It’s that time of year again – and the clock is ticking. Signs scream Christmas deals, tinsel covers everything, and Mariah Carey and Jingle Bells are belting on the radio. There’s so much noise but – if you could stop and think – you know you’d find all your friends and family’s favourite pressies. We’ve put a together a list of our top – and often most unusual – picks for gifts we’ve featured, for perusal during your downtime. Whether you’re buying for an architect, a germophobe, a fitness freak or all three, there’s a bit of Christmas cheer for everyone in our list.
Copper Pipe Desk Lamp
Give the gift of a copper desk lamp no one else has. Wound intricately in triangles around an idea lightbulb, the contours of this fixture keep everyone guessing.
Peacock Wall Sconce
Have a friend that likes to show off? Celebrate their inner peacock, with this muted aluminium piece that soon shows its glowing feathers.
Levitating Light
Know someone close that’s wrapt by magic? A levitating lightbulb will have them entertained for hours. Using magnetic force and power induction, this bulb hovers off its board cable and battery-free.
Paper Light Boxes
For a magical look that’s not based on science, these paper light boxes paint a picture. Depicting the streets of Venice or mermaids rising to the moon, these dimmable finds help make kids’ bedrooms look pretty.
Modern Menorah
Hold Jewish heritage? Make your Christmas traditional and modern at the same time, with these handmade wooden menorahs boasting nine candle holders.
Octopus Lantern
What better surprise at Christmas than an iron octopus? Made from a compound with aluminium and bronze, this eight-legged creature lights up three lanterns.
Tabletop Zen Garden
Love someone with a hectic workplace? Gift them a way to calm down, with this table-top zen garden. The secrets of the Japanese can help rake their worries away.
Levitating Air Bonsai Pot
Combine levitation and nature in one stylish piece. Connected to a power source, this magnetic wooden base and pot lift your plants to new dimensions.
Artistically Hand-Sculptured Candles
Looking for more cool candles than the shops can supply? These decorative finds, handmade in Israel, come in a variety of colours and festive themes. Get yours engraved with names or special Christmas cheer.
Rocket Lemon Squeezer
Tight on budget? This cute lemon squeezer made from solid beech wood is a great gift for new friends.
Damascus Steel Knives
For the friend or family member who loves all things cowboy, these Damascus knives are hard to pass up. Crafted in steel with engraved patterns down their sides, they fold back into pouches for your cowboy’s holster.
Evercut Furtif Knives
Have a budding chef with a set of blunt knives? Sharpen up their cooking time, with this set of five unique knife gifts in black.
Cutting Board With Storage
Tired of onion and garlic taking up your whole board? Secret them in drawers underneath, with this bamboo design more cutting boards should emulate.
Peacock Teapot
Know someone just crazy about peacock home decor ? Add to their collection with this hand-painted teapot, a dazzling blue and floral find crafted in porcelain.
Handmade Sculptural Yixing Teapot
For the teapot lover in your life, this Chinese stone find is the height of exotica. Handmade with a mineral deposit rock found near Yixing, Jiangsu, these special tippers make your tea sweeter and sweeter with every cup, as its natural deposits inject flavour over time. Check out our website for more teapot-related gifts .
Superhero Shelves
Books really can save the day. Find your gifts for book lovers with these superhero shelves, a visual wonder on your wall in painted black metal.
Mermaid Cups
Have a daughter that loves things under the sea? Buy her mermaid gifts she can enjoy all year round, with these decorated cups in a variety of poses.
Smart Tea Coffee Mug
For the person who has everything, unique coffee mugs are the way to go. This ceramic mug is remotely-controlled, keeping your coffee or tea at just the temperature you like it. Pre-set different drinks to different temperatures, or different lights to different drinks, to keep your morning beverage exciting.
Contemporary Double-Walled Champagne Flutes
Don’t want the standard flutes at your Christmas table? Buy these double-walled creations, for a conversation piece that’s hard to knock over.
BenShot Shot Glass
Worried Christmas conversations might get heated? Keep your drinks bullet-protected, with these American-made shot glasses.
Magnetic Travel Globe
Can’t find good gifts for travellers ? This magnetic globe could end your mall trips. Available in tan or traditional blue finishes, its thirty magnetic markers keep track of where they’ve travelled– without the map holes or rips to ruin it.
Dragon Claw Goblet
Looking for Game of Thrones gifts instead? This replica of the chalice Measter Cressen and Melisandre drank from can make your home the new Dragonstone.
Architect Wine Holder
New gifts for architects are not always easy to come by. This recycled steel and copper holder provides a warm welcome after a hard day’s work.
