Transform your home with striking black accent walls! Get inspired by 33 unique ways to create a bold and dramatic ambiance.
Paint is the easiest and most cost-effective way to completely transform a room. One impactful, trendy, and bold option?
A black accent wall. It makes a dramatic focal point in any room.
On its own, the thought of painting with black can be kind of daunting. Especially if you’re already tending a tad toward the paint-phobic side.
Black is very dramatic and eye-catching, so it can be a paint shade that those lacking in the decorating confidence department often look at and think, “Wow…I’d never have the guts to try that in my home.”
But if you see something you love…especially when it’s easy to reverse course on if you change your mind, i.e. PAINT, then I say GO FOR IT!! Nothing builds decorating confidence like trying things out!
Black Accent Walls (Video Sneak Peek)
We may win some, we may lose some. But we’ll never know unless we try!
So in the spirit of awakening your inner, gutsy, throw caution-to-the-wind interior designer take a look at these black accent wall ideas and black-painted rooms to see what a difference the paint color makes.
Here’s a sneak peek of these amazing accent wall ideas!
And to help you take that next step, the exact paint color and brand for each of these projects is included if you decide you’re going to make the leap to the dark side!
33 Stunning Black Accent Walls
There are so many different ways to update a room with a coat of paint. Adding a black accent wall to a room in your home is such an easy way to add drama and dimension.
You can also paint the entire room in black for a huge statement. These examples include the names of the black paint color used in case you want to paint your own room.
Chalkboard paint has been a fan favorite in our own household for many years. We moved five times in one decade alone...and a common thread for each of those homes was a chalkboard wall.
Who doesn't dream of writing on the walls? Chalkboard paint gives us all the green light to do just that!
Chalkboard paint creates a fun, unique and functional accent wall for kids and adults alike to enjoy. This one is in our basement playroom. The bright colors of the chairs really stand out.
Paint type? Rustoleum Chalkboard paint in black.
Jenna Sue had keeping the budget down as a high priority for this bathroom renovation, but that didn't mean she had to scrimp on style. This remodel may be one of my personal favorites of hers!
How did she manage it? All kinds of great solutions...and one in particular? Creating a high drama, but affordable accent wall...with black paint! Specifically, Valspar's Cracked Pepper.
Shiplap gets even more stunning when painted black. The rich color gives the wood even more dimension and visual impact as seen in this amazing bedroom painted with a black shiplap wall.
This bedroom accent wall is painted with Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black. It pops against the white ceiling, white bedding and gold accents.
This Emily Henderson masterpiece was created with a bit of a masculine, mid-century modern vibe as a priority, and I love how this turned out.
The gallery wall is brought to life thanks to the backdrop of dark paint. It's the perfect opportunity to make a statement with just a little bit of effort.
Color here? You may have noticed it's actually a really rich blue, not black! This is Benjamin Moore Blue Note.
Angela had interesting angles in her master bedroom design, and knew she wanted to play those up with some type of accent wall. She opted for a simple but dramatic paint job.
Using lighter colors in the bedding helps to make the paint stand out. The color? Black Panther in eggshell by Benjamin Moore.
Ursula of Homemade by Carmona makes a showstopper of an accent wall in this living room with Behr Satin Black paint on her built-ins.
The bold hue brilliantly elevates the entire space especially when paired with black furniture and collection of decorative items.
My friend Medina wanted to create a focal point in her eat-in kitchen area, so she did just that...with black chalkboard paint.
In spaces where there isn't an obvious architectural detail, or place to naturally draw your eye, adding a black accent wall with paint can create that visual pop that really takes a space to the next level, and Medina's eat-in-kitchen is just that, right? NEXT level.
Bonus for chalkboard paint in a kitchen area? Never worry about losing that random scrap of paper with your grocery list ever again...just write your shopping list on the wall!
The pop of white against the dark wall color creates a striking contrast. Plus, the mix of textures in the bedding and wall art is just perfection!
The black wall color is Noir by Valspar.
