Slate, ebony, leather – luxurious materials like these are the backbone of a sophisticated dark interior . They bring to mind the sound of clinking of cocktail glasses, the subtle aroma of fine old books, and memories of a time before designers felt the pressure to paint everything white for the sake of raw minimalism. The three gorgeous apartments featured here use opulent materials to create spaces that feel smart yet homey, rich yet comfortable. These dark-themed homes show that stark color palettes don’t have to be edgy or sullen, they can be playful and very full of life.
Designer:Dzhemesyuk & Yurov Design
This apartment in Kiev (Kyiv) is the work of Dzhemesyuk & Yurov Design. Preventing dark materials from absorbing all the available light is one of the most difficult parts of working with such a subdued palette, but this home demonstrates plenty of clever tricks to keep things feeling bright and comfortable.
Shelves and niches are usually the first spaces to suffer from a lack of natural light – but this dividing wall tackles that problem by remaining open in the back, treated with a glossy finish to catch the light coming in from the room behind it.
The white ceiling reflects the sun as it pours through a singular window in the living room.
Cantilever side tables slide under the sofa for a space-saving and extra-functional touch. The entire living space is tied together by a cozy black rug so the feet can hit something a little warmer than marble after spending an evening curled up with a book.
These wood and leather wing chairs are from the Almora collection by Doshi Levien – a very hot item. As demonstrated by the other views in this series, these seats are beautiful from every angle and very appropriate for placement in the middle of the room just as they are in this apartment.
Glossy wall cladding and subtle recessed lights brighten the stairway despite its ultra-dark color scheme. Designers are often wary of using a palette that runs the risk of making a stairwell look too gloomy and foreboding, but it’s so easy to love this one with its sleek and creative atmosphere.
A lightbox or solar shade creates a stunning silhouette of the sculptures.
The dining room uses glossy black and white marble to amplify the amount of sunlight it receives – a thoughtful and attractive choice. Additional light over the table comes from upholstered Silenzio pendant lamps by Monica Armani.
Every piece of furniture in the dining room contributes to the atmosphere. Here there are no afterthoughts, just good design. The chairs are especially fitting, part of the Cut series by Francesco Rota.
Every spacious hallway could use a waiting area as classy as this one.
Zebra-striped tile ensures this bathroom fits into the “truly unforgettable” category. A mirror behind the vanity makes this dark room feel extra spacious despite how much visual real estate the bold patterns use.
Architect:Paul Zagrabchuk
Designed by interior architects leqb, this apartment enriches its monochromatic interior with smooth mocha tones. Pictured here is the office, where a stunning wine collection enjoys a floor-to-ceiling showcase on the far wall.
A low chandelier helps this social space achieve an even more intimate and cozy aesthetic – a feat that often proves difficult to accomplish in a room with such high ceilings. The stone accent wall helps bring the space even closer.
A tall storage unit seems to float above a marble sideboard. Carefully arranged wooden panels echo the geometry of the modular sofa, while open niches in matte black help disguise the television. A sliding door can easily conceal the television between uses.
The living room is more open and bright, occupying a double-height space centered by a spectacular spiral staircase leading to a private mezzanine. A wall of books stands on the left, a dining space in the background on the right. The attention to detail is very pronounced in this space: even the series of lights over the dining table reflects the shape of the wineglasses below.
Sensational coffee tones and luxurious materials infuse this bedroom with a sense of sensuality and intimacy. Every line is smoothly curved – no sharp angles here. Note the large canvas tucked away in the corner, featuring a passionate arm-wrestling match beneath a delicate chandelier.
The overstuffed headboard alone would not have made a visual impact dramatic enough for a bedroom this impressive. A floor-to-ceiling curtain behind the bed has theatrical appeal, and creates a powerful play of light and shadow thanks to the opaque shades on the bedside table lamps.
Light wood floors brighten the walk-in closet. An interesting contrast of textures is at play here – high gloss cabinets and roughly textured walls make for a striking combination. Rather than the ordinary dressing benches one would expect, this closet uses stylish poufs arranged for ultimate convenience.
