Deep and dramatic, black walls never fail to make a statement. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be livable, too. Designers use inky paint, tile and wallpaper to bring sophisticated style to rooms, and make furniture and accents stand out. If you’ve been toying with the idea of going over to the dark side, check out 45 of our favorite spaces with beautiful black walls.
Take a page from designer’s Judith Gougeon handbook and create an accent wall with all of your favorite knick knacks and mementos. The wall’s dark hue makes the rich reds and patterned pillows pop.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens & Angus McRitchie
Source: House & Home June 2018
Designer: Judith Gougeon
Farrow & Ball’s Railings (31) feels like a warm hug in designer Danielle Nicholas Bryk and her husband Greg’s principal bedroom. “It’s a great backdrop for boho elements and is very cocoon-like,” she says. “I think this bedroom really does symbolize the ultimate escape for us.”
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home November 2018
Designer: Danielle Nicholas Bryk
Beachy accents take a turn to the dark side in this Toronto home, thanks to a coat or two of moody paint. Artist Alex Katz’s Ariel bright red print is the perfect addition to the otherwise neutral living room.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home May 2018
Designer: Montana Burnett
“It’s quite an open, airy house and there’s so much light that I thought it could afford a black room,” says designer Montana Burnett of the dramatic dining room, swathed in Benjamin Moore’s Jet Black (2120-10). “When you have a black room and then a white room, it’s beautiful.”
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home May 2018
Designer: Montana Burnett
The principal ensuite exudes California cool with lightly worn wood cabinets and woven pendants made out of sustainable maple wood. What takes it up a notch is the hits of black: the hexagon floors, statement wall and chic accessories.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home May 2018
Designer: Montana Burnett
Reminiscent of chalk drawings on a blackboard, this eye-catching wallpaper feels right at home in this ultra-cool bedroom. A mid-century modern-style side table softens the high-contrast palette.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home March 2019
Designer: Montana Burnett
In this monochromatic condo’s petite entryway, a custom wallpaper by Drop It Modern sets the tone for the rest of the home. There’s no need to decorate the walls when you have a print this impactful.
Photographer: Clare Forndran
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Clare Forndran, Ali Budd Interiors
The living room is anything but builder-basic, thanks to a statement wall adorned in a jet black hue. A playful quote injects the space with a youthful feel.
Photographer: Clare Forndran
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Clare Forndran, Ali Budd Interiors
Even though a backlit onyx headboard steals the show in this luxurious Toronto bedroom, a black wall provides a place for the eye to rest.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home December 2019
Designer: Carey Mudford & Erin Coe; Architecture by Lorne Rose Architect
Ugandan baskets — both in black and white and a mellow yellow — create an eye-catching 3D display in this global guest bedroom, especially with a moody grasscloth wallpaper as the backdrop. See the rest of this colorful abode on H&H TV.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home February 2019
Designer: Denise Zidel & Stephanie Lees
Black walls, marble-tiled floors and a shower enclosure with contrast piping make this principal bathroom dark and dramatic, while the light wood cabinet adds softness and warmth.
Photographer: Andre Rider
Source: House & Home April 2018
Designer: Melanie Cherrier, Blanc Marine Living
Designer Sarah Baeumler created an intimate “speakeasy” in the lower level of the Spring 2020 Princess Margaret Showhome. An electric turquoise sofa gives the adults-only hangout zest and personality.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home May 2020
Designer: Sarah Baeumler
With the addition of millwork detailing, Farrow & Ball’s Railings (31) transforms neutral linens and natural wood furniture into a cozy year-round retreat.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2019
Designer: Jackie Di Cara
If you want to dip your toe into the black wall trend, try painting only halfway up the wall. Black Beauty (2128-10) by Benjamin Moore showcases the architectural nook in this guest bedroom/media room.
Photographer: Tracey Ayton
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Ben Leavitt, Plaidfox
Kelly Wearstler’s Graffito wallpaper is definitely a bold choice for a bedroom, but when paired with white linens and a charcoal gray bed frame, it doesn’t overpower. Moody hues actually encourage better sleep because it creates a cocooning feeling.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home October 2020
Designer: Gillian Gillies
Designer Shirley Meisels used Universal Black (2118-10) by Benjamin Moore to make her collection of framed art stand out.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home April 2016
Designer: Shirley Meisels
A coat of Benjamin Moore’s Deep Caviar (2130-20) draws the eye to the handsome trim and mantelpiece in Alison Jeffery’s home.
Photographer: John Gruen
Source: House & Home July 2016
Designer: Alison Jeffery
In her own kitchen, designer Danielle Nicholas Bryk added a layer of texture with a wall of snake skin-patterned tiles by Walker Zanger.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2014
Designer: Danielle Nicholas Byrk
Walls painted in Behr’s Black Suede (S-H-790) bring a bit of sophistication to Anne Cote’s bucolic country home.
Photographer: Monic Richard
Source: House & Home June 2014
Designer: Anne Cote
Designer Colette van den Thillart’s bathroom is a dramatic end-of-day retreat thanks to black seagrass wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries.
