Grey is not usually equated with exciting. Evocative of boredom, it is nevertheless finds expression in many contemporary designs – and there is a reason why. Grey is versatile. The colour between black and white, it finds depth of shadow to enhance traditional and modern living spaces. Compatible with a range of themes, it adds finesse without boldness. These three living spaces use grey to achieve greatness, in three very different interiors. The first is art-deco, inspired by the raw nature of the rainforest. The second is industrial, perfect for the polished couple. The third is more brutal, more masculine, stark.
Visualizer:Olia Paliichuk
Our first apartment, at 80sqm, was designed for a couple passionate about travelling. Inspired by rainforests and the exotic, the outdoors is brought indoors, with ‘60’s detailing and south-east Asian gold thrown in. In the living room, unpainted corrugated iron sits stark upon a grey wall, a surprising backdrop for a chic wooden bookcase. Beige block sofas and one-piece wooden chairs open enough space for gold statuettes and a leaf-shape chair. Low-hanging idea lights light up black-potted cacti, while a golden kitchen panel acts as a hat for green-marble. Multi-panelled black windows and a soft green rug circle off the area.
The bedroom feels more dragon’s den, less apartment with lengthy potted cacti climbing up high-ceilinged windows. Taupe wallpaper adheres to an elongated oval mirror. A grey headboard printed with sea lions stretches to a mat and stone chaise longue below. Thin, low-hanging lights balance out the elements.
The TV area looks ornate with a gold-feature wall, accentuated by a marble-clad palm. Mid-wooden floors hold black shelving underneath and to the side.
Looking through the bedroom, the bathroom appears a jewellery box. Top-to-toe glass and gold panelling gives off luxury whilst increasing space.
Inside, the bathroom wows in speckled marble. Mimicking the bedroom’s mirror, an oval turns sideways to reflect white-tiled walls. Rounded porcelain fixtures trimmed with gold give a taste of the ornate.
Architect:Martin Architects| Visualizer:Olia Paliichuk
Our second space uses shades of grey, along with wood and iron, to create an air of the industrial. In the living room, a grey-speckled rug matches with grey curtains and a grated wall, playing off bolder colours. Starting with a brown leather chair, the room winds around in thin stencil lighting. A stone L-shaped couch and wall provide a frame for a stencil-and-wood table, straight off the manufacturer’s block. A diagonally-tiled wooden wall holds a TV, bookcase and bust, adding a hint of the informed. Factory lights peep from the stark black ceiling.
An iron deer’s head lurks above the entrance, kept company by a wooden sheet wall. Metal grating holds a chair lit by factory lighting. Grey walls hold wire coat racks; grey flooring the rest.
An iron and wood staircase acts the central element of the space, adding structure. The dining room mimics its zag-zagging, thin lines in high wooden stools . Featuring a communal stove and dining table, a low-lying fanned light mirrors over the table. Around the corner, metal grating meets the stairs on a grey concrete finish. Towards the elevator, the stairs show diagonal wood tiling, as grey doors assimilate to its black frame. The stairs are matched at every angle.
From the kitchen, the stairs present another view. Led by a grey wooden dining table and kitchen bench, their shape zig-zags over the top, providing colour inspiration. Lit by factory lights in the kitchen, the chairs shine wood and gold at different times. Grey matte walls soften the glow.
The bathroom presents grey again, but in a new capacity. Grey beehive tiling clothes the floor and central wall, with taupe covering another. Feature green-grey marble hangs porcelain blocks on its sides, creating a staircase effect. Metal stencil shower framing and chrome polish off an industrial space.
Visualizer:Landusheva Nastia
Designed for a bachelor in his 20’s, this 124sqm apartment was designed as a bachelor pad – in a brutal, masculine style. Here, grey alternate-slanting tiles shine beside a grey concrete ceiling and linen curtains. A white canvas hangs down for movies and laptop work, a young man’s dream. Natural wooden flooring holds taupe and quilted brown block couches. Black metal stencilling in the standing lamp, hanging lights and tables add structure, as reflected in the grey Venetians behind.
Further behind, a stark kitchen takes effect in top-to-toe wooden panelling. Holding an LED-lit black matte inlet and another stencilled-frame above, a cylindrical fan completes the bachelor’s kitchen. A steel pod chair watches on.
Through the kitchen, another catching-up space opens up. Lit by an LED-stencilled ‘Stronger than yesterday’, grey beanbag couches slouch on a wooden floor, met by an oblong and grey wooden table. Light grey industrial fabric strains the room, pairing with slatted wooden entrance panels demarcating the space. A view from the outside shows white squared windows filling the room with light.
