An unusual black and white interior design not only looks original, but also helps to visually enlarge the space due to the optimal combination of two contrasting colors. The stylish design will appeal to those who are looking for new ideas and color solutions for decorating their apartment.
Black and white interior is chosen by people who want to see a laconic and stylish design of their home
Pros and cons of black and white in the room
The black and white color scheme is not suitable for all rooms, which should be taken into account when choosing a finish. Rooms that are small in size and height can become even smaller and cramped due to the effect of contrast. For example, for corridors, small hallways, small kitchens, it is better not to use contrasting techniques when decorating. Prefer a soft, monochrome design that does not focus on individual details, thereby visually increasing the area of the room.
A room in black and white can become an original design masterpiece
Pros of a contrasting interior:
- originality of the design concept;
- rigor, sublimity of style;
- visual expansion of space due to the predominance of white;
- atmospheric, modern and aesthetic design.
Cons of black and white design:
- the need to maintain a perfect balance between two opposing shades;
- the predominance of black can visually make the room smaller;
- The color scheme does not match all interior styles.
Black color fills the room with notes of chic, respectability and elegance
A room in which white is a priority looks spacious and airy.
For finishing in a modern style, a contrasting solution is best suited, but for classics, choose softer and more neutral color combinations.
Minimalism
Another style ideally embodied in black and white. It is impossible to add or subtract anything from it, and it does not evoke any desire to do so. White walls and ceiling become the background. On it, like on a canvas, the most necessary furnishings are modestly and nobly placed: a bed or sofa and a couple of bedside tables. Accessories that are difficult to do without should be simple and plain, like the textiles covering the bed. Decorativeness and chic are achieved with glossy inserts: ceramic tiles on the floor, which reflect the ceiling lighting, or varnishing of furniture. This style does not imply ornaments or accessories.
Attention to this type of interior organization is growing in direct proportion to the level of development of computer technology. If just a few years ago it was impossible to imagine a study without numerous shelves with documents, and a bedroom without books and magazines to study before bed, then in a modern interior all these attributes are replaced by a compact gadget.
Black and white shade as a visual increase in space
The correct interior design should not only correspond to the layout and architectural design of the space, but also organically complement it. When decorating a standard apartment, for example, a Khrushchev-era apartment, a pressing issue is the visual expansion of the space, which is due to the small footage of the premises.
You can give free rein to black color only in a fairly large room (more than 14 square meters)
Contrasting design can both visually reduce and increase space due to the proportional relationship of primary colors. The more dark shades, the smaller the room will look, so when planning a room in a black style, focus on its size. In a large room, you can allow any proportional ratio of contrasting shades without the danger of making the room visually smaller.
It should be remembered that white color increases space, and black color reduces it.
For a small room, for example, a teenager’s personal room, prefer white to predominate, and black can be in the form of accent details. For an adult bedroom, the optimal color ratio would be 50/50, so the design will be strict, laconic and stylish at the same time.
Wallpaper for black and white bedroom interior
To prevent the contrast between these colors from being so bright, use gray. It acts as the main background, and is complemented by black and white interior elements that will emphasize the clear edges of the room and help in dividing the room into functional zones.
The black and white combination can be used in various styles. For example, in modern high-tech it can be successfully supplemented with details made of glass, metal or chrome and illumination of various surfaces.
This combination also looks good in the Art Nouveau style, used in patterns on walls, stucco on the ceiling and sculptures. The most important thing is not to overload the space with an abundance of colorful ornaments. It is best to use them to decorate one wall or, for example, as a carpet on the floor.
Design depending on the type of room
Black and white style is suitable for many rooms in the apartment. The fashionable, laconic design will fit perfectly into the living room, children's room, parent's bedroom, large kitchen or spacious hallway.
Extraordinarily stylish kitchen with glossy cabinetry in black and white
White and black kitchen with green accents in the form of chairs
Bathroom interior in black and white
Black and white in the hall
In a contrasting design, one color can dominate. When decorating a living room, white is most often chosen as the dominant color, and black is an auxiliary color that appears in the selection of decor, accessories, furniture and decorations.
