Decorating in Black and White

The use of white and black in decorating can produce a stunning and dramatic decor. Learn how to best take advantage of the combination of both of these simple colors to maximize your decorating statement.

There is a rule in decorating saying that "every room can use a little black." You might think this really is strange if you have a room of pastels or jewel tones. But think one minute.

Using the color black adds a focus of color that grounds, anchors, and adds a classy look to a room.

Black in accessories, lighting fixtures, trims, paint, or in one bold furniture piece will help to catch the eye and sharpen any decorating scheme. It'll serve as an outline that sparks specific areas or objects. Black alone is striking!

But to obtain real drama and spark, pair black with white.

Using black and white in decorating provides a fresh, clean, and unquestionably sophisticated and stylish look to any room.

Monochrome are a perfect color combination for just about any decorating style. Contemporary interiors often combine monochrome with sleek metals. Country French decorating is usually set off with this color combination.

If you are afraid of using just monochrome, add variety by adding regions of yellow, pink, camel, red, or purple for any striking look. Keeping monochrome prominent, however, preserves the elegant effect.

Here are a few ways to use black and white in your home:

A monochrome floor is a good place to start decorating with monochrome. The ultimate choice woud be beautiful black marble trigger with tall white baseboard moldings. Lacking that, try white ceramic tiles having a black border, vinyl tiles laid in alternating monochrome squares, or a painted black floor with white border stencils or white with black stencils.

Walls painted stark white or perhaps a soft, ivory white function as a perfect background for framed photographs, prints, along with other artwork. Choose dark wood or painted black frames. Select stark monochrome matting for your artwork or give a punch of color with red, gold, or black mats.

A little room is a great place to opt for black and white as the main color scheme. A powder room or small bathroom looks elegant having a black marble countertop, white sink, and glossy gold accessories and fixtures. Trim lush terry towels with black ribbon or braid for any custom look without much work.

Crisp white bedding are perfect for the bedroom. Add a monochrome striped bed skirt, pillows, along with a comfortable black chair. For seasonal changes, have a wide range of pillows in different colors available. Pink, yellow, or soft green is effective for summer, while red, hunter green, or perhaps shimmering gold or silver looks ideal for winter.

When shopping for fabrics, look out for colorful prints or plaids with touches of black. Adding more black to the room with lamps, table trims, frames and mats, pillows, and door and hardware.

Contemporary homes incorporate monochrome in wonderful ways. Use dark, charcoal rugs or carpeting. Don't feel obligated to color all the walls the same. Choose vibrant accent colors for any focal point. Add colorful artwork, shiny or matte finish metal accents, and modern designed fabrics.

Even cottage style interiors may use a black and white color scheme. Pair monochrome toile fabric with gingham checks on chair covers,
tablecloths, and pillows. Hang an accumulation of black metal trays on the dining room wall art, cut monochrome checks for picture matting, and employ black and white ticking stripes for a bed skirt.

Accent bits of black iron are very popular and simple to find. Use a black metal tables base with glass top, black iron candlesticks and lightweight fixtures in dining room, black iron bookends in family area or home office.

To create a striking table setting, search for black and white china. All white or an all-black costume works well. Or see Villeroy and Boch's Audun Pattern, for instance, features classic black and white with bands of yellow. Select a plain white china for greatest versatility. Add table linens and accessory pieces in black or any accent color.