Black color in the interior: the best combinations, finishing and design options

Should I choose black?

Black is a unique color; it is endowed with a lot of special qualities for which designers value it. Dark tones make it possible to add calmness and consistency to the interior, making it aristocratic. Black is a universal “neighbor” and can be easily combined with almost all colors of the palette. This color can become a background, serve to focus attention on a specific object, and highlight a particular area in the room.

It is usually recommended to use black in the design of large apartments or individual rooms. Indeed, in a small room it should not dominate so as not to steal the space, but in small volumes it will only be beneficial. Black can visually distance objects, so painting the far wall with it can quite achieve a positive effect. If you decide to introduce a dark color into the interior, you need to know all the rules of application and the specific design of various finishing elements.

Psychology of color

Black is often associated with negativity and depression. Many people are prejudiced against this color, and in vain. Psychology notes another side of the charcoal shade: it is mysterious, so it is loved by those who prefer an aura of mystery and want to stand out.

Dark tones are very deep, rich, and confidently dominate over other colors. They need to be used carefully at home, because in excess they can actually cause a depressed mood. To avoid negative impacts, you just need to include light colors in the decor, wisely combine gloss and matte surfaces, and introduce interesting details. With this approach, black will provide an atmosphere of security, intimacy, and secrecy from prying eyes.

Shades of black

The color palette of black is not as rich as that of bright chromatic tones. It must be remembered that the play of shades will only appear when light from a window or lamps begins to fall on the surface. In the shadows, any tone appears simply black, so lighting must be planned in advance.

Basic shades according to color tables (for example, according to Anchor), which are included in the black range:

royal opal – dark gray, with dotted inclusions of a light gray tone;
anthracite (graphite) – has a silvery tint;
the color of ox blood is black and red;
the color of the raven wing is charcoal with a slight blue tint;
Marengo – dark gray with specks of black;
ebonite – dark green, almost black;
brown – black with a brown tint;
earthy - the color of the earth;
silicon – coal-black with a gray tint.

Black has cold and warm shades, it depends on the color that is mixed with the main one. Designers highlight matte and glossy, dull and velvety tones, so there is a lot of room for imagination when decorating the interior.

Interior color – black

Controversies flare up from time to time regarding the use of black in the interior. There are opinions that this color narrows the space and that a black ceiling makes the room smaller and visually weighs down the interior.

But if you correctly place design accents, black color will look extremely elegant and noble.

Black is not a spectral color, which means that it can be combined with absolutely all colors. Also, black color has the ability to arrange color aspects and emphasize shading nuances when used in interior design.

After reviewing the numerous photos of black interiors on the Internet, you can certainly choose some interesting design ideas for yourself. Based on which, you can emphasize your grace and individuality, bringing to life interesting design solutions.

Combination of black with other colors

Black is very flexible. It is considered a self-sufficient color, so it combines well with most known tones.

White and black

The combination of white and black is considered classic; it is most in demand in the interiors of any room - from the living room to the bedroom. A kitchen, bathroom, or office in this style look especially relevant, because such a tandem of colors gives the room respectability. Using black and white, you can advantageously divide the space into zones. There is an important rule when creating such an interior: you need to use as many large details as possible without wasting small ones, otherwise the room will resemble a mosaic and will dazzle your eyes.

Black and shades of yellow

The duet of dark and sunny colors is considered very fashionable and modern. Orange color looks similar: like yellow, it gives the room a stylish, joyful note. Typically, dark and contrasting light colors are used in the living room or kitchen, and yellow is used as an accent color. It is worth allocating a place for it in sofa covers, patterns on curtains, tulle, curtains, kitchen utensils. Bright yellow cornices and baseboards will also look original against a main background of black and light gray or beige.

Green and black

Green is the color of nature, a symbol of life and awakening. It combines wonderfully with black and fits into the interior of apartments and country houses. Green paint, panels or plaster on the walls looks stylish in combination with dark furniture: a kitchen set, a wall in the living room, a closet and a bed in the bedroom. In addition to furniture, you can install dark doors, but there should be enough light elements in the room.