The guest bedroom isn’t quite as sultry as the master bedroom, but does embody the suave intellectual influence of the rest of the home. Upholstered surfaces and richly grained wood make this space feel soft and welcoming enough for any guest – and given the expertly appointed surroundings, such a guest may never want to leave!
Here’s a classy room for a sophisticated young woman, decked out with fun yet luxurious furniture. Mauve and brown set the tone and rich textures complete the look. The carpet is especially unique, carefully layered to invoke images of shifting sands or perhaps even exaggerated wood grain.
A view of the other side of the room shows ample seating for visiting friends. Near the window, a small office desk takes advantage of a pullout side table for added workspace, with extra storage provided by a unique bookshelf filled with books and sentimental belongings.
Ghostly tulle creates a canopy around the bed, illuminated by columns of light filtering through the floor-length chandeliers on either side – a very graceful touch befitting the ballet theme. The wavy carpet flows in the same direction as the pleats in the fabric and the wood grain on the walls, imbuing the space with a sense of movement and rhythm.
The master bath represents more of a classical design. Stunning baroque mirrors take their place above each smooth vessel sink. There’s no need for extra decoration between these mirror frames and the abundance of marble on the floor and countertop, it’s perfectly luxurious as it is.
Another bathroom, with the same vessel sinks. This time simplicity rules the room – clean lines and simple materials make for a very bright and refined space.
Designer:Dzhemesyuk & Yurov Design
Created by Yurov Design for a young couple with an appreciation for minimalist modern style, this Kiev apartment offers a panoramic view of the city wrapped in interior luxury. This one features a monochromatic black color scheme coupled with bright brass accents, and furniture from a range of famous and up-and-coming designers.
A large marble monolith divides the living room from the kitchen and houses attractive brass-finished shelves. The television is hardly noticeable in its glossy niche, a nice way to integrate technology without resorting to mechanical obfuscation techniques.
Every lamp in this apartment is a work of art in its own right – here, disk and sphere lights from Areti beautifully complement the sculptural low-set coffee table. In the daytime, the glossy white panel behind the sofa reflects enough natural sunlight to make even the darkest-themed interior look bright and cheerful.
Both the loungers and the dining chairs are the work of Italian designer Antonio Citterio. It made sense to choose lightweight pieces for this particular location as to minimize the amount of skyline blocked by the furniture – the thin frames of the loungers and the mesh bodies of the dining chairs offer a versatile solution.
Lindsay Adelman chandeliers brighten the table, nicely coordinated with the centerpiece decorations below. Thanks to the table’s enviable position surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, the chandelier isn’t much needed in the daytime but surely provides a stunning display at night.
Glossy cabinetry features a hue somewhere between coffee and brass, drawing extra attention to the clean white worktops. The backsplash looks jet-black from this perspective yet matches the tone of the cabinets as seen from the other angles – a neat optical illusion that increases perceived depth.
Extra space near the entrance gains a functional purpose with the addition of a waiting sofa. The gorgeously framed Squares lamp from Areti draws immediate attention and beckons visitors to take a seat.
This playful print is sure to make a lasting impression on houseguests – an unforgettable piece from the Zoo Portraits series by Barcelona-based photographer Yago Partal. Everybody loves animals in suits, right?
Which texture theme do you prefer: soft and cozy or sleek and glossy? It’s hard to choose between two styles that work so well – and the choice becomes even more difficult once you realize just how much new finishes and patterns can change the atmosphere of a home. If you’re thinking about switching up your interior decor textures , these photos demonstrate how two modern apartments with similar colors and similar architecture can look completely different from one another just by using different textures . Both spaces use a mixture of soft and sleek styles, yet the magic stems from how they use them.
Concrete, wood grain, and heavy curtains provide a nice textural contrast to the glossy black cabinetry, completing the transition from a soft aesthetic to a sleek one. The bar stools at the kitchen island are quite unusual, featuring three legs joined together with a T shape and supported by only the faintest hint of a backrest.
