collection of cool bedrooms covers a lot of ground to suit and satisfy the requirements and well-honed tastes of the up-and-comers, in a world that is more style conscious than ever before.
Visualizer:Alesya Kasianenko
Raise the stakes. A raised floor has been built into one side of this bedroom design, with a niche incorporated into it to accommodate a mattress. The lowered mattress makes the bed appear like a simple blanket on the floor at first glance. A trio of bedroom pendant lights float above the platform, like a sky of hot air balloons, whilst a selection of unique floor lamps light the side and foot of the bed.
Visualizer:Denis Svirid
Build an extension… on the side of your platform bed that is. This custom built platform bed features an extended bedside shelf at one side. The tufted headboard extends all the way along the back of the countertop to provide one cohesive look. A green bedside lamp picks up on the colour of indoor plants dotted around a built-in bedroom shelving unit.
Visualizer:Denis Svirid
Divide and conquer. This layout features a room divider that allows a study desk to be positioned right up alongside the bed. The bed is a platform design with deep sides that act as bookshelves. A swing arm wall lamp provides reading light.
Visualizer:Alex Koretskiy
Bring on the brick accent walls . If we’re talking cool decor then we just have to crack out the exposed brick feature walls. The raw industrial look is always a winner, or brickwork can be painted in a rough and ready way. This particular concept features a border of gold paint washing down black bricks to add a smidge of decadence.
Architect:Kupinskiy & Partners| Visualizer:Elena Sedova
Mighty monochrome. Set the style bar high with a gutsy monochrome wallpaper print. A blackboard makes a great colour coordinated accessory, and you can make one yourself pretty cheaply with a sheet of reclaimed wood and a tin of chalkboard paint. Scribe on an inspirational quote and you’re done.
Visualizer:Artyom Bezfamilniy
Light up your life. This plain white bedroom gains added interest from a wall of cool light fixtures.
Visualizer:Imade pastel
Maximise a small bedroom space with fitted furniture. The small floorspace in this room houses a double bed, closet, dedicated study area, media storage and extra seating for friends, thanks to edge-to-edge flush-fitting designs. The sense of space is also increased by keeping colours minimal and natural.
Visualizer:Dang Nguyen
Zone with colour. If the space is too small to take a room divider or screen of any kind, then you can create a visual divide by using two different colour wall paints. Matching the wall shelves and furniture finishes to the relevant wall colour strengthens the divide.
Visualizer:The WAW
Sleep in your own boutique. If fashion is your thing then make it your whole world - or at least most of your bedroom; an open fronted or clear glass closet will display your treasured pieces 24/7. Accessorise the look with fashion themed posters or paintings.
Visualizer:Koj Design
Do your own thing. Is it a photo display, some random wall decor, or is it a set of wall lights? All three, actually.
Visualizer:Maxim Zhukov
Take it up a level. A mini mezzanine study has been built over the bed in this industrial bedroom . Floating stair treads extrude from a raw concrete wall, lit by LED stair lights.
Visualizer:Shady Salah
Pay tribute to legends with a mural of a favourite band, like this music themed decor .
Visualizer:Shady Salah
Mark out a mini entryway. This subtle screening device may only have two small box shelves and four vertical struts, but it effectively cordons off a small ‘foyer’ area.
Visualizer:SPECTRroom
Dial up the drama. A circle bedroom chandelier will draw attention to great ceiling detailing, and give the space some grandeur. A photographic mural is a cool way to add wall wow factor.
Visualizer:Yovo Bozhinovski
This wall mural is overlapped by statement pendant lighting to create a layered effect.
Visualizer:Anastasiia Sholopova
A floor reading lamp makes a refreshing change to a bedside table lamp, and leaves countertop space free for charging phones/tablets etc.
Visualizer:Valery Kelch
Bring the outdoors in. A grass patch and a sapling grow behind the headboard in this unusual setup.
Visualizer:Marina Vanteeva
Express yourself in lights. Neon light signs come in all shapes and sizes; search out a message that suits you, and go large.
Visualizer:Dmitry Koval & Hank Smith
Paint with light. If neon light letters don’t fit your vision, consider exploring coloured neon tubes instead.
Visualizer:Double Aye
Make the bed the star of the show. A bedroom might include a desk, bookshelves or a fancy closet, but it will always be the bed that is the most important part of the room. Choose a stand out design and crown it with an eye-catching wall design.
