As Halloween approaches, our latest lookbook highlights 10 dramatic dark interiors from the Dezeen Archives, including a concrete-walled restaurant and Gothic nightclub.
These ten projects each use dark colors and low light to create an intriguing atmosphere.
While in some cases – such as in a nightclub – the dark color palette suits the function of the space, other projects have chosen monochrome hues to minimize visual distraction or to stand out from more color-saturated competitors. .
This is the latest roundup in our Dezeen Lookbooks series that provides visual inspiration to designers and design enthusiasts. Previous lookbooks include smart storage solutions, homes with playful slides, and interiors with window seats.
Organic Neighbor, China, by Various Associates
Cavernous ceilings and dim lighting were used to create a dark, moody setting in this farm-to-table restaurant in Shenzhen by Various associates.
The studio took advantage of the shadowy qualities of the space to create an experience that aims to mimic “wandering in a valley”.
The surfaces were covered with a foil with a matte finish that reflects only weak light, which was used sparingly throughout the restaurant. Just a handful of spotlights were added to the ceiling.
Learn more about Organic Voisin ›
Shibuya Apartment, Japan, by Hiroyuki Ogawa Architects
Hiroyuki Ogawa Architects renovated two apartments in Tokyo, renovating one of them with a material palette of dark plaster, concrete and gray carpet.
The walls and ceilings of the Airbnb apartment were covered with a dark plaster which is lit by a large window full height. Matching dark concrete light fixtures have been added to the living space, including a kitchen island and wet bar.
Find out more about the Shibuya apartment ›
Maison H, Taiwan, by KC Design Studio
KC Design Studio applied a grayscale palette to the renovation of this cave-like apartment in Taipei.
A corner staircase bends and rises along the textured plaster walls of the basement, under a large window that connects the two floors of the apartment. Cabinets and light fixtures have been colored in a slate hue to further add to the dark look of the space.
Find out more about Maison H ›
B018, Lebanon, by Bernard Khoury
Lebanese architect Bernard Khoury designed the dark interior of B018 nightclub in Beirut in a Gothic spirit. It refers to both religious architecture and slaughterhouses.
The interior was built with solid stone, including the walls, floors, ceilings and furniture. Altar-shaped seats have been added to the space, with sculpted grilles that provide a glimpse of neighboring cabins.
Find out more about B018 ›
Le Krane, Denmark, by Arcgency
An industrial coal crane on Copenhagen’s waterfront has been refurbished by Arcgency into a luxury retreat with black interiors.
The space features all-black interiors with built-in, custom furniture crafted from leather, wood, stone, and steel. The studio has covered the walls, floors and ceilings of the space with wood panels stained in jet black.
“Black plays a central role in muting and minimizing visual distractions so that people feel almost enveloped inside,” the studio explained.
Find out more about The Krane ›
Danilo Showroom, China, by JG Phoenix
Located in Shantou, China, JG Phoenix’s Danilo painting showroom was inspired by the ancient philosophy of yin and yang.
Dull red vaulted hallways connect with dark cave-like spaces through circular openings in the walls. Boldly shaped furniture has been placed in front of the textured walls to accompany the curved shape of the space.
Find out more about the Danilo showroom ›
IN 2, Canada by Jean Verville
Canadian architect Jean Verville transformed the interiors of a 1950s cottage into a monochrome home that has been stripped of its original features, fixtures and finishes.
In places, the rooms were covered with black paint. The kitchen features an all-black interior with faded walls, ceilings, cabinets and fixtures. The windows overlooking the garden give the interior touches of green.
Find out more about IN 2 ›
Terrace House, Japan, by Atelier Luke
Japanese-Australian architecture studio Atelier Luke renovated this house in Kyoto, stripping it of structural elements in an effort to showcase previously hidden beams.
The studio colored the upper level of the house and the internal wooden structure and ceiling in black to create “a great void of shadows”.
The black-tinted skeleton extends to the poured concrete floors and highlights a warm-hued cedar volume at the center of the space which contains a bathroom, kitchen, and mezzanine sleeping area.
Find out more about Maison Terrasse ›
Lucky Cat Restaurant, United Kingdom, by AfroditiKrassa
AfroditKrassa has painted the interior of this London restaurant in moody tones in an effort to separate it from the color-saturated Instagrammable aesthetic of many other restaurants.
The studio looked to underground Japanese jazz cafes to inform the design, incorporating hardwood floors, an inky ceiling, black painted bamboo, and black linen screens.
Find out more about the Lucky Cat restaurant ›
Salón Sociedad, United States, by Communal and OTRA Arquitectura
Mexican studios Communal and OTRA Arquitectura have added a dark, rustic palette to the interior of the Salón Sociedad in Monterrey.
Soft lighting filters through the space via frosted glass panels placed between vaulted brick arches. At the rear of the space, the arches were filled with concrete and clad in dark woodwork.
Find out more about Salón Sociedad ›
This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing visual inspiration curated from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration, check out previous lookbooks featuring smart storage solutions, window seats, plywood interiors, and marble bathrooms.
Comments are closed.