Aspiring writers and avid readers alike are sure to admire this inspiring selection of three writer’s home designs. These amazing places are absolutely stacked to the rafters with towering bookcases, bespoke bookshelves and expansive home library setups that could make just about anyone yearn to write - or turn - those pages. Peruse the stacks of a contemporary retreat along the hot Caribbean coast of Costa Rica; find a secret door hidden among the tomes and artwork in a modernised open plan apartment in Athens; escape to another world in the pages of one of the hundreds of books stored throughout a unique space located in the Ukraine.
Architect:Gianni Botsford
‘Casa Kiké’ was designed as a retreat for a writer on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The brief called for a contemporary interior with clean modern lines with a sensitivity for local tradition and building materials. Corrugated sheets of steel clad the outside of the building, just like many other rural Costa Rican dwellings.
An intricate pattern of diagonal timber beams and columns make up the structural design and cut through each of the towering bookcases , adding unusual interest. All of the timber used throughout the home is locally grown hardwoods Laurel, Cachá or Surá. The architects reported: “We are bringing new architectural life to the Caribbean by reappraising the architectural heritage of the region and reviving indigenous techniques,” says Botsford. “However, by coupling them with modern design technologies and aesthetics, we have created an eco-architecture that is remarkably light, impacting on its surrounding only minimally both physically and environmentally.”
In front of the book stacks sits a writer’s desk equipped with a designer table lamp and an ergonomic leather desk chair.
A book-lined hallway stores more of the 17,000 tomes present in the home.
Multiple rows of louvered slats across the facade are a common and inexpensive part of local architecture. Slats can be opened on each end of the building to allow a sea breeze to flow right through.
The build is a twin-volume structure with one larger pavilion for daytime use and a smaller one for nighttime. A grand piano stands in within the larger volume that is used for work and contemplation.
The smaller pavilion, at two thirds the size, holds a bedroom and bathroom. It’s facade faces towards the jungle that backs the beach front.
A parallelogram shape of the pavillions promotes ventilation and keeps the glare of low sunlight out. It also screens the interiors from neighbouring properties and offers the best views.
The pavilions look like two bookends, shelved at either end of a wooden walkway that runs between them.
The home is perched on wooden stilts that raises it 1.2 metres above ground level.
An outdoor living space is created in a landscaped garden that includes a small pool and over 200 plants.
The two buildings are set far enough apart so that the smaller volume will benefit from the same amount of cool ocean breeze as the main building does, with the long walkway moving it out of the larger buildings ‘wind-shadow’.
The writer insisted that no trees be felled in the grounds of the existing one-storey typical Cahuita house. The older house still stands in the grounds and is utilised as a guest house as well as being the main kitchen.
The new artist’s retreat is the writer’s main residence.
Architect:Sotirios Anyfantis
A 90 square metre apartment was redesigned to fulfill the needs of a writer: “A place to write, a place to sleep, a lot of room for paintings and mainly libraries because I have too many books…” The designers created a bespoke sweeping curved bookcase as the home’s main structural element.
Thanks to the large openings and lack of beams in original layout of the building in Athens, designed by Ioannis Vikelas, an open plan concept could be realised. The lounge sits opposite the fireplace with a neat kitchen diner to one side. The window in the kitchen area was widened to increase natural light and an enhanced view of surrounding trees.
The two bedroom home contains furniture that is both a curation of favourite pieces belonging to the writer, and a series of new additions. This study area has a bespoke desk with matching built-in cabinets and shelves.
The library separates the living spaces from the master bedroom. The door to the bedroom is hidden amongst the shelves, picture gallery nooks and cabinets of the feature bookcase.
The dining area is comprised of a traditional white painted table and black modern dining chairs .
Slimline dining pendant lights hang low over the tabletop.
An open plan bathroom visually increases the space in the bedroom. A separate WC was implemented to accommodate visitors.
Recessed lighting brightens the bedrooms edge to edge.
Visualizer:Artem Trigubchak & Sivak + Partners
Our last apartment is home to a writer in the Ukraine. If you’re feeling inspired by this book stacked lounge, then be sure to check out our other living rooms for book lovers .
A swing arm wall lamp lights a reading couch in the living room.
A modern home office holds even more books along with rows of magazine files. Behind the stylish desk chair , base cabinets have a reflective finish.
create a lively vista behind a living room sofa.
There is even a library within the wall of a sophisticated kitchen diner.
The bedrooms bookshelves span the headboard wall, where a floor lamp provides reading light.
Only the bathroom goes unused in the storage of books, although the bathtub is sure to be utilised as a place for a relaxing read. If you’d like to create your own reading sanctuary with a bubble bath, here are some more beautiful bathrooms with bathtubs .
In a second bathroom design, a modern wall sconce lights a modern bathroom vanity .
A shower is at the opposite side, along with a rattan laundry basket and planter.
