Black in Home Décor: A Bold and Timeless Choice
It doesn’t take a lot of black to make an impact in home décor. Houston interior designer Renea Abbott of Shabby Slips likes to use it on stair rails and risers, pairing it with natural wood when she can.
From sexy bedrooms to jewel-box powder bathrooms, black is making a bold statement in every style of interior design. Homeowners almost never ask for it up front; it’s their interior designers who urge them to consider adding a little black for updated, bespoke rooms that tap into one of the hottest home design trends right now.
“Black can dress up a room immediately, just like in fashion,” says Renea Abbott, an interior designer and owner of the Shabby Slips showroom on West Alabama. “It makes a bold statement, and you don’t have to use very much of it for that. I use it from matte black to lacquer—I go from one extreme to the other.”
We asked Abbott and two other designers, Jana Erwin of Nest Design Group and Missy Stewart of Missy Stewart Designs, for tips to add black to any room in your home.
Touches of Black
If you have to look at 1,000 images on Instagram before deciding whether you like something, you might want to start with small steps. The simplest options include adding something organic, such as a porcelain or ceramic vase with greenery. Changing out linen lampshades for black shades is a clever and easy swap. A side table in a living room or nightstand in a bedroom are also good options, the designers say.
Abbott loves the high contrast of a black and white floor, as shown here in a kitchen she designed.
When you’re ready for more, use black paint on cabinets or black stone counters in kitchens and bathrooms. Abbott loves flooring with squares of black and white marble or mixing black marble with creamy honed limestone. You can also paint library bookcases black, then line the backs with black grasscloth for texture or a different color of paint for contrast so that objets d’art stand out.
“Black is sexy,” Stewart says. “It can be an anchor for your eye, adding contrast and depth, and can highlight other colors.”
Going All In
For a bolder approach, think of black as a focal point in a room. In a kitchen, use black paint on an island or perimeter cabinets, then use black stone on a range hood. Or, pair a fancy black range with a black range hood.
In this kitchen, interior designer Missy Stewart of Missy Stewart Designs paired black paint on an island and the inside of an exterior door with white-veined black marble for the range hood.
Design Tips
- Use black paint on cabinets or black stone counters in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Pair black with natural wood for a beautiful contrast.
- Add black accents with light-colored furniture or decor.
- Use black marble or granite for a dramatic and timeless look.
- Paint library bookcases black and line the backs with black grasscloth for texture or a different color of paint for contrast.
- Use unlacquered brass hardware and plumbing fixtures for a sleek and modern look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best way to incorporate black into my home decor?
A: Start with small touches, such as adding a black vase or changing out lampshades. Gradually increase the amount of black used in your design.
Q: What are some popular ways to use black in home design?
A: Black is often used as a focal point, such as on a range hood or fireplace. It can also be used to add contrast and depth to a room, or to highlight other colors.
Q: How do I choose the right shade of black for my home?
A: Consider the style and atmosphere you want to create in your home. A true black, such as Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black, can be a bold and dramatic choice. A warmer black, such as Farrow and Ball’s Railings (No. 31), can add warmth and coziness to a room.
