There are swing seats, and then there are seats that are a swing - it’s a subtle but clear difference that you’ll see illustrated in this quietly quirky 65 sq. m studio apartment located in Minsk, Belarus. Being of studio status, it has the completely open floor plan you’d expect, where you could just about watch your eggs cook from the end of your bed. However, to keep things a little more segregated, Zrobym Architects have incorporated a glass wall bedroom design into the layout. The home has a Scandi influence with a minimalist aesthetic, and a neutral palette of pale grey. Solid black accents punctuate the light scheme, whilst natural wood tone brings an earthy accent.
Inside this studio apartment, we’re met with a laid-back mid century modern living room style. We first enter the lounge area via a very unusual seat that is actually a swing - or more accurately, a trapeze, with a narrow bar seat.
Small modern wall sconces are poised to light the perimeter of the room, in a white colourway against pale grey walls.
The herringbone flooring has a pale greyish grain to complement the wall decor. A grey area rug defines the lounge from the rest of the open plan space.
An Eames style walnut stool is positioned by the sofa. Its deep colour brings an earthy accent to the pale grey and white room.
A small and slender black floor lamp provides task lighting by the sofa without taking up much floor space at all.
The slender profile of the trapeze swing in the living room has a barely there presence. In fact, it doesn’t really obscure the view through to the home entryway at all. We can see decorative wall hooks mounted by the front door to receive coats. A green stool is positioned as a spot to put on shoes.
A black leather accent chair has been coupled with a quirky reading lamp in the corner. A long black, white and wood console unit faces the sofa.
White shutters dress the window, and a cast iron radiator complements the classic look.
A pentagonal shaped pouffe adds a vibrant burst of red to the room. The low profile seat keeps the plan looking open and large. The full length mirror propped in the home entryway serves a few purposes: It provides a place to check your appearance on the way out the door, it reflects the lounge layout to visually double the space, and it bounces back the light from the window opposite.
Behind the sofa, a second black and wood console unit provides more storage and acts as a low level room divider . The surface is kept clear except for one stylish table lamp; for more chic designs like this, take a look at some of our favourite luxury designer table lamps .
Directly behind the living room sofa is a dining room and kitchen, and just off to one side lies the bedroom.
The same herringbone floor runs throughout for a seamless and spacious looking finish.
When opened up fully, the glass wall bedroom design appears like part of the same open plan room. In order not to disrupt the smooth herringbone floor design, the retractable doors are run along two tracks in the ceiling.
One of the glass bedroom doors disappears completely from view of the main living room, tucked behind a solid part of the bedroom wall. When in this position, the door gives the illusion that it could be a closet. The bedclothes are grey to match the rest of the apartment decor. Modern artwork decorates the headboard.
Six Scandinavian style chairs line up along the sides of a wooden dining table to provide a formal dining place, positioned between the kitchen diner and the lounge. Black modern dining pendant lights hang from a traditionally ornate ceiling rose over the eating spot.
A kitchen island runs parallel to the dining table, with a couple of bar stools tucked in along one side for a more casual eating opportunity in the kitchen.
A handy socket in the side of the kitchen island means that it can also be used as a laptop desk - or the socket can facilitate computer work at the adjacent kitchen table.
The white kitchen island leads into an all white kitchen design with plain slab fronted units. Grey veined white marble covers the countertop, sink and a backsplash that trims all the way up to the ceiling including the underside of a soffit. A black faucet punctuates the light scheme, and a set of wood cutting boards add a little natural coloured warmth to the visual. If you like this look, take a look at these marble kitchens .
An obscured glass door at the side of the kitchen leads directly into a bathroom.
The white marble theme continues into the compact but luxurious looking bathroom . A freestanding bathtub is installed within a marble clad shower enclosure, where solid black fixtures bring a bold modern vibe.
A vanity unit and toilet are both wall hung models to keep the floor area looking at its largest - it also makes cleaning a lot simpler.
The vanity mirror is framed out in wood, and a wooden stool holds a soap dish within easy reach of the tub.
A wall mounted Sonos speaker brings music into the bathroom. If this is a feature you’d love to have in your own bathroom, be sure to check out these beautiful speakers .
