Your Ultimate Guide to The Best Black Paint Colors
Nothing is more timeless or chic than a dose of black paint in your space. It’s the Chanel shoes that make your outfit, or the “Little Black Dress” that never goes out of style. Adding black grounds your design and brings an eye-catching contrast that sets off your furniture and artwork.
But just as there are hundreds of white paints to choose from, there are just as many black paints that have subtle shade variations that can be very hard to see until you paint them on your walls.
We’re going to take the guesswork out of picking the right black paint for your space in a few easy steps, and share our top tried and tested black paints that are sure to add that touch of dark drama you’re looking for!
Mastering the Art of Black Paint
When we think of black, we think of one, simple dark black color, right? Wrong! Blacks can have a range of shades hidden in the undertones of your paint.
Black is more than just the absence of color, it’s actually the absence of light. As Sir Isaac Newton found that white contains the entire range of color when he cast light through a prism, so does black, we just can’t see it.
Black can be made in a variety of ways, and they all start with color. The first way is to mix equal parts of the three primary colors, red, blue and yellow to get a nice, solid black.
Another method is to mix complementary colors, colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, like red and green, blue and orange, or purple and yellow. You can also mix brown and blue together to get a range of cool or warm blacks.
How to Navigate the World of Black Paints
What’s that you say? Cool or warm blacks? Yes, because black is made from mixing different color combinations, every black falls into one of three categories, cool black, warm black, and true black.
Where to Use Cool Black Paint
Cool blacks have a purple or blue undertone to them. It might not be noticeable at first, but if you paint your space in a cool black, in a North or East facing room, the cool light from your windows will pick up more blue, green, or purple tones in your black.
These cooler undertones can work in your favor if you have a more masculine palette in your room, or want a rich feel to your space.
If you have cool tones in your home, like gray flooring, opt for a cool black to compliment your color scheme.
Where to Use Warm Black Paint
Warm blacks have more brown undertones in the paint. Warm blacks can also pick up some purple or violet shades in them for a luxurious look. The more brown in your black, the more it will start to read as a dark brown instead of a true black.
Warm blacks are an excellent choice for exterior stone or brickwork, and are very complimentary as a cabinetry color with kitchen countertops.
Where to Use True Black Paint
Speaking of true black, if you want the ideal, dark, sophisticated solid black, go for what’s called a “true black.” Most brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Behr have their own standard, good old black.
But this black is not without color. It has been carefully formulated to have the cool and warm undertones equally balanced so that neither color range stands out. By balancing the undertones, it makes the color look like an even, dark black.
True blacks shine on exterior trim, stone and brick, and as accent color in cabinetry.
Blacks can also come in a range of shades from the deepest, true black, to a darker than charcoal black. We call these lighter shades of black, “soft black,” and they are wonderful to use in areas where you want the contrast of black, but don’t want an intense deep black that might look harsh.
The Meaning Of The Color Black
Why do we gravitate to black paint? When we think of black we typically think of power, prestige, authority, and fear.
Black has been a revered color since our ancient ancestors drew bulls and pictures of animals for the hunt across the walls of the Lascaux Cases in France over 18,000 years ago. They would use sticks of charcoal from their fires and eventually transitioned to burning bones for a more intense black color.
Black As A Status Symbol
Black has evolved throughout our cultural history from being worn by craftsmen and artisans in ancient Rome, to being donned by magistrates and government officials in 14th century European society.
The wealthy merchant class began to wear rich black furs from the vast landscapes of Russia. The striking look caught on and soon European royalty was sporting the luxurious, classic look of black.
Black is considered a “power color” Black is the most popular color for luxury cars, purses, and shoes. Black is sexy, bold, mysterious, and authoritative.
How To Use Black Paint In Your Home
How do we best use this captivating color in our homes? When used modestly, black has a grounding effect as an accent color in your space.
As the famous, (and gorgeous) interior designer, Jan Showers, once said, “Every room needs a touch of black just as it needs at least one antique piece.” Why? Because black is timeless. You can’t go wrong with adding a hint of black somewhere in your home.
Go big with a full room takeover for a dramatic effect. Color drenching your room with black paint for walls can give a breath-taking design moment that looks chic and classic.
If you do decide to go all black, remember that just as an all white room needs some contrast, so does an all black room. Pair a beautiful dark purple, or an accent bowl in a white marble to offset the black paint shades and really make the room shine.
No-Nonsense Tips for Selecting the Best Black Paints
Before you dive into your sexy all-black space, there are a few important pro tips to consider.