Funny Doormat
Break the ice with some funny door mats . An introverted friend or colleague could receive this coco palm fibre find under their tree.
Reclaimed Wooden Wall Art
Buy wooden wall decor for your daughter or son’s new home. These reclaimed pieces, each made in the States, add patterning and Christmas cheer to undecorated walls.
Lawa 3D Wooden Wall Clock
Is your kitchen wall clock looking a bit tired? Some wooden wall clocks could appear under your tree. Designed by famed Danish architects Ewa Bryzek and Allen Shakir, they’re available in black, white or solid oak.
Married to someone who never likes to leave the bed? This smart clock has everything they need, at the push of a button. Call anyone hands-free, browse and listen to audiobooks, stream music from Pandora and Spotify, and control all your smart household appliances with this alarm clock disguise.
Roomba 890
Love someone who loves to clean? Get them a robot they can control from their smartphone. This nifty little piece dodges tangling, navigates corners and automatically recharges to keep their home spick and span.
Apple Watch Series 3
For the family member always tracking their fitness, this Apple watch is the next step. Its built-in GPS system is water-resistant and features a heart-rate sensor, altimeter, dual-core processor and microphone.
Fitbit Alta
Don’t have an iPhone? This Android option is one of the most stylish bands on the market. Dodging the clunkier look of smart watch rivals, it can measure your quality of sleep, continuously track your heart rate and operate at 30,000 feet.
Microbot Push
Help your tech-head make their appliances smarter. This white gadget presses buttons and switches and manages their timers, remotely controlling everything from their garage door to air conditioner.
DJI Smart Drone Camera
Never take a bad photo again. This drone camera captures the sights your adventurous partner is always angling to see.
Motion-Activated LED Lights
Always waking for trips to the bathroom or pantry? Gift your partner better sleep, with a motion-activated light that glows the darkened floor. With a shut-off light timer and two separate sensors, there’s no need to wake them up again.
Voice-Activated Owl Night Lamp
Gift your child a more comforting bedtime. This voice-activated night lamp turns on only when they speak, and shuts off only when they’re silent.
Huzi Cosmos Collection
Have a little one intrigued by outer space? This solid beech wood toy set with magnets built-in constructs a planet, lander, satellite, rocket and shuttle.
Ring Video Doorbell
Want to see who’s coming to dinner? See them from the comfort of your smartphone, tablet or PC, where a HD video shows their face. A two-way audio system and instant doorbell alerts provide added protection.
Petzi Treat Cam
Love someone who loves their pet even more? Connect them to their pet anywhere and anytime, with this video camera that dispenses treats.
Cat Caves
Looking for something a bit less spendy? These cat caves can surprise and delight the most discerning of cat owners. Get their felt forms in a variety of colours.
Samsung Frame TV
Buy a Christmas gift for all the family. This beautiful TV offers high-definition viewing when it’s on, a gallery of curated art pieces when it’s off. Choose from a wood, black, white or metal frame for your latest feature – or look at a Meural TV if you need a cheaper option.
Like the kitchen, the dining room is an essential gathering place for any home. It’s where families can gather after a long day apart and where guests can break bread with their hosts. The extravagant formal dining rooms of yore that made it difficult to talk to someone at the other end of the table have long since given way to something a bit simpler, where breakfast cereal is more common than a five-course meal. The dining rooms featured here are elegant in their simplicity. The minimalist aesthetic works so well in the dining room because it can create a clear, clean canvas for the tapestry of the next meal that will be shared at the sparse but beautiful table.
Photographer:Jonas Lindström
As with so many minimalist rooms, white will be a popular color palette in the minimalist dining room. In this Scandinavian style dining room , white walls and concrete floors create a bright, airy space in an industrial-style loft.
Visualizer:Home D
Lighting should never be neglected in an dining room – these black dining pendant lights match nicely with the black dining table in this otherwise sparsely decorated room.
Visualizer:Artem Bobrov
Indeed, black modern dining chairs are rather popular in the minimalist dining room.
Visualizer:Stijn Vereeken
Even taller black chairs like these ones can fit into the minimalist aesthetic, mimicking the lines of the kitchen cabinetry and making the room feel bigger and more open.
Designer:i29 Architects
Minimalist dining rooms do not have to be devoid of decoration. This space has a creative accent wall with a spattering of creative elements yet remains clean and sleek.
Designer:Tierney Conner Design Studio
This cozy minimalist dining room leans towards the Scandinavian style with its ocean blue accent pillows and unique light fixture.
Visualizer:Denis Khramov
Two brands of white Scandinavian style chairs make an appearance in this minimalist dining room: the Panton S sculpted chair and the classic Eames chair .
