Studio apartments are such a good source of interior design inspiration – the ideas found in these space conscious designs often come in useful outside of the context of apartment design, translating easily to other contexts like single rooms or open plan areas. This post looks at three studio apartments, each one representing a different interior design style. The first one is a straightforward minimalist space , the second is a charming Scandinavian-inspired theme , and the third studio takes a different approach with a dark and moody design with luxurious elements. Which one is your favorite?
Just behind the living room, a spacious kitchen occupies nearly half of the floor space – a great choice for residents who enjoy cooking or entertaining guests.
And just look at all these amazing prints! Smaller prints hang above the bed, and the larger prints simply lean against the wall.
Architect:Zrobym Architects
The last home in this studio tour is a little different from the previous two. Where the others were bright and sunny, this space takes a dramatic and almost moody approach. This project by Zrobym Architects occupies a 45 square meter apartment floor plan in Minsk, Belarus, but embraces its compact format with a cozy style that exudes a sense of relaxation.
A few of the shelves near the desk are left open for easy access to work and study-related materials like books, binders, and office supplies.
More storage hides in the stairs that lead to the bed, with a larger wardrobe-style cabinet to the right. This taller cabinet also blocks the view from the glass wall that separates the living spaces from the hallway.
The hallway itself doesn’t reveal much about the home but does make an immediate first impression thanks to the creative wooden panels and integrated lighting.
It’s easy to imagine how these lights might come in handy when setting the mood for an intimate dinner or while simply unwinding after a long day.
Like the dining room, the bedroom also enjoys a little creative lighting - unique bedroom pendants always create a striking focal point. This dreamy cloud-like model is available from IKEA or right here .
The small balcony just outside the kitchen offers fresh air and sunlight.
A central island contains all of the appliances necessary for cooking. The stove and range both huddle at the end of the island with a microwave discreetly tucked away above.
A breakfast bar and dining chairs shares its space with the kitchen worktop. Doubling up is always a good way to gain more functionality from a limited floor plan.
The rest of the kitchen remains relatively minimalist, clad in white for a bright and clean appearance.
Now for a peek at the bathroom, which takes the dark and relaxing aesthetic from the living room and runs with it.
With a wood vanity and even wood-printed tiles, it almost feels more like a lodge or a steam room than an ordinary bathroom.
And finally, a look at the bathroom. The washer hides behind a small cabinet door to eliminate another potential source of visual clutter.
Saving space is crucial in such a compact apartment. Nesting tables like these are a great tool, able to slide together to reduce their footprint when the extra surface area isn’t needed.
Residents can enjoy a more private bedroom by simply closing the billowy gray curtain. Those who need to dampen ambient noise could opt for a heavier curtain.
The media center is clean simple, with a nice wall-mounted cabinet to keep electronic components hidden from view.
The wire bar stools are the work of Hee Welling, available from Danish design house Hay. The curvy stools are available here . In the absence of decoration, these unique kitchen counter stools offer an abundance of character.
It’s hard to find a space more simple than this utilitarian kitchen. White and wood cabinets stick with the overall apartment theme.
Here’s the view from the bedroom. It also houses the home’s library. This arrangement looks lovely with the coordinated book jackets, but would look just as nice with colorful spines.
Just as minimalist as the rest of the home, the bedroom keeps things streamlined and focused on rest and relaxation. The cool single-line prints are available here and here .
With the curtain fully retracted, it would even be possible to catch a little late night television right from the bed.
Visualizer:Marta Szkudlarek
Let’s start with something simple. It’s difficult to foster a welcoming environment when it comes to strict minimalism, but this apartment pulls it off thanks to its bright white walls and warm wood elements – and of course the addition of quirky elements like the eclectic dining stools and the occasional modern art print.
Visualizer:Hoàng Long
This next apartment features the same mostly-white theme as the last one, but this space strays far from minimalism. Its cheerful Scandinavian-inspired decor theme makes great use of subtle patterns, eclectic artwork, and various materials like exposed brick and whitewashed wood.
Refined and stylish, these Scandinavian style chairs don’t complicate the dining arrangement but still add just enough decorative flair thanks to their rustic wood legs.
While wall clocks aren’t the “must have” investment they used to be, they’re always helpful in the kitchen area where hands tend to be too busy with food to check a phone.
This dining room pendant , on the other hand, really makes the space. It’s a unique piece that seems to take equal inspiration from vintage and modern motifs.
The surprisingly spacious bedroom occupies a space behind curtained glass walls. With the curtains open, the room is absolutely bathed in sunlight – an asset for cheerful mornings.
