Do you remember the first time you saw a room painted black? It seemed kind of shocking back then, didn’t it? When someone sent me photos of a luxury condo she had stayed at with glossy black bedroom walls, I thought it was one of the wildest things I’d ever seen. I was kind of appalled at the time and thought, “I hope that doesn’t catch on.”
It did, though. Black rooms started popping up in magazines more frequently. On HGTV’s Design Star, several of the designtestants painted rooms black, and the judges flipped over them. (Remember when I was recapping those episodes?)
Then the October ‘08 issue of Domino (RIP) arrived with Jenna Lyons’ black bedroom on the cover, and there was no turning back. It was a trend that had officially gone mainstream. People we knew started trying it at home and it was popping up all over the blogosphere.
I wrote a post about it at the time and pondered whether we’re all so depressed about the state of the economy that we’re painting our walls black? Or maybe we all want to be in the black? (You can see which way the poll went in November ‘08 at Trendy Black-Painted Rooms: Hooked or Hate ‘Em?)
(Photos: LA Times, Domino.)
As with all trends that start out “shocking” and strike us as bizarre, this one started to grow on me a little over time. I saw some rooms that really pulled it off, even if I’d never want to do it myself. I could appreciate the drama and daring that went into a great black room.
Some people are predicting that the black-room thing is waning now, so we won’t be seeing as many in the new decade. What do you think? Have black rooms gotten too trendy, or are they timeless?
Check out my other “Trendwatch 2010″ posts:
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Black painted walls look great to me in photos, (Jenna Lyons), but never serve as inspiration, as I can’t imagine actually living with them.
The Zhush´s last blog ..I Still Can’t Get Enough: Silhouettes
I’m a color guy. Black walls never did it for me. If I was a bettin’ man, I’d bet that they never will. But, stranger things have happened. I recently had a job on an ultra-modern city hi-rise and I loved the modern look there… wouldn’t have seen that coming either!
Remodeling Guy´s last blog ..The Blogger’s Guide To Effective Writing
“Once you go black….” I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself. :s I think it could work for some people and some houses, but not for mine. Maybe an accent wall as a chalkboard though!
Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Decorating Dilemmas Party…Round 6!
Funny you should mention this because I fell in love with a picture in the Ikea catalog of a gorgeous family room in black-and-white furnishings with a dramatic black wall and love it.
I never would have thought that I’d love a black wall but it can be really dramatic and beautiful. I’ve never done anything like that but if it’s done right, like in that picture, it would be great.
I also didn’t think I’d like a red wall or two but that has grown on me and I’ve seen it applied beautifully. Before that, someone posted a picture of himself in his red living room and I thought it was odd to have red walls. Now I see it differently … but it really depends on the room and how it’s handled.
When I moved into my current house, the master bedroom was painted navy blue. My husband has this thing with only painting a room once, and we’re planning on converting the next bedroom (still pretty big) into a master and eventually move in there. In the meantime, he really doesn’t want to paint our current master bedroom. I hate it. It’s so dark in there, and it’s depressing. The lighting is awful, and I can’t stand dark painted rooms.
My daughter was the decorating trendsetter in our home back in 1999 when she begged to paint her bedroom black.
It grew on me and I would say it’s here to stay. I especially love it, as shown in the first photo, in a traditional room with the moldings, etc. rather than a modern room.
Black is my least favorite color and always has been. I don’t mind having things that are black; like computers, phones, shoes or other things, but I could never stand having a black wall. I would be depressed looking at it everyday.
My oldest brother asked our parents if he could paint his bedroom black when he was a teenager back in the early 80’s. They said, “NO!”….I’ve always known that he was creative…but how ahead of the game was he! Of course, he wanted the dark walls to set off his ultraviolet poster collection and tanks full of snakes, lizards, and spiders….blachhh!!!
I have seen some pretty cool classic bathrooms with black walls and carrara marble.
: )
Julie M.
The Little Red Shop´s last blog ..Parking…
Black walls really aren’t my thing. I’ve only seen them once where I liked them. I kind of hope they are on the way out.
I like dark walls in some instances. My dining room is dark blue. Black is a classic “color” that can go traditional or modern. My mom had a thing for black houses. She got quite a ribbing when she had our house painted black (I’m talking the outside here). We had three different houses, all painted black over the years. She also had a dark red bedroom.
Pat Smith at Pat’s Addition´s last blog ..Blizzard of 2010
i’m surprised so many thought it was going out, I think, like all colours, if done well (ie. contemporary style), it’s dateless! oh well, I guess it’s going out!!! lol
Annie@A View on Design´s last blog ..Sensational Sydney Penthouse
If done right, it looks great. However, black walls are just too dark for me personally.
