Black is a bold color that is sure to make a statement in any room.
When choosing colors that go with black, the options are practically endless. Because black is technically the absorption of all colors, most shades will pair well with it.
Hues of red, blue, green, yellow, and white bring unique characteristics to your palette. However, there’s a bit more to the science than meets the eye.
Black paint, fabric, and décor often have undertones that give black a warm or cool look. Below, we’ll examine all the ways you can use colors that go with black.
Choosing Colors That Go With Black
If you typically use a color wheel to help you find the best pairings, you may have noticed black isn’t included.
Different color mixtures can create different black hues, so when choosing colors that go with black, remember to also choose the right shade of black.
Natural lighting will allow the undertones within the black to shine through. Deciding between a matte and glossy finish can also help narrow your pairing choices. Black is a color that symbolizes power, elegance, and mystery.
It adds a lot of depth to any space in your home, giving your area a moody vibe. A little bit of black can go a long way. Use it for furniture hardware or create an accent wall for a pop of intensity.
Questions to ask when choosing colors that go with black for your home:
- What is the vibe I’m trying to achieve in my home?
- Do I want a lot of black or pops of black?
- Is the end goal a bright, contrasting room or a minimalistic space?
13 Colors That Go With Black
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Here are some of the best options for colors that go with black. When you think about your overall design, use the 60-30-10 rule.
Choose a dominant color to take up 60% of your space, 30% as a secondary color, and then use the last color to account for 10%. This trick will help you visualize the end result.
1. White and Gray
You can’t go wrong with the classic black, white, and gray combination for a low-contrast vibe. Since all of the shades compliment each other, you can create enough visual interest without making the room look overwhelming.
One great benefit of this color combination is that plenty of interior items like rugs, paintings, blankets, and furniture are combined with all three shades.
For a moody effect, choose black as your dominant color, white as your secondary color, and then add pops of gray. To add subtle color, find a shade of black with colored undertones, such as red or green.
2. White
Black and white are a simple yet charming shade combination to add plenty of visual interest. Merging white with black will make decorating your space an easy task.
It doesn’t matter if you’d prefer black or white to dominate; you’re sure to make a statement. To add more visual interest, add warm metallics or textured pieces.
Think gold candle holders, picture frames, furniture hardware, and a chunky white throw for the couch. You’ll end up with a cozy atmosphere that has a minimalistic vibe.
3. Dusty Rose
If you enjoy the minimalist aesthetic but want to add color to your living space, you can’t go wrong with a black and dusty rose. Choosing the right pink color to pair with black can be tricky.
Unless you want an extravagant maximalist look, you’ll want to avoid heavily saturated pinks. Dusty rose is an ever-so-slightly blush-tinted pink shade. It offers the best of both worlds: neutrality and dimension.
According to color psychology, dusty rose will add a sense of depth and tranquility. It also pairs nicely with natural greens, making it look stunning in conjunction with houseplants.
4. Aqua
If you want to make a bold statement, you may enjoy the contrast that black and aqua bring to the table. Bright aqua has a retro 90s feel to it and is common in a lot of boho décor.
On the other hand, you can use pale aqua to create a beachy theme. To stick with the retro vibe, throw in another pop of color, like yellow or pink.
For a beach aesthetic, add in a lot of off-white or pale beige. Beachy décor can look tacky if you go about it the wrong way, but black helps add a level of chicness to your room.
5. Brown
Brown has an earthy tone associated with safety, security, and resilience. A room with a lot of brown coloring can help remind you of what’s important in life, like family.
Black and brown are the ideal set of colors to create a moody and modern look. You can also use a shade of brown with gray undertones for a more rustic look.
Adding lots of natural brown wood can add enough texture and visual depth to add a lot of character to your home. Houseplants with brown stems or trunks can help tie the entire vibe of your space together.
6. Red
Red is a primary color with many meanings and associations in multiple cultures, like India. In color psychology, red represents intense emotions like love, anger, and passion.
Because red is said to enhance hunger, you can’t go wrong with a tastefully done black and red kitchen color scheme. Choose a bright, warm red like cherry red to warm up and breathe life into the room.
You can add pops of red to add depth or fill the room with red cabinets. If you decide to add in lots of red, break up the intensity of the shade with another neutral, like white or cream.
7. Emerald Green
If you want a sophisticated and elegant living area, black and emerald green are the dynamic duo to get the job done.
