DARE I PAINT MY WALLS BLACK?

There’s a reason that the LBD (little black dress) is the essential go-to and the most elegant tuxedos are black accented with a crisp white shirt.

But what is black, exactly? According to science, black is derived from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, along with its associates, white and gray, and has no hue.

Black in the interiors world is even more of a minx. It’s an undertone chameleon when mixed with other hues. It can transform into something warm and toasty, or cool and deep. From blue blacks, brown blacks, and black blacks. When matching blacks, pay attention to the variety of shades as mixing blacks can be like mixing hues.

Because of its changeable nature and the many faces of black, black can be paired successfully with just about any color, providing a rich mysterious background, an unexpected accent, or the main focus of a room. Unlike other trendy palettes, it never seems to fall out of favor and can be found in rooms that range from ultra-modern to classic traditional, and everything in between.

Get inspired by this achromatic chameleon and up the glam factor by pairing black with everything from crisp white to midnight blue.

It is true. Black walls suck up light, which can make the shade intimidating to use in a sizable space. But who said you had to go big? Painting a small spot in your home black can have beautifully stunning results. The velvety warm black walls provide a striking backdrop for the rustic wood vanity and warm brass tones of the mirror.

When using black as the main color for the interior space it doesn’t have to be the walls. This kitchen is made up of jet black millwork and cabinetry. It looks super modern next to the bare brick walls and black window framing of this apartment.

These walls are a shade called Black Flame from the purples collection at Pittsburgh Paints. This living room combines the moody blue-toned color with décor in vibrant shades of green and yellow.

White walls can accentuate bright colors, making furnishings fight for attention. Here, inky walls accentuate the splashy sofa in this living room by pulling out the dark muted tones marrying the color into the space.  

If you love the thought of an all-black room but aren’t ready to take the leap, incorporate black into your space without it taking over entirely. Try black wallpaper, bold black furnishings, or pair with oodles of white trim.