Compare Black Paint Swatches
Compare and contrast swatches. Just like white paint, black paint can seemingly look all the same until you place one next to another black swatch. Go to your local hardware store and gather a range of black paint swatches
Natural Light Works Best
Step outside to look at your swatches in natural light instead of the harsh fluorescent lights in the store. Natural light will help you get an accurate read of the true undertones in your paint and how they might look in your home, and not under the store’s typically cool cast light.
Test Your Paint
Once you’ve narrowed down your paint swatches, have your paint store mix a couple of sample quarts so you can take them home and test them out in your space. Paint a large swatch on all four walls of your room.
This is a critically important step because each wall might get different light depending on where your windows are, and the direction they face. North and East light have a cooler cast, while South and West light is warmer. The direction of your light will enhance the undertones in your paint. It’s important to see how your paint works on all four walls to make sure it looks correct around the room.
Select Your Shine
Now that you’ve sampled your paints, and have selected the best one, it’s time to think about sheen. Paint sheen is the amount of enamel included in your paint. The more enamel, the higher gloss your paint will be. Paint sheens come in a range from matte or flat paint, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, high-gloss, and lacquer.
The Best Black Paint Colors That Just Work
Now let’s take a look at my favorite black paints. These paints made the cut because they have not only been tried and tested in the field by designers around the world, but they are rich, bold blacks that have a range of balanced undertones that will make your room magazine ready.
Benjamin Moore – Iron Mountain
Soft yet bold, Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain give strong contrast without harsh lines. Iron Mountain has rich undertones that work in both cool and warm color schemes.
Behr – Cracked Pepper
As spicy as it is chic, Behr’s Cracked Pepper is beloved by designers for its elegant contrast against clean whites with a hint of cool undertones.
Benjamin Moore – Wrought Iron
Few black paints are as versatile as Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron. This complex color can look soft against warm neutrals like taupes and beige, and then bold against cool colors like crisp whites.
Behr – Little Black Dress
Turn heads with this always chic, confident cool black paint. Behr’s Little Black Dress will always be in style and looks excellent against white marbles and countertops.
Farrow & Ball – Grate black
Soft yet versatile, Farrow & Ball’s Grate Black has a slight warmth to it that will make your trim and metalwork shine.
Benjamin Moore – Black Beauty
Bold, beautiful, and warm at heart, this gorgeous black paint has a hint of brown in it for a rich and refined look.
Behr – Black
All black or nothing, right? Behr’s standard Black pain is as pure, luxurious dark black as it gets. Use this timeless true black as an accent wall or on kitchen cabinets for a classic stylish feel.
Behr – Limousine Leather
Get in, we’re going shopping. This sultry black paint oozes luxury, style and a refined modern aesthetic. Pair this lavish color with chic pastels for a Parisian look.
Farrow & Ball – Off Black
One of Farrow & Ball’s original colors, Off-Black is uncomplicated and timeless. This soft black has a slightly cool undertone that flatters any accent color you pair with it.
Sherwin Williams – Caviar
As rich as it is exquisite, Sherwin William’s Caviar black paint is a cool black that has an elegant, refined feel that elevates home offices or accent walls with dramatic effect.
Sherwin Williams – Black Magic
This bewitching black will definitely cast a chic spell over your space. With a slightly warm hint, Black Magic brews a luxurious look.
Benjamin Moore – Onyx
The name says it all for this luxuriously rich black paint. Silky smooth with a deep, bold black color just like the stone itself.
Sherwin Williams – Tricorn Black
Tricorn Black is an absolute favorite amongst seasoned designers, and with good reason. This popular black paint is a deeply saturated true black, and has excellent contrast against not only whites, but deep and light colors.
Benjamin Moore – Black
Solid, reliable, and dependable, you just can’t go wrong with Benjamin Moore’s Black. With a deep pigment formula this color with ground your space while adding a sophisticated drama.
Farrow & Ball – Pitch Black
It doesn’t get any darker than pitch black. Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black is a true black with a rich, velvety look. Add this pure black to elevate your space from drab to dramatic.
Conclusion
Whether you’re going for high drama glam, or classic elegance, each one of the black paints in our curated list will make your space stand above the rest. No matter which black color you choose, don’t forget to always test your black paint for walls, trim, and any space you plan to add it before diving into a full room renovation.
About The Author
Nicole Cullum is an interior designer and fine artist. Her passion for color, pattern, and balance are expressed through her hand-painted line of wallpapers, textiles and home decor available at ColorCaravan.com.
Contact Nicole at hello@ColorCaravan.com for your next design project, e-design services, or a custom pattern design to make your space truly unique.