Visualizer:LifeArch
Go all out Austin Powers with a round bed. And a round chandelier to match.
Designer:Masquespacio Design
Find new and inventive ways to incorporate interests and hobbies into the decor. This room has unique painted surfboards mounted on the wall, as part of a larger colourful graphic scheme.
Designer:Masquespacio Design
Botanical illustration brings this scheme to life.
Designer:Masquespacio Design
Liven up a monochrome palette with a single bright accent colour.
Visualizer:Martins Architects
Get thrifty with an industrial look. You can use registration plates and signs to accessorise an industrial scheme - the quirkier the better. Fashion shelving out of scaffolding, or from pipes and planks.
Visualizer:Li Jun Chen & aTng 糖
Continue the magic of your gap year with a nomadic style bedroom scheme.
Visualizer:Martins Architects
Split a large bedroom into a multi-use space without the need for builders. A partially dividing wall can be formed out of a back-to-back headboard and a bookcase arrangement, or similar. You can use the space behind the bed as a dedicated study, or install a freestanding bathtub as a luxury ensuite. Thread a common colour or two through both areas for a cohesive look.
Visualizer:Valeri Giovani
Bring in fantastic florals, like this purple themed bedroom with blooming headboard wall.
Visualizer:Image Box Studios
Stretch an average headboard to new heights - in measurement and style. Team it with a bedside pendant light on a long flex to further accentuate the vertical proportion.
Via:Wall321
Use large indoor plants to create a wild look.
Visualizer:Alberto Maciel
Don’t block floor to ceiling windows, choose a floor bed design to leave the view unobstructed.
Visualizer:Hasankhani Tabriz
Hang industrial style lighting in front of an exposed brick wall for the loft look.
Visualizer:Peter Ang
If you’re converting a new loft space, the right window design can change everything…
Visualizer:Max Kuczkowski
… let windows follow the flow of a tier-fall, and complement the shape with bespoke furniture.
Visualizer:Ahmed Itafy
This loft bedroom uses wall and ceiling panels to exaggerate the strange proportions of the room.
Visualizer:Riyas Mohammed
Create an optical illusion. Geometric wall and ceiling panels, or dual colour angular shelving units, can be used to trick the eye into seeing intriguing architectural features where there are none.
Visualizer:Plasterlina
Install an extruded headboard wall design. A three dimensional wall design forms great contrast with a minimalist platform bed .
Visualizer:Pavel Pisanko
Make the scheme pop with a modern wallpaper print.
Visualizer:Tram Nguyen
Combine a botanical theme with sharp geometric pendant lights and other geo home accessories to keep the look current.
Visualizer:Moji Ashouri
Curate a Scandinavian bedroom style. Throw in an abundance of white furniture, natural accents and monochrome wall art.
Visualizer:Luong Viet
Make a cutaway in a closet positioned by the bed in lieu of a bedside unit. Add LED lighting inside the niche to finish.
Visualizer:TOL’KO interiors
Install storage under eaves to make the most of available space, like this flush-fitted luxury kids’ room .
Visualizer:Kateryna Rudenko
Find pieces as unique as you are. These anglepoise lamps descend from each side of the ceiling like robotic arms, and the textured wall is not something you’re going to find at your mate’s house.
Visualizer:Alexander Ruban & Alexey Ivanov
Choose bright swing arm wall lamps to bring in an unexpected flash of colour.
Source:Roche Bobois
Dance your way out of bed on a 70’s-disco-style illuminated floor.
Visualizer:NgọcDiamond Home
Make a plinth for your bed. This rustic plinth holds the bed and a small side table up off the general floor space.
Visualizer:Emilia Abzhandadze
One colourful wall hanging can change the mood of an entire room.
Visualizer:Mohammed Elnabarawy
Turkish delight. Ornate arches, luxurious textiles, painted tables and twinkling lanterns.
Visualizer:Alaa Hammad
If you need a little boost in the mornings, or whilst studying in the evenings, a wall of motivational posters might offer a welcome pick me up.
Visualizer:Safonov Kirill Interiors
Don’t hide away. Draw bold designs with exposed electrical wires to harness the industrial vibe.
Visualizer:Alexander Makhno
Choose a common shape theme. The circle rug beneath this bed helps soften the harsh edges of a linear bed design. The shape is echoed by a round side table and circular wall decor.
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
