Brock Franks
Bold, enveloping black is the perfect paint color when you’re looking to blend together varied textures or materials. In the above living space, the brick fireplace, mounted TV, and drywall look more uniform and X with a coat of black paint.
It’s all about balance, though: The white walls in this room keep things feeling bright, while the black ceiling has a grounding effect. Painting your fireplace black can make it look especially striking against a white wall, but why not take things to the next level?
Dark floral wallpaper lends this bedroom a more intimate feeling, without looking too intense — the pattern has a muted black base, but gray and blue animal and flower motifs brighten it up just a bit. Unless you live in a space with perfectly rectangular or square rooms, you probably have a wall or two that feels like an especially tough design challenge.
A matte black paint makes this irregular wall look a touch more intentional and styled. The wooden headboard and leather bench in this bedroom bring a touch of warmth to a graphic black accent wall. This works with all kinds of art, but if you’re going for a cool, contemporary look, opt for mostly black and white prints, like in this space.
The limewash on the black accent wall gives it a more traditional feel, along with an ornate gold mirror — while a perfectly modern dining set-up makes a distinct contrast. The neural color palette and varied textures throughout the room help it all meld together harmoniously. Black accent walls can even work in a nursery — especially when there are vibrant pink florals involved.
In this office, a black accent wall makes an incredible Zoom background (and an overall pleasing spot to work). When you’re working with a smaller, darker space, the natural instinct might be to make it appear larger and brighter. But that doesn’t have to be the case — in this room, for instance, all-around black walls emphasize the coziness of the space, giving it a more intentional look.
Still, one bold piece of wall decor — in this case, a minimal clock, can feel like the perfect finishing touch.
Decorating a basement is a particular challenge, but here’s an easy way to make it look chic: Paint your ceiling and walls black. The result is anything but cave-like — with recessed lighting, strategically placed art, and pared back decor, this space transforms into an elegant home office.
By now, you probably know that a black accent wall is great for making a statement — but this idea takes things up a notch. Wood panels add texture to a recessed wall, while black paint gives it a sleek, architectural finish.
Animal print can infuse a sense of whimsy into an interior — but it’s even more unexpected in the form of a moody wallpaper, as this bedroom demonstrates. The wallpaper isn’t the only element in this space that stands out; quirky light fixtures and a canopy bed also make a big impact, yet it all works together.
To make a black accent wall flow with the rest of your space, carefully consider all the other decorative elements around it — like your drapery! While this space is full of daring elements, like its modern chandelier and overstuffed chairs, everything is in harmony.
This gives them a graphic look, especially against a white wall, while being well-suited for a wide range of design styles.
