Although all of these homes have a similar footprint of just 40 square metres or less, they showcase divergent decor for challenging small spaces. These compact apartment layouts have been expertly tackled by committing to bespoke fitted furniture designs and intelligent storage installations in each, but styling differs wildly. In our first featured home design, we’ll explore an uber chic interior that’s composed with white, black, wood and luxe gold. Home two is sweetened with layers of apricot and country style homey naturals. Then finally, we’ll round off the inspiring collection with a sharp black and white graphic theme that’s shocked to life with jolts of electric blue.
Visualizer:Nastya Korovchenko
This high-end interior is a 35 square metre apartment for rent, located in Warsaw, Poland. A linear modern sofa draws a clean line across a wood panelled living room wall, where a backlit frameless mirror creates visual expansion. With floor space minimal, a swing arm wall lamp provides space-saving task lighting. One small side table stands snug against the sofa’s edge.
An unusual lounge chair introduces a sculptural element to the layout. Its open frame exposes the floor area underneath to maintain a spacious feel.
A short linear suspension light softly illuminates a cosy dining peninsula for two.
The thick white cantilevered countertop is accompanied by a pair of fresh white modern dining chairs , creating a clean colourless moment against the kitchen’s depth of colour behind. A polished glass vase matches the lustre of the kitchen’s gold faucet.
The bedroom is encased in sleek panelwork, which provides both unassuming decoration and secretive storage concealment.
A floor bed design has been seamlessly built into the full width of the space, A matching wood effect bedside unit extrudes from the wall panelling.
A minimalist floor lamp simply accessorises the bedroom chair, fashioning a chic and understated reading nook.
In the black bathroom scheme, a double sink bathroom vanity adds a stripe of warming beige. A custom cut vanity mirror glows along its baseline to spotlight the basin faucets and countertop toiletries.
A black toilet blends into the dark backdrop.
A grey entryway bench camouflages into grey decor and a floating coat cupboard by the front door.
Visualizer:Kamran Kerimov
Our second featured home design is a 34 square metre apartment located in Baku, Azerbaijan. Light, airy and sweetened with apricot accents, the interior has a natural homey vibe. A small sofa keeps the lounge and kitchen dining spaces connected, whilst the studio’s bedroom is tucked up into a cosy nook.
Added architectural elements visually expand the living area. Elegant arches create height behind the console table , and provide a more attractive focal point than the typical TV set. When it’s time for entertainment, a projector screen pulls down from the beamed ceiling.
stack casually on a rustic wooden chair by the console, under the soft shadow of dried pampas grass. The vignette serves as a pretty pause between the lounge and bedroom niche.
A swing arm wall lamp adds a practical nightlight when the portiere curtain is drawn shut across the cozy bedroom . A buffalo check throw adds a flash of laid-back country chic.
Tonal covers give throw pillows a stylish layered look.
A round dining table skims the back of the sofa, giving rise to a formal eating spot despite the living room’s limited dimensions.
Unusual dining room pendant lights drop low in a sculpted cluster.
Four modern dining chairs continue the warm apricot accent.
Sheer curtains allow the large windows to bring in unobstructed natural light.
Apricot, grey and black accents intermingle across ceramic tile behind the bathroom sink .
Grey sanitaryware sits softly against the colourful background.
Matte black bathroom accessories tighten up the modern decor scheme.
Ribbed glass obscures the shower enclosure.
A small decorative vase adds a handmade moment of interest upon the modern bathroom vanity.
Wall mounted accessories rule out floor clutter.
The upper half of the room is painted plain grey to balance out the busy feature tiles, and simplify the scheme.
3D perspective drawing.
Visualizer:Artem Tafy
Last up, we have a 40 square metre apartment in the historical center of Saint Petersburg , Russia. Electric blue artwork jolts a monochrome room to life, and a bright blue side table shines brighter than the designer table lamp it holds. See more blue accent interiors .
The vivid blue accents are sparing in the room, to allow each piece its own moment in the spotlight. The rest of the decor is a restrained compilation of black, white, grey and rich wood tone.
A partition wall has been installed to hold the TV set and associated wiring. On the kitchen side of the partition, an elegant wall light defines the small dining area.
Cheerful polka dot dining chairs add an eye-catching element to the small dining table
A single polka dot patterned accent cushion takes the monochrome pattern to the lounge.
The small kitchen design is given a slightly more spacious feel with an open kitchen shelving effect that’s kept dust free behind clear glass doors.
A glass wall bedroom expands the sense of space in the living room…
… And a glass closet widens the look of the bedroom itself. A blue bedside table sets a modern accent against a classical wainscot wall treatment.
A fully fitted bathtub makes best use of limited bathroom space.
