21 Trendy Spaces That Prove Black Is the New Black

Take a walk on the wild side with this year's darkest color trend. Designers spill secrets for using the hot hue in every room.

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By: Allie Holcomb King

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Edgy Farmhouse Look

Farrow & Ball’s Black Blue paint instantly updates this farmhouse reading nook, adding modern character to the existing woodwork. "We like these dark colors with a subtle sheen on woodwork because it brings out the depth of a paneled wall," says designer Rafe Churchill of Hendricks Churchill LLC. "It’s especially nice on hand-planed boarding or beadboard paneling."

From: Hendricks Churchill LLC

Luxury + Drama

Black lower walls and a black ceiling accentuate the gorgeous floral wallpaper in this small powder room. "The black really adds drama and surprise to an otherwise dull space," says interior designer Corine Maggio. She says the wallpaper brings soft elegance to the look, while gold finishes add a touch of luxury.

From: Corine Maggio

Bold Backdrop

In certain design scenarios, black is the smartest color choice. It effortlessly highlights light-hued artwork and overlooked architecture. "We always knew the focal point of this room would be the custom neon art piece we were designing for our clients," says interior designer Jenn Feldman. "The black backdrop was our immediate first thought to make the art pop, creating a dark, bold and saturated canvas to let the neon piece truly shine." The black paint also accentuates the room’s beautiful white moldings.

From: Jenn Feldman Designs

Balancing Act

The striking, high-contrast design in this contemporary kitchen is all about balance. "We made a bold statement by using [black] on the focal wall of the kitchen," says architect Nicole Jui of TerraCotta Design Build. "We had a large, open space with a lot of natural light, along with light cabinets and countertops, that provided perfect balance."

From: Terracotta Design Build

Rejuvenation Station

Mudcloth-inspired wallpaper and bursts of vibrant color energize this black home office from HGTV Magazine. A light-toned area rug softens the space, offsetting the intensity of the dark walls.

From: HGTV Magazine

Killer Contrast

Crisp white and jet black combine for an edgy, high-contrast look in this bedroom. Once again, the black wall serves as the perfect, saturated backdrop for neon artwork. A patterned area rug featuring muted color tones adds an unexpected touch, mellowing the overall design.

From: Caitlin Murray

Spa Bathroom Serenity

While many people are afraid to try black in a bathroom, interior designer Shannon McLaren Wilson of PRAIRIE says it’s an excellent choice. "The black actually creates a dramatic and intimate bathroom space," she says. The other half of this room boasts white subway tile to keep the space from feeling too heavy.

From: Prairie

Mood Changer

Dark walls work great to visually separate spaces and moods within a house. "The office walls were painted black to create a moody den that felt separate from the rest of the home," Shannon says. "We used natural woods to balance out the richness from the paint."

From: Prairie

Layers of Texture

The dynamic use of texture in this home office ensures the dark-hued space is both livable and interesting. Soft elements, like the faux furs and sheer curtains, offer a sense of whimsy and warmth, while cool, sleek elements, like the clean-lined table and chrome chandelier, lend a touch of futuristic flair.

From: Caitlin Murray

Shiplap Goes Modern

Freshly milled boards with crisp, black paint give this shiplap accent wall a modern edge that its reclaimed, white-painted counterpart can’t match. This modern farmhouse look pairs well with earthy materials like natural wood and terra cotta.

Classic Yet Trendy

High-gloss black cabinets steal the show in this clean-lined kitchen. "Black is bold and masculine and contrasts perfectly with white walls and matte and polished brass fixtures," says interior designer Laura Umansky. Though the black-and-white palette is classic, brass accents add a trendy vibe to the space.

From: Laura U Design Collective

Cozy Feels

This moody bedroom exudes coziness and comfort. The black walls create a sense of intimacy, while gilded frames add a hint of glamour. Crisp white molding pairs with ample natural light to balance the room’s darkness.

Whimsically Chic

While the bold black wall color makes this room feel hip and modern, carefully selected accents ensure it still feels cozy and whimsical. "Incorporating softer touches in texture and color, like the sheepskin rug, sculptural wall hangings and stuffed animals, along with copper accents, really balanced out the chic look I was going for when incorporating black in Rocco's nursery," says interior designer Katherine Carter.

From: Katherine Carter Design

Small Space Solution

"If a room doesn’t get any (or much) natural light, it’s often our instinct to try to make it feel brighter," says interior designer Allison Lind. "But a small, dark room is always going to be a small dark room, so I say embrace it!" She says matte black walls create interest and drama while accentuating the coziness of a small space. "When mixed with some lighter, natural tones and textures layered in, it will feel like a rich retreat," she adds.

From: Allison Lind

Black’s Best Sidekicks

Black pairs surprisingly well with a wide range of colors, one being navy. "If you want to add a bit of edge to a space, definitely incorporate black with the more traditional colors of navy and white," says designer Lauren Nelson. "All three pair really well together and give a modern, fresh feel to any room." She also suggests incorporating plenty of light hues to keep the look balanced.

Design By: Lauren Nelson

Optical Illusion

With velvet, brass and faux fur, this ultra-chic living room combines some of the hottest design trends, so it's no surprise to see a generous dose of black on the ceiling. People often worry that a dark ceiling will make a room feel smaller, but here it actually makes the ceiling feel taller. Bright, white walls help to create this illusion.

From: Caitlin Murray

Charred Texture

FLO Design Studio chose a charred black wall to help ground this oversized bedroom while bringing texture to the space. Megan Tagliaferri, principal of FLO, says she’s seeing more black used in interior design lately. "It is a great parlay from the industrial design trend into the Scandinavian design trend that is happening more and more."

From: FLO Design Studio

Urban Flavor

Black walls and floors help to create a hip, urban feel in this master bathroom. White subway tile brightens the space, while a sleek wood vanity lends a splash of warmth. The use of mixed metals is totally on-trend, providing a fitting finishing touch.

From: Decor Aid

Eclectic in Ebony

The ebony black wall in this eclectic living room creates an immediate sense of intimacy and depth. Earthy, neutral tones balance the dark wall, and punches of bold, bohemian-inspired color infuse the space with life.

From: Bea Pila

Meaning Matters

"Black works in this home because the color palette ties perfectly into the architecture," says Jerry Hooker, principal of Mirador Group. "Everything from the ceiling details to the decor and color palette is a modern take on neoclassical architecture." He says black works best when there’s meaning behind its use. Whether it’s carrying out a style of architecture or carrying out a decorating theme, he believes the color should tell a story. "Here, there is history and a heart behind an otherwise modern space."

From: Mirador Group

Navy Nuance

Interior designer Sarah Wittenbraker pulled the dark, inky wall color in this master retreat from the patterned drapery. "The deep navy is cozy and moody, without being as aggressive as a true black," Sarah says. "Plus, it creates a great backdrop to make the drapery and chrome bed pop." She says dark, almost-black wall colors help to instantly evoke a mood.

From: Sarah Wittenbraker

21 Trendy Spaces That Prove Black Is the New Black

Related To:

Shop This Look

Edgy Farmhouse Look

Luxury + Drama

Bold Backdrop

Balancing Act

Rejuvenation Station

Killer Contrast

Spa Bathroom Serenity

Mood Changer

Layers of Texture

Shiplap Goes Modern

Classic Yet Trendy

Cozy Feels

Whimsically Chic

Small Space Solution

Black’s Best Sidekicks

Optical Illusion

Charred Texture

Urban Flavor

Eclectic in Ebony

Meaning Matters

Navy Nuance

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