And thanks to the abundant sunlight, the indoor house plants are able to flourish. They add an outdoorsy element to the home that complements the natural wood nicely.
If you’re looking for a material theme that exhibits both brightness and warmth, the classic combination of light wood and white is always a great choice. But what about accent colors? This post looks at two homes that pair their wood-heavy interiors with pastel accents to create a comfortable springtime atmosphere. The interior first uses garden-inspired tones like green, yellow, and lilac. The second interior keeps things a little more minimal with a muted lavender paired alongside a darker green. Do you have a favorite pastel color pairing? We’d love to hear your top picks in the comment section.
A small breakfast bar overlooks the tremendous window view.
The bathroom perks things up with an even brighter color scheme. The soft minty greens feel bright and fresh, the perfect atmosphere for a place associated with cleanliness.
Open shelves enjoy a little color themselves.
Most impressive, though, is the wood block treatment to the bathtub and surrounding wall. The wood-like tiles sit at angles to achieve a rough-hewn effect.
Visualizer:Svoya Studio
This second home is a comfortable apartment in Kiev. It shares the same pastel hues and wood-and-white interior theme as the previous example, but with a few minor changes. This home uses darker accents and dramatic mood lighting to create a more intimate atmosphere.
The home makes a huge impression with its unique accessories, like the unique floor lamps and the indoor swing.
But small and surprising details hide around every corner. Even the step stool finds a decorative purpose, serving as a perch for an Eames Bird replica duo.
And these beautiful open shelves in the kitchen are an absolute dream for anybody who craves strict organization! Every object has its place, making for a lovely display.
The corner hosts an adorable creativity station outfitted with seating from the IKEA Mammut Chair collection. Kids can doodle and create at the table and then hang their masterpieces on the cork board accent wall for display.
The apartment demonstrates a slightly darker and more relaxed aesthetic throughout the hallway and private areas of the home.
But there are still elements in position to brighten the space: glossy surfaces like the tiled doors, smartly-positioned track lighting, and a selection of indoor house plants like this potted rubber plant .
The office is dark, comfortable, and quite unique. Plus-shaped handles open the drawers beneath the desk and sofa, with matching pieces applied to the wall for dramatic effect.
And with the master bedroom, the atmosphere again becomes bright and sunny.
Even the closet gets plenty of natural light thanks to its very creative wooden slat construction.
The lucky youngest resident enjoys a bedroom that includes a jungle gym, a chalkboard wardrobe, and a cozy office desk for schoolwork.
The master bedroom is a delight. It uses the same lilac color scheme that appeared in the living room, but this time adds a luxurious touch with silver and grey complements.
The layout itself is very open yet each functional area still maintains a degree of separation thanks to the central dividing wall and breakfast bar.
With a view like that, it’s easy to imagine that this cozy arrangement is a favorite spot. The chairs are from the Husk collection by Patricia Urquiola.
And what a unique dining room! Rather than opting for a bench seat, this designer instead chose to outfit one side of the table with a comfortable sofa. A pair of dining room pendants round out the set.
The kitchen makes a strong impression with streamlined white cabinetry that stands out against warm wood. A large art print brings a little white to the other side for balanced visual weight.
While white and wood kitchens are a fairly common theme these days, this one stands out thanks to its geometric backsplash.
Spring green chairs and lilac kitchen bar stools continue the color theme from the living room even though the kitchen itself lacks bright colors.
And with such a lovely view over the living room, it’s easy to catch up on the morning news over a cup of coffee.
Private areas of the home exist down the hallway.
Visualizer:Ekaterina Domracheva
This apartment creates a springtime vibe by setting pastels over a backdrop of warm light-hued wood paneling. Soft greens, purples, and yellows channel the relaxing organic qualities of a fresh garden breeze, while certain elements – like the white kitchen – take on a more hardline modern minimalist attitude.
A mirrored closet does double duty by neatly housing clothes while also providing a place to catch a good view of how the outfit choice turned out.
Two poufs at the end of the bed serve as a comfortable place to remove slippers in the evening.
An ordinary round mirror frame becomes an instant work of art with the addition of vivid live mosses.
Here’s a classic vanity with a modern spin. The desktop features a selection from the Willmann Vase collection, but other concrete planters would produce a similar effect.
Tucked away in another room, this handsome little home office brings a splash of color thanks to the bright green Eames Group Executive Chair .
And here’s a look at the adorable room for the youngest resident! The house-shaped bed frame is great for imaginative play and leaves plenty of room for a sleepover pal or story time with parents.
How cool is that owl wall light? It’s useful but also adds to the whimsical tree-house theme of the room. Check out our owl home decor compilation for more neat owl-themed decorations.
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
