What Color Goes With Black? 10 Combinations That Help Soften This Dramatic Shade
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Black can be an intense addition to an interiors scheme, but paired with the right colors, it can really be the addition that makes or breaks a palette. So, what colors go with black? Because it's technically a neutral, this tone can pair practically with all colors, easily adapting to any design aesthetic. The shade can be both warm and cool, depending on its undertones, and so the possibilities of color pairings are endless.
"I love using black in interiors as an accent color," says color specialist Natalie Tredgett, founder of Natalie Tredgett Design. "It instantly provides a touch of glamor and gravity to a space, which is why black is so effective. If not paints, then black stone such as slate and marble are also timeless.”
Whether you're painting the walls black, or decorating with black accents, read on to discover the expert-approved colors that go with the shade and how to use them in a design-forward way.
What kind of colors go with black?
If you've decided on the best black paints for your room but can't think of what secondary or complementary tones to pair the black with, consider first the vibe you want to create. Experts suggest colors such as white, gray, or beige for a more classic interior. For an earthy look go with brown or sage.
But for a high-energy space and bold combos, choose colors such as pink, red, yellow, or rich jewel tones like emerald green or deep blue.
Color combinations don't have to be restricted to just walls. Try a color play with furniture, accessories, trims, and art. With an adaptable black leading the way, you can pursue whatever design style suits your fancy.
1. Red
Black is a bold color to go with red but you can create a combo with a more contemporary twist with some softer additions in the mix. The key to this dramatic color combination is to add in a third color (say white, cream, beige, or even gold) using patterns and textures. Look for ways to implement one of the colors more unusually or subtly.
"In designing the sitting room, we embraced the existing dark timber paneling, a feature that, while striking, initially contributed to the room feeling dim and somewhat unwelcoming due to its limited natural light," shares Alessandra Smith of Alessandra Smith Design. "Instead of attempting to artificially brighten this space, we decided to accentuate its natural ambiance to create a warm, moody atmosphere that would set a dramatic scene for guests upon arrival."
"Here we paired the rich red Sesann sofa against a black timber-paneled wall to create a visually compelling focal point," adds Alessandra. "Black serves as a powerful backdrop that amplifies the vibrancy of the red, drawing the eye directly to the sofa."
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2. Purple
Purple and black is a tricky combination, but one that can read well in a modern, glamorous home. The two can imbue a space with a much-needed level of richness few other colors can achieve, however, you need to be careful with black as a color that goes with purple, as it can read a little Halloween-y in the wrong combinations.
The key is to use purple in just the right tone and amount, allowing black to be a wonderful backdrop to lift swatches of purple. Plus, there are many shades of purple to play with. Think: plum, amethyst, and eggplant.
"One strategy to integrate strong colors is to use them in details such as contrast welt in furniture and pillows, drapery trims, and or pulling it in from artwork," says interior designer Janelle Burns of Maestri Studio.
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3. Pink
Black alone can be harsh and overpowering, while pink on its own can seem too saccharine (if you're using baby pink or pastels). But both colors, when used cleverly with the right tones can create a wonderfully elegant interior while giving the room a sense of edge. Think of a more charcoal black as a color that goes with pink. Use deeper, darker versions of pink in furniture or decor.
"In this dining room, we wanted to accentuate the look of the space and make it feel larger," shares Nishita Kamdar, founder of Studio Nishita Kamdar. "So, we clad one wall with a full-height mirror to give it an illusion of height and width. The mirror polish black marble reflects the space and makes it look taller as well, while the soft shades of nude pink on the chair add a pop of color in the space."
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4. Tan
Tan is a great color combination for black, when you want to create an earthy, cozy space. In this dining room color scheme, the two warm tones offset each other, and help create an interior ideal for lounging and long meals.
"We wanted to heighten the drama in this dining space, and color drenching was the perfect solution," says Ashley Ferguson of Ashley Ferguson Interiors. "Dark plaster walls created mood and movement, while leather dining chairs and sculptural lighting brought warmth and balance. Opting for a tone-on-tone look helped us maximize a small space in a creative way."
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5. Beige
Beige is among the best simple, muted colors that go with black. The two neutrals, on two ends of the spectrum, go surprisingly well together and create an aesthetic that won't date easily. Plus, bringing in colors that go with beige is easy, as the third tone can help add a pop of hue to the two neutrals.
"Bringing in a textured, forged iron metal into lighting or furniture creates a beautiful ground and contrast to layer lighter, brighter elements on top," says Mikala Kuchera, lead designer at Charleston studio Margaret Donaldson Interiors.
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6. White
Black doesn't always make an interior seem closed or small. Black walls can look like an endless night sky and expand a space.
When thinking of what color goes with black, the simplest answer always is white — an iconic color combination. You would be hard-pressed to find another pairing quite as effortlessly cool as this. So many modern homes these days are big on monotone spaces. While black gives the room weight and elegance, white paint gives crispness to the interior and creates a restful scape. Plus, the neutral scheme allows other accessories to jump out.
