Black on Track in the Bedroom
Here are 10 dark-walled domains with striking focal points, contrast, glamour, and even a cosy feel for these modern boudoirs
Even though I use a lot of black accents in my bedroom, the absolute last wall colour I had ever considered was black. But that’s why I love Houzz. I can take an idea I’m wary of, hit my search button, and the photos can make me do a complete 180. These bedrooms, all with at least one black wall, vary greatly in size and style, but the common denominator is that the black walls are key to the designs’ success. If you can’t imagine liking black in your bedroom, take a look at these 10 ideas and see if they change your mind.
2. Play with the light
We’ve talked of the amazing bright light we have in Australia in our other black-themed ideabooks, and this Sydney bedroom shows it well. The dark panelled wall puts the focus on the glass wall, and the sunlight reflects off it beautifully. When you take a second look at this photo, check out how the shadows on the lighter surfaces compare with the bright light reflecting off the dark wall.
We’ve talked of the amazing bright light we have in Australia in our other black-themed ideabooks, and this Sydney bedroom shows it well. The dark panelled wall puts the focus on the glass wall, and the sunlight reflects off it beautifully. When you take a second look at this photo, check out how the shadows on the lighter surfaces compare with the bright light reflecting off the dark wall.
3. Pull together a collected look
There are a lot of eccentric touches in this room. The black background pulls together the coloured glass chandelier, upholstered bedhead, lantern, gold chair and prints in a way that seems cohesive, collected and uncluttered. I wasn’t sure I’d find a room with all black walls that looked downright cosy until I saw this photo.
There are a lot of eccentric touches in this room. The black background pulls together the coloured glass chandelier, upholstered bedhead, lantern, gold chair and prints in a way that seems cohesive, collected and uncluttered. I wasn’t sure I’d find a room with all black walls that looked downright cosy until I saw this photo.
4. Make a bedhead stand out
A fanciful bedhead in white contrasts sharply with the black-on-black wall covering, whose damask pattern complements the bedhead’s silhouette.
A fanciful bedhead in white contrasts sharply with the black-on-black wall covering, whose damask pattern complements the bedhead’s silhouette.
5. Treat black as a neutral
Black is certainly not the first colour that comes to mind when we mention neutrals. Yet these walls take a back seat to the other colours in the room while looking anything but boring. Matching the black in the trellis-patterned drapes keeps them from looking too busy, while the architectural pediment has a strong presence against the wall. Somehow the tans and spicy hues seem even warmer against black walls.
Wall painted in ‘Beluga‘: Behr
Black is certainly not the first colour that comes to mind when we mention neutrals. Yet these walls take a back seat to the other colours in the room while looking anything but boring. Matching the black in the trellis-patterned drapes keeps them from looking too busy, while the architectural pediment has a strong presence against the wall. Somehow the tans and spicy hues seem even warmer against black walls.
Wall painted in ‘Beluga‘: Behr
6. Give a blah boxy apartment bedroom some character
In this home, designer Dayka Robinson painted the bedhead wall black, then added a mix of patterns to enliven the room. When pulling photos for this ideabook, I noticed a lot of designers were pairing deep purple, plum, lavender, eggplant and aubergine with black with striking results.
By the way, if you’re planning to paint a bedroom wall black in your rental, check with your landlord first – or plan on going through some serious primer and paint before you move out.
Paint colour: Wall painted in ‘Onyx: Benjamin Moore; doona: West Elm; ikat pillow fabric: Kelly Wearstler; stools: Pier One; Parsons desk: West Elm; bulletin board: HomeGoods (customised with nailheads by the designer)
In this home, designer Dayka Robinson painted the bedhead wall black, then added a mix of patterns to enliven the room. When pulling photos for this ideabook, I noticed a lot of designers were pairing deep purple, plum, lavender, eggplant and aubergine with black with striking results.
By the way, if you’re planning to paint a bedroom wall black in your rental, check with your landlord first – or plan on going through some serious primer and paint before you move out.
Paint colour: Wall painted in ‘Onyx: Benjamin Moore; doona: West Elm; ikat pillow fabric: Kelly Wearstler; stools: Pier One; Parsons desk: West Elm; bulletin board: HomeGoods (customised with nailheads by the designer)
7. Make the bedscape cosy
This wingback bed and light bedding create an inviting nest amid a sea of black.
Wall painted in ‘Pitch Black‘: Farrow & Ball
This wingback bed and light bedding create an inviting nest amid a sea of black.
Wall painted in ‘Pitch Black‘: Farrow & Ball
8. Let a subtle texture shine
The light picks up the glazed Venetian plaster treatment on this wall, and it changes with the weather and the time of day.
The light picks up the glazed Venetian plaster treatment on this wall, and it changes with the weather and the time of day.
9. Bring in the Hollywood glam
This look is pulled off by the designer’s use of a strict palette of black, white and ‘greige’ with a few metallic, mirrored and crystal accents. The white trim on the moulding, bed and black-and-white photos maximises the contrast with the black paint, and lets the gorgeous crystal chandelier steal the spotlight.
This look is pulled off by the designer’s use of a strict palette of black, white and ‘greige’ with a few metallic, mirrored and crystal accents. The white trim on the moulding, bed and black-and-white photos maximises the contrast with the black paint, and lets the gorgeous crystal chandelier steal the spotlight.
10. Update a traditional home in a way that respects its history
In this refurbished Victorian-era home in England, black fills the house with a glamorous, modern feeling while still honouring the home’s style and spirit. The bedhead and chandelier (seen below) nod to earlier times, but their black colouring adds an updated twist.
In this refurbished Victorian-era home in England, black fills the house with a glamorous, modern feeling while still honouring the home’s style and spirit. The bedhead and chandelier (seen below) nod to earlier times, but their black colouring adds an updated twist.
Here is the other end of this room, where black accents continue the colour palette. Note the texture that the screen, bed and rug add. And don’t miss that beautiful panelled door with its black and silver knob.
TELL US
Do you already have black in your bedroom and love it? Are you considering it after seeing these photos? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Kitchen Trend: Black Is Back
11 Striking Black Bathrooms
Bedroom Colour Combos That Soothe Your Soul
TELL US
Do you already have black in your bedroom and love it? Are you considering it after seeing these photos? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Kitchen Trend: Black Is Back
11 Striking Black Bathrooms
Bedroom Colour Combos That Soothe Your Soul
This clever plaster and acrylic artwork by Peter Buchman is the focal point of the room, drawing the eye up over the low bed. It pops, thanks to the black wall behind it and the exposed white brick that complements it.