How to Choose the Best Black Paint Colors for Bold, ...

Black used to be one of the least popular picks at the paint store. The dark hue has an unfair reputation for making rooms feel gloomy and cramped—characteristics most people don't want in a home. However, homeowners and designers alike are beginning to see the potential of this once-contentious color. Black is now stepping into the light as a trendy paint color that delivers drama and striking modern style. Black paint colors have also emerged as a go-to choice in bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and more.

David Tsay

Where to Use Black Paint

"People are craving deep and moody colors after a decade filled with whites and light grays," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. "The color black has the power to act as a bold yet neutral backdrop that suits a variety of tastes and finishes, so we're seeing it enter the home in spaces we might typically not have seen before, such as dining rooms, bedrooms, and even spa-like bathrooms."

Black has also become a popular paint color choice for kitchen cabinets, living room accent walls, ceilings, window trim, and even exteriors. "Black exteriors are just so different from what has been done in the past and people are gravitating toward this surprising and modern look, even on traditional-style homes," Wadden says.

Indoors, black paint defies its dark and dreary reputation. Instead of making small rooms feel claustrophobic, dark wall colors tend to recede, making a tight space appear larger than it actually is, says Toronto-based designer Rebecca Hay. In fact, the effect is often more comforting than oppressive or gloomy. "Objects tend to fade into a dark background and so spaces with black tend to feel less chaotic and more soothing," Hay says.

David A Land

How to Choose Black Paint Colors

Black paint colors come in a wide variety of shades and finishes. Use these tips to choose the best black paint color for your home.

Consider the undertones.

"The trick to selecting black colors is to pay close attention to its undertones," says Lance Thomas of Lousiana-based Thomas Guy Interiors. Black is simply a dark version of another color, so look at the lighter shades on the paint strip to determine the underlying hue. Natural light brings out these undertones, so consider them carefully before making your decision. Black paint colors with green undertones, for example, can help encourage productivity and creativity in an office, while purple-toned blacks lend themselves to restful bedroom retreats, Thomas says.

James Nathan Schroder

Keep finish in mind.

The paint finish is another key consideration with dark colors like black. Flat or matte finishes, for instance, will soak up light and contribute to a cozy, intimate feel. These sheens also work well for disguising wall scuffs and imperfections. High-gloss paint adds shine and glamor, but these sheens should be reserved for smooth, unblemished surfaces, Wadden notes. "Overall, a satin finish helps black reflect light and gives the color a little bit of life," she says.

John Bessler

Best Black Paint Colors

If you're still stuck on which shade to choose, try one of these expert-approved black paint colors.

Tricorn Black SW 6258, Sherwin-Williams

Wadden notes that Tricorn Black consistently lands in Sherwin-Williams' bestselling paint colors. "It's a striking, true black that sets the tone and modernizes any space," she says. Pair this intense shade with natural textures and greenery for bold contrast. Wadden also suggests trying it on a front door or shutters for a "sophisticated and classic focal point."

Courtesy of Rebecca Hay Designs

Raccoon Fur 2126-20, Benjamin Moore

Hay calls Benjamin Moore's Raccoon Fur her go-to black paint color because of its "soft richness." She often uses this shade in bedrooms and small spaces. "Sometimes it's best to embrace the coziness of a small room, and black causes the space to envelop you," Hay says.

Inkwell SW 6992, Sherwin-Williams

Colorado-based interior designer Laura Umansky of Laura U Design Collective is a fan of the drama of Inkwell by Sherwin-Williams. "I love a room with a lot of contrast and this dark, inky shade pairs well with brighter whites and ivories," she says. Use it as a backdrop to highlight a striking piece of wall decor. "In spaces where you don't need a ton of light for tasks, it can create a cozy and warm space that allows for your favorite piece of art to shine," Umansky says.

Peppercorn SW 7674, Sherwin-Williams

If full black seems a little too intense, opt for a color that verges on dark gray. Detroit-based designer Candace Griffin of Candace Mary Interiors calls Peppercorn "the perfect compromise of a deep gray paint and a black." The classic color brings a moody touch to bedrooms, dining rooms, or powder rooms. Griffin suggests pairing it with contrasting colors such as Snowbound SW 7004 or Alabaster SW 7008.

Things to Know Before Painting Your Walls Black

The right color can change the feel of a space, but there are a few things to keep in mind before working with dark, moody colors. First, take care to prep your walls with good-quality painter's tape—especially around baseboards, window frames, and the ceiling. Even little mistakes will be hard to miss with boldly contrasting colors. Second, know that multiple coats of paint will likely be necessary—even if you use a primer. To achieve a flawless finish, allow each layer to dry completely before adding another layer. Finally, to create a sense of coziness, balance out your newly dark walls with light or neutral furniture and decor and add some plants (faux or real) to give the space vibrancy and life.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I add black to a room without overwhelming it?

