While black is classed as a neutral colour, it tends to sit apart from other neutral colours as it’s not a colour that fades into the background in the way many neutrals do. Instead, it tends to err on the side of dramatic and powerful.
There are many positive associations for the colour black – it’s often seen as fashionable, elegant and stylish. In fashion, for example, is there any woman who hasn’t heard the dictum that she should always have a “little black dress” in her wardrobe?
But there’s a darker side to black (okay, you can groan). It’s the traditional colour of mourning in many Western countries. It’s also associated with death, mystery and the occult. So it’s a colour that can cause a strong reaction for many.
There are two approaches for using black in your interior design. First up, you can use it as a main colour. Generally this isn’t common in main living areas, probably because it can make a space dark and oppressive. But wet areas such as bathrooms and even kitchens are a popular place for using big chunks of black. Black marble is a popular choice for bathrooms and kitchen benchtops, and glossy black cabinets can look very stylish. Just be careful with small spaces, such as a bathroom, as the room can move from stylish elegance to crypt-like very quickly.
The other way to use black in your styling is as an accent – and this is where black really comes into its own. It makes a great backdrop for other, brighter colours, helping give a sophisticated and elegant look to a room. Using black for accessories, trims or one piece of furniture is a great way to draw the eye and emphasise that area of the room. Black-framed windows are very on-trend right now, creating the illusion that each window is a separate picture frame of the view.
It takes some skill to use black successfully in design, and it’s often necessary to keep the edict of “less is more” in mind. But when you play to the strengths of black, you’ll end up with a stylish, elegant and striking space.
