Let’s be honest: black has gotten a bad home decor rap lately. White is everywhere, and black has been kicked to the curb a little bit: relegated to being boring, gloomy, blah blah blah. And you know, that’s just not fair to our dear dark-shaded tones: black (and it’s other dark color pals like charcoal and navy) can have so much impact in small or large doses, without making the room feel dreary or dull (although it does make for a great moody space 🙂 ). As much as we love white for kitchens and walls, there are just too many lovely rooms out there that use black so beautifully to let us stand back and see black maligned and ignored. So, here are 13 ways to consider using black in your home to add some drama and elegance to any room. I know, the title says reasons… but all these photos should be reason enough, ha!
Paint It Black: Using Dark Colors to Add Drama to a Space
One key thing to remember about decorating with black is that it’s surprisingly similar to decorating in white. Like Sarah discussed here, when you’re decorating in a neutral (or monochrome) shade, you have to give some visual variety by including different hues and especially different textures. Wood and metals, like copper, match really nicely in a modern scheme with black, and use some brighter or whiter tones, too, unless you are going for a moody feel.
Be sure to check out some of these other Color File posts where we’ve given black its rightful credit 😉 — Best Black Paint Colors — Home Inspiration in Black
#1: Black Painted Trim
When it comes to baseboards and crown molding, many people love pure white, some love a different neutral, and some get more colorful — but black has the effect of being different but yet still classic. Just look at these beautiful rooms!
Black crown molding… swoon (via Huffington Post)
(via Apartment Therapy)
The black trim and accents anchor and make this bright white space pop (Bliss at Home).
Can you get much more glamorous than this gold and chandelier room, with that gorgeous black doorway arch? (Joy Tribout)
No architecturally stunning doorway to accent with black? Any old doorway will do — just paint! (via Desire to Inspire)
Don’t worry — not all your trim has to be black! Even just one piece of black doorway trim can look lovely. And of course, anything with built-ins gets our stamp of approval 😀 (via Remodelista)
#2: Black Window Trim and Mullions
As you’re painting trim, don’t miss the windows! And black mullions are just so classy! (You can DIY your own mullions for your grid-less windows here.) As the folks over at Apartment Therapy said — contrasting trim is like eyeliner for your home 🙂
In this gray and white kitchen, the black window frames and mullions stand out, in a good way 🙂 (Martha O’Hare via DecorPad)
I really like the black crown and window trim plus the black valances and other accents (via Apartment Therapy).
Black window trim here accents the tall windows to give this room character (Blair Harris).
Black moldings are right at home in a colorful eclectic room, too! (via BHG)
Not sure how to change your trim color? Read how Sarah’s Big Idea painted her windows and grids.
Even if you don’t have a window, a mirror makes the room seem larger, and the black frame makes it stand out (via Style At Home).
#3: Black Interior Doors (plus colors)
Especially when you’re using neutrals on the walls and in your decor, using a dramatic black or dark gray on the doors dressed them up so nicely. I swooned over black doors for awhile before I took the plunge and painted mine the first time in a true black — and then in our next house, in a dark charcoal gray, Iron Ore from Sherwin-Williams (plus see how I made our real-wood Dutch barn door match the color by using it to stain the wood, here). You’ll find each of the door’s paint colors above the photo.
It’s as beautiful on a front door as inside, too! In Tricorn Black. (Modern Vintage Interiors via Remodelaholic)
Painting just one door black, with some added crown molding, is a great way to make a pantry door stand out (House of Noise). Color is Graphite by Annie Sloan.
Just look at the difference Tasha made over at Designer Trapped using bright white molding with Kettle Black Valspar on the door.
Honey We’re Home used a lovely shade, Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams.
This is Behr’s Black Suede, used by 7th House on the Left.
If you’re looking for a great dark charcoal color, The Inspired Room used Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore. 
Graphite by Benjamin Moore is another great option, used here by House of Hepworths. 
Timeless Paper used another Benjamin Moore: Wrought Iron.
And rounding out the top 10: Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams, pictured here from This Is Happiness — black French doors look amazing!
See more ways to use black on the next page –>
IN THIS POST:
page 1: black trim and doors (plus colors)
page 2: black bookcases, fireplaces, walls
page 3: black kitchens, baths, and more
I personally prefer light colors when it comes to decorating, but these ideas are simply awesome! The dark colors here are moderate which is crucial for the good decor! Thanks for sharing!
I’m thinking of painting my interior doors black. Do you paint both sides? Or leave one side white?
You don’t really say much about what finish you recommend when painting your doors black, is there any one you particularly recommend?
I’d love to know the name of the paint color used on the black kitchen cabinets with white subway tiles (via Decorola)?
I wish I knew! It looks like it could be Millstone Gray that Cyndy recommended here… https://www.remodelaholic.com/trends-cabinet-paint-colors/
You might get a screen shot to use as inspiration and take it to the paint store–but the light in a room has a HUGE impact on the paint color in any room. If the room has large east facing windows the same black paint will “read” differently than a room with small windows facing north. The best approach is to try a color swatch on your wall, and look at it in the daytime and at night (under artificial light) and pick the color you like best!
Thanks for the comment, Margaret. Yes, lighting makes a huge difference! We appreciate your input <3
I love the grey kitchen with the wood countertops. Would you put stainless steel appliances or black stainless steel appliances?
I like the stainless steel look.