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Charcoal Is the Hottest New Home Decor Hue

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10 reasons why you need this edgy color in your life.

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Is Charcoal the New Black?

In 2018 charcoal is showing up in a variety of surprising places. It's literally popping up in the activated charcoal making its way into beauty treatments, toothpaste and food, but also in the shades of coal, pitch and rich gray that many designers and homeowners are using in interior decor and even home facades. This strikingly modern breakfast nook in an Atlanta home done in shades of charcoal is just one example of how beautiful shades of charcoal can be in home interiors.

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Photo: GettyImages/REDA&CO
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Black Food Too

Often the first place, besides fashion, to reveal new trends, the food world has been abuzz over black food like this homemade burger with a black bun. Black burgers, black ice cream, black cheese have all had their Instagram day in the sun.

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Photo: Johnsen Schmaling Architects/John J.Macaulay
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Stacked Cabin in the Woods

This entirely unexpected modern cabin in Muscoda, Wisconsin is even more arresting for its striking charcoal exterior. The vacation home is featured in Phaidon's tribute to the history and modern examples of black clad architecture, Black: Architecture in Monochrome.

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Photo: Shutterstock/Yu_Che
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Charcoal Hair

Along with rose blonde and wine shades, charcoal is one of the hottest hair hues this year.

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Photo: CB2
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Charcoal Planters

These matte-finished galvanized steel planters would bring an on-trend, sleek and industrial look to any home or garden.

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Photo: Windermere Real Estate, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Windermere Real Estate
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Glam Rock

This gourmet kitchen is dressed to impress with charcoal gray cabinets, honey-colored wood floors and clean white countertops and a subway tile backsplash for visual contrast.

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Photo: Photo Credit: Edward Addeo; Design by Martin Ephson ©
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Yes, Even Charcoal Appliances

It takes a definite trend-setter to apply the new charcoal trend to major appliances, but the payoff will be totally worth it.

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Black Tile

We love the look of this exposed copper piping when set against a backdrop of high-gloss black subway tile in this Atlanta master bath.

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Photo: Emily Fazio. From: Emily Fazio
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Black Beauty

Activated charcoal beauty products like masks and this salt scrub made with activated charcoal are big news in the beauty world in 2018.

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Photo: Design by GSA Architects; Photo by Nate Grant
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Paint It Black

Charcoal isn’t only for interiors: It’s a bold, modern choice for exteriors of every style, too. "The black exterior allows this house to blend into its dark, forested surroundings while providing a bold contrast to the colorful foliage and bright interior," say the architects at GSA Architects who created the HGTV Dream Home 2018 in Gig Harbor, Washington. "Painting the vertical tongue and groove siding a dark color helps hide the joints between boards, giving the siding a more homogenous and minimal look. Make sure to use a satin exterior paint to avoid accumulating too much dirt on the siding."