No matter what the “new black” du jour is, black will always be the new black. Everyone loves a bit of black as an accent color to add some drama to practically any room, but using black as the dominant color is less common simply because it’s difficult to get it right. An all- (or mostly-) black room can quickly become a depressing black hole that swallows everything, or it can be incredibly chic, elegant, and sophisticated.
Be aware that black comes in different shades; there are pure blacks and blacks with various undertones, glossy blacks and flat blacks. The classic combination is, of course, crisp, striking black and white – for extra drama and less severity, add red.
If you’re using black as your main color, it’s imperative that you balance it with something. The good news is, black really does match everything, so adding your favorite accent color is easy with colored accessories. If you’d rather stick to an all-black palette, incorporate texture and patterns for depth and be sure to light it well (natural light is best, but it must be artificially well-lit to avoid a haunted-house feel at night).
These rooms show you how to blacken your home the right way:
Dreamily dark kitchens:
Sophisticated yet soothing bedrooms:
Sleek and chic bathrooms:
Elegant dining rooms:
Cozy living rooms:
Serious and “manly” spaces:
Or strikingly inky exteriors (balanced with landscaping and take advantage of natural surroundings):
