Colour: How Beautiful Black Can Wake Up Your Woodwork
Black makes a striking accent colour in almost any room, on everything from window frames to shelves and stairs
Jo Simmons
19 July 2014
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Yes, it’s dark. Yes, it’s powerful, and yes, you should work some into your home. Black is having a moment – and with good reason. Used on shelving, cabinets, door frames and more it adds contrast, frames views and brings welcome heft to any scheme. Most of us would shy away from a room painted entirely in black, but that’s fine. When using the dark stuff, a little goes a long way…
Pick out doors
An all-white scheme is transformed by simply painting door frames black. This helps to give focus to the room, preventing it from feeling too bleached out and floaty, and draws the eye up, emphasising the height of the space.
An all-white scheme is transformed by simply painting door frames black. This helps to give focus to the room, preventing it from feeling too bleached out and floaty, and draws the eye up, emphasising the height of the space.
Shake up shelves
Building shelving either side of a chimney breast is a can’t-fail storage option, but if the recipe of trad white woodwork in your alcoves feels a bit tired, paint it black. Dark shelves will help a black TV blend into the background and when, as here, they are built proud of the chimney breast, they become a strong and handsome feature in the room.
Building shelving either side of a chimney breast is a can’t-fail storage option, but if the recipe of trad white woodwork in your alcoves feels a bit tired, paint it black. Dark shelves will help a black TV blend into the background and when, as here, they are built proud of the chimney breast, they become a strong and handsome feature in the room.
Team dark units with zingy walls
Black can make friends with all sorts of other colours, including contemporary shades of green and yellow. In fact, introducing a zingy tone is often enough to lift the appearance of black cabinets, helping them to look stylish, but not too serious.
Black can make friends with all sorts of other colours, including contemporary shades of green and yellow. In fact, introducing a zingy tone is often enough to lift the appearance of black cabinets, helping them to look stylish, but not too serious.
Work it onto woodwork
You can afford to be bold with your use of black paint in a hallway, which you pass through rather than linger in. Here, it’s not only the doors that have been painted black, but the skirting boards and door frames, too. The dark theme has been taken up to ceiling height as well, with original mouldings and a ceiling rose given a lick of pitch-dark paint. Monochrome wallpaper in a graphic pattern completes this strong look.
Learn how to give your hallway a modern update
You can afford to be bold with your use of black paint in a hallway, which you pass through rather than linger in. Here, it’s not only the doors that have been painted black, but the skirting boards and door frames, too. The dark theme has been taken up to ceiling height as well, with original mouldings and a ceiling rose given a lick of pitch-dark paint. Monochrome wallpaper in a graphic pattern completes this strong look.
Learn how to give your hallway a modern update
Make it matt and monochrome
To help a monochrome scheme seem sleek, but not severe, stick to matt finishes and simple shapes. This beautiful kitchen owes its style success to clean lines and black units with a soft, matt appearance.
Explore monochrome schemes for a contemporary home
To help a monochrome scheme seem sleek, but not severe, stick to matt finishes and simple shapes. This beautiful kitchen owes its style success to clean lines and black units with a soft, matt appearance.
Explore monochrome schemes for a contemporary home
Create a headboard
Wall-to-wall black is too dark to live with, but a feature wall of black looks strong without overpowering a scheme. Here, the black on the wall has been continued onto the sides of the built-in wardrobes to create a wraparound headboard effect.
Wall-to-wall black is too dark to live with, but a feature wall of black looks strong without overpowering a scheme. Here, the black on the wall has been continued onto the sides of the built-in wardrobes to create a wraparound headboard effect.
Drench your wardrobe
Black shelves lend an ordered feel to a walk-in wardrobe, and coloured clothes stand out clearly against them, making it easier to find what you want to wear. Good lighting is key to the success of a dark dressing space, so think through where to include spots when you’re designing it.
Black shelves lend an ordered feel to a walk-in wardrobe, and coloured clothes stand out clearly against them, making it easier to find what you want to wear. Good lighting is key to the success of a dark dressing space, so think through where to include spots when you’re designing it.
Go glossy on units
In a dark scheme, combine matt walls and floor with a glossy black unit. The light-reflecting finish on this basin stand keeps the black looking alive and ties in nicely with the glass used liberally in the rest of the bathroom.
In a dark scheme, combine matt walls and floor with a glossy black unit. The light-reflecting finish on this basin stand keeps the black looking alive and ties in nicely with the glass used liberally in the rest of the bathroom.
Frame black shelves
This built-in study space is made mostly of black painted wood, but by painting the area around it, the desk and shelves disappear into the wall. It also helps the fun, smartphone-inspired artwork to really shine.
This built-in study space is made mostly of black painted wood, but by painting the area around it, the desk and shelves disappear into the wall. It also helps the fun, smartphone-inspired artwork to really shine.
Take it upstairs
Wooden stairs, simply painted, look great in any home, but why not take the black theme upstairs, too? It creates a slash of dark drama at the heart of the house and, when teamed with coloured banisters, looks positively rock ’n’ roll!
TELL US...
Would you paint your woodwork black? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Wooden stairs, simply painted, look great in any home, but why not take the black theme upstairs, too? It creates a slash of dark drama at the heart of the house and, when teamed with coloured banisters, looks positively rock ’n’ roll!
TELL US...
Would you paint your woodwork black? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Related Stories
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Dining Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Dining Rooms on Houzz Right Now
By Kate Burt
Vintage furniture, great lighting and top tables – feast your eyes on dining room ideas collated from your own clicks
Full Story
Colour
8 Clever Ways to Use Strategic Colour Blocking in Your Home
By Kate Burt
Paint can do so much more than refresh your walls. Explore ways to highlight features, zone areas and trick the eye
Full Story
Utility Rooms
15 Richly Coloured Utility Rooms
The trend for strong, earthy tones has reached the utility room, with hues from plum to ochre to deep green adding depth
Full Story
Kitchens
Which Kitchen Worktop Colour Should You Choose?
By tidgboutique
Consider these popular colours and styles to get the look you want, no matter which material you use
Full Story
Colour
8 Ways to Work a Rust Red and Blue Palette in the Bedroom
By Kate Burt
We’re seeing variations of this combination all over Houzz right now. Check out these tips for trying it yourself
Full Story
Colour
Creative Ways to Make a Feature of Structural Beams
Turn your RSJ into something more than just functional with these clever ideas from our Houzz Tours
Full Story
Gardens
9 Ways to Enjoy Colour in Your Garden All Year Round
By Kate Burt
However your garden grows, you can add colour with hardscaping, furniture and accessories
Full Story
Gardens
What Will We Want in Our Gardens in 2024?
Discover the gardening trends homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this spring and summer
Full Story
Kitchens
What to Expect at the Biggest Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Show
Plan ahead with our rundown of what’s in store at the kbb Birmingham event this March
Full Story
I never imagined black would look this cool with neon yellow banisters.
Want to paint my windows black on the interior side. Can the exterior still be white or dies this not look right? Mine are double hung wood windows. Currently with the sash painted black outside and the entire window inside. Also on the inside do you just paint the sash or the entire frame? If you just do the windows in the doors throughout be white? We have a lot of doors in our hallway and some bedrooms and I worry it would be too much if they were black. Would love your opinion as you do beautiful work!
Pics attached... The interior room pictures are from when we purchased the home 7 years ago and they have changed in wall color but still show you the doors and windows.
Joanne, following your post. We have same long hallways with multiple doors. Thanks for your question.