From the green range, olive and malachite look good in tandem with black tones. Olive color is great for natural wood products, upholstered furniture, carpets and rugs. In a light green bedroom you can also use tulle with black decor: this will only emphasize the elegance of the style.

Black and brown combination of tones

The combination of brown, brick, chocolate and black is a distinctive feature of the loft style, although it is also inherent in the classic design direction. The duet of black and wood shades looks especially impressive. When decorating a room, you should pay attention to brown furniture with leather upholstery: sofas and armchairs will harmonize with light walls and black details.

If you decide to use black and brown colors, you should use more natural materials in the decor. Decorative brick, marble, granite, wooden parquet, various metal elements, and forging are suitable. Fur decor and accessories made from natural fabrics will only emphasize the nobility and respectability of the interior. To prevent two dark shades from merging, they must be diluted with light colors: coffee, milk, beige.

Black and all shades of red

In its pure form, red color in combination with black is inherent only in the neo-Gothic style. If you additionally introduce white details into the design, the room will look stylish and formal, although somewhat defiant. When gray is added instead of white, the room looks more harmonious and neutralizes the stimulating effect of too active red. In the bedroom or office, it is better to use burgundy instead of red, which is less aggressive and goes well with black.

Black and soft pastel colors

Black, when used with light shades, acts as an amplifier. With it, the pastel palette gains saturation and looks new, while black clearly dominates. You can combine a dark color with any pastel option, of course, maintaining color balance. Black colors are used in smaller quantities: for example, painting the lower parts of walls or one wall, using dark photo wallpaper, furniture, decorating a fireplace, interior doors.

Black with blue and blue

The combination of black with light shades of blue - blue, turquoise - does not cause problems and follows the rules of decorating a room in pastel colors. But rich turquoise or blue, sapphire, ultramarine are very difficult shades to combine. They, like black, dominate the interior, so they can mix with each other or incorrectly shift the accents.

It is better to use these aggressive colors in different areas of the room, separating them with white, gray, beige, and pearl shades. To eliminate gloom and oppressive atmosphere in the room, you need to use the right light accents: chandeliers, spotlights, sconces and lamps that will create the necessary glare.

Black and all edges of purple

It is no less difficult than in the previous version to combine purple and black. This combination will give the room an aura of mystery and mysticism, while at the same time it will look gloomy. It is better to use only light purple, lilac tones or make bright accents against the background of a black and white, black and beige interior. Such design options are considered especially appropriate in the hallway or large bathroom.

Beginner Level Accents

You should always start working with accents with textiles. It is easy to introduce into the interior and also easy to remove.

This living room has a light neutral base with the rug, pillows and curtains as accents. All together they form a single composition, but separately they risk getting lost. Pillows support the carpet, curtains help maintain the overall theme of the ornament. Small plates on the walls and pillows are the icing on the cake, but they alone would not be enough.

It is important not to forget that children, cats, clothes, and household items move into your apartment with you. If the designer focuses only on pillows and a blanket, then someone will steal the blanket, the pillows will be covered with shirts, and the emphasis will simply disappear. That’s why composition and integrity are so important—so that it doesn’t all get erased.

Look at another angle of the same room. The main color scheme is completely calm and neutral. Therefore, a large, noticeable carpet and curtains complement it and create a semantic center around the seating area, and do not overload the space.

Another important advantage of a textile accent is that it is easy to remove. The walls can also be repainted or re-glued, but this is much more difficult. Therefore, if you like to change something often, use little things: posters, vases, paintings.

The interior of this room was chosen around the carpet. It is beautiful, designer and very bright. Therefore, they selected neutral curtains to match it, a floor vase, and a chair with golden legs. The composition was complemented by a small accent in the form of a blue pillow.

If you want a change, you can take out the pillow with the carpet and even the chair and put something else in their place.

With this bright orange sofa it will be more difficult to change the interior. After all, we buy large furniture for a long time.

In this project, the composition is monochrome, gray-beige, and the emphasis is on patterned textiles. It's a win-win. The interior becomes more complex, multi-layered and interesting. The look moves from the wall to the painting, from the painting to the pillows, and is complemented by the carpet. Everything is close in color, but at the same time different.

