Beyond construction, wood walls and ceilings have a long and colorful history in home decor. Wood panels began as a way to insulate and hide flaws before grand boiserie began to decorate the finest castles and mansions, eventually refined to the elegance of the Rococo style and the gentle touch of the Victorian era. And it’s hard to forget the chunky vertical boards that graced midcentury homes alongside shag rugs and fringed upholstery! Today’s wooden interior trends take on a more minimalistic style by favoring flat smooth panels, horizontal alignment, and light finishes that highlight rich grain. The appeal remains.
Designer:Fimera Design
Designed for a client in Sofia, Bulgaria, this home uses multiple wood varieties in a number of creative ways. Here, wood serves as more than just a background material and instead makes itself an indispensable part of the interior design. It graces cabinetry, ceilings, doors, floors, furniture, and so much more.
Wood visually divides the open living room and kitchen, clarifying the purpose of each area without the need for interior walls.
Notice how the ceiling and floor colors swap positions at the boundary between the living room and kitchen – quite a breathtaking effect from this angle.
Gray was a smart choice for a modern interior as compact as this one, yet it may have felt too cold without the addition of the warm organic materials.
This home is a good example of how light, medium, and exotic woods can work together within the same space especially with a background of neutral tones.
White workspaces maintain a clean and smooth aesthetic ideal for the kitchen, yet the floors and cabinetry reintroduce an essential classic element.
Matte black backsplashes are an uncommon choice. This one cuts a striking line that guides the eye through the kitchen.
Thanks to the wood and the sparing yet smart use of colorful accents, the interior feels lively and vibrant despite leaning toward the minimalist side of modernism.
Wood reappears in the bedroom, but only as an accent. It helps the drawers and writing desk stand out from the matte black walls.
The wall print echoes the material theme of the rest of the home, honoring the source of all the beautiful lumber used throughout.
However, the headboard side of the room opts for softer materials to foster peace and relaxation.
Decorated with shades of cerulean blue, this space is sure to look relaxing under the subdued sconces and lighting bar.
A colorful children’s bedroom has a fun theme based around the whimsical side of nature, with a cute and educational alphabet mural above the bed.
Creative storage solutions make working at the desk even more fun and tidy.
Designer:Lera Brumina
This balanced and symmetric home occupies a modest 80 square meters, taking a creative approach to open layout design. It gains division between rooms with the help of an incredible freestanding storage and media wall clad in smooth medium-tone wood. Each side offers unique functionality.
Paired with the forest green sofa, the freestanding wood wall takes on an especially natural and organic appeal – yet charcoal accents ensure the living room remains firmly rooted in modern design.
Plants further reinforce the natural aesthetic so important in making a minimalistic home feel more calm and welcoming.
Note how the flooring material changes from one space to the next to clearly mark the functional boundaries in an otherwise open layout.
Finally, a good look at the functionality that exists on the opposite side of the wall unit – a fully equipped galley kitchen.
The compact kitchen makes room for classic decor themes for a touch of tradition, namely the ceramic display on the wall.
Dark wood grain also contributes classic charm in the midst of a perfectly modernist space.
A bright dining room peers out from behind the divider. It offers the most spacious area in the home – a great choice for a resident that loves to entertain.
The dining furniture itself uses the same matte black theme as the kitchen for a sense of continuity. The artwork in the background underscores the natural colors and motifs present in the living room.
Just as minimalistic as the rest of the home, the bedroom makes a bold impression with high contrast colors and round accents.
Because the floor is the only surface with natural wood, brown curtains help reintroduce natural neutral accents.
And finally, a look at the bathroom – high contrast and middle grays continue the overarching neutral theme quite nicely.
Designer:auRoom
The third and final home takes the strongest approach to wood accents and organic colors. A nice range of wood varieties meshes with other natural materials like stone for a soft, warm, and welcoming effect. The modern style says luxury all the way – but the result is quite humble and comfortable.
Simple track lighting keeps the eyes drawn to the center and lower portions of the room, with indirect lighting placing a special emphasis on the wood-clad feature wall.
Artwork punctuates select walls, usually above a functional area like this sofa. The colors echo the range of warm tones found throughout while adding a few exciting secondary accents.
The living room and the one after it both use wood cladding. One wall orients the boards vertically while the other lengthens the space with horizontal lines.
Glossy white cabinets and black worktops replace the wood emphasis in the kitchen and dining room. Metallic details and smooth furniture combine the best of practicality and visual drama.
Clear visibility toward the living room makes it easier to converse with guests while the host is cooking or putting together snacks.
The kitchen also faces out toward the dining room to similar effect.
Mirrored dining tables are rather uncommon – but with such beautiful surroundings, who wouldn’t want to double up the effect?
The lighting over the dining table is the Agnes Chandelier by Lindsey Adelman, and the chairs are from the Grace line by Emmanuel Gallina. The mirrors pair perfectly with the glossy table.