A modern pedestal sink stands tall and elegant in the limited area, with a stylish freestanding faucet.
Obscured glass doors soften the sight of the apartment’s utility area without fully cutting off the space.
Cosy vibes abound inside this two-room private apartment, located in the Sunny Riviera residential complex, Kyiv, Ukraine. Visualised by Between The Walls for a young mother and her child, the 94 square metre home interior has been warmly enhanced with bright and energetic colour. Various stylistic accents and elements come together without overwhelming the space, through careful furniture arrangement and considered decor additions. Clean Scandinavian lines crash into bold bohemian styling to achieve a cleanly eclectic aesthetic. A circular shape theme rounds off crisp contemporary lines and accomplishes a friendly flow, whilst a brave use of pattern shakes up the beige backdrop with blasts of orange, blue, green and blush.
A small sofa presents a warm beige core in the centre of the cosy open plan living room, adorned with pretty floral print scatter cushions. The pop of colour creates a link with an orange patterned area rug in the lounge, and a vibrant kitchen backsplash behind it.
The elegant silhouette of a small side table overlays the chunky sofa, and makes a dark pairing with one of the cushions.
The lounge rug overlaps the dining space, creating one large island for the little family’s hub of activity.
A deep blue two-seater sofa conjures up a bold moment of solid contrast in the layout, which makes the orange elements blaze even brighter.
Circular wall art pulls the blue accent and floral theme together across an attractive statement wall.
A pair of decorative wall mirrors echo the circular motif along the opposite vertical plane. A chic ginger jar pulls the blue element onto a small sideboard.
The light and airy living room benefits from lack of a monstrous black TV screen, instead opting for a retractable projector screen.
The dining table is positioned perfectly to benefit from a TV dinner too–at least from half of the seating plan anyway.
A dining bench dips low behind the sofa, whilst a mix and match dining table chair combination layer up colour and eclectic style.
Rattan dining room pendant lights up the boho vibe in two different silhouettes.
The woven dining bench complements the aesthetic of the pendant shades, which brings the whole arrangement together.
Modern track lights stripe the border of the room to create an even distribution of illumination.
Wood effect kitchen cabinets build an earthy accent at one side of the L-shaped kitchen installation, whilst clean white cabinets complete the rest.
Orange butterflies swoop across whimsical kitchen tiles, matching the hue of the modern dining table .
A matte black faucet stands firm against the dancing kitchen backsplash .
The enclosed balcony has been fashioned into a reading nook, with the addition of storage bench seating, wall mounted back cushions, and some modern wall sconces.
Another storage bench fills the opposite nook, beneath a pair of statement blue wall shelves.
The second reception room/home office can also be utilised as a second bedroom.
A circular wall shelf and a matching round decorative mirror dot the wall space above a comfortable couch.
A small green side table repeats the circular motif beneath a rerouted pendant light fixture.
The home workspace makes sense in the lightest part of the room, tucked into the window nook.
A flatscreen TV is wall mounted opposite the snug sofa, next to the bright orange frame of a modern bookshelf and storage unit.
A green area rug is freshly accompanied by an lush array of indoor plants, which spill from the shelves of the attached home workspace and from modern planters.
The slender legs of the modern home office desk leaves plenty of wiggle room for a swivel chair .
A tall black floor planter makes a dark match for modern black window frames.
Frameless doors fit cleanly into a sleek white home entryway.
Gold walls shelves add a brief moment of luxe above a set of modern wireframe shoe racks in a cheerful blue finish.
There is also practical storage for two bikes next to the entryway of the home, hidden away in a large walk-in closet.
The other side of the closet is home to a coat rail, handy wall hooks for backpacks, and a convenient drawer system for hats, scarves and mittens.
Dark blush accents draw the eye around an arty bedroom design with a quirky black and white palm tree mural.
Flower shaped bedroom pendant lights bloom giant petals above the platform bed . Black modern wall sconces punctuate a natural headboard design, which features the same semicircular gold shelves as the home entryway.
Two different rug designs create bohemian layering under the bed.
A blush bed runner draws the eye towards a colour matched dresser , where a huge wall mirror increases the sense of space and light.
The soft blush colourway continues in the bathroom scheme, in the form of a three-quarter tiled wall.
Beautiful floral floor tiles form a rug-like feature in the space under the vanity and toward the bathtub .
A unique wireframe pendant light makes a sculptural addition to the small space. A modern black bathroom vanity light and heavily framed wall mirror pop against blush tile.
A second bathroom is coloured with an arty pink wall mural and unique decorative vanity mirrors.
A black framed shower screen disrupts the pale pink and white bathroom colour scheme, adding dark modernity. White bathroom fixtures and fittings blend with the crisp shower tile.
Apartment floor plan.
3D perspective drawing.
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
