Colour theory
Sophisticated, confident and powerful, we’ve examined this statement colour to share how to make it work in your home
Sophisticated and powerful, we share the psychology behind the colour black
While decorating with white is an easy, fail-safe and popular option, decorating with black is often seen as daring and bold – it’s a design decision that says statement, that says that you’ve got confidence. But why is this? Many of us feel safe wearing black – it doesn’t show stains, it goes with everything, it makes us feel good. So why is it such a different story for our interiors? The fact is, it shouldn’t be. ‘For some people. when they wear black or surround themselves with black they can feel glamorous, sophisticated, powerful and in control,’ says Karen Haller (karenhaller.co.uk). Just like with clothes, a wall painted black, done the right way, is a foolproof means to a chic and elegant space. But wouldn’t black paint make your room feel smaller? ‘The idea that black walls will bring the room in is a myth,’ says Kathryn Lloyd, colour specialist at Crown Paints (crownpaints.co.uk). Black absorbs light, so while this means your walls won’t be bouncing light around the room, the deep, mysterious shade comes with other benefits. ‘The light-absorbing nature of black can help walls to recede into the background to create a feeling of depth and space in a room, fostering a sense of calm and stillness,’ says Dominic Myland, CEO at Mylands Paints (mylands.com). This also means that the walls and edges are less clearly marked, making them fade into your periphery and creating the illusion of, in fact, more space.
If you want to go all out with black, you should treat it as a neutral, and embellish your dark blank canvas with other colours and textures, just as you would with white walls. ‘Black is a really exciting colour to decorate with as it allows a huge amount of freedom in the accent colours and textures,’ says
Dominic at Mylands. As far as colour matches go, black is a brilliant wing man to literally any shade. From pure white to pastel pink and vibrant yellow, the absorbent and deep nature of black lets other colours to pop and look their best. Colourful art prints, a brightly coloured armchair or even a vibrant headboard will always look their most powerful against a black wall.
For a more Nordic-inspired, subdued look, go all out with texture. ‘Using light colours and natural materials against the black will really help lift and soften. Decorative mirrors are a great solution for reflecting light too,’ says Lola Swift, interior designer and colour consultant (lolaswift.co.uk). There are many shades of black to choose from, so always try out samples before you buy. Using black paint on all four walls creates a powerful vibe and, as long as your room has plenty of natural light, can be surprisingly relaxing. ‘The darkness of it can bring a sense of calm separation from the world outside, helping you to feel that you are in your own little cocoon – lovely!’ says Dominic.