"Black and white is the perfect pairing. We use this combination through monochrome bedsheets, or dark stone flooring paired with white walls,' says interior designer Harsh Boghani, founder of The Crossboundaries.
If painting the walls black, then use white for the textiles, like the blind, seen above. The contrast stops the walls from taking over visually.
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7. Gold
All that glitters may not be gold but it sure is pretty! Colors that go with yellow or gold create an eternally pleasing landscape and bring in an everlasting dose of sunshine into the home. The trick is to choose the right tone of gold or yellow — it varies from bright yellow to a soft burnished hue that is much darker.
Metallic golds mix well with solid tones like pure or matte black. The deep tone lifts the shiny nature of the hue and helps create a sumptuous interior. "Gold can quickly move into brash unless used with care," says Cathy Dean, interior designer at Studio Dean. "Opt for burnished and aged finishes to give a sense of authenticity over its shiny counterparts."
One thing to keep in mind is that if you're going for gold, keep the touches to a minimum to avoid overkill. Like in this interior, a gold cabinet surrounded by black storage and backsplash is all that’s needed. A third wonderful base color to ground the scheme is white. With white on the island and black as the second shade in the color scheme, the gold jumps out, proving you can make a feature out of it.
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8. Green
Green reminds us of rain, tree-lined streets and magnificent camphor trees. Now picture tiny, black berry-like fruits hanging from these trees. It's a sight to behold — in nature, sharp contrasts so easily come together.
When considering what color goes with black, green makes for an attractive pairing, and can feel quite flexible or serene, depending on how you use it. Plus, several colors go with green, simply because this is the hue of the outdoors, open and absorbing of everything.
If you're wondering how to choose the right shade of green paint, a good rule of thumb is that deeper shades should always be reserved for areas that receive natural light, so the interior doesn't feel closed in. Lighter tones work in almost all areas with varied types of lighting. If you’re seeking a cozier feel, choose green on a darker end, and for a more cheerful, upbeat vibe, a lighter green may be better.
"When selecting paints we find it's important to get the mineral balance right, to give a tone that is natural and has a calm, muted quality," says Tom Cox of HáM interiors.
Black alone can feel formal and classic, but sometimes it can be too stark. Green, on the other hand, is the color of nature, so it tends to lend a calming effect. In this bathroom especially, the color combo works wonders, giving the space a refreshing, comfortable feel.
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9. Gray
Gray may be neutral but it's also a statement. It's bolder than white and cream; more modern than its neutral cousins, yet less dramatic than black. True gray (or achromatic gray) is a mixture of black and white, which is why when we think of colors that go with gray black emerges as an easy partner.
Grey appears often in nature — think stones, storm clouds, and sand — and so it also works well on walls, accessories, and furniture. And when paired with black, especially a charcoal grey and a deep black, then the effect is more of a layering one. A grey and black palette can look cool, sober, and calming. Want to add another color? Consider a bold pop.
"Living rooms and bedrooms are a perfect space to experiment with these colors," says Juliette Thomas, founder & director of Juliettes Interiors. "Try painting the walls a deep gray and invite orange on the walls; the result will be effortlessly cool and chic, yet vibrant and fun as well."
In this interior, the light grey wall color is a terrific alternative to pure white, which can sometimes feel too sterile. The color palette seen here is fairly restrained, but the different shades of grey and black play well together and add variety and visual interest.
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10. Blue
More often than not, blue easily makes its way into homes — through wall paints, art, or accessories. The reason could be that there are so many blues out there — royal blue, sky blue, aqua, and indigo — that one or more easily trickles into interiors and makes home. The color evokes a feeling of calm, serenity, stability, and even authority (which is why it's a popular choice for uniforms). Blue also pairs well with other shades and there are several colors that go with blue.
On the topic of colors that go with black, countless color schemes and patterns allow for the combination of black and blue. You could choose a black sofa with indigo blue cushions, layer your black iron-framed bed with a dark blue ikat bedspread, or have royal blue ceramics paired with black pottery.
"Despite its darkness, black walls act as a great backdrop to other aspects of the rooms you want to highlight, whether it’s art or an architectural feature," says paint brand Albany's John Ashton. "Although it can feel daunting, black is a versatile choice that can feel cozy or modern."
While this color combination works well in almost all spaces, it especially works best in offices and study rooms. A study by the University of British Colombia, blue boosts our ability to think creatively. In their research, children and adults tested higher on IQ tests in rooms with blue ceilings. This makes blue a perfect color choice for a home office. But drenching an entire room in blue can seem too repetitive which is why adding black accents can help in layering and adding a more 'serious' tone to the space.
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What colors don't go with black?
Since this is a dark neutral, there are many colors that go with black. However, designers do warn against using highly saturated colors like pink, red or green in large quantities with black. These can make the interior feel too jarring.
What color goes with black for a modern interior scheme?
If you want an eye-catching interior with a modern vibe, then consider black and burnt orange, black and burgundy, and black and teal as an interior color scheme. These look smart, and when perfectly balanced can last a long time without looking dated. You can also go for a calm, understated color palette by pairing it with amber, white, or gold.