Designer:Paolo Didonè & Devvy Comacchio
This tropical-inspired minimalist dining room has a beachy feel from its tile floor to sloped ceiling beams.
Designer:Suzie McAdam
For a more colorful minimalist dining room, consider subtle shades like sage green, which work nicely with this room’s https://amzn.to/2hRQezh. Similar dining pendants are available here .
Photographer:Christian Gahl
The light wood Wishbone chairs featured here have that minimalist Scandinavian vibe that is so on trend.
Visualizer:Volma Graphics
The wood chairs work well in mostly white minimalist designs like this one.
Visualizer:Anastasia Bakurova
Minimalist line art and a statement area rug make this minimalist living room quite artistic.
Visualizer:Metro Cúbico Digital
A statement dining pendant can be a great lighting choice in a minimalist dining room. It hangs harmoniously atop the round white dining table .
Designer:Schlicht Lamprecht
When a large statement dining pendant doesn’t quite work, more subtle pendant lighting combined with recessed lighting can be design-friendly as well as practical. The Eames shell chair is a another stylish addition.
Visualizer:081 Arch
Many minimalist dining rooms exist in open floor plan homes, which means their subtle color schemes need to mesh with surrounding areas as well – including the kitchen and dining room.
Designer:Arthur Carvalho Vieira
A white tile kitchen and light wood dining set make this minimalist dining room quite simple and chic.
Designer:Joanna Kubieniec
You don’t need a lot of room to make a minimalist dining room with artificial tropical leaves work.
Architect:Benn & Penna| Photographer:Tom Ferguson
The use of a longer table like this one can elongate a room.
Visualizer:Line Architects
Lest you think the shell chair is the only Eames option for minimalist, the Eames eiffel base arm chair is another simple and beautiful option.
Visualizer:Vüsal Abbasov
Minimalist dining rooms can use creative elements like a chalkboard wall to bring in simple, colorful bursts of personality.
Visualizer:Tesla Studio
The stunning whitewashed floorboards in this minimalist dining room really make the room feel bigger. The dramatic swing arm wall lamp you see here is the Flos Mod 265. The glass dining table ensures that it visually leaves a small footprint in the room.
Visualizer:AVG
This dining room just manages to squeak into the minimalist aesthetic with its limited palette and clean lines, but large dining pendants and a huge art piece make this room a bit bolder than some of the others.
Designer:MAArchitects
The white retro dining chairs in the brightly light room are quite interesting.
Visualizer:Inuti
When a dining table butts up against the kitchen counter, an easy flow is created. The linear suspension light helps, too.
Visualizer:Vuong Hai Duong
The wood framed windows and decorative candles give this dining room a bit of a nautical flair.
Visualizer:Lada Kamyshanskaya
A modern fruit bowl and chandelier give this minimalist dining table a futuristic feel.
Visualizer:Haptic Architects
Mismatched About A Chair replicas take a minimalist dining room in a bohemian direction.
Visualizer:Emanuela Berardi
Dark grey is less popular than stark white in minimalist designs, but its a bit gentler than black for a bit of contrast.
Visualizer:Aurélien BRION
This clean dining room is another example of the flooring creating a visual cue for a bigger seeming room.
Visualizer:Zrobym Architects
In this colorful minimalist dining room, the Unfold pendant matches the yellow Eames chairs.
Visualizer:Daniel Reuterswärd
This cozy dining room with a Drop chair definitely has the feeling of hygge – the Scandinavian idea of utter coziness and relaxation.
Photographer:Jonas Lindström
Picture windows make minimalist design an easy choice because the view does the job of added decorative flourish.
Visualizer:Antonio Rodríguez
Instead of large windows, this dining room has amazing geometric ceilings as its design focal point.
Visualizer:Michal Nowak
The sculpted dining chairs in this modern minimalist black and white dining room have a certain 1980s flair to them.
Visualizer:VN Studio
On the other side of the coin is this rustic-inspired minimalist dining room.
Visualizer:Alexander Korobka
The way that the legs on these dining chairs are exactly parallel to the legs of the dining table is the stuff of a minimalist’s dreams.
Visualizer:Cecilia Corda
This bright white minimalist dining room includes indoor plants as well as an herb planter for added color.
Visualizer:Kseniia D
This dark minimalist dining room includes an unfinished wood table as well as a minimalist framed print.
Visualizer:Rue Temple
A dark industrial dining room can still be minimalist.
Visualizer:Andi Buftea
Finally, mismatched woods and minimalist furnishings that can expand for company make this cozy dining room a cute and practical choice.
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
