Weekend DIY: Chic Black and White Projects Anyone Can Do
These 14 ideas will add some cool sophistication to your interiors without breaking the bank
You would be hard-pressed to find another colour combo quite as effortlessly cool as black and white. Black and white decor, whether in the form of a graphic wallpaper pattern, black and white photography, or something else, can add elegance in an instant. From DIY art and wall treatments to furniture makeovers, these 14 project ideas have chic black and white style and won’t break the bank.
3. Typographic art
Pick a quote that has meaning for you and turn it into art in a snap by stamping, painting or simply printing out the words. Place your creation in a rustic wooden frame for a handmade look.
Pick a quote that has meaning for you and turn it into art in a snap by stamping, painting or simply printing out the words. Place your creation in a rustic wooden frame for a handmade look.
4. Large-scale plywood art
Looking for a big piece of artwork but haven’t found just the thing? Consider making your own by painting a quote or favourite song lyrics on a piece of plywood. Screw the plywood directly to the wall and frame it with pieces of moulding from the hardware store.
5. Spool stools
Old wooden spools that were once used to hold cable can be transformed into handy extra seats for your living room with a lick of paint and a soft cushion on top.
Looking for a big piece of artwork but haven’t found just the thing? Consider making your own by painting a quote or favourite song lyrics on a piece of plywood. Screw the plywood directly to the wall and frame it with pieces of moulding from the hardware store.
5. Spool stools
Old wooden spools that were once used to hold cable can be transformed into handy extra seats for your living room with a lick of paint and a soft cushion on top.
6. Blackboard calendar wall
Map out a few months at a time on a super-sized chalkboard wall calendar. If you are concerned about the lines becoming blurred, use white masking tape to mark out the grid instead of chalk.
Map out a few months at a time on a super-sized chalkboard wall calendar. If you are concerned about the lines becoming blurred, use white masking tape to mark out the grid instead of chalk.
7. Graphic moulding
White decorative moulding on black walls can take a plain dining room from boring to jaw-dropping for only the cost of paint and a few other supplies.
White decorative moulding on black walls can take a plain dining room from boring to jaw-dropping for only the cost of paint and a few other supplies.
8. Black wall, white plates
Another way to get a graphic effect in the dining room is by hanging white plates or platters on a black wall. And you don’t need fancy decorative plates like the ones shown here for it to work – a random assortment of white platters would look just as striking.
Another way to get a graphic effect in the dining room is by hanging white plates or platters on a black wall. And you don’t need fancy decorative plates like the ones shown here for it to work – a random assortment of white platters would look just as striking.
9. DIY door signs
Scoop up some black alphabet stickers at the office supply store, and have some fun thinking up creative labels for your interior doors – words in a foreign language are always appealing! Use a level to trace a straight line where you want the word to go before applying the letters.
Scoop up some black alphabet stickers at the office supply store, and have some fun thinking up creative labels for your interior doors – words in a foreign language are always appealing! Use a level to trace a straight line where you want the word to go before applying the letters.
10. Painted thrift store chest
Take the tackiest, cheapest thrift store or hand-me-down chest you can find (you know the type – horrible veneer; cheap, brassy handles) and give it a new lease on life with several coats of white paint. To make paint last on knobs and pulls, remove them and paint them outside using spray paint designed to adhere to metal.
Take the tackiest, cheapest thrift store or hand-me-down chest you can find (you know the type – horrible veneer; cheap, brassy handles) and give it a new lease on life with several coats of white paint. To make paint last on knobs and pulls, remove them and paint them outside using spray paint designed to adhere to metal.
11. Upholstered dresser
A basic Ikea dresser looks like a custom piece when covered in padded fabric in a black and white print. For a slightly less labour-intensive project, adhere fabric directly to the dresser without padding, decoupage-style.
A basic Ikea dresser looks like a custom piece when covered in padded fabric in a black and white print. For a slightly less labour-intensive project, adhere fabric directly to the dresser without padding, decoupage-style.
12. Cinder block bedside table
If you have bad memories of cinder block bookshelves in a college apartment, feel free to give this project a pass. But if you are willing to give it a try, you may be surprised at how chic cinder blocks can be – I would paint just the edges black for a sleek, modern look.
If you have bad memories of cinder block bookshelves in a college apartment, feel free to give this project a pass. But if you are willing to give it a try, you may be surprised at how chic cinder blocks can be – I would paint just the edges black for a sleek, modern look.
13. Black accent wall
An all-black room can easily overwhelm, but keeping the other walls white balances the dramatic effect. This works especially well when you can use the colour to emphasise architecture, as in the upper-floor bedroom shown here.
An all-black room can easily overwhelm, but keeping the other walls white balances the dramatic effect. This works especially well when you can use the colour to emphasise architecture, as in the upper-floor bedroom shown here.
14. Black and white photo corner
Fill a blank corner with black and white photos – hang frames from floor to ceiling for the boldest look. If you are short on photos, fill in empty spaces with black and white postcards and art prints for a fun, graphic mix.
YOUR TURN
Do you love to decorate with black and white? Please show us your space in the Comments!
MORE
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Fill a blank corner with black and white photos – hang frames from floor to ceiling for the boldest look. If you are short on photos, fill in empty spaces with black and white postcards and art prints for a fun, graphic mix.
YOUR TURN
Do you love to decorate with black and white? Please show us your space in the Comments!
MORE
11 Reasons Why You Should Paint Your Interior Doors Black
The Black Lid, White Toilet Makes a Stylish Comeback
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
How to Decorate With Black and White Stripes
A small nook, like this entryway, is a great place to experiment with pattern, because it requires only a small amount of wallpaper, decals or stencilling to have a big effect. And if you stencil, graphic black and white is a foolproof choice.
2. Abstract art
A few loose swirls of black paint on white paper? You can do that! Place your creation in a slim white frame and hang it with pride.