Color Guide: How to Work With Black
Take a walk on the dark side — your home has nothing to fear with this color when you know how to use it
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just completed my first remodel, turning my crumbling 1941 kitchen into a beauty of grays, whites and natural wood. If I could, I'd sleep on the countertop. That's how much I love it.
You can also read my parenting blog on Baby Center http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/sschoech/
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel... More »
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Black is the color of the night sky, ebony, caviar and coal. It was one of the first colors ever used in human art. It's classic, deep, simple and elegant. It is also associated with death, fear, mourning and evil.
But whatever your associations — from witches to fashion — black is a serious color. As Henri Matisse said, "Black is a force." And using it in decor is a statement unto itself. It's confident and self-assured. It's chic and mysterious. But most of all, black is beautiful.
Like all colors, black has variations. There is true black, which absorbs all light and is the opposite of white. But there are blacks with green undertones or purple undertones or blue undertones. There are very dark charcoals that read as black, and ashy blacks that read as charcoal. There are flat black and glossy black, and everything in between.
Many people assume that using black in decor will make things seem small and dark. But that is not always true. Black walls can look as endless as the night sky. They can seem to expand. And, of course, everything else stands out against this color: art, furniture, trim.
The trick, as always with color, is knowing which black to use and where to use it. Here are examples of black done right in everything from a country kitchen to a mod living space.
But whatever your associations — from witches to fashion — black is a serious color. As Henri Matisse said, "Black is a force." And using it in decor is a statement unto itself. It's confident and self-assured. It's chic and mysterious. But most of all, black is beautiful.
Like all colors, black has variations. There is true black, which absorbs all light and is the opposite of white. But there are blacks with green undertones or purple undertones or blue undertones. There are very dark charcoals that read as black, and ashy blacks that read as charcoal. There are flat black and glossy black, and everything in between.
Many people assume that using black in decor will make things seem small and dark. But that is not always true. Black walls can look as endless as the night sky. They can seem to expand. And, of course, everything else stands out against this color: art, furniture, trim.
The trick, as always with color, is knowing which black to use and where to use it. Here are examples of black done right in everything from a country kitchen to a mod living space.
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Black on the Walls
Velvety black walls are so gorgeous, but they require good lighting. The art and the rest of the colorful decor keep this room from feeling too close or heavy. Black works so well in a lively, eclectic space like this one.
Velvety black walls are so gorgeous, but they require good lighting. The art and the rest of the colorful decor keep this room from feeling too close or heavy. Black works so well in a lively, eclectic space like this one.
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A white ceiling with ashy black walls gives this dining room gravitas. Black, like white, allows you to use a whole crayon box of other colors in a room.
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This entire room is painted in high gloss, so it reflects light even though the walls are black. This works especially well on wood paneling and trim.
| These wood panels in a satin black are so elegant, they're almost regal. The contrasting ceiling highlights the architectural details and allows some light to be reflected back into the room. |
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| A deep black wall works even in a room full of white and light. It's dramatic and gorgeous, and it helps create a separate dining room. |
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| Why shouldn't the bedroom remind you of night? A black accent wall adds interest to a plain box of a room. |
| This is black being playful. Contrasting glossy circles on a flat black background add texture and playfulness, but the look remains somber and elegant. |
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| An all-black room with white trim is crisp and classic. |
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| A glossy back wall in an eclectic bedroom is like a piece of art. It's reflective and textured, and it allows everything else to pop. |
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Black is a good color for transition spaces, like small hallways and nooks. And art always looks gallery-worthy when it's hung on black walls.
by Nicole Lanteri
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More art hung on black walls. I love this combination with the white trim and glossy wood floors. There's nothing somber about it.
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Blacks walls. Black ceiling. Black trim. If you have some natural light and lots of other colors, it can work. Notice how the black makes the mishmash of things on the wall look intentional and collage-like.
A glossy black accent in a room full of white. So elegant.
| Black and white will always be a great pair. This detailed panelling is crisp and architectural and requires good bones to pull off. |
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| So many eclectic modern rooms are big, white spaces. The addition of black gives this room some weight and elegance and helps highlight the architecture. |
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Chalkboard paint doesn't have to be just for kids' rooms and kitchens. It can add a chic sense of fun to lots of different spaces.
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Black in the Kitchen
A black and white kitchen. Black countertops are gorgeous, but they do show every piece of dust and crumb that lands on them.
A black and white kitchen. Black countertops are gorgeous, but they do show every piece of dust and crumb that lands on them.
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The black walls in this kitchen draw out the veins and texture in the marble.
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| Black cabinetry is classic and works in everything from a New England farmhouse to an ubermodern loft. |
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| Touches of Black How beautiful is this black door? Such a small and simple touch with so much impact. |
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by HUISSTYLING
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| Decorating With Black A few black touches pop in this room but keep the palette neutral and subtle. |
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A black fireplace surround and mantel. Classic, simple, elegant.
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| This is high drama all the way, in part because of the stark contrast between black and white. |
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I love this elegant, shabby chic black chair. It makes every other bit of black in the room stand out.
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A black headboard works like a frame for the bed. And like white, it goes with everything.
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Chalkboard paint. Elegant and playful.
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A true black. As with all paints, test before using. Colors will read differently depending on the light in the room and the texture of the walls.
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Another true black, shown in a flat finish.
by Benjamin Moore
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Black with a blue undertone.
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by Benjamin Moore
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| Black with a green undertone. |
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Black with a purple undertone.
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A very dark charcoal that could read black in the right setting.
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A very dark charcoal or ashy black.
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A subtly textured black wallpaper that plays with finish as much as pattern.
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Ideabook published on Nov. 23, 2012.
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gail, landscape designer
ps - hmmm, some would not be poor-quality-wall-friendly or kid-friendly, as black shows flaws? i DO trust Samantha has this issue covered, but with this article - she chose simply to get us over the 'fear' and accept the potential for 'wow'!
If you look at the after shot you can see that by painting the island and some moldings in the room we have a much better balance and the appliances no longer look out of place. Gina Fitzsimmons ASID
LOL It is actually missing a leg in two PHOTOS....very observant!!! I love a three legged chair don't you?: )
Always nesting, that's a lovely bedroom.
It really takes a special space for black to work well on walls. Without a large, uncluttered space and excellent daytime and nighttime lighting it's challenging to pull it off.
Even with furniture, sometimes all black can be overwhelming. A lot of our "black" furniture pieces get ordered with some kind of wood grain sides/interiors and black glass or gloss on the front only.
From these images you can see how the black fronts aren't so overpowering when coupled with different side and interior finishes on the furniture
http://www.contempospace.com
The Door frames we painted the same as all the trim because having multi-divided lites would feel too broken up.
marcie
http://custm.co/hz/117
My question...will the black ceiling look okay with these paint colours? I am worried and don't want to make a mistake.
Futon cover: CottonBelle “Wailea” (http://www.anniesfutons.com/wailea-cb-cover)
Black Button Pillow: Burlington Coat Factory
Wall paint: MAB “Milkpod”
Table Lamp: “Polaris” Black Retro Metal Table Lamp (http://www.bargainoutfitters.com)
Floor Lamp: Target Floor Stick Lamp #P-2773
Butcher-block desktop: Ikea 48x60” light cherry kitchen counter
Filing cabinets: Costco “Alera Mobile”
Desk Chair: True Designs “Toscana” Fabric Task Chair
Wall Clock: Seiko Quiet Sweep Secon Hand Wall clock (http://www.princetonwatches.com)
Photo: Erik Bruhnke (http://www.naturallyavian.com)