Green represents tranquility, peace, and nature. It has an overall peaceful and relaxing effect, making it an ideal option for a bedroom or living room.
According to one study, those who walked in a green environment significantly reduced heart rate values compared to the other colors in the experiment. Mix black and emerald green with a neutral, like off-white or cream, to allow the depth of the shades to pop.
8. Burgundy
Burgundy is a brilliant shade that combines red and purple. Its result is a romantic hue that isn’t overly bright or intense. When burgundy meets black, the result is an elegant space with a luxurious feel.
Unlike other shades of red and pink, burgundy is associated with high-class society and sophistication. Because burgundy mixes passion with power, it makes an excellent color for just about any room.
Add in pops of gold to play up the high-class vibe. Mix in houseplants or other shades of green for a more relaxed feel.
9. Burnt Orange
While you may think of Halloween when imagining black and orange together, the right décor can create an entirely different theme.
Burnt orange or reddish-orange provides a good amount of warmth to liven up the darkness of black. Incorporate brown or beige pieces to take a black and orange theme from spooky and scary to chic and modern.
10. Periwinkle
Periwinkle gets its name from the flower on the vining vinca plant. It’s a soft shade that can evoke feelings of peace and calmness.
This color combination is ideal for the bedroom, master bathroom, or any area in your home where you want to feel calm.
Add visual interest to this duo by adding plenty of texture or gold accents. Other lighter shades, like dusty rose or white, can maximize the relaxing effect.
11. Purple
Like other bold colors, purple and black can be tricky to achieve. Saturated shades of purple will give your space an edgy style. For a more peaceful decorating approach, opt for a light shade of purple, like lavender.
Darker purple shades represent luxury and power, while paler hues evoke feelings of peace and harmony.
Lavender also offers a sense of femininity and youthfulness. To stick with the 60/30/10 rule, choosing two purple hues to pair with black can create a relaxing yet bright feel.
12. Pinkish-Red and Flamingo Pink
If you love the color pink and want to add it to your color scheme, opt for flamingo pink. As previously mentioned, not all pink shades look nice with black.
However, flamingo pink is a bright and feminine color that doesn’t have the extravagance that hot pink exudes. Introduce other shades, like pinkish-red, to create a feminine, romantic, and charming living space.
Choose rugs or paintings that combine all the shades to tie it all together. If you have any plants, they will contrast beautifully with this color trio.
13. Gold
Last but certainly not least, we have the powerful duo of black and gold. If the two shades represent power apart, imagine what they can do together.
Even the most minor gold pieces will brighten up your house’s black and lend a sense of glamor and luxury.
If you want to add other colors, you’re in luck. When adding gold, we suggest you avoid mixing clashing colors like orange or yellow.
Things to Consider Decorating With Black
Let’s look at a few things to keep in mind whenever choosing colors that go with black.
- Opt for a shade of black that will pair best with the color(s) you choose.
- Because black goes with so many colors, narrow your selections by determining the overall feel you’re going for.
- When pairing black with another intense color, add a neutral shade, like cream, to balance the intensity and add contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some of the most common questions regarding black.
Are there different shades of black?
Yes, there are over 100 shades of black to choose from, especially if you choose black paint. Some examples include onyx, charcoal, black olive, and jet black.
What is the darkest shade of black?
MIT engineers developed a new shade of black that absorbs 99.964% of light, making it the blackest material, even darker than Vantablack. The distinctive properties of this new shade are used for automotive sensing, optical systems, deep space imaging, and art.
Which colors make black?
To make black, you’ll mix the primary colors in equal amounts. Painters mix various combinations to create multiple black shades with unique undertones.
Is black a neutral color?
Yes, black is a neutral color. Neutral colors are not on the color wheel, but most will have undertones that change with natural light. To find the best colors to match naturals, identify the undertone color to utilize the color wheel.
What does the color black mean?
Black can represent various emotions and characteristics like sophistication, mystery, and power. Though it can also evoke sad emotions, choosing the right colors that go with black can help warm it up.
So, What Are the Colors That Go With Black?
Black is the absorption of all colors, so many colors go with black. You will want to look at the undertones of your chosen black hue to use with the color wheel.
Other neutral colors, like white, to pair with black can offer a minimalistic aesthetic.
Bright, saturated shades like red give your space an eye-catching appearance. Pick any of the colors we listed above, and you’re sure to find a winning combination.