Paint It Black! Trendy Home Exteriors Are Going Dark

Black isn’t only for interiors: It’s a bold, modern choice for exteriors of every style, too, as seen in a new book from Phaidon Black: Architecture in Monochrome and in the HGTV Dream Home 2018. According to the Phaidon book, the owners of this home in the California High Desert wanted a home that resembled a shadow.

"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, the creative minds behind the HGTV Dream Home 2018 in Gig Harbor, WA. "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."

An exterior shot of this tiny slice of paradise showcases the floor-to-ceiling windows and the front door trimmed in white. Semicircular planted areas feature short shrubs that add appeal without taking over the exterior of the house. The black paint is a bold finish against the lush, natural surroundings.

This 19th-century home renovation featured a new back facade, a third floor, a roof terrace and an artist's studio on the basement floor. It's black facade is a striking contrast with surrounding homes.