Without such accent decor, there is no feeling of a complete space. Sometimes it is disparagingly called a dust collector, but it is it that sets the variety and style.

Here is an example of a classic interior in light colors. And the curtains became a cool accent: bright, attractive, with ornaments. They change the feel of the space and are easy to change, while the main composition will last for years without getting boring.

In this example, there is also a clear emphasis on textiles: carpet and sofa upholstery. The overall color scheme is a very neutral scheme and therefore the eye immediately falls on this bright group. This is both a method of zoning and a good example of placing accents.

In this living room, the design decision is already on the line between an accent and just a very bright color scheme. But still, if you look closely, you can see that the base is a neutral white color, and the accent is the fuchsia color in textiles and accessories.

This living room and the entire apartment are filled with paintings by one artist. The canvases don’t even have to be hung; you can put them on the floor or on a nightstand, on a TV, or layer them on top of each other.

Paintings hang in every room and create a unified spirit of the house with minimal energy consumption. The hardest part was putting this collection together.

But this living room, firstly, is an example of the fact that it is not necessary to plan moldings specifically for a picture; you can hang it directly on top of them. And secondly, accent is not necessarily a thing; lighting can also become it. Here, the light focuses your attention above the dining table just as much as an accent wall or bright furniture would.

The painting can be very large and will become the semantic center of the room. Everything will be built around it: colors, texture, selection of furniture.

Accents can be inexpensive, Sometimes custom is just non-standard.

The accent can be contrasting details and their graphics. This living room is distinguished by a calm overall palette and clear graphic lines on it: chair legs, shelving lines, and a lamp.

In this case, the bed, thanks to its contrast and subtle graphics, becomes the center of the room. There is no longer any need to emphasize the wall, hang pictures, put pillows - the interior is already self-sufficient.

This interior is nice because it seems like it was put together over the years. Black contrasting chairs, black and white photographs, and a dark wooden shelf were strung on a light base. They carefully and patiently created the mood of the room. Such an interior is easy to implement in terms of financial and physical costs, but at the same time it is the highest design aerobatics, the ability to create a story from simple objects.

Dark floor: advantages and disadvantages

Black and other dark shades are classic techniques in design art. Despite their external seriousness, dark parquet, laminate, linoleum or tiles look luxurious, elegant and quite graceful. This finish harmoniously completes the interior, gives it a finished look, and is suitable for almost any style - from classic to hi-tech.

Black flooring has a lot of advantages:

the ability to completely change the decor in the room;
giving the interior a touch of aristocracy;
spectacular appearance of the coating;
creating a beautiful ensemble with light walls and modern furniture;
resistance to dirt, no soiling;
the ability to select flooring from expensive wood species or materials imitating them;
Suitable for any room - from the nursery to the kitchen;
combination with most light and bright colors.

Dark coatings also have disadvantages. Despite the fact that the dirt and stains on them are almost invisible, the accumulated dust is clearly visible, and you will have to clean the room, perhaps even more often than if you have a light-colored floor. Also, in small rooms, a dark floor can visually hide the space, although this effect will depend on the rest of the decoration. It is better not to use a subfloor where there are a lot of dark colors or little natural light. Otherwise, the interior will resemble a closet or attic.

On a dark floor covering, especially glossy, the following are also more noticeable:

fingerprints;
chips;
scratches;
cracks.

Due to the risk of damaging the aesthetics of the floor, it must be handled more carefully so that it retains its presentable appearance for a long time. Most often, such floor coverings are used in loft, country, classic, and English style. The dark floor is combined with brown and beige walls, black and white baseboards, and light door panels with trim.

Black color in different rooms

The “black trend” arose for several reasons.

Firstly, as a response to the passion for Chinese and Japanese cultures. An oriental theme is unthinkable without the use of this color; it is this color, along with other characteristic techniques, that creates a Japanese graphically clear and laconic interior.
Secondly, the French had a hand in spreading the fashion for black. For example, designer Philippe Starck, who invented products made from black crystal. Following this, lampshades made of black Venetian glass, slate-black furniture appeared... Finally, black facing tiles and plumbing fixtures to match.