Tamara always creates stunning spaces. This one is her dining room. Although she chose to use this dark shade throughout the space, the effect is very much like an accent wall as there's only one wall in this very open space with any significant amount of wall space painted in black.
Additionally, the dark tone is used only above the chair rail molding. Paint choice? Behr Cracked Pepper. It's the perfect choice to accent white walls.
Although painted all over in black, if you focus on just the wall behind the bed, this color could have created a gorgeous accent-only situation as well. This room with all of its wonderful natural light tolerates the dark walls throughout the space very well.
Plus, the beautiful and beefy molding, bright white and draperies lighten up the space and create beautiful color schemes. Color? Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams with a Satin Finish.
Don't forget the ceiling! A black ceiling can be an accent wall, too!
Painting a ceiling black can make a huge impact in any space. Not only that, it can change the overall look of the room to feel luxurious, but cozy at the same time.
Paint colors here are Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart (ceiling) and walls in Benjamin Moore Simply White.
Another example of how a black accent wall in a bedroom directly behind the bed can introduce such an impactful statement! Here, Liz from Within The Grove adds a feature wall painted in Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams.
It makes a perfect backdrop for all of the farmhouses touches in this modern bedroom.
People think if you have a small room, you can't use a dark paint color. The opposite is actually true! Small spaces are the perfect place to step outside of your comfort zone and go bold for a dramatic look.
You don't have to paint the whole room. This black accented bathroom is the flip side of one of the first rooms on the list that was dark on the bottom and light on top. Bathroom paint here is Valspar’s Dark Kettle Black.
Medina from Grillo Designs nails the black wall look in yet another room in her home. This one, a bedroom. Instead of opting for a full wall of the deep shade,
Medina packs this painting punch below the belt only in this small space. The results? Glorious. The color? Valspar Coal Tipple.
A black accent wall for a home office is not only beautiful, but smart to boot! A dark, rich tone like black is a great way to amp focus...perfect for a home office situation.
The dark accent paint color here is French Beret (Benjamin Moore), and the rest of the room is Paper White (Benjamin Moore).
Amie used Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black for the walls throughout this farmhouse style sunroom. But she could have easily stopped on the brick fireplace wall and used that dark tone to make the fireplace pop.
Either look is gorgeous. Take a look at the whole space...and you won't believe the secret ingredient that makes that fireplace such a standout! This is such a great idea!
The TV wall in a living room is a great option for creating a dark accent wall. Not only does the black paint minimize the visual impact of that ugly black box, it can make something MUCH prettier, like these gorgeous green plants, much more visible and make big impact in the room.
This room is the perfect example of how a coat of black paint can make a huge difference.
Paint Color: Universal Black (Benjamin Moore)
2 the Sunnyside gave this master bathroom a whole new look on a tiny budget thanks, in part, to paint!
The walls in this space are a bright, very popular white (Sherwin Williams Pure White), and the accent wall behind the sinks was painted SW Caviar.
Don't be scared of dark color paint. If you don't like it, you can easily paint over. This stunning black accent wall is painted in Caviar Black by Sherwin Williams.
Dark colors in doses can be calming and cozy. But sometimes too much can feel cold and cavelike. So striking a balance in a bedroom by choosing just one wall to go dark is a great plan.
In this lovely room, BM Iron Mountain was used on the wall behind the bed, and BM Simply White is used in the rest of the room.
Shannon painted this gorgeous room in Sherwin Williams Iron Ore, both the door and below the level of the windows, then opted for a brighter color above. An accent wall doesn't have to be an entire wall...sometimes, just half will do!
The built-in bookcase on the side of a fireplace is another great place to add a black feature wall.
By painting the back of the bookcase walls black, all of the items on the shelves really pop. And the natural wood tones here look even richer thanks to the paint color (which is Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain).
The black bedroom accent wall here in my friend Katie's home creates such a lovely contrast with the natural wood bedside table, the glam bedside lamp, green plant, and leather piillow. There is just SO MUCH goodness to look at!
Color? Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams.
A fireplace wall/surround can become an accent wall, certainly. And a fresh coat of paint may be one of the best (and most budget-friendly) ways to beathe some new life into your own!
