Decorating Guides
How Shiny Black Can Take Your Room to the Next Level
Glossy black on furniture, walls and cabinetry adds sophistication and style. Here are 11 ways to use it
Ever since Coco Chanel created the little black dress, we’ve all known that black can be a sophisticated and essential part of a wardrobe. Today, even Apple has gotten in on the craze for black accessories, with its latest iPhone launch showcasing two blacks: matte and a new high-gloss finish.
In the last few years, designers have followed the trend in fashion and encouraged us to flirt with black in our home interiors. Black can achieve a super swank effect, but when it’s a gloss black — well, magic happens. Here are 11 examples of how a glossy black feature added instant sophistication to a room.
In the last few years, designers have followed the trend in fashion and encouraged us to flirt with black in our home interiors. Black can achieve a super swank effect, but when it’s a gloss black — well, magic happens. Here are 11 examples of how a glossy black feature added instant sophistication to a room.
2. Contrasted with matte materials. The mirror finish of a glossy black surface is accentuated when paired with less-reflective materials. For a super contemporary look in the kitchen, contrast high-gloss black cabinetry with a matte-finish concrete counter. The shiny black of the cabinets here also provides a counterpoint to the white ceilings and floor, while reflecting light.
Why it works: The solid, dull gray of this waterfall concrete island provides a visual rest from all that shine.
Why it works: The solid, dull gray of this waterfall concrete island provides a visual rest from all that shine.
3. Mixed with metallics. The opposite of the design dictum “less is more” works well when one strong element is matched and balanced by another — in this case, glossy black walls and furniture with burnished gold accessories and finishes. The lacquered gold ceiling in this sumptuous living room is complemented by the gold-toned rug and velvet sofa, with an effect that’s highly glamorous. Both the walls and ceiling bounce light from the window around the room, ensuring a look that’s anything but dark and dreary.
Why it works: An all-gold room would be overwhelmingly bright; the black walls and furniture diminish the intensity. Plus, the black and gold elements complement each other, mostly because they’re used in equal measure.
Tip: The striped curtains tie the palette together beautifully, breaking up the solid blocks of black and gold and creating a decorative bridge between the two.
Why it works: An all-gold room would be overwhelmingly bright; the black walls and furniture diminish the intensity. Plus, the black and gold elements complement each other, mostly because they’re used in equal measure.
Tip: The striped curtains tie the palette together beautifully, breaking up the solid blocks of black and gold and creating a decorative bridge between the two.
4. Applied on wallpaper. An all-black wallpaper isn’t much different than a painted black wall, but when a pattern is introduced and rendered in black gloss and matte, the effect is striking. Here, a geometric pattern of large, glossy spots on a matte field brings a subtle design element to the room; the spots are only noticeable when the light falls across the wallpaper at a certain angle.
Why it works: The wallpaper provides interest without overwhelming other elements in the room. It also produces an overall calming effect, perfect for a bedroom.
Tip: This wallpaper would also work well in a stripe or grid pattern.
Why it works: The wallpaper provides interest without overwhelming other elements in the room. It also produces an overall calming effect, perfect for a bedroom.
Tip: This wallpaper would also work well in a stripe or grid pattern.
5. As bathroom wall tiles. This bathroom wall, covered with glossy black tiles, is adjacent to an enormous window through which light can shine directly onto the glazed surface, thereby sending light farther into the room.
Why it works: The wall is a great backdrop for the generous white tub, and is supported by a mix of black and white floor tiles. The monochrome palette can then be enlivened with colored decorative items, such as towels, blinds and chairs.
Tip: I recommend using a black grout for these tiles. However, keep in mind that cleaning products and bleach can lighten grout, making it look less than wonderful over time.
Why it works: The wall is a great backdrop for the generous white tub, and is supported by a mix of black and white floor tiles. The monochrome palette can then be enlivened with colored decorative items, such as towels, blinds and chairs.
Tip: I recommend using a black grout for these tiles. However, keep in mind that cleaning products and bleach can lighten grout, making it look less than wonderful over time.