  If you like the idea of bold, black paint but don’t want to commit to painting an entire room, choose an accent wall, opt for a black-painted ceiling, or paint the trim black.

• Are black walls hard to paint over?

  No, but don’t skip the primer. When moving from deep, moody colors to light neutrals or white, it’s important to start with a coat of primer. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply several layers of paint. The same can be said for transitioning a wall from white or beige to black, grey, or deep blue. When going darker, a grey or deep-hued primer will give you full coverage with fewer coats.

• Can I use a black-painted wall as a chalkboard?

  You can, but if your wall is porous, it may not erase cleanly. If you would like to use your black wall as a chalkboard, it’s best to use chalkboard paint (not to be confused with chalk paint). It can be applied like regular paint but dries with a hard, matte surface that mimics a classroom chalkboard. You must also condition the painted surface before writing on it the first time. Chalkboard paint costs around $20-$30 for a 30-ounce can and works best on smooth surfaces. If you have a textured wall and want to create a chalkboard effect, you may need to sand the surface smooth before painting.

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The thought of black paint may seem quite frightening to many people. You may think shades of black seem dark and unwelcoming. Consequently, this is so far from the truth. When used correctly, black paint colors can feel inviting, spacious, and not to mention sophisticated.

Welcome back! Today is going to be a frightening one.

With Halloween right around the corner, for this post, I wanted to play into the holiday a bit and make this post somewhat relatable. I guess as relatable as paint colors can be to Halloween. But you know dark, creepy, and mysterious. Am I grasping at straws here?

Regardless, today’s post is all about the best black paint colors!

Yes, black paint colors can be mysterious and dark. But they can also be elegant, sophisticated, and dramatic.

I feel like shades of black have been on the up and up and you are seeing them being used often on front doors, walls, exteriors, etc. And for good reason, these bold, dark colors are gorgeous and so dang versatile.

Believe it or not, black paint colors also have undertones that can make some lean warm and others lean cool.

The key to using black paint colors or any dark paint color is balance. If you were to paint your walls black, with dark flooring and dark furniture, the space may come off unbalanced and heavy.

The trick to incorporating them seamlessly is creating balance wherever you plan to use the color.

Black is such a striking hue and shouldn’t be discounted because it is seemingly too dark.

I don’t want you to be afraid to decorate with black so I’m sharing the best black paint colors to use for any and all of your projects.

THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS

These are the best black paint colors from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams.

If you want a superbly chic and utterly moody paint color, look no further. These shades of black are the best of the best and designer approved.

BENJAMIN MOORE BLACK SATIN 2131-10

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LRV – 2.49

Black Satin by Benjamin Moore is a very popular black paint color. This color is from the blue hue family.

Black satin has a softness to it that makes it an incredibly versatile black paint color.

Meghan @meghanandmarco on Instagram painted her railing using Black Satin and it was a perfect choice. I personally think a classic black railing is so timeless and elegant.

BENJAMIN MOORE OYNX 2133-10

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LRV -2.9

BM Onyx is one of the most popular Benjamin Moore black paint colors. This color is from the red hue family, and that red in it gives it the slightest amount of warmth. You will see that warmth, especially when you compare Onyx to another black paint color.

Briana @itstikigirl on Instagram, painted her interior door using BM Oynx and it looks like the perfect neutral black paint color. It also is an amazing paint color to pair with honey oak wood.

READ MORE: HOW TO PAINT INTERIOR DOORS

SHERWIN WILLIAMS CAVIAR SW 6990

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LRV – 3

Sherwin Williams Caviar comes from the purple/purple-red hue family. This is a soft color that has a ton of depth to it. Depending on the lighting, fixed elements, etc. in your home, Caviar has the potential to come off warmer than some of the other black colors.

Try using it in a North-facing room to reduce the warmth coming through.

I’m utterly obsessed with how Brianna themoderncolonial on Instagram used SW Caviar on her board and batten accent wall. The black accent wall is the perfect addition to the room.

It’s also important to note how well this paint color looks with the dark wood.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS  BLACK MAGIC SW 6991

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LRV – 3

Black Magic by Sherwin Williams is an elegant and chic black paint color. It’s right in the middle of the red and red-purple hue family.

Black Magic is such a strikingly unique black paint color. Compared to some of the other black paint shades, Black Magic is a smidge warmer. It’s a shade of black that looks exceptionally beautiful in a satin or eggshell sheen.