Sarah chose popular SW Cyberspace for this stunning project.
Board and batten helps this stunning bedroom black wall feature look even more lovely.
The paint color used is Cracked Pepper by Behr.
Amy has another beautiful accent wall idea in this bedroom. Instead of painting the whole wall in Behr Thermal Green (yes, I said green...Amy calls this shade a deep teal, in fact), she chose to stop mid-way up the wall and create some visual impact with a very organic brushstroke line! It looks unexpected and unique in the best possible way. The white color here is Behr Bit of Sugar.
Here's another awesome example of a black accent wall making a living room with a delicious, rich black accent wall in lieu of the TV being the star. This textured geometric look is really popular right now, and looks great painted in Sherwin Williams Cyberspace.
Amy chose a punchy wall color, Glidden Black Onyx, for her home office...AKA her craft room, and the choice couldn't have been better. That black slate palette allows all the primary colors in her crafty accessories to pop, and gives the space a bright, welcoming feel.
Corbin created a beautiful textured geometric accent wall that creates a visual spotlight on the entire wall, drawing the eye away from what (sadly) tends to become a visual focal point in so many spaces...a big TV. In this space, the TV is still front and center, but masked by the beautiful, artistic "black" accent wall.
But guess what this paint color is called? It's Sherwin Williams HGTV Home Blue Endeavor (HGSW1451). Black, blue, the effect is still the same, and it's gorgeous!
Geometric Black Accent Wall and Door Done in Black For The Win!
Such a creative black painted feature wall created with inexpensive wood slats! I love the texture and dimension she created with these little trim pieces. What an upscale look for a home office.
Paint color: Behr Nocturne Blue.
Amy and Sonya of Stock This, Design That knocked this bathroom renovation out of the park in more ways than one, but one very big draw is that gorgeous, saturated accent wall, painted in SW Caviar.
Pairing that paint with the neutral palette chockful of natural fibers and texture is such a rich, winning combination.
Rachael and her husband gave their bedroom a bold new look with the power of peel and stick wallpaper! The print she chose? A dark, moody black grasscloth look, and WOW, what a difference it made! Proof that while paint is powerful, it's not the ONLY way to create a black accent wall with pizazz!
Here's a chalkboard black accent wall done in a little boy's bedroom. This gutsy mom painted over a wall she had lovingly hand-stenciled in order to create this adorable wall embellished with chalk renditions of all of her son's favorite things.
Chalkboard paint used? Rustoleum Flat Black.
More black accent wall questions? Here are FAQ’s
How do you pull off a black accent wall?
The biggest requirement is having the guts to make that first bold stroke with your paintbrush across a wall! For most people, the thought of going so dark with a paint color is daunting enough to prevent them from moving forward with the plan, even if they truly love the look!
How do you know for sure if a black accent wall is right for you? Well, if you look back at your Pinterest boards, and see loads of black painted spaces…or your Instagram feed is laced with tons of black accent walls and spaces (you know that happens for a reason, right?), then you definitely have a love for a dark, rich paint shade.
The great thing about decorating is that nothing is ever permanent. So try it. Live with it for a while. Chances are, if you’ve been eyeing spaces with black accent walls for a while, you’ll LOVE having one in your own home!
What type of paint works best for a black accent wall?
The answer is really more about the type of wall that you’re applying the paint to, as well as the light that your room gets. If you live in a home with wonky, bumpy walls (think older homes, homes with plaster instead of drywall, textured walls, etc) then go for a more matte sheen that will hide some of those imperfections.
On the other hand, if the room you’re wanting a black accent wall in already tends toward dark because of a lack of natural light in the room, then go for a paint sheen that is higher gloss, like satin…or even glossier like semi-gloss. These sheens will give the paint more of a shine and help lighten it a bit.
For all the details on picking out the best paint sheen, or finish for any paint project, check out our ultimate paint sheen guide article.
Painting with black (or brown, or even red) can be a wee bit tricky. These rich colors often require at least 2 coats, but often 3, in order to get the best, even finish. So be prepared for a little more time and $$ on the front end to get that gorgeous black accent wall completed.