A dining room space is small enough to look functional, and big enough for four. Grey tiling covers a feature wall, as four drop lights grounded by thick fixtures centre the table. Nestled next to grey floor-to-ceiling curtains, multi-shaded wooden floors and a table are greeted by velvet teal chairs. A stencil table to the side harks back to the industrial.
The kitchen ties in the central space, as it leads visitors away. A stencilled ceiling feature, black-framed kitchen panelling and block benching closes off the space.
The bedroom is a retreat. A place for relaxation, pampering and most of all sleep, its walls are often forgotten in tired wallpaper and outdated skirting boards. Make your bedroom inspirational with a new look – an exposed brick wall. Beautiful when distressed, there’s no need to fear their instantly-stylish and hardy exteriors. Give your room a Scandinavian twist, with a full brick wall behind the bed in red. Make your headboard one of brick, in natural, distressed or painted tones. Make your brick a feature wall in an eclectic bedroom , levelling up to a rich and personal design. Take a look at our top forty brick picks.
Source:Target Point
Floored on a newspaper rug, this charcoal-painted brick wall provides a strong background for an industrial palace. A low-lying futon and bevy of chandeliers add finishing touches.
Visualizer:Alex Koretskiy
Pops of purple and blue rise against this feature wall. Clad in charcoal with lighter brown dripping through, it creates a cosy yet artistic feel amidst simple wooden shelving and wicker cane.
Source:Molteni
Make your bedroom a place for play with abstract decals and furniture. A wall of grey exposed brick leads to the rest of the interior, providing a muted and edgy backdrop.
Visualizer:Oksana Mukhina
Exposed brick doesn’t have to be red. This white bedroom uses textured white brick to line its wall. Concrete floors, bold typography prints, black bedroom pendant lighting and a navy duvet mark out focal points.
Visualizer:Peter Ang
Make the most of a curved skylight with a white brick wall underneath. This beautifully-lit room sets the scene with an abstract painting, oscillating wooden floor patterns and an easel to the side.
Designer:Pikcells
The hipster would love this bedroom centred around distressed white brick. Paired with a ladder leading to a deconstructed wardrobe, its canvas chandelier marks a sleeping space beside a deerhide and record collection.
Designer:One London
A triangle marks the spot, in this brick feature wall marked with pure white. Set in an attic space, a low-lying bed draws the eye with a grey throw and black bedside table lamps .
Photographer:Carl Wooley
Want to widen your bedroom? Take a cue from this square space using beige brick around the window. Lined with white walls, a simple copper curtain rod and minimal accessories, it makes a small room seem large.
Visualizer:NB Studio
Add texture to your bedroom with a white feature wall. Wooden floors, a modern chandelier composed of handwritten notes, and an array of bold printed cushions makes this a beautifully eclectic bedroom .
Visualizer:Elena Zhulikova
Create a room with a glow, with a hanging light over a brick wall. This subtly-dramatic space lined with brown-coloured curtains leans an abstract canvas against brick, inviting in the tired viewer.
Visualizer:Curly Studio
A brick wall is perfect for a unisex space. Holding a row of white cabinets, it sits perfectly with a carved-out feature, three black-and-white prints and a gingham bedspread.
Visualizer:Oleg Rasschepkinj
A calm, peaceful bedroom is supported by brick in muted tones. Holding a host of greyscale photos, a spotted blue-and-grey duvet with a beehive light holds attention amidst wooden furniture.
Visualizer:Zrobym
Bring the outside inside with a headboard in brick. A green living wall to the side harks back to the garden; a low-lying bed a simpler type of living. With a typographic canvas and standing photographer’s lamp as features, the whole room screams art nouveau.
Visualizer:Svitlana Petelko
Grey brick can help background pops of colour. This bedroom heroes terracotta and turquoise amidst a black bookcase, quilted grey block bed and monochromatic elements.
Visualizer:Index
Unsure how to integrate many different elements? A distressed brick wall, like the one in this bedroom, can blend black, white and grey. Mixed with portrait canvases, a standing lamp and brown rug add a feeling of home to a glossy concrete floor.
Visualizer:Uglyanitsa Alexander
Use brick as a canvas for individualism. This bedroom features The Beatles, a wood-engraved tree painting, London Underground collage and telescope out to the stars. Three dramatically-thick ceiling fans tie the tones in.
Designer:Josephine Hurley| Photographer:Tom Ferguson
Red brick walls are always a classic. Pair yours with white chiffon curtains, bedding, pod chairs and a headboard cabinet for a fresh look that never dates.
