Wood is the champion of versatility – easily shaped, pressed, painted, refinished – a truly multifaceted resource that has shaped the world of interior design from the beginning. But for all the ways you can change this material unbounded by imagination, the inherent beauty of natural wood has proven to withstand the test of time on its own merit. The photosets below show that even the most modern interiors can benefit from the warmth and organic appeal that only natural wood can provide. Are light natural finishes the right choice for your dream home? Browse the photos below to see how it looks in the context of five different homes.
Designer:York Architects| Visualizer:York Architects
Let’s start with the grey and white kitchen of a fabulous minimalist home. While the interior itself feels sharp and refined, the natural wood stools seem to add a touch of familiarity that feels like home. In a space without extraneous decoration, every knot and ribbon of grain puts its effortless artistry on display.
Of course, the saddle stools are not the only wooden element here. The floor features straight and clean wood grain while the chairs stand out with a more rugged rustic character.
While wood is naturally decorative, the backdrop is as starkly minimalist as can be. The white and grey cabinetry betrays no hints of handles or hardware. The lighting and table frame echo the clean lines found throughout.
This white and grey theme continues throughout the home, from the lower cabinets to the tall closets in the hallway.
The hallway is simple yet functional. Small hooks hold essentials on the left. The side of the kitchen counter wraps around into the hallway to provide extra storage.
Tucked into a cozy living room niche, a small home workspace doubles up on sunlight. At night, cove lighting built into the bookshelf creates a calm yet productive ambiance.
With sliding doors backed by thick curtains, this glass wall bedroom can mingle with the open living area or become a private retreat on a whim.
Natural wood finishes make another appearance here – this time with a more modern twist.
Natural wood plays an important role throughout this home. It could be left as the star of the theme or played down to become an underlying constant that ties the décor together.
Designer:York Architects| Visualizer:York Architects
In this next interior, natural wood tones play an even more important role. In fact, this entire theme seems based around what feels and looks the most natural. Wood occupies a substantial amount of the surface real estate while indoor plants bring in a verdant slice of the outdoors.
Even the sofa takes cues from the outside world, low and rounded like river-worn pebbles. The stone plate on the low wood table seems to underscore this choice.
Large wood-clad cabinets facilitate the clean simplicity of this minimalist living room . Maintaining a clutter-free environment is always easier when everyday objects are hidden easily within reach.
Stark lines stand in contrast to the organic wood grain for a dramatic visual effect.
A simple wall sconce casts indirect light behind the sofa, ideal for quiet reading in the evening.
This open living space includes the kitchen as well. The transition between living room cabinetry and kitchen cabinetry is seamless.
This galley kitchen design includes natural elements as well. Besides the natural knotty wood floor, the backsplash makes a luxurious impression with the look of rich marble veining.
Minimalist spaces like this one require full attention to detail. Even this unique faucet keeps with the theme, finished in white to match its surroundings flawlessly.
Light and shadow are another natural resource utilized here. The space beneath the breakfast nook is bathed in darkness and the stools beneath embrace it. These handsome stools are from the About a Stool collection by Hee Welling.
Light wood finishes are finding renewed popularity for good reason – more modern than the orange hued finishes of yesteryear, while retaining the warmth lacking in other contemporary favorites like grey and onyx.
Designer:York Architects| Visualizer:York Architects
Here is a home that demonstrates how natural wood elements can fit within industrial spaces as well. Industrial interiors typically rely on heavily weathered wood, or wood with especially dark finishes. This space uses wood sparingly but chooses light natural finishes in every instance.
You may notice that the wood elements mimic the look of plywood – large panels of uninterrupted grain rather than traditional boards. The look is undeniably industrial and well-suited for this type of design theme.
Even the chairs bring a high-end look to humble plywood. These are from the Cover Chair collection by Thomas Bentzen. The way the chairs tie into the cabinetry, the dining pendant lights tie into the concrete floors and ceiling. Modern planters cascade greenery over the arrangement.
More plywood elements are revealed from this angle. You can see this versatile material used on the inside of the television stand as well as within the bedroom.
Industrial yet light – in a room clad with concrete, the smooth blonde plywood has a tremendous grounding effect, making this space feel warm.
Visualizer:D3 Design
Another minimalist interior, and more light wood treatments. This interior begins with sharp modern lines and uses smart techniques to soften the effect – the super plush sofa, the soft indirect lights. Texture plays an important role throughout.
Perhaps the most creative use of wood is the pair of tree stump coffee tables . These go beyond a natural finish and present the beauty of the material in its most basic form.
Another great application of the Muuto Cover chair by Thomas Bentzen!
This white and wood kitchen occupies just one wall , leaving plenty of space for the dining arrangement next to it. For serious meal prep, the table could double as another work surface.
Light wood surfaces play a different role in every space. It unifies the dining room and kitchen and softens the effect of the minimalistic hallway.
The bedroom follows the same streamlined theme as the rest of the home. A light wood accent wall hides built-in cabinetry, punctuated only by a single decorative vase and a matching wall sconce.
On one side of the bed, the windows are made to appear even larger by floor-to-ceiling curtains. On the other side, a sliding glass door and curtain create separation between the living room and bedroom.
The bathroom combines dark and light wood finishes seamlessly. This effect adds intimacy to this private corner of the home.
Visualizer:KTS. Duc Nguyen
Finally, this last home combines a variety of wood tones – light, dark, and in between. Such a unique combination works well along with the transitional design elements found throughout this interior.
