Darker tones are becoming more popular in home design.
White walls with white accents. That was the thing for a while, but we’ve been adding color back in. If you want to make a visual statement, black is the color to look for.
Jessica Bennett, owner and design principal of interior design company Alice Lane, shared how using black can be a way to ground spaces.
The Power of Contrast
Jessica emphasized the importance of contrast in interior design. She noted, “I feel like especially neutrals and lots of white scenes, they’re missing the contrast that’s going to give that real richness and a grounded feel to a room.” By incorporating black in your design, you add visual weight and sophistication to a space. This contrast makes a room look more expensive and adds charm and depth.
Black is also sophisticated. Jessica emphasized, “Just adding in that contrast, that depth, you get the black silhouette against that white finish work. The contrast feels crisp.”
Grounding a Space
Grounding a space with black transforms the feel of the room. Jessica explained, “In one powder bath, we did a black marble ground in that space.” The black elements in the bathroom, combined with a beautiful wallpaper and pink accents, created a sophisticated and adult feel.
Without the black, the room might have felt juvenile. “Because it’s steeped in the black floor, the black sink, and we pulled out some of those dark colors from different pieces, it gave it a little bit more of an adult, sort of serious feel,” Jessica emphasized.
Adding Visual Weight
Incorporating black into your decor can add visual weight and highlight specific elements. In one entryway, Jessica added a black chair, a dark charcoal rug, and an iron ottoman. “This is adding visual weight to the space,” she explained. “The silhouette of the chair really pops out, where if the chair were white, it would just blend into the background.”
By using black in strategic places, you can create a rhythm and make individual pieces stand out. “There’s not a lot of color here, but because of the contrast, you get to feel these fine pieces and you get credit for them,” Jessica said. “And, it adds a sophistication to the scene without making it dark.”
Balancing Black in Your Decor
Finding the right balance of black in a room depends on your style and the mood you want to create. Jessica advised starting small, “Just adding in black lamps is going to be really great.”
As you become more comfortable, you can layer in more black elements. “You’re going to want to delicately go into it. Then once you get eyes for it, you’re going to want to start layering in more and it’s going to feel really rich,” Jessica mentioned.
The trend towards darker interior design is growing. Jessica noted, “We just keep seeing darker woods coming into play where it’s been white oak for so long. Walnut is really king right now.” Incorporating black and darker woods can add a powerful, cool, and sophisticated touch to any space.
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