It is important to determine which tone will take priority, or perhaps it will be two equal colors
For a harmonious design of a black and white room, it is important to choose a stylistic direction, based on which the decoration, furniture, and accessories are selected. The following styles are suitable for the hall:
- loft;
- minimalism;
- Scandinavian.
A loft-style living room involves tall open windows, perhaps in black frames. The walls are decorated with white brickwork, the ceiling has exposed beams. The floor may have parquet, boards, or linoleum.
Monochrome black and white tones blend harmoniously with wood, concrete or brickwork
Considering the predominance of white in the decoration, you can choose black furniture: leather sofas and armchairs, shelving, tables. Choose metal accessories (lights, framed mirrors, furniture pieces) to make the design authentic.
For a Scandinavian-style hall, the walls and ceiling can also be decorated with white, but this can be paint or plaster. It is not necessary to select all the furniture in black shades. Let the main set be black, and additional furniture can be in gray tones. The Scandinavian style welcomes monochrome ethnic patterns, which can be found in textiles or prints on accessories and paintings. Such patterns will emphasize the originality of the interior and make it warmer and homely.
In the Scandinavian interior, white is the priority color, and black is used as accents.
Minimalism is characterized by the absence of non-functional elements, so focus on the functionality of the room. Black color can be found in the design of walls or ceilings, and not just in the choice of furniture and accessories.
Spacious black and white living room in minimalist style with parquet flooring
Black and white design seems cold and lifeless, so dilute it with bright accents that will make the monochrome finish more lively and dynamic.
In the bedroom
Contrasting designs are most often chosen for bedroom decoration. The classic color combination has a calming effect, which is important in a bedroom intended for relaxation and sleep.
The interior of a black and white bedroom should not be too harsh, because this room is intended for rest and relaxation
A modern black and white room can be almost entirely white with a small percentage of black accents, or kept in black tones with individual white elements in the form of bedding, curtains or a fluffy carpet on the floor. You can choose the same percentage for each shade or dilute the monochrome with bright colors. The main thing is to maintain calm and a peaceful atmosphere in which it is pleasant to relax.
Black and white bedroom in a modern style, in which both colors are equal
Black walls in the bedroom are trending today. This could be one wall behind the head of the bed or all four walls, as well as the ceiling. Choose the finish yourself: wallpaper, painting, plaster - anything that helps express the main idea will do.
Cozy bedroom with a large window and a black accent wall
In a white bedroom, the furniture can be completely black to create a stylish contrast. This solution can be emphasized with lighting and shiny metal elements, for example, lamps, furniture fittings, mirror frames, pieces of furniture and decorations.
In the nursery
Today it is fashionable to decorate a nursery in black and white style. For the room, girls choose a retro style with minor splashes of bright colors: yellow, green, pink. Monochrome prints are also used: black and white stripes, checks, polka dots, patterns.
Black and white interior of a children's room, diluted with yellow accents
For a boy's nursery, a loft style with bright accents, such as graffiti, posters, and placards, is suitable. A bright accent can be a carpet on the floor, bed linen, and accessories.
Monochrome design of a children's room in a loft style
Monochrome and contrasting design is a modern trend that emphasizes the good taste of the owners and adds individuality to the home.
A bright children's room in a Scandinavian style, the interior of which is based on white, and black is used in small splashes
Classic style
Achromatic colors in classicism echo the natural color of wood, looking great against a white or light gray background. However, there should also be few such elements, since the emphasis of the interior is shifted to the decoration of the walls. Wallpaper with an embossed heraldic pattern, where silver is one of the gray tones, is suitable for them. This interior is elegant, strict, and luxurious at the same time.
In addition to the walls, you will also have to work on the choice of textiles: in this case, simple fabrics and banal prints are inappropriate. Curtains, bedspreads and canopies, if any, should be thick and heavy, as befits a classic.
A classic bedroom in black and white can also be created against the background of almost white walls
, but in this case, the shapes of the furniture should compensate for the simplicity that is unusual for this trend. Carved legs of wooden chairs, a twisted forged chandelier, and chiseled curves of the backs of chairs are the main accents of such an interior.