White washed brick, wood-tones, the perfect mix of funky and chic –these spaces boast all of that and more! While each is eclectic, they play upon this feeling with their own sense of variety and by mixing and matching colors, patterns, and layers. But this effortless look actually takes some careful calculations like taking into account space and natural light. Once you’ve got the basics down though, you too can achieve an effortlessly chic looking space. So read ahead to admire and learn from some wonderfully modern eclectic spaces.
Designer:Elena Vasylieva
This space is packed with pattern, texture, and beautifully neutral and muted bright colors. The room is chic and boasts a Chelsea Manhattan feel.
The space may be tight — but the designer’s integrated the spaces perfectly, as if it’s suppose to be that snug and cozy. The way the paintings are layered, and appear to be just placed there randomly also extends into the dining space, drawing the two together further.
We are obsessed with these chairs. There are so many elements to them that just work for the space. Firstly their acrylic see-through mold doesn’t take up much visual space in these already tight corners, plus the chartruce-yellow color adds to the eclectic feel.
Now this is how you do wood paneling. The once out of date panels are coming back into style with a chic modern upgrade. Pairing them against sleek objects and light colors as they’ve done here adds character and a bit of eclectic whimsy.
The wood paneling from the tv area runs through to the kitchen, adding continuity. The panels also look great against those white cabinets which really make the space feel nice and airy despite it’s small size.
Look at that incredible lighting in this hallway! Hallways are a great place to add interesting lighting, or even in a pattern like this because you can see it from down the hall — drawing you into the space.
The neutral colors of this bedroom make it the perfect place to curl up after a long day. Crisp white accents and some color pops like in the chair and lights add a bit more fun to the space.
From here you can see the pops of color coming into play. The red chair is a great color, and the cut-outs add a modern twist to this otherwise cozy space.
These built ins are brilliant. To the left is a great little makeup vanity table , and to the right is a spot for the TV, books, and other storage. It’s all tight, compact, and the white is the same as those in the kitchen and living room.
There’s nothing like white-washed brick. The accent wall adds a bit of that warehouse-loft feel while still remaining modern and airy.
The built ins continue on the other side of the room with this great closet bedside table combo. It’s sleek and seamlessly fits in with the rest of the design. Plus it doesn’t take away from the accent wall.
This big old sink is the perfect place to wash your worries down the drain at the end of the day.
What a great idea for a sink! It looks like a folding table but intact it’s a high end basin — just another lovely detail in this eclectic space.
The wood, slate tiles, and rocks make this space feel organic and spa like. The perfect place to unwind.
Visualizer:Julia Tsyganov
This funky, eclectic living room looks like it’s right out of a hipster haven in Brooklyn. Bike artwork throughout the space, exposed white-washed brick, and wood beams all add to the modern eclectic space.
The space is overall warm and neutral with bits of glamour weaved throughout, like the chandelier and the modern fireplace.
The saying that opposites attract is proven in this space. Whether it’s the mix of the woods, the modern lines of the couch and coffee table, or the stunning modern and chic mix of lighting — somehow it all works when put together.
There isn’t all that much natural lighting in this space, but what little there is shines beautifully into the room illuminating the neutral accents.
What’s that in the corner — exposed plywood? Yes, and it’s brilliant in this tiny modern, eclectic space. It adds whimsy, modernity, and the color with yellow undertones warms up the space.
Those glass see-through tiles may remind you of the 1980’s, but hidden behind that bookshelf they add a ton of light, and a quirkiness to the room.
They layers in this room are wonderfully orchestrated. From the layers in the bookshelf to the artwork display, you almost don’t know what delightful corner to look in first.
Small but efficient.
Visualizer:Studio Espace
This final space is much larger, and more modern than the previous two. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less eclectic. They’ve achieved this sense of coziness, and layers we expect from a modern eclectic space by weaving in bright colors and surprising accent pieces.
The kitchen is the first example of surprising accent pieces. This kitchen is ultra modern and sleek but they’ve warmed it right up with warm wood to make it inviting. They’ve also added these stools that look like they’re out of an art studio, and are standing up on thin wires.
This island is stunning! The combination of butchers block and wonderful stone is a beautiful juxtaposition that’s felt throughout the rest of the kitchen space.
The stove hood looks like a piece of art. These functional kitchen necessities don’t have to be an eyesore, and the designer here’s made sure of that by having it’s design fit in with the rest of the space.
What a view from the island! The white-washed brick walls with arched, and deep windowsills are stunning and add a bit of that whimsy that’s missing from the rest of the ultra-modern space. Plus, they look great up against the stone, geometric accent wall.
Lighting is key to any space, and they’ve got it right here. The back lighting to the accent wall and the TV space is wonderfully illuminating and adds further dimension to the space.
This dining set is stylish and the perfect eclectic piece for this space. It’s modern yet whimsical and it mirrors the feel of the rest of the open living space perfectly.
The geometric lights above the dining table look great against the equally dark, but curved and sweeping lines of the chairs.
The mix of curves, harsh lines and shapes makes this room unique and endlessly interesting.
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