Vicki´s last blog ..Valentine’s Day Gift
I bet you if I painted my walls black it will be on its way out! It does look good in the right space.
Brismod´s last blog ..Lucrative
My friend has a fab house on the beach black doors black fan’s, black sofa, black frames, ect & its stunning!!
Elaine´s last blog ..Designer!
Hi Julia great pics I mean when you look at black like that you want to paint black but I don’t think is a comfort colour for any season. I’ve seen the french do milk wash walls with not so black trims and it looks elegant. I do think the style is going to stay for a while longer. Regards Esther from steamy 95% humid Sydney… Hurry up autumn…..
i’m surprised at the voting results! i would of thought more voted it as a classic…i think it is classic, or at least a variation of black: maybe a dark grey / almost black. i’ve always wanted a black room, my neighbor does and i love the way it feels!!
I like a black chalk board wall. I think that is super cool and I just never get tired of seeing those, but a whole room is a little much!
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..To the rescue!
That black bathroom is divine! I love the idea of black, but in small spaces.
Laurie @ My Domicile Style´s last blog ..Best Paint Colors for Brunettes (updated)
I absolutely love black walls! When I first saw the trend, my reaction was, “Why didn’t anyone think of this before?” It makes absolute sense, we wear black all of the time because it’s a classic neutral, it makes everything else pop (plus it makes you look skinnier!). So why not use it in a room? We painted our office bathroom black and think it looks so cool (http://tinyurl.com/ygzjvaq). Who knows, maybe in 10 years we’ll be like “What the heck were we thinking?” but for right now, I’m on the black paint bandwagon!
Christine´s last blog ..Statement Blooms
I LOVE black rooms, I’ve been seriously thinking of doing one, though I think I may wuss out and instead go with a deep charcoal grey instead.
Amber´s last blog ..Photo
I think one black wall or black painted trim can be stunning if it’s combined with white. It can make a room bigger because of the optical illusion of depth it creates, and it’s a great contrast to white furniture, fireplaces, fittings or appliances. It also sets off bright art, monochrome photographs and ethnic prints and furnishings.
janice´s last blog ..Caldo Verde
Love it in my guest room….
I don’t think I’d paint a room in my house black, but I do really like the look of a black room — as long as it has a lot of white too. Like in the first picture you posted of the room with white wainscoting and black on the upper walls.
Thanks for entering our Valentine’s Day giveaway — Good Luck!!
Kelly
That bathroom is nice…but I’m not a fan of black walls in general!
Stephanie´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Everybody needs one …
I’m not a fan, it seems to me that it would scuff easily and just be depressing without the proper lighting, accent colors, and accessories. I’d rather have a color on the walls that is easier to work with and looks great all the time. It can be very stunning, though. I just couldn’t live with it.
Sara @ Russet Street Reno´s last blog ..Springtime, we are so ready
I had a small galley style kitchen in one of my homes with recessed lighting as well as undercounter lighting. I painted the ceiling and backsplash black. It was stunning. (Freaked my husband out at first!) It was a perfect backdrop (the backplash) for some beautiful atrwork, and the ceiling all but disappeared. Plus I had beautiful granite countertops so they became more of a focal point as well. I received compliments from everyone that visited. So I think black in some areas will always be here to stay.
I think like with any design trend, the execution is what makes it timeless. Even chintz seems wild and modern when used in the right application.
Bailey´s last blog ..My New Girl Crush: Made By Girl etc.
I don’t see it as trendy since it really didn’t catch on in peoples homes. It looks great in the photos, but I have not known of anyone who has actually done it in their home.
Laurie @ Little Blue Chairs´s last blog ..Cheap and Creative solution
I hadn’t really thought of black as an option in my home, but can see the beauty in your examples.
Like any other color it can go in or out of style, what gives it staying power is the comfort and beauty of the room, more than the actual color. Each of our own personal tastes in color also affect how long a color seems current.
It may surprise most of us what colors will “grow” on us if given a chance. My family moved into a house with a pink (Pepto) livingroom and we lived with it for a year while getting other rooms done. It was wonderful at night and everyone looked great in the room. Almost sad to see it go. Sometimes dark colors add drama/life that light ones can’t.
Rick
My favorite colors are black and white (I know, very boring) but I couldn’t live with black walls. Now I would love to see some features with black and white or black and cream toile…love that! I’m planing on featuring the toile, checks or ticking in my kitchen when I can work it out in my head. I need inspiration of the kitchen kind, (hint-hint)!
