Alluring, Dramatic & Exquisite: How to Embrace Black Interiors
These tips show how black, when used cleverly, can lend loads of glamour and grace to a space
Black is the go-to colour in pretty much the whole world’s wardrobe. However, the same cannot be said of its popularity in homes, even though the colour lends the same sort of characteristics to a house as it does to a piece of clothing — an aura of sensuality mixed with timeless elegance. Yet, most of us steer clear of using black in our homes, especially in large doses. While black does make a room look sombre, the drama it creates is worth every bit of it. Here are some ways how to do black; not only for home bars and bathrooms, which are usually the areas where we experiment with darker colours, but also for living rooms and bedrooms.
In the absence of borders and panels, the niche here acts as an expanse breaker.
Tip: You can create panels on a large wall – the raised borders break up the large expanse of monotonous black, lending the wall an element of design.
Find a designer to design your interiors
Find a designer to design your interiors
2. Have a black ceiling
Why should ceilings be exempt from drama? Black ceilings can make a large room appear cosy. They go particularly well on high ceilings by appearing to lower it, creating a sense of intimacy. A patterned black makes it that much more interesting.
Why should ceilings be exempt from drama? Black ceilings can make a large room appear cosy. They go particularly well on high ceilings by appearing to lower it, creating a sense of intimacy. A patterned black makes it that much more interesting.
3. Match furniture to the walls
This results in a super sophisticated look here, especially as black leather is ultra chic. However, a room with so much black needs lighter elements for balance. The warm white-framed fireplace and the matching skirting that flows round the room here, the neutral-coloured soft furnishings and the white ceiling, all together bring a perfect harmony and clarity to the room.
This results in a super sophisticated look here, especially as black leather is ultra chic. However, a room with so much black needs lighter elements for balance. The warm white-framed fireplace and the matching skirting that flows round the room here, the neutral-coloured soft furnishings and the white ceiling, all together bring a perfect harmony and clarity to the room.
4. Use different textures and surfaces
Plain black walls can look rather flat and unexciting. The brick wall painted here in a glossy black adds depth and reflects different lights and shades, especially under the lights.
Plain black walls can look rather flat and unexciting. The brick wall painted here in a glossy black adds depth and reflects different lights and shades, especially under the lights.
The lacquered black wall in this foyer is stunning, thanks to the light bouncing off its reflective surface and the complementary the white accents.
Tip: Matte paints can be used in large rooms whereas glossy and lacquered paints are more suited to smaller spaces due to their reflective qualities, making the space seem roomier.
Tip: Matte paints can be used in large rooms whereas glossy and lacquered paints are more suited to smaller spaces due to their reflective qualities, making the space seem roomier.
5. Mix and match black with colours
Black goes with every colour in the rainbow. It accentuates and contrasts wonderfully when paired with both bright and pale colours. The stark contrast between red and black in this kitchen creates a bold look, lightened and highlighted by white as the bridge between them.
Black, when combined with the jewel tones of earthy colours and vibrant blues, gives interiors a dynamic and flamboyant look. When paired with softer tones like pale pinks and mint greens, it can create a soothing, muted space.
Black goes with every colour in the rainbow. It accentuates and contrasts wonderfully when paired with both bright and pale colours. The stark contrast between red and black in this kitchen creates a bold look, lightened and highlighted by white as the bridge between them.
Black, when combined with the jewel tones of earthy colours and vibrant blues, gives interiors a dynamic and flamboyant look. When paired with softer tones like pale pinks and mint greens, it can create a soothing, muted space.
In this all-black dining room, the yellow chairs stand out dramatically. The contrast, apart from drawing the eye, lights up the space.
6. Pair black and metallics
Less is not more, especially when black is paired with gold-burnished accessories. Here the mustard-yellow ceiling, complemented with the golden-hued rug and velvet sofa, gives a super luxe feel to the room. Both the glossy black walls and the golden ceiling reflect light, ensuring that this living room is anything but dark and dreary.
Less is not more, especially when black is paired with gold-burnished accessories. Here the mustard-yellow ceiling, complemented with the golden-hued rug and velvet sofa, gives a super luxe feel to the room. Both the glossy black walls and the golden ceiling reflect light, ensuring that this living room is anything but dark and dreary.
Go straight to stunning with gold trim on the walls, which is carried on to the vanity in its fixtures and knobs.
7. Offset with patterns
If too much black is too dark for you, restrict it to one space and offset the adjacent space by adding patterns to it. This makes a strong statement when you walk in through the door; the two elements are different yet harmonious in each other’s company.
Read more:
11 Reasons why Black Ceilings are Worth a Shot
8 Colours that Work Well with Black
Tell us:
Have you tried black in your home? Share photos in the Comments section below.
If too much black is too dark for you, restrict it to one space and offset the adjacent space by adding patterns to it. This makes a strong statement when you walk in through the door; the two elements are different yet harmonious in each other’s company.
Read more:
11 Reasons why Black Ceilings are Worth a Shot
8 Colours that Work Well with Black
Tell us:
Have you tried black in your home? Share photos in the Comments section below.
Introducing elements like panels and borders on plain black walls takes away the starkness of black by breaking up the large expanse. The white decorative moulding on a black surface here acts almost like a huge graphic painting by itself.