An ingenious interior design was required to please the bright outlook of a young couple located in the city of Dnipro, Ukraine. Their 115 square metre apartment was lacking in natural light due to its long layout, plunging the back of the home into shade. Designers at Dezest met the challenge with a range of lighting solutions, including a kitchen backsplash of LED lit panels, recessed perimeter lighting that throws a bright glow down each wall, and a borrowed light arrangement via french doors to a guest room. Despite the dark disposition of the home, the team hasn’t shied away from deliciously deep blue colour inserts or the utility of living greens.
In rebellion of the lack of light, the design team implemented a royal blue living room scheme. Upholstered blue panels make up the tv wall decor, opposite a wall of blue geometric pattern. A feeling of cleanliness comes from smooth white walls around the cosy colour inserts. Blue scatter cushions bridge the gap in the middle, dressing a light grey L-shaped sofa and a matching footstool. The lounge furniture arrangement is pulled together by a plush grey area rug. Modern ceiling lights are poised for switch-on in a square track above.
A hanging bubble chair is suspended by the sofa, its acrylic case allows daylight from the windows to pass through via sheer white drapes. It’s blue seat cushions complement the colour theme in the rest of the room.
The open plan living room runs straight into a U-shaped kitchen diner, which is predominantly pure white with just a few base notes of rich stained wood. In the early stages of the interior design process, the design team faced the problem of a long wall without any window openings. As the rear of the room presented itself as the best option for situating the kitchen, a set of French doors were installed to the adjacent guest room to facilitate an exchange of borrowed light.
An Eames style lounge chair is nestled by the edge of the kitchen installation, beneath a black swing arm wall lamp . If you’d like to create your own little reading corner like this, take a look at these comfortable reading chairs for inspiration.
The kitchen peninsula stops short of the width of the room to allow space for a full sized dining table. The wood table seats six diners between the kitchen layout and the lounge area. A row of five dining room pendant lights dangle from a wood clad soffit overhead. The soffit design descends as an open shelving unit at the end of the room, to display a small selection of glasses and items of crockery.
A decorative vase is set on a table runner as a simple yet elegant table centrepiece. The mid century modern style chairs are replicas of the Eames Eiffel chair.
Black tiles form a border around the edge of the kitchen diner space. The rest of the floor is a grey micro cement.
A run of LED lit panels make up the backsplash to dispel all shadows in the white kitchen. A set of open kitchen shelves have been given a blue finish to tie in with the colour story in the rest of the open plan room.
The French doors to the guest room can be left open to extend the area of open plan living space.
The guest room also contains the home office, which is equipped with a built-in desk and attached shelving unit. Two beautiful geometric pendant lights dangle over the worktop.
Bespoke white storage cabinets line one side of the entry hallway, with a comfortable seat recessed in the middle. The hall seat is upholstered in plush blue fabric, and lit by spotlights in its upper frame.
An illuminated mirror covers an angled wall in the hallway, mounted flush from edge to edge, making the narrow space feel larger.
The bedroom is a super cosy scheme of dynamic lighting solutions. Strip lights run around the edge of the bedframe to cast a glow over the entire base and attached bedside units. The dreamy golden light shines through a knitted throw draped across the end of the bed. Bespoke window seats follow the same illuminated edge design. More LEDs have been installed inside the border of a recessed wooden headboard feature, which reaches all the way up to and over the ceiling.
The neat black bedroom pendant light that is suspended over each bedside storage unit is the Panton VP6 .
A second study desk resides in the corner of the bedroom, backed in wood to match the towering headboard.
The desk design is part of the all encompassing bedroom furniture installation that runs as one continuous piece around the entire room.
The cushioned window seats serve as a perfect reading nook .
Diamond pattern tiles lead into a luxurious bathroom scheme of gloss white and wood furniture and living greens.
A living wall ascends behind the double sink bathroom vanity , illuminated from either side by white LEDs. Two bathroom pendant lights hang in front.
A separate WC has a floor of plain white tiles at the foot of powder blue-grey walls. A bespoke corner cut vanity unit is wedged into the small space, topped with a vessel sink. A lighting strip slices up the wall and across the ceiling space, where a hanging terrarium drops into view.
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
