A DIY Black Accent Wall Is A Simple Way To Add Dimension To Any Room
While accent walls in any color are daring, choosing a shade of black is a truly fearless choice, as it will contrast with any lighter decorations or furniture. To determine if an inky tone is right for you, take a look at designer Chelsea DeBoer's transformations in the HGTV show, "Down Home Fab," as she adds a black accent wall to almost every home she renovates. Simply searching for black accent walls on Pinterest will also give you some ideas about how this could look in your space.
If you do decide that a deep-colored accent wall is the right choice for you, you'll need some advice on how to pull it off in your home. While designing around any colored focal point may be challenging, black can be the most difficult, as it's known to make rooms feel smaller and darker. The good news is that paint is one of the easiest ways to upgrade a room, no matter what the shade.
Where to add a black wall
Before you head to the store to pick up a can of black paint, you'll need to decide which is the right wall in your home to add dramatic effect. Often, accent walls are added to rooms with a clear focal point, such as a living room with a fireplace or a bedroom that has the bed up against a certain wall. For those with vaulted or slanted ceilings, the tallest wall may make the most sense, while others may simply want to consider where their eye is drawn when they first walk into a room.
If you really want to be daring, you could also think about painting a dark shade onto your ceiling, which may make a space feel extra snug. You'll also need to think about how much lighting the room gets. Because black is a deep color, rooms with ample natural and artificial light are the best candidates. To brighten the space and create contrast, you may want to decorate with lighter-toned pieces. One way you could do this is by hanging light-colored artwork along the surface of your accent wall.
Tips on choosing black paint
Something else you may not have considered is that you'll need to decide upon the right shade of black, as some have cool undertones like blue, while others have warm undertones like brown. To decide which choice is right for you, consider how they would look with your room's furniture pieces and decorations. You'll also need to think about whether you want matte or glossy paint. While matte looks less dramatic, it's also hard to maintain.
If you're going for a glamorous look or using black in a high-traffic area that may get messy, choose a semi-gloss or satin finish, or to add a fun element to your space, you could also consider using chalkboard paint. When it's time to actually paint the wall, give it at least two coats and you may even need three. Brush strokes are usually more visible in a darker tone, so try to cover most of the surface with a roller. Finally, be sure to lay down enough drop cloths, as drips of black paint can be hard to clean.