Visualizer:Nordes
A background of brick can pop out other features. Spiderman fans would appreciate this simple room of grey and white, with their hero to the right.
Visualizer:Juliya Butova
Designate a place for a rest with a column of brick. Drenched in stone, taupe and light wood with a side of teal, this simple family room points to its feature with a clock. The modern wall sconces are from Arne Jacobsen.
Visualizer:Juliya Butova
A wall of brick shines beside competing elements. Plywood, painted charcoal and rough-shod panels cover the floor and walls, in a room of differing colours and oscillating patterns.
Visualizer:Isadhora Omar
The industrial bedroom is not complete without an interior brick wall. Faced by an aluminium cylinder and steel piping, a wall of square windows shines light onto red brick. A distressed wooden headboard and furry black rug finish the look.
Source:Target Point
Want a bedroom that truly looks exterior? As if on a deck chair, this unique bed design sits with a poolside table and lush fern to either side. A skylight from the top bathes the room in light.
Visualizer:Yarko Kushta
The urban loft has a perfect partner in exposed brick. This bedroom features blocked-out window panes, orange leather bedding, wheelable tables and building frames in a space far from conventional.
Source:Target Point
Even the space age can carry a wall of brick. Lifting off in a Jetson’s style flight, this all-white bed and table integrate with potted cacti, leaning abstracts and a column of brick.
Designer:Barasona
This light-hued bedroom with exposed brick wall mimics an industrial palace. Lit by an antique chandelier, square frame piping guards a space filled with hanging wooden furniture, tones of grey and soft bedside lighting.
Visualizer:Andrey Novosiolov
More of an artist’s palace, this low-lying bedroom wows in exposed brick, wood and white. As a chandelier and silver bath sit to the side, the backing wall masks a close stairway.
Visualizer:Anna Fedyukina
Another low-lying dream, this bachelor’s bedroom gives off good taste. A rough-shod wooden wardrobe leads to a suitcase-stack table. On a red brick wall, a monochrome horse rears its tail. A geometric mat holds a space for sleeping, while metallic lamps make for comfort.
Designer:Emma Persson Lagerberg
Relaxed and functional, this small bedroom uses brick to full effect. Lined with a tumbling bookshelf, a floor lamp in copper and antique map look creative beside a red brick wall.
Visualizer:Garza Camisay Arquitectos
Another smaller space, this room ensures red brick doesn’t close it in. Set on concrete with a full wall of windows, a multi-coloured bedspread helps tie it together.
Designer:Union Studio
Make it classy with many windows interspersed with brick. Headed by a textured feature wall, thick black joinery and muted beige furniture give prominence to striking red brick.
Designer:CTA Architects
Infuse Japanese culture, with a black and red bed headed by brick. This interesting space shows off a sea view in large window panels, while adding a roll-mat mattress and cubed ottoman to dreamtime.
Designer:Pillar 3
Sense the forest, with an outside wall inside. Lined by sensational views, this large, square sleeping space makes bright blue stand out against red.
Designer:Luiz Fernando Grabowsky
Want to make your bedroom space your own? Red brick can hold all your trinkets, books, paintings and office accessories, like it does in this modern bedroom.
Designer:Crescent Builds
Comprised of a bedroom and lounging area, this space uses red brick to join the two. High chiffon curtaining and a tropical bedspread add light to white furniture and wooden floors.
Source:Douglas Elliman
Hints of the tribal can work with red brick. This bedroom uses a lotus-patterned headboard to introduce the sleeping space. Roman blinds and a pearled hanging bulb are separated by brick and wooden tones.
Designer:Lena Lalvani
A distressed brick wall can make quite a feature. Peppered with finds from around the world, it sits beside a blue and gold Florentine design and tribal headboard in perfect harmony.
Designer:Tropical Space
The four poster bed fan can’t go past this Swedish sauna-inspired space. Eco-designed to let in cool air and light, it’s a man-made wonder.
Source:Environment Furniture
Dotted with cross-incisioned brick panels, this unusual looking bedroom lets in light in one snazzy design. A wooden slat bed adds functionality and simplicity.
Designer:Bauhaus Custom Homes
A softer, sleepier approach is awarded to this bedroom. Juxtaposing a red brick wall against leather, fur and a multi-textured rug, brick helps ground and solidify the design.
Designer:Alterstudio
Create a simple beach look, with a brick wall in muted colouring. This bedroom plays with a denim-hued bedspread, red zigzag sheets and a cane basket table for a light, airy feel.
Don’t have the brick wall or budget to utilise? Choose from these cheaper options, easy to peel on and off your bedroom wall.
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
