Black Paint Ideas | Benjamin Moore

House exterior siding painted in Black Satin 2131-10 Regal® Select Paint colour.

At first, black paint may feel like a daunting proposition. The reality is that when it comes to any shade of black, the end result is sure to be both unexpected and incredibly sophisticated.

From inspiration online to advice from experts in-store, we can help you find the best black paint colours for any project.

Warm + Cool + Most Popular Black Paint Colours

A mid-century modern style living room with bright, white-painted walls and vaulted ceiling, and a black panelled accent wall with a fireplace and large screen TV.

The Beauty of the Black-Painted Living Room

Black walls can look great in any room. Often the rooms that are most successful have a balance between light and dark, where black walls are paired with a light floor colour or furniture is upholstered in neutrals and white.

Black paint has an interesting effect on the walls of a room because the corners and shadows are obscured more than if a mid-tone or pastel colour is used. This visual trick blurs the boundaries in a space and can make a room feel a bit more expansive.

Red chair in a mudroom with walls painted in Soot 2129-20.

"Black paint colors embody beauty and sophistication."

—

HANNAH YEO

COLOUR & DESIGN EXPERT

The Shades and Undertones of Black

Some black paint reads a bit blue. Other black hues have a brown edge. Then of course, there is “true black.”

Here, we makeover a basic mudroom with dramatic gray-black Soot 2129-20. Its subtle blue undertone enhances the sumptuous quality of this particular black paint color.

How do you select the perfect black paint colour for your home? Buying Benjamin Moore paint samples is always our top recommendation. Seeing black paint in different lighting conditions—think artificial lighting versus daylight—deeply impacts what a colour looks like, and how you’ll ultimately feel about it in your home.

Dining room walls painted in Black Ink Aura paint colour

Selecting Sheen for Your Black Paint Colour

The selection of finish depends on the desired mood, aesthetic and functional goal of the room you are painting. For a highly sophisticated look, paint both walls and trim in one black hue, either using the same finish on both surfaces, or using a lower sheen on the walls such as a matte. Opt for a semi-gloss or high gloss on the trim for subtle contrast.

Here are some other tips when selecting the sheen for black paint...

Matte
A matte black paint delivers a soft, contemporary appearance.

Semi-Gloss
Higher sheens, like semi-gloss, are easy to clean, making them great options for cabinets or doors that are frequently opened, closed and in general, touched a lot.

High Gloss
A higher gloss offers dramatic highlights, making a black-painted room feel more formal. In general, deeper paint colours overall evoke more drama when paired with high gloss sheens.

Accent wall painted in Black Satin ben paint colour

Black Accent Wall. Posh Bedroom.

A black bedroom accent wall can add a layer of depth to the most private room in your home. Here, the classic combination of black and white layers beautifully with graphic elements. Consider bringing in bold strokes of geometric lines and pops of other colours to complete the modern look.

Another tip for black paint? Use lighter colours in adjoining rooms to balance out black’s depth and darkness, creating a harmonious “colour flow” in your home.

Full house exterior siding painted in Black Satin Regal Select Paint Colour

A Striking Black Exterior

Painting a front door black is a favourite design choice. Painting a home exterior in black is considerably more daring–but results in a powerful visual statement.

We love the combination of green foliage and black exteriors as seen here in Black Satin 2131-10. This farmhouse is also a perfect example of how black paint can easily modernize a more traditional home.

A black-painted home exterior offers practicality too: Black paint tends to hide dirt, so you can welcome guests into your home with carefree style.