Black and white doesn’t have to be limited to just your wardrobe. It can be just as interestingly used in your home décor to make it stunning and drool-worthy. This high-impact pairing of black and white has appeal for both sexes. The contrast of opposites creates an elegant and sophisticated setting perfectly suited to social spaces like the living space and dining rooms.[break]
The idea is quite basic and simple. Create depth and interest by mixing in black and white with colors like vibrant red or royal blue. Black adds dimension to any palette while helping to “anchor” a certain décor style. Black and white accents also help your design scheme and avoid the dreaded matching look.
Pohto Courtesy: Arjun Shah
The possibilities are endless if you want to color your world with black & white. The combination of these contrasting hues creates an elegant and upscale environment. You’ll be amazed at the transformation as nothing packs a more powerful punch in a room than this bold color combination.
This week, we’ll show you how to decorate your living space with this fabulous color scheme.
Tips and tricks for using black and white
Know your blacks. Black comes in many different shades and tones. Test several fabric and paint swatches in your space before choosing a black for an entire room. For instance, matte black tends to fade into the background while gloss black screams for attention.
You can opt to use warm soft ivory or pale yellow on the walls. Keep black furniture lines sleek, with a few large pieces such as entertainment centers, media consoles and storage cabinets or bookshelves instead of smaller ones and keep clutter to a minimum.
If you want to use black but would prefer a softer look, try black walls or furniture with an over-glazed finish. Opt for fabrics that use a small amount of black or textured black fabrics. The idea, while decorating with black, is to start small until you feel comfortable adding more.
Black leather can look really chic or really cheap. You have to choose with care. Leather furniture is usually worth the splurge because it can last a lifetime with minimal care. You can use any ordinary cleaning fluid to wipe down stains and keep it looking brand new.
Black and white creates drama and can open up a room. Consider a black and white checkered rug to unify and ground your space. Using black and white checkered blinds on the window will also make your space look more streamlined.
A black and white dining room gives a sleek yet warm look. Black chairs paired with a wooden table and bright white walls are instantly inviting.
A black and white bedroom can be completely calm and serene. By adding black stripes, whether it be on bed sheets or curtains and simple black drapes, to a room painted white, you can create a just the right startling effect.
If the color combination of black and white is too dramatic for your taste, you can add a dash of color and use red or green accessories. Black also looks great mixed with neutral tones like beige, ivory, gray and greens. You can even use a dash of red if you don’t want to keep it subtle.
If you don’t have the option of reupholstering your furniture, then accessories like side tables, coffee tables and cushion covers in black and white can also add drama to your décor.
If you are do have black and white furniture, then mirrors and other reflective accents such as lamps and vases add sparkle and help to counteract darker tones.
One foolproof way to tie in black and white is by creating a wall collage of your favorite photos mounted with simple white mattes in black frames. You can opt to use a collection of black and white photos and prints in simple, black frames for an instant focal point in any room or hallway.
A decorative bowl filled with fun black and white marbles make an instant design statement. Black vases or lamps work equally well.
To incorporate a bit of black that can also be useful, consider chalkboard paint. Use it to paint a wall, a framed area or door panels. It can be functional and decorative at the same time.
Paint your ceiling black for a striking décor. Keep in mind to keep the rest of the room in neutral tones if you plan to do this because a black ceiling with an equally dark furnishing can make a room feel cramped.
A lot of people tend to think that black will hide dust and dirt. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Black walls, fabrics and furnishings tend to show every speck of dust and grime. So if you want to decorate with black, be prepared for extra upkeep.
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