Home Decorating With Black

Written by Jaymi Naciri Posted On Sunday, 01 March 2015 06:33

Looking to inject some drama, intrigue, or interest into your home? Perhaps it's time to move away from the neutrals and incorporate the ultimate glamour color.

Add black to your décor and you can transform it in a number of ways. "Depending on how you style it, black has the power to add refined sophistication or a simple country feel," said Country Living.

This is the reason design experts are so fond of the color, said HGTV. "The authoritative hue is certainly a perennial favorite among designers. It's bold, it makes the colors painted, perched or paired beside it pop and it conveys a sense of drama. But most important, its versatility offers an unlimited portfolio of uses-and tastes-for a home's interior. Whether it's a splash of black on an accent wall, whether the color comes from a baby grand sitting in the foyer, or whether the color surrounds a Picasso print over the fireplace, anything can be framed, sheathed or infused with the ebony hue and look great."

Another advantage to using black in your décor: unlike other colors that trend in and out, the darkest shade has trend immunity.

"Just like the little black dress that's been decorating women's wardrobes since Coco Chanel unveiled the first version in Vogue magazine in the 1920s, the color black never seems to go out of style, especially in the home," said HGTV.

Here are a few ideas for using black in your home.

1. Kitchen countertops

In a sea of Carrera marble and white/gray granite, black countertops make a statement.

For many, black isn't just the anti-white. It's the anti-boring.

"Referencing butler's pantries as well as Art Deco and steam-punk styling, designers are beginning to abandon the all-white Parisian patisseries color scheme—the prevailing millennium palette—for dramatic kitchens infused with smoky hues like charcoal gray and licorice black," said the Wall Street Journal.

2. Kitchen cabinets

"The key to having black kitchen cabinets as your color choice is in how you blend it with the countertops, floors, walls and lighting to create a bold and unusual statement instead of a dark and depressing dungeon-like tomb," said HGTV.

They suggest two-tone cabinetry to keep the look fresh, abundant lighting and windows to keep the space bright, and a flat-finish paint to keep it clean. "The type of paint you use is also very important with black because, contrary to what people assume, everything shows up on it. A high-gloss black will show fingerprints and smudges more easily, so a flat black may be your preferred choice for easy maintenance."

See more examples of black cabinets on Houzz.

3. Wooden furniture

Painting furniture black is a favorite trick of interior designers and DIYers alike because of the ease of transforming an older or forgotten piece into something that stands out. A high-gloss paint, one with a chalky finish, or a sanded finish can help dictate the style.

4. Create an accent wall

Looking for some real drama in a formal dining room or detailed bedroom?

"Place colorful art or photographs on a black wall. If a home features monochromatic art or sculpture on a wall, the focus becomes the color of the artwork itself, allowing the texture, surface and purity to reveal itself," said HGTV. "Or do the opposite and group black-themed knickknacks, collectibles and photos on a wall of a lighter color."

5. Lighting

Sometimes, all it takes to transform a just OK space to a just wow space is the right light fixture. If you can't find the one you like, pick up and old brass chandelier at your local second-hand store and a can of spraypaint from Home Depot. It makes for a fun, easy and inexpensive DIY.

6. Accessories

Enameled pieces, wrought iron, picture frames, figurines and textiles like throws and pillows—all can inject the hue into your space a little at a time.

7. Use it to highlight other colors

Black can also serve as a great foil for bright pops of color on a piece of furniture. "Rather than featuring black on a large piece of furniture, choose a black accent table or accent chair as a highlight and use the color as an accent throughout the room," said HGTV.

8. Upholstery

Black upholstery can look flat—but not when you give it some contrast. Try Black and white stripes, or fabrics with a sheen or pattern.

9. Flooring

Black flooring, whether in tile or wood, can give a space a dramatic feel and set the style foundation. Beware, however, that extremely dark floors can be hard to keep clean and tend to show dust and dirt quickly.

10. Give it some texture

For high impact, especially in a small space, you can't do much better than patterned wallpaper with a black background. In a larger space, consider using it on one wall, or on both sides of a hallway.

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