How to Design a Black & White Interior

A black and white decor creates a visually dramatic space.

A black and white interior design creates a visually dramatic space. How you combine and emphasize the two neutrals determines whether the home takes on the sleek look of a New York apartment or the casual look of an eclectic cottage. By determining the feeling you'd like the rooms to evoke, you'll settle on the right combination to accentuate the strengths of your space.

Things You'll Need

• Paint and painting supplies
• Black and white photos
• Rug
• Furniture
• Decorative pillows
• Decorative accessories
• Curtains

Instructions

1. Create a dramatic look by painting one main wall of the room either black or white. This becomes the focal wall. Then paint the other walls the opposite color. Hang black and white photos in white or black frames on the focal wall. You can create a focal wall or emphasize a naturally occurring one such as a fireplace wall.

2. Paint the trim in a predominantly black room white and do the opposite for a white room to create visual contrast.

3. Lay a black and white patterned rug in front of the focal wall. Choose a pattern you find appealing, such as a large floral or paisley print. This both grounds the room visually and provides some variation on the black and white theme.

4. Provide a visual anchor for heavier pieces of furniture. Position a couch or chairs around a rug. If you've put a rug down in a bedroom, center the bed on top of it.

5. Choose furniture with black or white upholstery. If you're decorating a bed, look for a reversible comforter with one side solid black and the other solid white. This provides contrast when you fold down the top portion to make the bed.

6. Add black and white decorative pillows to a black couch, a white window box or a black and white bed. Create more visual interest by mixing and matching the patterns on the pillows. The black and white color scheme will provide a visual tie between design elements even if you mix contrasting patterns like paisley and stripes.

7. Paint the recessed alcoves in a white wall black. Look for white fine art pieces such as pottery or sculpture to display inside them. If you have no alcoves, built-in shelves also offer a dramatic option.

8. Hang black and white patterned curtains. Choose a valance of solid black or white.

9. Look for distinctive black or white accessories like an old-fashioned dress dummy or hand-painted advertising signs.

Tips & Warnings

• A room that's predominantly black instead of white will have a darkly elegant look. White can be elegant and sophisticated as well, but in a different way. When you're designing a room, decide at the outset which color you want to dominate. Use either black or white as your main color and the other hue as the accent for the most dramatic effect.

References

• Country Living; Long Island Cottage; David Colman
• House Beautiful; A California Home Is Powerful in White; Amanda Lovell
• Room Decorating Ideas: Black and White Bedroom Decorating Ideas; Sara; July 2010
• Room Decorating Ideas: Black and White Decorating Ideas; Sara; May 2009
• Country Living: Decorating With Black
• Style at Home; Decorating With Black and White; Colleen Tully
• House Beautiful; 8 Black Rooms That Aren't Scary; Karen Ziga

Resources

• Country Living: Decorating Ideas for a Living Room