Pat´s last blog ..SNOWMEGEDDON
Whoa, I hope they are not out..we just painted one of the kitchen walls black. I posted pictures of it a few weeks ago. Everyone seems to love it, so I hope it was a good decision.
Susan
black eyed susans kitchen´s last blog ..SIMPLE CHANGES, BLUE SURPRISES, EASY MONDAY
I love black – I wear alot of it, I do alot of my accessorizing in black since it contrasts so nicely. But a black room, hmmm …. well, given the right light, furnishings and accessorizing, I think I could actually live with a black room.
Great post!
donna @ dh-designs´s last blog ..A Bling Fling
I hate it. I’ve never liked it. I don’t think it looks good in any home, haha.
Looks pretty but I think the average person wouldn’t want to deal with that kind of darkness all the time. I prefer darkness.
Rachel´s last blog ..So I Was Wrong
lol….multitasking doesn’t work for me…I meant I prefer light.
Rachel´s last blog ..So I Was Wrong
You need to give an option that says “terrible idea to being with” or just “yuck!”
I don’t like large rooms painted black, I’d rather see a deep navy or brown or something almost black but with a little color. I think black could be stunning in a small powder room, although I’d prefer a wallpaper with a black background and some kind of print. Solid black walls just makes me think of nightclubs and theatres backstage – but not comfortable living spaces…
Love it! Unfortunately I think it is too main stream now to be provocative. I think this is a trend that isn’t going anywhere soon, but I don’t think we will see it much in the shelters.
It has gotten really trendy but I hope it doesn’t go out of style and look dated. Black is such a classic color; it’s a neutral. I’m happy people finally got over the taboo of black walls. Done in the right way they look amazing, fresh, and crisp. Just like any color, there are certain places you shouldn’t use it and some rules you should follow, but I think it’s a wonderfully dramatic color and I hope it sticks around!
Stephanie´s last blog ..Tada’s Revolution
Never in my wildest nightmares would I paint a room black. Nothing against deep colors, in the right room, but black is one step too far.
Struggler´s last blog ..Confessing My Stock Market Folly
Hi Julia! I love the way black rooms photograph, but I don’t think I would want to live in one!
Tracey´s last blog ..Would You Knit A Scarf For A Teen?
Hi Julia…I’m not sure what to think! I don’t know what to think! It may work for someone who is extremely…..what is a good word? Hahahaha…I think it would give me a headache! Interesting look though!
blessings,
Debbie
Debbie´s last blog ..White, Crashing….Denting…Excuses Wednesday
I love black rooms. I would have a black dining room if I didn’t have black furniture. I have a beautiful handpainted buffet from Hooker and it wouldn’t show up against the black. I am thinking of painting my double mantel black. I love it.
Melanie´s last blog ..There’s always a first time.
Maybe dark navy walls or black as trim.
I really like black rooms, particularly when there is a LOT on the walls. Then it is more like a canvas for everything else rather than a dark room. I would love a black office with white built-ins, mirror and silver pieces everywhere, with shots of hot pink sprinkled around!
Meaghen´s last blog ..Icing Icing Everywhere
In the late 1960s my older brother painted his bedroom walls black; I thought my mother was going to flip! I think he did it to distract her from the Playboy magazines hidden under his mattress.
They can look chic, but I think they’d be hard to live with. Now, a very dark green or blue — heading toward black — much easier. And black accents in furniture and cabinets, also classic. But walls? Not so much.
Thought provoking!
Cass
Cass at That Old House´s last blog ..Oh The Weather Outside IS Frightful!
My husband and I painted the living room in our last home deep dark red with one black wall. The wall opposite the black wall was almost entirely comprised of windows. With a dark tan rug and light tan sofa, loveseat and curtains (we tried red first but they weren’t “it”), it was perfect for us. We did enjoy the prolific use of the word “brave” by others when they complimented us on our decorating and were genuinely pleased to realize that we had inspired many friends and neighbors to go ahead and paint their homes in colors they loved. In our new home, the walls are white while we live in it for a while and figure out what we want.
I love a black room if it’s done right. I think it looks really dramatic in victorian homes and I used to have a picture of a bedroom the was black on black strips with a white bed (Ralph Lauren maybe?) that I wanted to recreate at one point, but was talked out of it. I think it’s classic, but then again, my taste is quite different from most
rue
rue´s last blog ..Daises and Tulips
I have seen some spectacular black rooms but they have to be interesting even without the black. Black on it’s own is a tough to pull off design element. I voted for ‘timeless’ but my caveat is ‘if done tastefully’!
Marija´s last blog ..Louis How I Love Thee
From what I’ve seen in the magazines, I like black walls. But I’m curious to see how it looks in person.