Today, many design studios offer interior concepts with extensive use of black. We can say that this paint is on the pedestal of modern interior fashion.

Hallway

However, you rarely see black in the hallway. Especially on the walls. And all because we have learned the thesis: the darker the color, the more space it “eats up”. But if you have a hall, you can forget about this thesis.

Moreover, it is a sin not to use the phenomenal ability of black to attract attention, delimit space, and give it dynamics. That is, one of the walls or part of it can still be decorated in the color of the night, if the dimensions of the room allow it.

Even better is to make a subfloor. Let it be wood, tiles or even linoleum, but the hallway will immediately acquire a certain originality, solemnity and respectability.

If we are talking about a narrow but high corridor, then a dark beam or suspended ceiling will improve the proportions.

Large black accessories look dignified and impressive in the hallway: an umbrella stand, a carved bench, a floor vase. And also frames for mirrors and photographs. Moreover, such touches are appropriate in any color scheme, because black not only harmonizes with all colors, but also emphasizes the given color.

Living room

Black color in the living room can serve several functions. Matte textures diluted with white, light gray, and beige tones will most likely convey that the owners of the house are self-sufficient people, with independent views and tastes.

And if the interior has black gloss, black wallpaper with a silver or “gold” pattern, then this is a manifesto about the high status of homeowners, their position in society. Yes, the “image value” of black color manifests itself even in everyday life.

By the way. Despite the fact that black, like any other rich color, is used in doses, completely black walls are not uncommon today. After all, the demand for original dark interiors is one of the persistent trends of recent times.

Finally, in collaboration with bright, large fragments of coral, yellow, lilac, black paint on the walls will divide the room into zones and nooks and place visual accents.

If black walls are too much for you, put emphasis on dark wood furniture. It is not necessary to shell out a lot of money for African rosewood or Ceylon ebony. You can use dark yacht varnish, which transforms even relatively cheap furniture into elite items.

Bedroom

Black in the bedroom is a separate matter. Two things make it suitable for this room. Calm, soothing, nocturnal character and a flair of sexuality, which is attached to the black color in European culture.

Kitchen

Black in the kitchen and dining room is not uncommon in celebrity homes: it's stylish, it's in the spirit of the 21st century. It’s not for nothing that every kitchen utensil comes in black versions.

Dining room

A black and white dining room, and this is one of the most popular, conservative options - cleanliness and order are present in it by default. In such an environment, you feel as if you are in a restaurant (the uniform of most waiters and head waiters is black and white), and an ordinary lunch takes on the character of a dinner party.

Bathroom/toilet

A black bathroom - a masterly combination of the color of the night with contrasting, light and neutral colors can successfully plan it and divide it into sections. And black plumbing fixtures (traditional or innovative forms) are at the peak of popularity today.

Conditions for using dark wallpaper

Black wallpaper is rarely used in interiors. However, sometimes the choice of different coatings in dark colors is justified. It is worth paying attention to the presentation of expensive things in stores: gold and jewelry are often placed on a black background with good lighting, which makes them memorable and gives them a more representative appearance. Designers follow the same principle: they place a dark background and interesting accents on it. The latter can be a light fireplace, musical instruments, and elegantly shaped white furniture. Light sockets, switches, batteries and radiators also look good against a dark background.

Usually, to create an original interior, just one central wall in dark colors is enough. Against its background, you can install a soft corner in the living room, an interesting wall with an antique glass display case, or shelves with white porcelain. The ideal proportion would be: ¾ light shades and ¼ dark shades.

For the bedroom it is better to use dark brown or chocolate tones rather than black: they look less strict and soften the atmosphere. Dark wallpaper with gold and silver trim looks beautiful. For the kitchen, it is better to purchase wall coverings with more “tasty” decor - caramel, honey, peach, raspberry.