What type of rug works best with a black accent wall?
Great news on this front. Black is a neutral! And that leaves the door WIDE open for choosing rugs and other elements to fit in with your new black accent wall.
If you love the boho look, a gray and white stripe could look lovely, as would a natural wool woven rug. More of a traditionalist? An Oriental rug with deep reds can look great. Jute or sisal are other natural fiber rugs that can look striking against the backdrop of a black accent wall.
Love color? Awesome! A black accent wall really throws the doors wide open and provides an opportunity to go really wild with pattern and any color combo for your floor choice that fits your fancy!
Are black accent walls outdated?
My short answer on this front is, “Who cares?” If it’s a look you love, don’t worry about fads.
Fads come, and then they go, and then they come right back again. If we all tried to measure up the worth of our homes against the latest cover of our favorite home decor magazine, we’d fall short 100% of the time. But that’s just not a realistic, or happy way to go about decorating.
The only time I’d question adding something that is trendy (or has been trendy) in my home is if I were in the process of, or soon to be in the process of selling.
If that’s your situation, then avoid adding any new decorating elements that are currently trendy, or have been in the past. In this situation you want to aim for a truly timeless feel. If you have more questions about prepping your home to sell, start here.
Which wall should be the black accent wall?
Think of an accent wall as the place you want your eyes to be drawn when you enter a room. In a bedroom, that’s often the wall directly behind the bed. In a living room, it could be a wall that has a fireplace on it, or possibly some built-in bookcases.
An accent wall is a good way to highlight an existing architectural detail or material…like a coffered ceiling or shiplap.
A black accent wall can also create that visual interest on a wall that previously was boring and bland.
It’s really about deciding what you’d like to have stand out in a space, and then using your black accent wall idea as a way to create that visual knockout!
What colors go with a black accent wall?
Easy answer. Just about everything goes fabulously with black.
Exceptions? Other super-rich colors like deep navy blue or chocolate brown. But with those couple of exceptions, there are really no limitations. Bright, vibrant colors look fantastic, and give a beautiful “pop” against a black accent wall.
Shades of white are a natural ally to a black accent wall, as are light shades of gray.
Is a black accent wall a good idea?
The answer to this comes back to your personal taste, and what you gravitate to. Again, take a look at your personal Pinterest boards, and what is coming up in your Instagram feed…if you’re seeing lots of black in the decor, then YES! A black accent wall is obviously your bag, baby!
On the flip side, if scrolling through images of rooms painted with black makes you wince a bit, then it’s clearly NOT a look for you!
Go with you gut! If this look speaks to you, then grab a paintbrush! And the beautiful thing about paint is that it can handle your changes in taste and whims. Kind of like how you loved overalls and oversized plaid shirts in college, and now looking back you think, “what in the world was I thinking?” (Maybe that was just me…moving on).
Point is that paint is the solution and the antidote to all of our decorating whims. It’s a decorator’s best friend, so make use of it!
Looking for more accent wall ideas beyond paint? Check these ideas out, too!
- 21 Incredible Brick Update Ideas
- DIY Wood Accent Walls
- DIY Kids Art Gallery Wall
- Let’s Give ‘Em Something to Chalk About. DIY Chalkboard Paint
- DIY Ceiling Design Ideas. Let’s Take it from the Top
- 20 Inspiring Geometric Accent Wall Ideas
- 23 DIY Accent Wall Paint Ideas You Can Easily Recreate
- 25 Absolutely Gorgeous DIY Wood Accent Walls To Inspire You
- 20+ Board and Batten Wall Ideas
Pin these DIY Black Accent Walls for later! And if you make one, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this project, too!
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a no-cost copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be emailed right away!
Leiza says
Love your article ; I recently painted one wall in my dining room and also my brick fire place black, I loved the look so much I painted my built in shelves black .
The accent color looks so great
Thank you for sharing
Heather Thibodeau says
So glad it helped and that you’re happy with how your projects turned out Leiza!