Nothing jazzes up a space quite like a globe pendant light. Whether hung over your dining table, illuminating your kitchen or creating harmony in your bedroom, globe pendants add elegance and style to areas we inhabit everyday. Our top fifty list of globe pendant lights takes you on a journey across different designs and materials that can complement your home. Whether you’re going for minimalism in glass, something sleeker in copper, a more rustic look in wood or a light that looks like a world map, you’re in for a treat. Take a peek at our list to see for yourself.
E27 Clear Glass Globe Pendant
Keep your look minimalist. This clear glass pendant with brushed brass finish is a bright idea for your kitchen or lounge. Buy them in 20 or 25 centimetre widths.
Caviar Pendant
Make your dining room simply irresistible. These classy pendants show off their inner steel perforations, which mimic the look of copper tassels. A nickel finish and choice of three hanging heights make these globes to die for.
Brushed Brass & Clear Glass Globe Pendant Light
Available in clear, black, gold and silver, these brass-topped pendants offer a less dramatic design. Adjust their hanging height, and feel more at ease with their one-year warranty.
Pelé 1-Light Globe Pendant
Shield your eyes with a row of soft, white globes. These beauties form subtle teardrops over your kitchen counter or bedside table, creating a warm, relaxing mood.
Colorful Glass Globe Pendants
Spice up your interior with these colourful glass globes. Mouth-blown and hand-painted, let their black fabric cords hang in your dining or bedroom in six shades.
Cerebrus 1 Color Gradient Glass Globe Pendants
Don’t want bulbs with full-on colour? Try these gradient pendants out for size. Hand-blown and unique in every iteration, they’re a dream to install.
Organic Pear-Shaped Globe Pendant
Bigger does mean better, with these gorgeous pear-shaped shades. Coloured in either smoke, clear or green glass, their hand-blown forms are crafted in Poland.
Hand-blown Teal Glass Pendant With Gold Accents
Turn on a light the neighbours won’t have. Hand-blown from lead-free soda lime glass, these unique, rounded designs could look a treat in your bathroom.
Faceted Clear Glass Globe Pendant
Go beyond the standard bulb. This clear pendant made of metal, glass and plated antique brass gives off vintage vibes without the second-hand store scouting.
Cool Distorted Glass Globe Pendant
Like a light that looks out of the ordinary? The Mini Jasper uses transparent glass on its outer, opal glass on its inner for a truly unique light. Hand-blown and hand-paddled, its crafted forms are low voltage.
Copper Finish Globe Pendants
Copper knows how to make a statement. These dazzling pendant globes are copper-plated, have adjustable cords and are inner-chromed for output. Cluster them in threes for maximum impact.
IC Lights S Pendant
Get the cheaper version of a design classic. Made from glass and metal with a bronze finish, this minimalist pendant sheds soft light over your bedside table. Buy the original here for extra kudos.
Modern White Globe Pendant Light
Want something elegant, yet standard? These lights in etched opal glass don’t make a fuss over your dining table or kitchen counter.
Glass Globe Pendant With Amber Core
Sometimes the best globes are subtly brilliant. This pendant with a five-year warranty features mouth-blown opal glass, achieving depth of light and cleaner illumination. Its rich, smoky amber tones emanate from the inside, as its clear glass band offers a soft finish.
Nautical-Style Glass Globe Pendant
Let your pendant’s cord do the talking. This clear glass bulb is propped up by a hook, replica fishing reel and antique metal elements for a nautical decor .
Glass & Bronze Pendant Light
Change your room’s ambience, with the help of your pendant. This etched glass, bronze finish ensemble tilts its shade to reveal a series of candles underneath.
Gradient Color Globe Pendant
Inject some subtle metallics into your living space. Complete with a one-year warranty, this elegant globe pendant colours its ombre top gold.
3 Globe Glass Pendant
Create light in numbers. These clear, sanded glass shades house Edison bulbs inside.
Multi-Globe Clear Glass Pendants
Raw brass fixtures hold up this cluster of five pendants, perfectly hand-made in glass for above bedside tables.
Wooden Multi-Globe Pendant Lights
Treat your interior to some Japanese-inspired light fixtures. Carved from wood, this cluster of round globe pendants feature adjustable cords to achieve the right height.
Verner Panton VP6 Topan Pendant Lamp
Have a mid-century modern interior? These legendary Topan pendants were the brainchild of Verner Panton, one of the fathers of mid-century modern design. First concepted in 1960, they are Danish-made from metal and stainless steel.
Industrial-Style Meshed Globe Pendant Light
Hang a pendant light in the industrial style. These three bulbs with adjustable, rotating sockets are dimmed by metal shades and hung from ten-foot black cords.
Light Pattern-Producing Decorative Pendant
Designed by Bruno Rainaldi, the pattern-producing Magdalena Suspension steals any interior’s show. Made of laser-cut metal, its light shines out of its intricately-cut, Italian-made edges in white, nickel and gold.
