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How to Decorate Black Walls

A little darkness can go a long way

Nena Farrell
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The LBD of home decor

Black is backappliances, hardware, walls, decor, you name it. Dramatic black walls might seem like too much for your home to handle, but with the right decor it can take any room to the next level.


We chatted with Tessa Wolf, creative director at Framebridge, to hear her tips for how everyone can decorate black walls. Don't think this look is reserved for the design elite—keep these do’s and don'ts in mind and you’ll be well on your way to nailing this haute hue.

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Do flaunt your furniture

Go dark on your walls if you want to show off the furniture and details in your space. Placing anything against a rich black background makes it pop instantly.

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Get the look

Monterey frame, starting at $59

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Don’t be afraid to go dark, even in a small space

We’ve all heard that small spaces feel smaller when they’re painted with dark colors, but if you keep the art and styling clean (like black and white photography in slim black frames), small spots can be the perfect places to make a statement.

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Do go for grain against black

If you’re looking for something masculine and rich, there’s nothing better than a wood frame against black. We have a serious soft spot for the look of wood frames with visible grain (burl and walnut, especially) against a black backdrop.

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Get the look

Marin frame, starting at $59

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Do make sure it's a clean paint job

If you’re going with black walls and another color trim, floor or ceilings, any small painting mistakes will be amplified. This is definitely a time you’ll want to whip out your painter’s tape and forgo freestyling.

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Get the look

Irvine Slim frame, starting at $59

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Don't think black on black has to look flat

The way to make the monochromatic look work is to have fun playing with texture. Some of our favorite spaces feature tone-on-tone hues with totally different materials. Black bamboo and oiled steel frames add beautiful depth and richness to black walls.

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Don't be afraid to mix metallics against a dark surface

Gold, silver and copper each look sophisticated against black, but together, they’re magic. Imagine a black-walled entryway with brass sconces, an oversized art piece in a silver frame, and copper tabletop accessories.

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Get the look

Mercer Slim frame, starting at $59