21 Trendy Spaces That Prove Black Is the New Black

Farrow & Ball’s Black Blue paint instantly updates this farmhouse reading nook, adding modern character to the existing woodwork. "We like these dark colors with a subtle sheen on woodwork because it brings out the depth of a paneled wall," says designer Rafe Churchill of Hendricks Churchill LLC. "It’s especially nice on hand-planed boarding or beadboard paneling."

Black lower walls and a black ceiling accentuate the gorgeous floral wallpaper in this small powder room. "The black really adds drama and surprise to an otherwise dull space," says interior designer Corine Maggio. She says the wallpaper brings soft elegance to the look, while gold finishes add a touch of luxury.

In certain design scenarios, black is the smartest color choice. It effortlessly highlights light-hued artwork and overlooked architecture. "We always knew the focal point of this room would be the custom neon art piece we were designing for our clients," says interior designer Jenn Feldman. "The black backdrop was our immediate first thought to make the art pop, creating a dark, bold and saturated canvas to let the neon piece truly shine." The black paint also accentuates the room’s beautiful white moldings.

The striking, high-contrast design in this contemporary kitchen is all about balance. "We made a bold statement by using [black] on the focal wall of the kitchen," says architect Nicole Jui of TerraCotta Design Build. "We had a large, open space with a lot of natural light, along with light cabinets and countertops, that provided perfect balance."