10 simple home decoration ideas that will tempt you to paint it black

New York townhouse with black painted window trim

Will you be facing your fear of the dark, this Halloween…? To some, the idea of painting a room black is somewhat horrifying, but if you use just about the right amount, it can take a room from drab to dynamic with little effort. And it goes a lot further than just monochrome minimalism. A stroke of black can highlight a beautiful architectural feature or give a tired looking fireplace a new lease of life. Here are 10 simple home decoration ideas that show how black accents can add drama and glamour to a space.

Black ceiling

Dining room with black ceiling

Somehow, it works. Erin Hatzis from Everyday Interior Design painted her dining room ceiling black as part of the One Room Challenge. Erin chose Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams to contrast with the white wainscoting. The red vintage rug was sourced from Oh Fox Creative and along with sheepskin textiles, she creates a cosy, intimate feel.

Black kitchen cabinets

Neptune Suffolk kitchen painted in black charcoal paint

This is the Suffolk kitchen by Neptune which has been painted in ‘Charcoal’ and beautifully contrasts with white metro tiles. The brass handles really stand out against the black, whilst tying in with the mix of old and modern metallic accents such as the gold herb pots, tap and vintage items on display.

Black floors

black floorboards

If anyone can do black and white interiors, it’s the Scandinavians. The beautiful blog of Niki Brantmark My Scandinavian Home featured a stunning Gothenburg property that has a mix of very pale and very dark flooring. These black floorboards have a beautiful sheen on them which bounces light back into the room so that it looks glossy rather than gloomy. Photo by Jonas Berg.

Black armoire

Black painted armoire by Les Interieurs

I discovered this Sydney home on the very stylish blog Vosgesparis, which offers an abundance of black and white interior inspiration. Pamela Makin is the interior designer behind the project where furniture pieces, like this striking armoire, were painted black to tie together a sophisticated monochrome scheme. Photo by Felix Forest.

Black feature wall

Black feature wall behind fireplace

Painting a whole room black may well be too dark and oppressive but a feature wall can be a good compromise. Use as a backdrop for a picture gallery or book collection and play with the negative space. In this design by Brio, a series of hard right angles are created yet softened by wooden elements. Photo by Haris Kenjar.

Black fireplace

Black painted fireplace styled by Carole Poirot

Carole Poirot is a talented stylist and photographer hailing from Paris and now living in London. Here, she has photographed the home of Shelley, owner of vintage homeware store Etcetera Vintage. A black painted fireplace creates a bold focal point and sets the stage for her fabulous collection of one of a kind vintage pieces. See more of Shelley’s home on Carole’s blog Mademoiselle Poirot

Black window frames

Black painted window trim

When we walk into a room, we gravitate towards the natural light that streams in through the windows. Painting the window frames black is a great way to turn a great view into a picture. In this interior by Blair Harris Interior Design, it also shows off the high proportions of a stunning New York townhouse. Photo by Jessica Glynn.

Black panelling

Black panelling in a modern interior

This room featuring a print by graphic designer Brent Rosenberg was styled by Noël Coughlan of NC Interiors for Greenhouse Interiors. The use of black not only makes a feature of the staircase, the dramatic lines and contrasts really makes the artwork pop. A great example of how art can come to life on the walls of a home interior, outside of the art gallery. Photo by Annette O’Brien.

Black painted furniture

Black painted reclaimed teak bench from Cox and Cox

A lick of black paint can make a shabby piece of furniture look instantly high end. Furniture with intricate carvings will also create a bold silhouette against white walls. Pictured is a reclaimed teak bench painted black from Cox & Cox.

Black bedroom

Black painted walls in the bedroom by Swoonworthy

Kimberly Duran is the author of the award-winning blog Swoonworthy, where she shares all her own interior updates and passion for ‘eclectic boho glam’. She bravely chose Dulux Night Jewels 1 for her bedroom and successfully pulls off boutique hotel glamour by mixing in dramatic prints and gold accents. The black shows off a baroque style mirror as well as a glass and brass vintage coffee table turned luxurious cat bed. See also her post on painting kitchen cupboards black.

Author: Antonia Edwards

Antonia is the founding editor of Upcyclist. Based in the UK, she is the author of two books: 'Upcyclist: Reclaimed and Remade Furniture, Lighting and Interiors' (Prestel 2015) and 'Renovate Innovate: Reclaimed and Upcycled Homes' (Prestel 2017).

One Reply to “10 simple home decoration ideas that will tempt you to paint it black”

Comments are closed.