Decorating
Colour: Brilliant Ways to Get Back to Black
Much favoured by Scandi schemes as an edgy contrast, black is now big in stylish abodes here, too. But how do you use it to best effect?
Bringing light into our homes and making them feel open and airy has been a design preoccupation for decades. So much so that, along the way, black got left behind. The thinking was, how can a colour that sucks up light and has more in common with teenage bedrooms than tasteful interior design work in today’s stylish homes? But, it turns out, the answer is – beautifully!
In fact, black works so wonderfully to bring contrast, depth and personality to a space that it’s creeping off shelves and window frames, where it previously worked just as an accent, and finding a place on walls and cabinetry.
Of course, a black painted room is not for everyone, but, as these images demonstrate, used wisely and well, black can pack a huge style punch.
In fact, black works so wonderfully to bring contrast, depth and personality to a space that it’s creeping off shelves and window frames, where it previously worked just as an accent, and finding a place on walls and cabinetry.
Of course, a black painted room is not for everyone, but, as these images demonstrate, used wisely and well, black can pack a huge style punch.
Stretch it over walls
Black painted walls may sound like a gloomy prospect, but when used in a room with abundant natural light and teamed with furnishings in sunny colours, black on walls looks just as rich and interesting as any dark paint colour.
See how dark colours can work in any space
Black painted walls may sound like a gloomy prospect, but when used in a room with abundant natural light and teamed with furnishings in sunny colours, black on walls looks just as rich and interesting as any dark paint colour.
See how dark colours can work in any space
Work in with natural materials
Black occurs in nature on many stones and minerals that can also be used in the house. Slate is a great example, and comes in a range of tones, from pale grey to deepest black. The texture and natural variations in the stone bring interest to a room, and soften the effect of its dark colour.
Black occurs in nature on many stones and minerals that can also be used in the house. Slate is a great example, and comes in a range of tones, from pale grey to deepest black. The texture and natural variations in the stone bring interest to a room, and soften the effect of its dark colour.
Use as definition
Black and white is a fresh and classic colour scheme for a bathroom. Here, black grout between white metro tiles adds definition, so that each tile has its own neat border. A black basin unit and mirrored cabinet, teamed with patterned floor tiles, add further interest without diluting the monochrome effect.
Black and white is a fresh and classic colour scheme for a bathroom. Here, black grout between white metro tiles adds definition, so that each tile has its own neat border. A black basin unit and mirrored cabinet, teamed with patterned floor tiles, add further interest without diluting the monochrome effect.
Paint exterior woodwork
Black has long been used as a shade for treating and painting house exteriors. This old telephone exchange demonstrates how stylish it can look. Here, black window frames have also been installed for a very streamlined look, but you could take inspiration from the wooden homes dotting the beach at Dungeness in Kent and team a black wooden exterior with bright yellow window frames, or another hot, contrasting shade.
Black has long been used as a shade for treating and painting house exteriors. This old telephone exchange demonstrates how stylish it can look. Here, black window frames have also been installed for a very streamlined look, but you could take inspiration from the wooden homes dotting the beach at Dungeness in Kent and team a black wooden exterior with bright yellow window frames, or another hot, contrasting shade.
Style up a small space
You can take your foot off the design brake when it comes to decorating a small cloakroom. In fact, a tiny space like this is crying out for personality. Black works brilliantly here, creating a dark backdrop that helps the not-so-pretty WC blend in, and then occurs again on the dramatic wallpaper above the painted panelling.
Discover 10 ways to give your cloakroom character
You can take your foot off the design brake when it comes to decorating a small cloakroom. In fact, a tiny space like this is crying out for personality. Black works brilliantly here, creating a dark backdrop that helps the not-so-pretty WC blend in, and then occurs again on the dramatic wallpaper above the painted panelling.
Discover 10 ways to give your cloakroom character
Use as a feature wall
Black has long been a favoured shade in teenage bedrooms, but these days it’s cropping up just on feature walls, rather than covering floor to ceiling. In a narrow space like this room, it adds depth and draws the eye towards the furniture, rather than the window, which helps the room to feel less corridor-like.
Black has long been a favoured shade in teenage bedrooms, but these days it’s cropping up just on feature walls, rather than covering floor to ceiling. In a narrow space like this room, it adds depth and draws the eye towards the furniture, rather than the window, which helps the room to feel less corridor-like.
Punctuate with neon
Bright colours really pop out against black, and the combination of black and neon shades makes a bold display. This black-painted hallway has a mirror with a hot-orange frame hung on one wall. This creates an exciting contrast, but, overall, the space feels cohesive, not crazy, thanks to the confident use of black as a backdrop.
Bright colours really pop out against black, and the combination of black and neon shades makes a bold display. This black-painted hallway has a mirror with a hot-orange frame hung on one wall. This creates an exciting contrast, but, overall, the space feels cohesive, not crazy, thanks to the confident use of black as a backdrop.
Team paper, paint and textiles
Work black in on a range of different materials to break up its monotone feel and add subtle texture. In this hallway, black painted cupboards are teamed with finely patterned black wallpaper and a simple black rug.
Work black in on a range of different materials to break up its monotone feel and add subtle texture. In this hallway, black painted cupboards are teamed with finely patterned black wallpaper and a simple black rug.
Combine with mirrors
Black teamed with reflective surfaces is a glamorous combination. Mirrors bounce light around and create exciting reflections, making a room feel bigger and brighter, and offsetting the potential gloominess of the shade. This classy closet shows how black woodwork with mirrored doors and a dark grey stool give the space real elegance.
TELL US...
How do you incorporate black in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Black teamed with reflective surfaces is a glamorous combination. Mirrors bounce light around and create exciting reflections, making a room feel bigger and brighter, and offsetting the potential gloominess of the shade. This classy closet shows how black woodwork with mirrored doors and a dark grey stool give the space real elegance.
TELL US...
How do you incorporate black in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Black walls and dark flooring give this office space a peaceful, enclosed feel, just right for concentrating on work. The warm wood desk and other tan elements stand out against the dark backdrop, helping to soften it up and give it an ordered, sophisticated feel.