This unique concept by Sergey Makhno Architects is a 2,280 square metre luxury bunker, which lies buried beneath the Earth’s surface at a depth of 15 metres and below. Outside, the sweeping concrete entranceway of Plan B looks like some sort of a futuristic gallery for art. Inside, the underground home resembles a spacecraft, housing all essential equipment required for long-term isolation. Mysterious low-lit curving corridors lead to indoor gardens and grow rooms. The self-sufficient home has a layer of electrical equipment and a generator, its own well, a water treatment system, and a closed ventilation system. Whatever happens up on the surface, life down here will go on.
“If you don’t listen to the world with an open heart and mind, if you don’t pay attention to what’s going on around you, what the air smells like, what people say, the world starts dictating its cruel, cruel rules,” says the founder and creative leader of Ukrainian studio, Serhii Makhno.
The architectural team set out to create a form that speaks of reliability. The brutalist exterior gives entry from both ground-level and from the air, thanks to a helipad on the roof.
There is a disinfection shield directly next to the main entrance of the bunker. Its doors are automatic with the option of manual control.
The inner spaces of the bunker are as empty as possible. “Modern people are too accustomed to freedom and lack of restrictions. Life in a bunker, even a very comfortable one, is life within frames. We tried to design the space so that people could feel them minimally, ” reflects architect Ihor Havrylenko, a co-author of the project. Peaceful decor means that there is little to become bored by over a long stint behind these walls. A skylight creates a connect with the outside world.
A large library feeds the minds of the inhabitants, whilst an indoor garden feeds the soul.
The team are currently experimenting with an illusion that emulates life on the surface, putting reassuring blue skies at windows.
The project is aimed at comfortably accommodating two or three families with children, plus staff and their families. The project can be reconfigured for larger numbers but at present features two enviable master bedrooms. Mind-bending bedroom decor skews the sense of space and boundaries. Master bedroom ‘Mickey’ has a stone garden with an open fireplace, and a screen-window view that can be changed with the Smart Home system. You can even “open” the window to feel a breeze or smell freshly cut grass.
There is a lack of sharp angles in the almost cylindrical room, which toys with the illusion of infinity so that the walls begin to melt away.
Serhii Makhno KHMARA clouds float weightlessly above the bed.
A Kaws sculpture stands alert in the shadows, like a silent guard.
Master suite “Ivy” is a minimalist bedroom with several levels of light. The ceiling design is cut away and installed with an LED-system to give the impression of a skylight, and a reassuring link with the outdoors.
Weightless partitions suggest there is more to be found behind them, leading on into infinity.
Ivy tumbles down curved walls, happily flourishing without natural sunlight. A floor reading lamp and comfortable reading chair look upon the fall of foliage.
The bedrooms each consist of a sleeping area, storage area, and an ensuite bathroom.
Stainless steel has been employed as a concise, practical, divider for the wardrobe and shower room.
Faux daylight sends a “sunbeam” into the shower.
So that traditional family values are not forgotten, a huge dining table ensures all inhabitants can gather together. A linear suspension light is dwarfed by the table’s length.
A vertical garden wraps the space in Earth’s natural beauty.
Deep comfortable couches furnish the living room/home cinema. A 5D system, powerful acoustics, and a collection of the world’s best movies immerse the audience. The screen also becomes an outdoor scene, a real picture of daylight as it should be on the surface so that biorhythms do not get lost.
Designer and co-author Oleksandr Makhno explains the kitchen: “We decided to make the kitchen professional — cooking can become a great new hobby. In any case, residents will be here quite often. And in general, I think that stainless steel for kitchen surfaces is a great solution not only for restaurants but also for living spaces.”
With this much culinary equipment you could skip washing the pots for a month!
Chrome Tetrapods bubble around the perimeter.
KHMARA clouds float across this underground sky too.
Integrated appliances merge into their dark housing.
Due attention was paid to areas for fitness and recovery; a healthy body is integral for a healthy future. A curving pool design sweeps around and joins with a well equipped gym.
A green glow skims the water’s surface, presenting the pool as a natural body of water rather than a man-made tank.
Brighter lighting and acoustics in the main gym set a level of concentration on achieving physical goals.
The pool area is separated from the general fitness zone by a screen, to preserve the specific atmosphere of each.
As well as the physical, the mind must also be taken care of. This thought is embodied in a cylindrical meditation room.
The ceiling of the meditation room can become a bright dawn, a moonlit sky…
… Or even rainfall.
“This project is a release from emotions, a reflection on the continuation of human life under any circumstances, and an attempt to find an answer to the question of whether architecture can create the impression of life at the surface while being in its depths,” says up Serhii Makhno. Part of this answer had to include consideration for walking dogs, where they could paw and sniff at living wood, mossy stones and real grass.
The autonomous dwelling is designed for long periods of quarantine. Natural resources can be cultivated in a grow room with Phyto-equipment.
There is a large warehouse of food inside the house too.
There’s also a dedicated medical room with an isolator, and a closed area for stocking medicines.
