10 Bright Ideas for Decorating With Bold Black
You don’t have to live in a Gothic novel to bring this rich and versatile shade to your home. Here are 10 inspiring ways to use black to add modern drama, inside and out.
Take it Outside
Create a Bold Backdrop
Let In the Light
Black walls look dramatic in any room, but unless the space has plenty of natural light—like this sun-drenched home office, for example—the color can make a space seem smaller. Balance the light-absorbing qualities of black paint by balancing with plenty of white, as designer Caitlyn Murray has here. And don’t forget some rich texture: In this home office, velvet, lacquer, and rattan add interest.
Pick One Wall
If an all-black bedroom seems like too much of a commitment to the dark side, consider painting just the wall behind the headboard as designer Judith Balis did in this airy bedroom. The effect is at once modern and glamorous, especially if you incorporate plenty of contrast with splashes of white or another pale color.
Mix Black, White—and Green
Fool the Eye
Painting the walls, ceiling, and trim the same, dark shade—in this case, black—can make a space seem larger because the eye perceives nearly endless depth when uninterrupted by color transitions. Here, a mix of high contrast (white) elements and rich earth tones creates an elegant, cozy, and eclectic look.
Add Dark Definition
Try Small Doses
Do the Unexpected
Joanna Gaines is well known for her love of white-painted shiplap paneling. But here she gave her trademark wall treatment a very different look by painting newly milled paneling black, giving it a more contemporary look than traditional reclaimed shiplap typically has.