Kelsey @shininglite88 on Instagram used Black Magic in her bedroom and it looks absolutely amazing.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS TRICORN BLACK SW 6258

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LRV – 3

Tricorn Black is Sherwin Williams best selling black paint color. It comes from the purple-blue hue family. There aren’t any true notable undertones I’ve seen with Tricorn Black. Of the many times, I’ve used this popular black paint color, it has always looked like a neutral black.

I opted to go with Tricorn Black on the fireplace I built in my master bedroom. I find it to be the perfect classic shade of black to use anywhere: exteriors, doors, walls, etc.

BENJAMIN MOORE BLACK 2132-10

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LRV – 2.48

You get what you see with Benjamin Moore Black. It is black. This bad boy comes from the purple/blue hue family. However, it stays pretty neutral, not shifting warm or cool.

Black is the darkest black paint color on this list and is pretty comparable to SW Tricorn Black.

BM Black is a versatile color that will enhance any space you use it. Pair it with a crisp white like BM Chantilly Lace, and you have yourself a match made in heaven.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS IRON ORE SW 7069

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LRV – 6

SW Iron Ore is in the green/yellow hue family. It has a low chroma which means it is not a saturated color and you won’t be seeing any trace of the green/yellow hue family.

Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is one of my personal off-black paint colors AKA dark charcoal gray. The reason I like Iron Ore is that it’s a softer version of black yet, it still has the dark and moody feel to it.

This is a great off-black shade that never fails to please.

Molly @vintage_virginian on Instagram used Iron Ore and it’s the perfect addition to her beautifully decorated living space.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS BLACK OF NIGHT SW 6991

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LRV – 4

Black of Night by Sherwin Williams is a black paint color with a blue undertone. This fantastic shade of black complements blue paint colors beautifully. It’s more of a cool-toned black compared to some of the other black paints on this list.

I love how @byebyebuildergrade on Instagram used SW Black of Night. It’s such a fun way to create an accent wall simply using paint. The other colors used were Sherwin Williams Dignity Blue, Pure White, Agreeable Gray, Waterfall, and Aquarium.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS BLACK FOX SW 7020

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SW Black Fox Is such a unique black paint color. Now, it’s not a true black. Its hue family is in the middle of yellow-red and red. You can see that Black Fox has a very rich brownish undertone, which comes from the red/yellow hue family.

LRV – 6

If you are looking for a dark yet warm, non-black paint color, I highly suggest checking out SW Black Fox.

I love how Sarah @thelshapedhouse, on Instagram, incorporated Black Fox in her living room. It gives the space a dramatic effect without going overboard or looking heavy. It also is a great paint color to go with light wood.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS AFTER THE STORM SW 6985

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LRV – 3

Sherwin Williams After the Storm is a newer paint color. It’s a part of the Emerald Designer Edition – Classic + Collected Collection.

After the storm comes from the blue, blue-purple hue family. This is a very dark color but unlike some of the others on this list, it’s a bit more saturated. This is one of the black paint colors that have a slight blue undertone to it.

I feel the Sherwin Williams was spot on with the name of this paint color, If you like a black paint color with a bit of a blue undertone, I highly suggest checking out After the Storm.

via Sherwin Williams

BENJAMIN MOORE WROUGHT IRON 2124-10

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LRV – 6.16

Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron is another off-black paint color. It is in the blue/ blue-purple hue family. It’s soft and muted with more of a dark charcoal feel to it. If you find most black paint colors to be a bit too dark, try Wrought Iron.

Cail @caileighlangford on Instagram killed it with her she shed. The Wrought Iron on the exterior paired with the wood tones of the door is a match made in heaven.

via

BENJAMIN MOORE BLACK BEAUTY 2128-10

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LRV – 3.26

Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore is precisely what its name entails; beauty. This color comes from the red hue family which gives it a tiny bit of warmth.

The elegance of Black Beauty makes it such a fantastic shade of black to use anywhere from a front door to an accent wall in a home gym.

As proof, check out how @mango.wood.interiors painted the shiplap using Benjamin Moore Black Beauty in her remarkable home gym.

BENJAMIN MOORE RACCOON FUR 2126-20

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LRV – 6.34

Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore is from the blue hue family. It is a gorgeous shade that screams pure elegance. This soft off-black paint color is dramatic enough to make a statement, and boy will it ever.

@3legsandagoose on Instagram used Racoon Fur and I have to say it looks awesome, It looks exactly like a soft black and it couldn’t be more perfect of a paint color.

Also, she refinished that gorgeous piece of furniture and I’m obsessed with her super sweet pup.

BENJAMIN MOORE SOOT 2129-20

TRY A SAMPLE

LRV – 4.11

Benjamin Moore Soot is another absolutely stunning black paint color with a blue undertone. Any guesses of what its hue family is? Yup, blue. And thanks to those, Soot leans slightly cooler but not too cool.