But how do you tie so many types of wood together? This multi-tonal wood floor demonstrates a brilliant solution.
Metallic accents add a luxurious touch. This copper Eames bird looks radiant against the matte black accent wall.
The bedroom features a smooth transitional theme that draws from the naturals and neutrals throughout the home.
While the living room emphasizes stark contrast, this space enjoys a softer touch.
White decor isn’t just about getting back to basics, or avoiding the minefield of dodgy colour choices to be made despite painting half a room with tiny paint pot samples. White decor can be used to make small spaces feel comfortably larger and less crowded. Pure white paint can be used against a darker colour as a device for dramatically diving an open plan living space. White finishes can gently connect the dots between much brighter coloured accent pieces, or be used to create a calm and restful environment. These four small apartment interiors use all of these techniques and more to make the most of white decor, without appearing at all stale or standard.
Visualizer:Julia Sultanova
Blue accents flavour this cosy white flat in Stuttgart. The cool combo makes the small living room feel airy and fresh.
The blue wall art and area rug defines the lounge area from the neutral coloured kitchen diner behind it. The lounge chair and sofa have their backs turned on the kitchen to solidly section the space. A chrome floor lamp arcs over the walkway between them.
Pushed up behind the living room sofa, a modern desk and pouf make a neat home workspace. To the side of the desk there is an ingenious space saving bit of kit, which supports a mirror on its broadest face, conceals a coat hanging nook next to the entry door, and provides a thin bookcase to the lounge.
A white gloss TV stand and upper cabinets blend gently with the white wall decor, keeping the small space feeling spacious and light.
Two different types of chair design encircle a round dining table , giving the set a unique and upbeat aesthetic.
A black modern fruit bowl matches the black dining chairs in the arrangement.
White dining room pendant lights bunch above the white dining table.
A white marble kitchen backsplash matches the dining tabletop. Light wooden wall units top of the marble slab with more texture, whilst pure white cabinets quietly line the base.
A beautiful grey and white bedroom design is topped with a gleaming chrome pendant light. See more bedroom pendant lights .
Designer:Rina Lovko
Our next apartment, a 70 square metre home, was designed for a young product designer in Kiev. Pure white TV wall decor grows from a white media unit and shelves mounted against a crisp white wall. A white desk runs directly off the TV wall, equipped with a matching swivel chair . A piece of bright art adds the first splash of colour. A round coffee table , which is a Muuto table, matches the green plant life.
A grey sofa sits heavily in the centre of the white minimalist living room , with a small grey floor lamp peeking over it.
The white kitchen island extends a breakfast bar in a similar style to the desk opposite, and is the only white element in a completely grey kitchen. The solid grey cabinet installation and the all white living room decor is clashed to divide the open space into two definitive living areas.
strike a lively note in the grey kitchen , and carry the colour thread from the Muuto table in the lounge area.
Solid grey bleeds from the kitchen into the home entryway. Vivid orange stools squeeze in a juicy colour clash. Multicoloured wall art amps up the fun factor.
More orange art splashes into a white minimalist bedroom design. The art provides the only colour in the room, which makes the white wall paint and white furniture finishes look even more clean and pure.
There is a little natural colour in the form of an indoor plant by the window, but the leaves are almost eclipsed in the bright daylight. The white platform bed has a floating illusion, echoed by a floating white media cabinet on the opposite wall.
Grey bedclothes match a run of grey closets.
The line of wardrobes connect the bedroom into the bathroom, which in turn leads to the main living space.
A glass sliding door gives access to the bathroom/closet/bedroom from the living room.
Green Mutina ceramics colour the shower, along with a baby pink small side table .
Visualizer:Line Design Studio
Red, white and blue make a punchy combo in this 36 square metre apartment for rent in Kaliningrad, Russian Federation.
White track lights shine from a white ceiling, a slender floor lamp wraps the end of the sofa. A chunky wood block coffee table completes the simple arrangement.
Directly adjacent to the sofa, a floor bed lays open to the room but tucked from plain sight by a small partition. A light wood panel door colours the sleeping area like a separate zone in the open sided setup.
The sliding wood door is drawn across the kitchen diner once two of the dining chairs have been stacked away, to make a cosier lounge and bedroom.
Four white modern dining chairs surround an ultramarine dining table.
A perfectly matching blue pendant light dangles above the set.
The surplus dining chairs stack when the partition doors are shut.
Blue grout criss-crosses between white kitchen tiles.
White kitchen cabinets retreat into colour-free walls to expand the sense of space.
The sliding partition doors allow the option of a larger living space.
Large windows increase the sense of space; the white decor bounces natural light further into the apartment.
Red grout replaces blue in the bathroom scheme…
… Though blue fragments in a terrazzo floor carry the colour theme through. Light wood edges trim a white modern bathroom vanity .
Visualizer:Andrey Barinov
Green accents dot this white 41.48 square meter apartment in Moscow, Russia.
The bed stands aligned with the sofa in full view, though its sleek platform design makes it appear like another seating option. A white portiere goes almost unnoticed against the white walls and ceiling.
A small step up takes you into a window seating area, where a small coffee bar has been created.
Another dinky bar runs off the end of the kitchen, which is a serene light wood and white design.
Elegant monochrome bar stool perch at the breakfast bar.
A glass wall bathroom divides the kitchen from the home entryway.
Behind the obscured glass we discover a delicate white and baby pink bathroom.
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