Photographer: Chris Tubbs
Source: House & Home October 2014
Designer: Colette van den Thillart
Design duo Les Ensembliers, no strangers to daring style, opted for Onyx (2133-10) by Benjamin Moore to give this principal bedroom a rich, cocooning feel.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home January 2017
Designer: Richard Ouellette & Maxime Vandal, Les Ensembliers
Designer Erika Floysvik went for a high-contrast color scheme in her modern home, pairing crisp white kitchen cabinetry with walls in Benjamin Moore’s Jet Black (2120-10).
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home March 2017
Designer: Erika Floysvik
Ebonized wall panelling makes a fine backdrop for Barry and Debra Campbell’s stunning artwork in their refined Toronto home.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home January 2016
Designer: Alex Chapman
A wall painted in Black Satin (2131-10) by Benjamin Moore lends definition to designer Ines Mazzotta’s entryway.
Photographer: Robin Stubbert
Source: House & Home June 2017
Designer: Ines and Peter Mazzotta
Ines opted for a chalkboard formula of the same shade, Black Satin, in her son Jake’s bedroom, letting him pay tribute to his favorite bands.
Photographer: Robin Stubbert
Source: House & Home June 2017
Designer: Ines & Peter Mazzotta
In this home by Michelle Lloyd Bermann and Christine Ralphs, a black wall draws the eye into the dining room, creating a dramatic sense of depth.
Photographer: Nathan Schroder
Source: House and Home November 2016
Designer: Michelle Lloyd Bermann & Christine Ralphs
Designer Meredyth Hilton opted for bold black subway tile from Olympia Tile & Stone in her own kitchen. “I like my interiors to have strong backdrops,” she says.
Photographer: Photography by Alex Lukey
Source: House and Home October 2016
Designer: Meredyth Hilton
H&H editors Morgan Michener and Stacey Smithers created this pretty accent wall using a combination of Farrow & Ball’s Off-Black (57) and Slipper Satin (2004).
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home May 2017
Designer: Morgan Michener and Stacey Smithers
Ebonized wall panelling and a black door ensure a seriously dramatic first impression in designer Scott Yetman’s stylish home.
Photographer: Drew Hadley
Source: House & Home February 2017
Designer: Scott Yetman
A large chalkboard-painted wall lets the whole family get creative in this airy kitchen designed by Selina van der Geest.
Photographer: Jane Beiles
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Selina van der Geest
In this tailored living space, black-painted walls tie in nicely with a collection of framed black and white photography.
Photographer: Andre Rider
Source: House & Home December 2014
Designer: Shane Berube
An airy wire-based chair and a simple, yet impactful, piece of artwork strike just the right balance in this moody black hallway.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home April 2016
Designer: Shirley Meisels
A wall of inky hexagonal tile in this bathroom by designer Shirley Meisels sets it well apart from the crowd.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home March 2017
Designer: Shirley Meisels
Willow (CC-542) by Benjamin Moore is a brown-tinged off-black that works beautifully with vibrant rugs and art.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home November 2016
Designer: Connie Braemer
Placed in front of black-painted walls, a set of shapely yellow vessels really pop.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home April 2016
Designer: Shirley Meisels
A section of wall painted in Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty (2128-10) has a cool, graphic appeal in this principal bedroom.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Products: House & Home March 2017
Designer: Shirley Meisels
Designer Sloan Mauran gave her mantel and fireplace wall real presence with a coat of rich black paint.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home February 2015
Designer: Sloan Mauran
Designer Sophie Burke went with Farrow & Ball’s Off-Black (57) to bring a touch of drama to this light-filled bathroom.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home April 2017
Designer: Sophie Burke
A striking blackboard-painted wall makes a serious splash in this otherwise white kitchen by the designers at Powell & Bonnell.
Photographer: Ted Yarwood
Source: House & Home March 2015
Designer: Fenwick Bonnell
Behr’s Black Suede (S-H-790) makes a foolproof partner for crisp white upholstery in Anne Cote’s eclectic living room.
Photographer: Monic Richard
Source: House & Home June 2014
Designer: Anne Cote
If bold style is your aim, take your cue from designer Connie Braemer and coat an entire bathroom — trim, walls, window frame and tub — in deep black.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home October 2007
Designer: Connie Braemer
To make this elegant living room memorable, designer Brian Gluckstein mounted a panel of black Fromental wallpaper dotted with hand-embroidered silk flowers.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home December 2014
Designer: Brian Gluckstein
H&H editor Morgan Michener chose black chalkboard paint from Rust-Oleum to lend this boy’s room a bit of edge.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home June 2011
Designer: Morgan Michener
Slivers of black-painted wall balance out all the thick, white trim in this sunny eat-in kitchen by Elizabeth Margles and Joel Bray.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home April 2016
Designer: Elizabeth Margles and Joel Bray
Dreamt up by H&H editors Morgan Michener and Lauren Petroff, this wall design delivers whimsy in spades.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home September 2014
Designer: Morgan Michener and Lauren Petroff
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