Soot is a stunningly saturated gray-black color. It’s a fantastic alternative to a true black paint color.

Jess @jessbuildit on Instagram, used Benjamin Moore Soot in her office. And all I can say is wow. The high ceilings along with the ample amount of natural light pouring in through the windows allow the beauty of the paint color to shine. Also, can we just take a moment to admire how talented Jess is? She built and transformed this office herself.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO SAMPLE BLACK PAINT COLORS?

Oh, I am so glad you asked!

You know how I feel about testing paint samples. You have to do it! Not sampling paint colors is one of the BIGGEST painting mistakes you can make. Never skip it!

In terms of sampling black paint colors, I prefer using Sampilze.

WHAT IS THE TRUEST BLACK PAINT COLOR?

There are two colors on this list that are the truest black paint colors.

1. Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
2. Benjamin Moore Black

These 2 are the closest to true black paint colors. Going solely off of spectral data, both Benjamin Moore Black and Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black are pretty dang close to a no-nonsense black paint color. They are, in my eyes black.

TRICORN BLACK VS. BLACK MAGIC

I believe that comparing paint colors is always helpful when you are trying to find a color for your home. It also helps you recognize the color’s undertones.

Just for fun, let’s see how Tricorn Black and Black Magic compare to one another.

• Tricorn Black comes from the purple/blue hue family, whereas Black Magic’s hue family is in the middle of red and red/purple.
• Black Magic is a hint lighter.
• Tricorn Black is more of a true black in comparison.
• Black Magic is a softer warm black paint color
• Tricorn is the more popular color.

Honestly, both these colors are great black options. They are quite similar yet there are a few things that separate them from one another. I don’t think one is better than the other. I say if you want a true black go with Tricorn Black. If you want a slightly softer black, Black Magic is for you.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS BEFORE YOU START PAINTING! GET THE PAINT TOOLS THE PROS USE!

THE BEST BLACK PAINT FOR FRONT DOORS

One of the best places you can use a black paint color is on the front door. Black is a versatile paint color that complements just about any color. And when it comes to the exterior of a home it can sometimes be tricky to find a front door color to match the existing exterior. This is why choosing to paint your front door black is a fantastic option. Just look how beautiful Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black looks on this front door.

Honestly, All these colors would be amazing options for your front door, however, there are 2 popular ones that tend to win most people over.

• Black Satin – Sherwin Willims
• Black Beauty – Benjamin Moore

When it comes to the actual type of paint to be used on the front door, the best is Sherwin Williams Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint and Benjamin Moore Aura Grand Entrance.

RECAP – THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS

As always. let’s do a quick recap of the best black paint colors

• BENJAMIN MOORE BLACK SATIN 2131-10
• BENJAMIN MOORE OYNX 2133-10
• SHERWIN WILLIAMS CAVIAR SW 6990
• SHERWIN WILLIAMS  BLACK MAGIC SW 6991
• BENJAMIN MOORE BLACK 2132-10
• SHERWIN WILLIAMS TRICORN BLACK SW 6258
• SHERWIN WILLIAMS IRON ORE SW 7069
• SHERWIN WILLIAMS BLACK OF NIGHT SW 6991
• SHERWIN WILLIAMS BLACK FOX SW 7020
• SHERWIN WILLIAMS AFTER THE STORM SW 6985
• BENJAMIN MOORE WROUGHT IRON 2124-10
• BENJAMIN MOORE BLACK BEAUTY 2128-10
• BENJAMIN MOORE RACCOON FUR 2126-20
• BENJAMIN MOORE SOOT 2129-20

FINAL THOUGHTS – THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS

Moody, dark, dramatic, bold, full-bodied, classic, and timeless, are all terms that can be used to describe black paint colors.

Black is a color that meshes well with any decor style, no matter what it is. It’s a classic color that will stand the test of time.

Overall, every color on this list is amazing. Whether you are looking for a softer black like Black Satin or an off-black like Iron Ore, one will surely fit the bill. I truly believe you can not go wrong with any black paint color.

Embrace the dark side and explore the wonderful world of black paint colors.

Don’t start painting until you have the right tools!

SHOP MUST HAVE PAINTING TOOLS

Are you planning on tackling a painting project on your own?  Use these tips to help you paint your room like a pro.

Do you want to paint like a pro?

Get the painting tools the pros use.

Drop cloths are a must for any painting project. Paint is messy! Save yourself the hassle of unnecessary cleanup by using drop cloths. You’ll be happy you did.

A high-quality paint brush will go a long way. The same goes for paint rollers. You want to use tools that will work with you, making your painting job more manageable.

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