The layout is a “technological pie”, featuring the living space at its core, a floor with the water treatment system and generator, a layer of electrical equipment, and the well at the very bottom. The huge bunker has three exits. The fire-resistant evacuation ring can be reached from just about any part of the home so that the inhabitants can get out quickly. The outer evacuation circle also offers a route for cycling and long walks.
Monochromatic accents clean up raw concrete based decor in these two compelling home designs, whilst wooden elements and indoor plants bring a homey feel to the hard industrial aesthetic. These are modestly sized open plan arrangements with unique modern character and bespoke furniture designs. They are also both settings for impressive glass wall rooms of differing descriptions. Apartment one introduces us to a stylish glass wall bedroom cube with an abstract mural, whilst our second tour features an unusual glass partitioned bathroom on a raised granite plinth. The glass volumes bring a lightweight quality to the interiors, which offsets their weighty concrete encasements to perfection.
Visualizer:Suit house Studio
The first of our two home tours is a 70 square metre home in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Only short white partition walls break the solid concrete casing of the living room. A concrete kitchen island, cast concrete countertop and concrete effect wall cabinets meld with the surroundings, exaggerating the utilitarian effect.
The raised floor level along the window wall lends itself to a separate sitting area. A hanging chair swings in the natural daylight, looking like a chilled garden hangout thanks to a little indoor plant addition.
A glass wall bedroom borrows light from the living room, and increases the overall sense of space across the apartment.
Clerestory screens filter light through the partition walls.
invigorate the black, white and grey interior. A wood plant stand warmly complements the greenery.
Black kitchen base units align with the black tufted sofa .
Small accents of wood have a softening effect upon various parts of the hard industrial interior, like the wooden element of the hanging chair, and wood backed open shelving in the kitchen.
Black kitchen bar stools and a black linear suspension light team up at the concrete dining island.
The bedroom’s glass wall is framed out in black, giving it stark contrast from the surrounding white paintwork.
The glass cube causes a leftover niche by the living room windows, which translates perfectly into a small workspace. A modern home office desk and comfy desk chair slot neatly below a set of wall shelves .
Inside the glass wall bedroom the decor is light and bright. A monochrome mural swirls on a white headboard wall. Bedroom pendant lights descend on different length strings, like busy black spiders.
A border of strip lights box in a modern ceiling fan . A houndstooth comforter adds some welcome pattern to the black and grey bed.
White louvre doors lightly cover the wardrobes, which are kitted out with a smart black and wood closet system.
In the bathroom, an illuminated vanity mirror burns bright and clean in its rough concrete spot. Natural wood elements lighten up the grey concrete scheme.
Black laundry baskets and a coordinated trash can slip below a tower of concrete shelves.
More white louvre doors front the entryway closet.
Ladders attach to the wall beside the entryway bench .
The ladder accesses a small loft area. Rope balustrades are strung around the hatch.
One half of the loft is a TV/game room, complete with slouchy bean bag chairs. A wall mounted media unit is decorated with a designer table lamp and tiny elephant figurines .
The opposite side of the loft is a cozy bedroom with a custom-made floor bed. Perimeter lights burn a relaxing glow around the narrow space.
Layout.
Designer:The Fild| Photographer:Andrey Bezuglov
Our second home is the 82 square metre RYBALSKY apartment in Kyiv, Ukraine. This interior was created with the ‘less is more’ philosophy in mind, inline with the homeowner’s spirit.
The uncluttered apartment is a sophisticated space, tranquil in monochromatic color.
The combination of quality materials, patterns, and textures create a timeless look.
The built-in modern sofa has a double-sided framework that serves both the lounge and the dining area. The multifunctional design means that the homeowner can access the kitchen without ever having to leave the couch!
Crisp modern furniture contrasts with the rugged concrete canvas.
are displayed in the black kitchen block. Made from matt-black FENIX NTM, the kitchen makes a weighty addition to the color scheme of the apartment.
Shades of grey and brown oak deliver a restful combo.
Two separate terrace entrances assist in defining the different areas of the open plan.
The black and white kitchen is edged with a wood tone housing units for the oven. This wooden facade runs on, morphing from kitchen storage into wardrobes in one single line that links the apartments layout.
The floor bed design suits the unique character of the home. Deep upholstered sides–much like the sofa aesthetic–can be utilised as seating. A modern wall sconce lights a low bedside unit.
The rich wooden wardrobes bring a maturity to the bedroom.
A book case nestles in the run of closets.
The wardrobes float lightly over a granite plinth, which also forms the raised floor of the attached bathroom.
The glass wall bathroom is the centerpiece of the entire project, displayed as a standalone cube.
The bathroom’s raised floor cleanly separates it from the main living area.
The glazed partitions open up the space whilst dampening noise. Remote control water-resistant drapes can be adjusted for privacy.
Wooden accents stand out warmly in the monolithic encasement.
The concrete pedestal sink is full of unique character. Ceppo di Gre texture tiles cover the walls, floor, and ceiling.
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