A prerequisite for using dark wallpaper is high-quality lighting. If there are windows on the south side, there is enough daylight to provide sufficient illumination in the room. Otherwise, you need to pay close attention to lighting design and use different forms of artificial lighting: spotlights, rotating spots, LED strips, sconces, floor lamps.

Black ceilings: features

Black in all its manifestations gives the room sophistication and nobility. A stretch ceiling in this color is quite rare, although a multi-level design will look very interesting and is well suited for high rooms. Contrasting colors in the design of walls, furniture, and the presence of bright accents are what is needed to create a harmonious interior.

Glossy ceilings of a dark shade can be installed in any room, both public (club, restaurant, hall of an office building, company office) and at home. Typically, such delights are used in living rooms, less often in other rooms. A stretch ceiling will hide all imperfections in the coating and eliminate the need for lengthy and complex alignment. The black color is very practical: such a ceiling will not get dirty, it is resistant to humidity, and is easy to clean or wipe off dust with a dry cloth.

A glossy black ceiling also has the following advantages:

it reflects the light, as well as all the objects located under it, which looks original;
gloss visually expands the space, despite the black tone of the base;
the interior will look stylish when combining the ceiling with light furniture, doors, and window sills;
the sophistication of the design is emphasized by the light floor, as well as textiles of contrasting colors and mirrors in the room;
LED and fiber optic spotlights reminiscent of night stars will look very beautiful against a dark background;
You can place a large chandelier in the center; it will also attract attention.

Most often, black ceilings are used in high-tech, modern, art deco, and minimalist styles. In bedrooms, this type of ceiling decoration is not used, since it is better to decorate the sleeping area with lighter colors. In the bathroom, white plumbing will look good in combination with a dark ceiling, but only if the room is large. In the kitchen, black coating should also be combined with beige or white furniture and light wall decoration.

Black chandeliers

When searching for a suitable chandelier, always take into account its shape, size, style, and decor. Black chandeliers attract attention because they look bright and expressive, especially when decorated with glass, rhinestones, and other interesting decorations. A popular option for a dark central lamp is a wrought iron fixture. This product is considered universal because it is suitable for classic, modern, modern and industrial styles, and minimalism.

Forged black structures go well with white, beige and other pastel-colored walls, simplified decor, and wooden details. You can hang such a chandelier either in the center of the room or above a certain area to illuminate it. Most often, metal chandeliers are made of iron, copper, bronze, combining them with parts made of acrylic, glass, ceramics and even wood. On sale there are unusual and simpler models, products with an antique effect, vintage elements.

Another original version of a dark chandelier is a crystal device with a base or crystals of a black shade. They are usually used in classical or Victorian style. For a country style, lamps made of wood with black plastic or metal elements are suitable, which pair perfectly with wooden furniture and accents.

Dark curtains

This decorative element is usually used in modern interior styles. Curtains of a dark shade allow you to create an original and extravagant atmosphere in combination with white and other light elements. Nowadays, satin and jacquard fabrics, lace and velvet, as well as natural materials are in fashion. They will not only become a highlight of the design, but will also perform a practical function: they will shade the room from sunlight on a hot summer day.

To prevent black curtains from making the room gloomy, you need to ensure moderation in the following areas:

texture and density of matter;
proportions of dark color with companion shades;
general color scheme of the room;
lighting design solutions;
location of windows.

Black textiles are often used in the Gothic style. It is combined with a checkerboard floor, marble elements, stained glass, forging, and gratings. In minimalism, dark curtains and blinds of laconic design are used in combination with white walls, ceilings, dark floors, and functional furniture. In ethnic style, black often serves as the main shade in a room, but when decorating curtains it is more often used as a pattern, ornament, or alternating stripes.

In glamor, dark colors are used less frequently, mainly in combination with gold and burgundy shades (for example, black velvet curtains with gold garters and the same pattern). Avant-garde style can include textiles of any shade, the elements of which are combined with each other and complemented by excellent lighting.

Furniture

An excess of dark tones can be depressing, but their moderate use gives the room austerity, comfort and coziness. Using black furniture has many advantages:

practicality, functionality;
neutrality, compatibility with any details;
sophisticated, elegant look;
increasing the brightness of neighboring tones;
giving contrast to the room;
creating a mysterious, subdued atmosphere.

