What Works Best With Black?
Once only seen in teens' rooms, these days black is chic, striking and everywhere in interiors. But which colours are its perfect partners?
Jo Simmons
11 January 2016
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 to create in-depth features. 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
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 which colours does black naturally warm to? 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 which colours does black naturally warm to? Check out this selection of perfect partners.
Bring in dark grey
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.
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.
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.
Restful bedrooms strike gold
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.
Restful bedrooms strike gold
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 modern 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 modern 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 good fit. A bold, confident turquoise, on the other hand, can hold its own against the inky depths beyond.
See more bolts of blue
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 good fit. A bold, confident turquoise, on the other hand, can hold its own against the inky depths beyond.
See more bolts of blue
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.
Texture-rich tricks for your home
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.
Texture-rich tricks for your home
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.
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.
Sprinkle on sparkle
Whether it’s mirrors, stainless steel or glass, 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.
MORE
Kitchen Trend: Black Is Back
Black on Track in the Bedroom
Dark Walls? Bring Out Their Best With These Perfect Pairings
Whether it’s mirrors, stainless steel or glass, 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.
MORE
Kitchen Trend: Black Is Back
Black on Track in the Bedroom
Dark Walls? Bring Out Their Best With These Perfect Pairings
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If your referring to mine Thank Check out my site http://Art-Faux.com
Black is an all time favorite of mine;-)
My unit is almost wall to wall white and it bores me crazy. Changing just the walls to black would definitely make the place more interesting, imo. Damn it, I have to do this!