Planet-Shaped Pendant Light
Looking for a non-standard material? The Moon Scraplight Pendant is made of recycled cardboard. Looking uncannily like Jupiter, each pendant is cut with lasers and handmade with non-toxic adhesive.
Glass Pendant Light With Moon Texture
Obsessed with the moon? Hang it over your bedside table, with this blue-tinted, glass pendant creation.
3D-printed Moon Pendant Light
Take your lighting’s technology to the moon and back, with a 3D-printed, polylactic acid globe. Its shade is energy-efficient, odourless and non-toxic to boot.
Satellite 1-Light Cluster Pendant
Secretly obsessed by space? Subtly show your fervour with this set of solar pendants, centred around one light in the middle. Made from lacquered thermoplastic discs, not globes, their LEDs tempt under their black-lacquered canopy.
Zuo Intergalactic Ceiling Lamp
Dare to be different with an artistic globe pendant. This creation is made from overlapping metal discs.
IKEA PS 2014 Death Star Lamp
Make Star Wars come to life in your living room. This exploding polypropylene/polyamide globe can switch from brighter to softer by pulling its string.
World Map Globe Pendant Light
Look to your pendant globe for your next holiday. Painted iron with a drop light inside provides a canvas for all the world’s countries.
Random Style Light
Spiderwebs just got stylish. This hemp rope pendant weaves a web above your dining table.
Large Globe Pendant Light
Prefer daisies instead? The Ikea PS Makros wears daisies on its steel outer, projecting them on the wall with its inner light.
Geometric-Style Polygon Face Metal Mesh Globe Pendant
A great globe pendant has many sides. This multi-faceted find goes geometric in mesh and metal.
Low Poly-Style Globe Pendant
Find a pot of gold inside your pendant. The Scotch Club Pendant Light from Marset , first designed in 2013, houses 72 internal faces reflecting light in all directions. Its metal and ceramic mix is available in white, blue, terracotta and black outers.
3D Sunburst-Style Globe Pendant
Make your glass pendant look like you splashed it with paint. This modern dome is designed to work on standard, slanted and even textured ceilings.
Corvi Modern 3-Light Globe Pendant
Hang a light that’s soft and undulating. This fully-covered shade, also available in red, provides a feeling of serenity whilst you hide beneath the bedcovers.
Galileo Globe Light
Have a beach house you’d like to accessorise? This shell-shaped pendant could be the perfect fit. Made from metal and plastic, its nature-inspired contours make its inner bulb softer.
Peeping Sphere Globe Light
Winning the 2010 HD Expo’s Product Design Award, this artistic piece by Oscar and Sergi Devesa uses its central diffuser to mute harsh light. Hang it above your dining table for a cheaper alternative to the famed Vibia Citrus Pendant .
Oil-Rubbed Bronze Ring Globe Pendant Light
Create a medieval dining room or lounge. This vintage metal globe encases an Edison bulb inside an oil-rubbed bronze finish. Adjust its inside rings to your favourite composition.
Rustic-Style 8 Light Globe Pendant
After something more modern? This sleeker, chain-hung design is made of metal in the US.
Country-Style Rustic 3-Light Rope Globe Pendant
Pretend you’re starring in Game of Thrones. This metal, cast iron-look chandelier inside a hemp rope reminds of roaring firesides.
Globe Pendant Made Of Wrought Iron Rings
The perfect compromise between a natural rattan pendant and cast iron chandelier, this unusual fixture ticks many design boxes. Hang its wrought iron form in a rustic entrance, or make it a statement in an office or small enterprise.
Wooden Ring Globe
Prefer a more natural vibe? This globe pendant is made from kiln-dried oak, its light fixture and chain from antique forged iron supplies.
Modern Globe-Shaped Pendant Light Made With Wooden Rings
Need a pendant light you can pack back down again? This collapsible, natural wood fixture can be configured to your tastes – and folded down flat again to help you move.
Sculptural Wood Veneer Globe Pendant
Hang a globe pendant you can feel good about. This twisted wood find is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests. Its wood tone changes as it grows older.
Modern-Style Black Metal Globe Pendant
Get a stylish pendant clothed in chrome. This black beauty could cause a stir in a modern lounge or dining room.
Wicker Globe Pendant
Go back to basics. This solid globe pendant, handmade in wicker, is easy to match to a range of interiors.
Ikea Regolit Globe-Shaped Paper Lamp Shade
Create a relaxed vibe with a Chinese lantern. This handmade paper rice creation would be perfect in a bedroom or lounge.
Sculptural Globe Pendant Made From Hand-folded Plastic & Paper
This globe pendant brings new meaning to handmade. First concepted in 1944, each piece is hand-folded from plastic and paper.
Outdoor LED Globe Pendant
Buy the quintessential rattan pendant globe. Constructed from willow branches, this light steals the scene at any outdoor gathering.
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