Interesting options for choosing furniture for a black and white room
A stylishly decorated room in black and white style requires properly selected furniture and decor. Furniture can be either black or white, or dark gray, melange, or graphite. The main thing is that it fits into the style of the interior and supports the main stylistic idea.
Wooden furniture in a retro style looks impressive in a black and white interior
Upholstered furniture with white leather upholstery looks good against the background of black walls.
The brightest of contrasts: classic and creative
The design of a black and white bedroom evokes dozens of associations: the most popular of dress codes, cinema classics, nostalgia for school years with a school board rapidly becoming a rarity, and the zebra, with which life itself is so often compared. Accordingly, there are countless styles in which a bedroom interior in black and white would be appropriate. The most popular ones include:
- timeless classics;
- extravagant art deco;
- laconic minimalism;
- pompous modern;
- mysterious east;
- baroque, hi-tech and others.
Components of style in the case of using only two colors
ornaments, materials and textures become.
Black and white furniture in the interior of the room
In a living room with white trim, you can choose a completely black set, for example, a sofa and armchairs with leather upholstery, a lacquered coffee table, open shelving, cabinets, and cabinets. If the room is predominantly decorated in black, then the furniture should be light in color to maintain harmony.
Add expressiveness to the contrasting palette of the interior using inclusions in blue, green or lilac tones.
A black bed with a high headboard, an armchair with black legs, and a wardrobe with a glossy sheen will suit the bedroom. This type of furniture looks good with light and dark finishes. To make the design look not only contrasting, but also complex, choose textured finishing materials, glossy furniture, and accessories made from different materials.
Black wardrobe with glossy doors in a small bedroom where white is the main color
It is not necessary to choose all the furniture in one color. If the room is decorated in white colors, then you can complement the interior with a black bed, and the wardrobe, chest of drawers, dressing table, and armchair can be dark gray. This technique is often used in loft and Scandinavian styles, where furniture is not combined in texture and color, but only in style.
Luxurious green sofa in living room with black and white trim
When decorating a nursery, it is important to maintain a balance so that the room does not look too gloomy. There should be several times fewer black elements than white or gray ones; it is also important to complement the interior with bright accents.
Pink, yellow or turquoise colors are suitable as accents.
To prevent a contrasting design from seeming boring, choose textured items and add shades of gray to your interior design.
Today, the combination of two opposing colors is the most relevant due to its versatility, rigor and modernity. If you like original ideas for decorating an apartment, then be inspired by examples of contrasting design of living rooms, bedrooms and other rooms. Look for ideas in a selection of photos and take into account our recommendations that will help you decorate your home in a stylish and modern way.
Duet of black and white: a third wheel?
The canons of interior design say that there should be three fundamental colors in the interior. Finding a worthy company for such a bright contrast as black and white is quite difficult. Halftones and shades can look dirty and untidy. A win-win option is bright accents that cannot get lost. Light green, hot pink, piercing blue or yellow are worthy partners for black and white. A black and white bedroom with bright accents from elegant pillows thrown on top of the blanket, chair covers, vases and wall frames looks impressive and stylish.
Lighting can also act as a third color: a strip of colored duralight placed under the vinyl sheet of a stretch ceiling, when turned on, will highlight the interior, making it sparkle with other colors.
The black and white interior is universal: it seems that it adapts to the mood of the owner, becoming either strict or eccentric. Changing a few accessories transforms it beyond recognition. The WESTWING shopping club will help you select such conceptual elements, and the partners of this site will take care of the availability of the lots you like, offering serious discounts.
Photos of room design examples in black and white shades
What colors can you use?
The combination of black and white colors in the design of a bedroom does not mean that only two shades can be used. First of all, for such a solution, only two-thirds of the entire bedroom interior, designed in the basic color scheme, is sufficient.
Related article: Choosing a design for the bedroom: lightness and tranquility
You can also use different shades of white:
- snow white;
- pearl;
- chalky;
- lactic;
- ivory;
- smoky.
As for the color black, there are such shades as “wet asphalt”, black-chocolate, coal-black, blue-black and prune color. To dilute the gloom of dark shades, bright accents of any other color are used.
