Is a Black Painted Interior or Kitchen for You?

Like the range of white paint color options, a lot of folks think choosing a color for a black painted interior or for kitchen cabinets is going to be a piece of cake. Then you look at a couple swatches at the paint counter and feel stumped. There are blacks with a deep navy feel and others that read charcoal or faded black. Undertones will influence how you perceive the color. Obviously light is going to play a role for black paint colors as well. Find options below to sample. And if you are seeking a black paint color for an exterior, there’s help here too. See THIS for more ideas for black.

Black Painted Interior: Which Blacks to Sample?

Pitch Black No. 256 (Farrow & Ball)

When it’s a rich deep true black you’re after for walls, trim, doors, or cabinets? Consider Pitch Black 256 from Farrow & Ball. So many are painting all or some kitchen cabinets black, and here’s an example with Pitch Black:

What’s wonderful about the kitchen example above is how we can see the black harmonizing with the natural wood tone as well as with white subway tile.

You could also consider this value of black for black window muntins. This is a classic look not just for modern farmhouses.

Lone Fox shared in this how he added this style of muntins to his renovated kitchen:

While the paint color on 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.

This brings us to a very important issue straight away. Even though you think you are searching for the perfect black, it may actually be a dark brown that will deliver the look you’re after. Be sure to stay open to the possibilities. Stay flexible about the names of the paint colors too. They won’t always include “black” in spite of obviously being an option.

Iron Mountain 2134-30 (Benjamin Moore)

Iron Mountain is a great, use-anywhere soft black with rich undertones. It will complement both warm and cool color schemes, and because it is dark, the light reflectance value (LRV) is only 10.96.

Other colors from Benjamin Moore similar to Iron Mountain? Gray, Silhouette, and Dragon’s Breath.

Since this 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 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:

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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 also 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).

Seeking a deep, dramatic charcoal with cool blue undertones? 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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