Smart indirect lighting helps the smoothly textured and monochromatic bathroom feel bright and welcoming without becoming overwhelming. It seems like a nice, relaxing place to wind down with a hot shower after a busy day.
Kitchen cabinetry is either from the Maxima 2.2 collection from Cesar or the Pure collection from SieMatic – both are top of the line systems. Fixtures include a commercial quality Küppersbusch range hood and modern minimalistic faucets.
The table seems to defy gravity perched on a thin panel, but the strength comes from its cantilever attachment to the marbled kitchen island beside it. Wishbone dining chairs by Hans Wegner are a classic and nostalgic touch.
A branch of yellow flowers brightens the dining table and breakfast bar combo. This is a great angle to view how the extremely varied textures come together as one cohesive interior design.
Recessed stone creates a vertical extension of the strongly woven headboard fabric. White cantilever side tables against a satin black wall serve as a sort of visual inverse to the black shelves and white cabinets on the right.
The master bedroom expresses texture in a much more subdued way. Layered curtains in weightless gossamer and strong tweedy fabrics offer a lovely contrast. The curtains continue alongside the desk niche for a neatly integrated look, the desk itself serving as a continuation of the open shelf that bisects the wall of cabinets.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves fill the far wall of the library space, otherwise minimally furnished with a charming wood rocking horse by Dutch designer Bo Reudler and a yellow Elios side table by Antonio Citterio.
A cozy social area centers on a dramatic stone-clad entertainment center, underlined with a niche for firewood. The chairs are part of the Motley III Collection by Samuel Chan – this model is known as the Egg Chair.
The goldish-brass table seems to take inspiration from the Panier table by Erwan and Rowan Bouroullec, although the sophisticated materials really enhance the design compared to the popular plastic version. Perched on that same table are two beautiful white crane sculptures to keep guard over the sitting area. In many cultures, cranes symbolize grace, beauty, and even eternal youth.
Designer:Studio DEnew
Studio DEnew emphasizes the sleek textures of polished brass and lustrous stone in this extra-luxurious Moscow apartment. Even the ceiling is richly plated with brilliant brass! It would be difficult to find an apartment with metallic texture as well integrated as this one. Of course, this opulent style would certainly prove difficult to emulate without extreme attention to detail – and this apartment is very conscious of how each part fits into the whole.
Designer:Iryna Dzhemesiuk
Designed by Iryna Dzhemesiuk, this Tel Aviv apartment features a warm and comfortable living room decorated with soft textures that beckon the viewer to reach out and touch them. From fuzzy wool to unfinished concrete, this space mixes and matches tactile experiences to make every square meter unique in its own right.
Clean lines and low-profile aesthetics preserve the gorgeous view. The shape of the conical pendant lamps reappears in inner profile of the table – a very cool effect.
The dining room is slightly smoother, centering on a wire frame dining table with a unique trapezoid marble top. Perfectly coordinated chairs seat six. Of course, the most eye-catching part of this arrangement must be the oversized pendant lamps by Swedish architecture firm Claesson Koivisto Rune. They’re relatively thin and light, but the rugged texture makes them look heavy and substantial.
Built-in low tables make this sofa ideal for placement in the middle of a room. Here, miniature works of art brighten the apartment. One is a small-scale version of the Cloud Gate sculpture by Anish Kapoor – the full size version of which serves as an interactive exhibit in Chicago. The other piece is the Domsai planter by Matteo Cibic, inspired by the Tamagotchi trend of the 90s.
Prince armchairs by Rodolfo Dordoni offer the only true accent color in the apartment, a vibrant splash of orange.
The living room uses the softest textures, expressed through patterned throws, ornate spheres, and silky finishes – all tied together with a lovely shag rug. Exposed concrete on the far wall acts as a stunning canvas for a rugged print and the accent wall to left enjoys a drama of light and shadow that plays over its deeply grooved surface.
A slanted floor lamp provides just the right amount of light for casual reading on the sofa. The unique coffee table – actually two square tables pushed together – comes with a fitted tea tray to make serving guests as easy and convenient as possible.
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