6. Painted on the ceiling. Not many people consider anything other than matte white for ceilings, so painting one a high-gloss black makes for an unexpected feature in a room. The ceiling in this living area adds a sophisticated air to the space, and it works especially well because the other features and furniture are light-colored.
Why it works: Both the floor and ceiling are highly polished and dark. This causes the filtered light from the curtained windows to bounce around the room, creating a glowing effect on the ceiling.
Why it works: Both the floor and ceiling are highly polished and dark. This causes the filtered light from the curtained windows to bounce around the room, creating a glowing effect on the ceiling.
7. As a backdrop for artwork. In this tiny powder room, the eye is instantly drawn to the artwork. That’s because in a small space, light bounces off glossy black walls to create such a shiny environment that any paintings and prints displayed there will stand out far more than if the walls were white.
Why it works: The black of the walls acts like a giant frame around the paintings.
Tip: For clients who want to hang art, I often recommend a dark-hued glossy wall. Even if the artwork is also dark, the effect works, because the sheen of the finish creates a contrast.
Why it works: The black of the walls acts like a giant frame around the paintings.
Tip: For clients who want to hang art, I often recommend a dark-hued glossy wall. Even if the artwork is also dark, the effect works, because the sheen of the finish creates a contrast.
8. As stained flooring. A polished black floor can lift the mood of a conventional room. In this apartment in a converted industrial building, the decor is anchored by the black-stained hardwood floor finished with a high gloss.
Why it works: A highly polished, darkly colored floor can help send light around the room, which is especially welcome when the walls are also on the darker side. Plus, a highly polished floor can create an impression of cleanliness.
Why it works: A highly polished, darkly colored floor can help send light around the room, which is especially welcome when the walls are also on the darker side. Plus, a highly polished floor can create an impression of cleanliness.
9. Painted on window frames. Shiny black window frames create an effect similar to that of framed artwork — i.e., capturing a scene and drawing your eye to it.
Why it works: The black grid pattern of the windows allows the viewer to look beyond them to the garden.
Tip: If you have a room with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a little too much light, hang a sheer curtain to use when there’s too much glare from the sun and the ambiance of the room would benefit from filtered light.
Why it works: The black grid pattern of the windows allows the viewer to look beyond them to the garden.
Tip: If you have a room with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a little too much light, hang a sheer curtain to use when there’s too much glare from the sun and the ambiance of the room would benefit from filtered light.
10. As a wall unit. By concealing a television and framing a fireplace, the glossy black paneling in this living room accommodates two features with vastly different functions. Because the television is also black, the focus is on the light-colored fireplace and artwork above it. In fact, it takes a second to realize there’s even a television there too!
Why it works: By placing the television against the glossy black wall, the TV’s own black glass surface recedes. In contrast, the fireplace becomes a visual feature meant to be looked at as much as it’s meant to warm the room.
Why it works: By placing the television against the glossy black wall, the TV’s own black glass surface recedes. In contrast, the fireplace becomes a visual feature meant to be looked at as much as it’s meant to warm the room.
11. On furniture. Styling a room requires a mix of textures and tonal palettes. A shiny black lacquered piece of furniture works perfectly with matte walls, metallics, plants, wood and artwork.
Why it works: The black helps emphasize the simple but strong lines of this hallway console. Color can be introduced though art or flowers.
Tell us: Have you used black gloss in your home? Share your tips in the Comments.
Read more stories about decorating with black
Why it works: The black helps emphasize the simple but strong lines of this hallway console. Color can be introduced though art or flowers.
Tell us: Have you used black gloss in your home? Share your tips in the Comments.
Read more stories about decorating with black
Why it works: Painting all the walls in black gloss is unusual and unexpected — but be prepared for an effect that’s pretty overwhelming at first. Rest assured that once you get used to it, you’ll feel special every time you enter your home, and guests will be awestruck.
Tip: For a more velvety effect, try painting the trim gloss black and the walls matte black.