Like white paint colors, you may think they’re all about the same until you begin the sampling process! You’ll discover it is quite fascinating when you view various shades of black paint together. But which black paint? Some will appear deep navy blue, and others will suddenly read as gray. And things get big time interesting if you’re viewing samples for an exterior and notice how a color’s appearance changes throughout the day. Make sure you sample at least three colors, and this post will provide some possibilities to try along with photos of various interiors and exteriors. I hope it helps to see this gallery, and you can always contact me with further questions if you get stuck. Also, visit THIS for more black paint color ideas.
Which Black Paint: Ideas for Colors to Sample
Farrow & Ball Pitch Black No. 256
Are you after a a rich deep true black? Then you could consider Pitch Black 256 from Farrow & Ball. So many of you are painting all or some of your kitchen cabinets black, and here’s an example with Pitch Black:
What’s wonderful about the example above is you can see how the black is working with a natural wood tone AND how it contrasts with white subway tile.
I’m also suddenly thinking about how plenty of you are adding black muntins to your windows (used to be a very modern farmhouse predictable move, but it works with all sorts of design styles).
Lone Fox just shared in this how he added this style of muntins to his renovated kitchen:
While the paint color on the trim, muntins, and cabinetry may appear black, it’s actually a deep dark brown which feels very historical. Which brown? Benjamin Moore Van Buren Brown.
And this brings us to a very important issue straight away. Even though you think you are searching for the perfect black, maybe it’s actually a dark brown that will give you the look you’re after. Just stay open to the possibilities and very flexible about the names of the paint colors which often don’t even contain the word black.
Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain 2134-30
Iron Mountain is this incredible, use-anywhere shade of soft black with rich undertones. It’s going to complement both warm and cool color schemes, and because it is dark, the light reflectance value (LRV) is only 10.96.
Similar colors from Benjamin Moore to Iron Mountain? Gray, Silhouette, and Dragon’s Breath.
Since the color is suggestive of iron, it makes perfect sense for windows, trim, and muntins.
But what if you decided to boldly paint your whole house Iron Mountain? Care to see a remarkable transformation?
I absolutely love how Wild Hill Homestead left the entry white for maximum contrast and a beyond welcoming front door!
Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore
Wondering about how I use black in my own home? When folks see images of our foyer, they see black rather than the deep charcoal paint (sometimes can appear navy) I used. You can see it on the stair railing and front doors here:
The exact color I chose has been discontinued, but it is nearly identical to SW Iron Ore:
This is an amazing color, and one of my favorite uses of it as an accent is in this living space by Style & Grace Interiors.
The shiplap flanking the stone fireplace is painted SW Iron Ore, and the walls adjacent are SW Repose Gray. To learn more about the exact furniture and decor in this space, visit that IG link in the caption where you can find the details.
Benjamin Moore Deep Caviar
When I saw these beautiful doors in a design by Marie Flanigan, I wondered if the paint color could be SW Iron Ore…
But when I dug deeper, I discovered that Marie Flanigan Interiors loves this color which closely resembles those doors:
Don’t you think? The thing is, Deep Caviar can look different depending on the photography and unique lighting conditions. Here it is in another Marie Flanigan design:
Deep Caviar from Benjamin Moore is said to have a hint of chocolate brown. (I personally see a deep dark chocolate rather than “a hint.”) It has sumptuous depth and LRV of 7.9. Oooooh, that’s dark!
Similar colors to Deep Caviar? Black Bean Soup, Night Shade, and Night Horizon.
Benjamin Moore Onyx 2133-10 or Cheating Heart 1617
Black kitchen cabinets and vanity cabinets are a timeless choice and just happen to be trending. But which black for cabinets? BM calls Onyx a deep black that is luxurious and grounded (see it in the kitchen below).
But what if you’re seeking a deep, dramatic charcoal with cool blue undertones? Well then, Cheating Heart may be your secret weapon.
You’ll notice the undertones of these black paint possibilities come forward when they are viewed side by side. Sampling is a much better idea than looking back and forth at tiny swatches under fluorescents in a hardware store.
Farrow & Ball: Off-Black No. 57
Leaning toward a softer black? One of the original Farrow & Ball colors, Off-Black is an uncomplicated name for a well loved classic. Off-Black has less of the underlying cool blue of Railings or Black Blue. You won’t always notice blue undertones when you’re viewing photos online, but in person? You’ll see.
Black need not be reserved for high contrast kitchens only. Case in point? A deep and dark moody kitchen where the color is continued on the walls:
Will it help to see a kitchen with black cupboards paired with warm creamy white Zellige tiled backsplash?
Psst. Best way to know whether a black paint color is the right one for your project? Sample it with Samplize to get peel and stick goodness delivered straight to your door.
In many cases, folks are looking for the perfect black color for the island exclusively:
When I assembled this mood board below, I imagined a room painted white or grey, but wouldn’t these elements look sensational against moody black walls or an accent wall?
F&B Down Pipe No. 26
Down Pipe has definite blue undertones which deepen the complexity of the finish. Originally inspired by the color of downpipes and gutters. This daringly dark hue is fabulous as a background to art and great for use to create a deeply dramatic entrance to a home.
If the lighter paint color above caught your eye, it’s Lamp Room Gray No. 88, also by Farrow & Ball.
Here’s an excellent glimpse of how to use soft black for drama and accents. In this house tour, you’ll get to see a kitchen that feels anything but dark and gloomy with black cabinets.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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