Dreaming in Color: 8 Beautiful Black Bedrooms
We've covered all the colors of the rainbow in our series on bedroom color, so let's turn to black this week. Adding black to your bedroom via an accent wall or as a background canvas for artwork or decorative accessories is the easiest way to add drama. But unless you want to feel like you are sleeping in a cave, I'd avoid painting the heavy hue on all four walls. Instead, pick a wall you want to draw attention to, such as your headboard wall, and use black paint or wallpaper, or black-stained wood paneling, to make this area the focal point.
Below you'll find eight examples of bedrooms that successfully incorporate a good chunk of black without feeling too dark, heavy or somber, along with tips for working the hue into your own bedroom.
Use black to set off your headboard wall. It makes a great backdrop for artwork or other decorative elements. Just make sure that whatever you hang on the wall contrasts with the dark background; otherwise the object will get lost against the black.
A similar inky black to try: Black Bay DEA188, from Dunn-Edwards.
I love the interplay of the white cubes against the black painted wall. A little black goes a long way, so a partial wall such as this one is a terrific spot for a splash of the strong hue. There's also plenty of white and light wood tones in this bedroom to offset the black and lighten up the palette.
A similar jet black to try: Pantone Jet Black PN1090, from Valspar.
Black and white photography looks fantastic on a black painted wall. It's a supereasy way to add an elegant touch to your bedroom.
A similar warm black to try: Black Suede S-H-790, from Behr.
If you prefer more pattern and texture on your black accent wall, look at the many gorgeous wall coverings available in black. This is a great way to visually anchor a bed to the wall without having to use a headboard — saving you money as well as floor space.
For a more contemporary look, create an accent wall with black stained wood sheets or planks. Just enough of the grain pops through the stain to break up the black and give the wall an interesting texture here.
A similar black stain to try: Ebony 2718, from Minwax.
Create a faux canopy for your bed by extending a black-painted headboard wall onto the ceiling directly over your bed. It will visually lower the ceiling above the bed, creating a protective and cozy vibe, perfect for mornings when you get to sleep in.
A smoky hue for your faux canopy: Kendall Charcoal HC-166, from Benjamin Moore.
You can also bring black into your bedroom through flooring and furniture. Just make sure you love the color, because black flooring and built-in furniture are more difficult and expensive than wall paint to change, should you grow tired of the hue. This handsome bedroom strikes the right balance between light and dark, and that wall of windows helps keep it feeling open.
If you are drawn to some of these black-hued rooms but are wary of going for such an intense color, start with a simple accent wall painted black. It's among the most affordable and low-commitment ways to bring a splash of black into a room. Pair it with plenty of white to keep it from feeling heavy, and think about bringing in bits of other fun colors, such as bold orange — the palette is both fun and modern but also grown-up and sophisticated.
A similar bluish-black to try: Cyberspace SW7076, from Sherwin-Williams.
Tell us: Would you kick back with black in your bedroom?
See more about how to use black at home
