Black Furniture
Designing with Black Furniture
It may not be the first color you think of, but black furniture offers a bold and sophisticated alternative to wood tones and lighter hues. It adds depth, elegance, and a touch of drama to any room. Whether it’s a black dresser in a bedroom or a black bookcase in a study, there’s a way to incorporate it into any interior design style - romantic, industrial, art deco, zen, mid century, rustic, whimsical, multicultural, traditional, contemporary, maximalist, minimalist and more! Just as there’s no single “white” color, black comes in all tints. A black with an undertone of blue can look sharp and clean. With an undertone of brown, the black becomes softer. If you then add the myriad different materials from distressed painted black to high shine lacquer, cold matte black metal and deep plush velvet, it becomes easier to see why black furniture has a wide appeal even though it’s often forgotten as a “color” in interior design.
Embrace Contrast
When incorporating black furniture into your interior design, it's essential to embrace contrast. Black creates a striking visual impact, and to make it truly shine, you need to balance it with contrasting elements. Lighter colors, such as white, cream, or pastels, create a harmonious contrast and allow the black furniture to stand out. Consider pairing a black sofa with white walls and light-colored accessories for an elegant and contemporary look.
Another effective way to create contrast is through textures. Mix different textures, such as smooth leather, plush fabrics, or even metallic accents, to add visual interest and depth to your space. The interplay of different textures with black furniture can create a luxurious and captivating ambiance. To add a more relaxed feel, incorporate natural fibers such as unfinished wood, jute and straw.
Play with Light
Lighting plays a crucial role in interior design, and it becomes even more important when working with black furniture. The right lighting can enhance the beauty of black furniture and create a dynamic atmosphere. Natural light is an excellent choice to complement black furniture, as it brings out the richness of the color and prevents the space from feeling overly dark or heavy.
Strategically placed lighting fixtures, such as recessed lights, floor lamps, or pendant lights, can help highlight black furniture as focal points in the room. Consider incorporating warm, ambient lighting to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Mirrors are another powerful tool to play with light in spaces with black furniture. Placing mirrors opposite windows can reflect light, making the room appear brighter and more spacious. They also create an interesting visual contrast when placed against a dark wall or adjacent to black furniture.
If you’re worried about black furniture creating too somber an effect, lighten it up and bring life to the room by adding plenty of houseplants.
Or include houseplant illustrations on your black furniture!
Add Color?
While black furniture can create a stunning monochromatic look, adding pops of color can inject vibrancy and personality into your space. Consider incorporating lively accessories, such as colorful cushions, artwork, or rugs, to create focal points and break any monotony. The contrast between the black furniture and these vibrant accents will create a visually captivating environment.
If you want an 80’s vibe, add primary colors to the mix. For moody maximalism, layer on more dark colors such as burgundy or navy. Personally, I’m more of a fan of pairing a piece of black furniture with dusty rose and cream or a rich camel and cream. When it comes to selecting a wood tone that works with black, a light oak color is the best option as it contrasts with the black and doesn’t add additional darkness to the room.
Natural elements, such as indoor plants or fresh flowers, can add a refreshing touch of color and life to a space with black furniture. The combination of greenery with black creates a striking juxtaposition that brings the room to life.
Another striking technique for adding color, is to line the back of a black bookcase or cabinet with some bright or contrasting wallpaper.
If you’re looking for a color other than white to work in a space that puts art front and center, black can be a great way to make the art the star of the show.
To tie a piece of black furniture into a room that already has more color, think about framing wall art with black frames or mats. A black lampshade or throw pillow in the mix can also help balance out a room with a piece of black furniture in it.
Top Tip
And blatant cuteness break! Before you invest in any furniture with black upholstery, consider your pets!
My dog Harvey, was super gorgeous but a nightmare when it came to shedding blond fur on things. I had dark wood floors at the time which was really unfortunate!
My current dog Basil, is much better suited to the inevitability of dog fur on dark surfaces. Of course, by the time Baz was in my life, I had a bright yellow sofa. Duh!
Black Bedroom Furniture
The Little Black Dress(er) - 3 Ways
Of all black furniture, black dressers seem to be the most popular. It’s easy to see why. A little black dresser works with so many different interior styles - from the delicate to the industrial and everything in between. Here are some mood boards that create different interior design styles each based on a small black dresser.
Romantic
Let’s start with a soft and gracious style. The key to making a black dresser work in a romantic interior is to pair it with soft colors, soft fabrics and some antique gold.
The Queen Elizabeth I Dresser is paired with a gold chandelier, a carved and dreamily cloud painted mirror, cream bedding and dusty pink with cream paint palette. Vivienne Westwood pearl earrings optional!
Contemporary
For a more graphic contemporary look, we’ll keep the lines clean and straight, then incoporate grays and blues into the color palette.
For this design, a black dresser is paired with light oak geometric pattern nightstands and slate blue stonewashed linen bedding. Continuing the moody palette onto the walls and trim, we have slate blue paint colors (School Blazer Blue and The Early Stuff). And to round it out, a beige and blue artwork with a light oak frame and a blue glass lamp with a black shade to connect with the dresser color.
Classic
Now for a style I’ll call classic or scholarly, we’ll keep the palette neutral so that the camel color of the bed and the beautiful burlwood boxes look rich and sumptuous.
This small black dresser is paired with a camel tufted leather bed, a bookcase, an architectural clock and some light wood accessories. The paint palette comprises a warm greige and a deep cream.
Black Furniture Everywhere!
Bedrooms aren’t the only rooms that deserve a piece of black furniture.
Consider a black console in an entry to create a strong first statement and anchor the space. You’ve probably seen the dramatic difference when someone paints their front door a glossy black. You can create the interior equivalent by choosing black furniture for your entry area.
A black desk or black filing cabinets can take a home office from dull to bold. Try to avoid a black office chair too, though. I often work at a black desk but sit on a velvety green swivel chair with plenty of plants around to help the creative juices flow!
Of course, a piece of black furniture doesn’t need to be black all over. I love combining black with light wood to create something organic but striking at the same time. You can use this type of black furniture in many rooms of your home too of course. This Celtic Dresser is used in a living room and this Mountain Geode Cabinet holds court in a media room.
Designing interiors with black furniture is an exciting endeavor that allows you to create elegant and sophisticated spaces. By embracing contrast, playing with light, balancing the space, and adding pops of color, you can achieve a harmonious and visually captivating composition. Black furniture adds a touch of drama and depth to any room, creating a sense of luxury and style. With careful consideration and creativity, you can transform your space into a stunning showcase of design, where black furniture takes center stage, making a bold statement that leaves a lasting impression. Just avoid plain black rugs. The lasting impression will always be one of lint everywhere!