Black furniture: wardrobes, sofas, beds - goes well with any household appliances. This is especially true for the kitchen, where a dark set will favorably emphasize the whiteness of the hood, refrigerator, electric or gas stove. A set of light wood shades with a black countertop and sink will look original. In the office, dark-colored furniture symbolizes rigor, elegance, and formality.

Despite the obvious advantages, overloading with black furniture will cause a feeling of gloom, so when decorating a room you must adhere to the following rules:

blackness requires an abundance of light and space in the room;
the best background for dark furniture is light walls;
products should be as elegant as possible, massiveness is unacceptable;
contrasting accessories soften the overall picture;
in the living room or bedroom, the ideal “pair” for black sofas, walls, and cabinets will be light carpets with long pile.

Recommendations for using dark colors in the interior

In a large room, black can play a more significant role than in a small one. It can be used for partial finishing of walls, while carefully thinking through the lighting system. Bright light will help avoid gloomy, darkened corners.

In a small room, the walls are usually decorated with a light color, adding individual black details. The ceiling must be light, this will help avoid a visual reduction in space. In such situations, it is better to allocate no more than ¼ of the entire finish to dark shades, then the room will look harmonious.

How to place design accents

If the walls in the room are black or gray, you can use the following ideas to liven up and personalize the room:

paintings with large geometric patterns look great against a dark background;
one of the walls can be decorated with brick or stone masonry;
using wall coverings for walls of different textures will add texture;
Panoramic windows and spot lighting around the perimeter of the floor or ceiling look great in rooms with this type of decoration.

Dark shades in room interiors

Depending on the purpose, black can be used in different ways: to be a background for walls and other coverings, or to be included in the interior only in the form of accessories.

Bedroom

For the bedroom, the darkest shades of the color scheme are a bold decision. Most often, a classic black and white or black and beige combination is used here, which looks attractive and relevant. Charcoal color will absorb light, and white will reflect it, making the room look larger and more voluminous. It is better if light colors dominate, and dark ones are used only in the lower part of the decoration or in furniture.

Kitchen

Any shades of black, dark gray, brown add elegance and luxury to the kitchen. Black furniture here will look elegant, especially in a glossy design. You can use a dark color in a standard way (in the shade of floor tiles, furniture, tables and chairs) or in an unconventional way - for example, by installing a black stone sink, hanging dark tulle, a clock, or decor.

Living room

It is best to use a combination of white and black colors in the living room. An interior made up of achromatic tones is considered interesting and attracts with its contrast. It is better to keep straight, clear lines, simple, restrained shapes in the living room. If the room has a fireplace, it is recommended to hang a mirror above it. The floor also plays an important role; it is worth laying a soft dark-colored carpet on it or making a black and white mosaic. Cushions, paintings and photographs, posters, posters, and figurines are used as decor in the living room.

Hallway

In studio apartments, where the hallway smoothly transitions into the living room, it is worth using a combination of black and brown tones, for example, combining a dark floor and brick wall decoration. It is better to decorate a small corridor in light colors, shading it with charcoal by no more than a quarter and only in the lower part of the decoration. This will visually expand the space and raise the ceilings.

Black and gray in the interior

The combination of black and gray, with possible splashes of white or pastel colors, is a classic design solution. Black and gray interiors are usually chosen by perfectionists, creative people, business people, and people who are close to the minimalist style.

This combination of colors in the interior looks laconic, calm and representative. A strong argument in favor of choosing such colors for decorating a room is that such a combination of colors does not visually tire the eyes and does not become boring for a long time.

Even if over time you want variety, you don’t have to make repairs and rearrangements again. It will be enough to dilute the interior with bright decorative elements and place new color accents.
Note!

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You should not mix two colors in equal proportions; it is better for one of them to predominate. When diluting shades of black and gray with white, there will be a visual expansion of space and softening of lines.

If the room area is large enough, black may prevail over other shades. Black will outline the contours of the space and absorb excess lighting.