Decorating
What Goes With Black-painted Walls?
Once only seen in teenage bedrooms, these days black is chic, striking and everywhere. But which colours are its perfect partners?
Different shades fall in and out of fashion and black is a prime example. A few decades ago, painting your bedroom black would have seemed a rather rebellious teen thing to do, while using it in your living room would have raised some eyebrows. Now, however, we’re learning to embrace this inky shade and are enjoying the depth, drama and downright cool it brings to an interior.
However, just as with dark blue and grey, which are also enjoying their time in the limelight, this moody tone needs careful handling. So to which colours does black naturally warm? Check out this selection of perfect partners.
However, just as with dark blue and grey, which are also enjoying their time in the limelight, this moody tone needs careful handling. So to which colours does black naturally warm? Check out this selection of perfect partners.
Pair with pale wood
Black beautifully anchors blond timber and stops it appearing insipid. The combination of a light wood, such as birch, and timeless, no-nonsense black looks wonderfully contemporary, too.
Black beautifully anchors blond timber and stops it appearing insipid. The combination of a light wood, such as birch, and timeless, no-nonsense black looks wonderfully contemporary, too.
Work warm metallics
Brass and black are a match made in heaven. Both have a richness and integrity, and the glowing quality of the metal works wonders at warming up the darker colour.
Explore ways to do country manor style in a small urban home
Brass and black are a match made in heaven. Both have a richness and integrity, and the glowing quality of the metal works wonders at warming up the darker colour.
Explore ways to do country manor style in a small urban home
Combine with soft red
Bright red teamed with black has strong 1980s associations, which is fine if that’s where you want to go. But pairing black with a more subtle, organic red is a winner. Think of warm rather than vibrant berry tones and you can’t go wrong.
Bright red teamed with black has strong 1980s associations, which is fine if that’s where you want to go. But pairing black with a more subtle, organic red is a winner. Think of warm rather than vibrant berry tones and you can’t go wrong.
Go for classic white
It’s the original pairing and it still works beautifully today. White jumps out against a black backdrop, looking extremely crisp and stylish. It offers a chic reverse take on Scandi style, which typically employs white walls with black accents.
It’s the original pairing and it still works beautifully today. White jumps out against a black backdrop, looking extremely crisp and stylish. It offers a chic reverse take on Scandi style, which typically employs white walls with black accents.
Team with turquoise
This super-bright shade of blue makes a zingy partner for black, injecting fun into all the darkness. Imagine this chair in a muted, organic shade, such as sage, and it doesn’t feel like such a fit. A bold, confident turquoise, on the other hand, can hold its own against the inky depths beyond.
This super-bright shade of blue makes a zingy partner for black, injecting fun into all the darkness. Imagine this chair in a muted, organic shade, such as sage, and it doesn’t feel like such a fit. A bold, confident turquoise, on the other hand, can hold its own against the inky depths beyond.
Add a splash of greenery
We often think of white as the perfect backdrop for anything from art to plants, but, in fact, lush leaves look incredibly striking against a black wall. Plants also prevent the scheme feeling stark or oppressive.
We often think of white as the perfect backdrop for anything from art to plants, but, in fact, lush leaves look incredibly striking against a black wall. Plants also prevent the scheme feeling stark or oppressive.
Try out texture
Black soaks up the light and can look rather flat, but painting it over exposed brickwork sidesteps this problem beautifully. The bricks’ shape and texture give the black a variety of tone, as the light highlights the texture.
Black soaks up the light and can look rather flat, but painting it over exposed brickwork sidesteps this problem beautifully. The bricks’ shape and texture give the black a variety of tone, as the light highlights the texture.
Mix in yellow
Black and yellow is a highly contemporary combination and this dynamic duo is both bold and full of energy. This living room benefits from lots of natural light, which brightens the black and highlights the yellow, but it’s a combination that would work in any space.
Is indigo the new grey? Find out here
Black and yellow is a highly contemporary combination and this dynamic duo is both bold and full of energy. This living room benefits from lots of natural light, which brightens the black and highlights the yellow, but it’s a combination that would work in any space.
Is indigo the new grey? Find out here
Sprinkle on sparkle
Whether it’s mirrors, stainless steel or chrome, working some reflective, shiny materials into a black scheme gives it pace and creates bright focal points amid the darkness.
TELL US…
Are you keen on black? How have you used it in your home? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
Whether it’s mirrors, stainless steel or chrome, working some reflective, shiny materials into a black scheme gives it pace and creates bright focal points amid the darkness.
TELL US…
Are you keen on black? How have you used it in your home? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
Teaming black with deep, moody grey, a shade that’s closely related to it, creates a rich, layered feel. It’s a great way to break up a black wall without losing the dramatic, dark look.