Embracing the dark side with black wallpaper can be an edgy, dramatic choice for any room. While some may see black as cold or gloomy, using it strategically can create an atmosphere that is modern, chic, and enveloping. Black need not inspire fear – instead, lean into its mystique and let black wallpaper infuse intrigue into your decor. With the right approach, black wallpaper can be an elegant and versatile design option.
Overcoming Apprehension About Black Wallpaper
For many, the idea of black wallpaper conjures up visions of dark, cramped spaces. Black is often associated with mourning, evil, and the unknown. When used thoughtfully, however, black can provide the backdrop for a stylish, contemporary look. Here are some tips for overcoming any reservations about choosing black wallpaper:
Consider Black’s Stylish Versatility
Black is a perennially chic neutral that works well in many styles from modern to industrial, Gothic to minimalist. Its darkness makes it endlessly versatile – black mixes effortlessly with other colors and patterns. In terms of decor, black wallpaper can be striking, sophisticated, or moody depending on how it’s styled.
Use Black Strategically
Black tends to visually recede, so consider using it strategically to make a small space feel larger or highlight specific architectural elements. Black wallpaper can provide an elegant backdrop that puts the focus on furniture, artwork, and accessories.
Light It Up
Proper lighting is key for keeping a black palette from feeling too somber. Use ample natural light, wall sconces, pendant lamps, or recessed lighting to illuminate and lift a dark palette. Reflective metals and mirrored surfaces will also brighten up a black color scheme.
Warm It Up
Warm metals like brass and gold look stunning against black and add a luxurious, glamorous feeling. Rich wood tones also complement black for a welcoming, cozy effect. Add touches of cream, beige, or greige to soften and keep black walls from feeling too stark.
Consider Mood
Think about the vibe you want to achieve – black can be opulent, romantic, or contemporary depending on accompanying elements like lighting, textures, and furnishings. Don’t be afraid to have some fun and use black wallpaper to create a look that suits your personality.
With the right decorative touches and lighting, black wallpaper can avoid gloominess and become the chic, versatile foundation for an allure, modern space.
Design Ideas for Stunning Black Wallpaper
Black wallpaper offers almost endless possibilities when it comes to creating a beautiful, captivating room. From modern geometrics to nature-inspired prints, here are some striking ways to implement dark wallpaper:
Modern Black and White
A black and white palette is a go-to for contemporary style. Pair high-contrast black and white geometric or grid-patterned wallpaper with hits of chrome and glass for an ultra-modern look. Stark black and white feels futuristic.
Black Faux Taxidermy
For an exotic yet sophisticated vibe, consider black wallpaper printed with faux animal skins or blackened maps. Faux taxidermy adds organic contrast and a hint of adventure against solid black walls. Cluster wall sconces around black maps or animal prints for dramatic effect.
Bold Black Damask
Choose a black damask wallpaper with a large-scale, bold pattern for a glamorous pop. Pair it with heavy black curtains, a crystal chandelier, and antique gilded mirrors for a luxe, designer feel. Damask patterns range from traditional to modern.
Black Brick or Faux Concrete
Industrial chic black brick or faux concrete wallpaper adds perfect gritty contrast to modern furnished spaces. A black exposed “brick” wall makes a killer backdrop for hanging greenery, ornate mirrors, or pop art. Pair with wood and metal for urban edge.
Black Florals and Nature Prints
Don’t be afraid to juxtapose black with organic patterns like floral, leafy, or botanical prints. Choose black backgrounds with accents of pastels, metallics, or jewel tones for a soft yet striking contrast. Vines, branches, or meadow scenes lighten up black walls.
Metallic Sheen Black
Choose a subtly glittery, shiny black wallpaper for lots of low-light sparkle. Metallic sheen casts a glamorous glow and looks mesmerizing when accented with candles, crystals, or silver and gold decor.
Textured Black
Flocked velvet, embossed, or textured vinyl black wallpaper provides gorgeous visual depth and dimension. Pair tactile surfaces with contrasting smooth, glossy accents. Textures catch the light beautifully on black backgrounds.
Black Chinoiserie
Black Chinoiserie wallpaper featuring Asian motifs like pagodas, dragons, blossoms, and willow trees makes a stunning, exotic statement. Use it to create an opulent, intriguing dining room or bedroom backdrop. Accent with red and gold for oriental drama.
The possibilities are endless for eye-catching black wallpaper looks. Don’t fear the dark side – embrace dramatic black backgrounds to make artwork pop, add modern edge, or infuse spaces with mood and mystery.
Practical Tips for Installing and Caring for Black Wallpaper
Once you’ve selected the perfect dramatic black wallpaper for your space, employ these best practices for properly installing and maintaining it:
Prep Walls Properly
Remove any existing wallpaper or other surfaces completely so the black wallpaper adheres properly and smoothly. Fill any holes, prime, and apply adhesive primer to surfaces to ready them for wallpaper.
Mind the Lighting
Install new lighting fixtures and bulbs beforehand so the space is well-lit during installation. Proper lighting allows you to detect any imperfections and ensure proper wallpaper placement.
Match Up Patterns
With patterned wallpaper, take extra care when matching up the design from strip to strip during installation. Misaligned repeats will be highly visible against black backgrounds.
Overlap Seams
Use a soft brush and seam roller to gently push seams together, overlapping edges slightly, to prevent gaps or raised sections on black wallpaper. Seams virtually disappear when properly overlapped.
Consider Wallpaper Primer
Use primer designed specifically for wallpaper, like Roman’s Ultra Premium Pro-977, for the smoothest possible black wallpaper application and long-lasting adhesion.
Handle Gently
Use delicate care when handling, smoothing, cutting, and installing black wallpaper, which shows imperfections like creases more than lighter colors. Work methodically to prevent damage.
Use Mild Cleaners
Clean black wallpaper gently using mild liquid cleanser on a soft cloth to prevent abrasions over time. Avoid harsh scrubbing and overly wet sponges which can loosen wallpaper edges.
With careful prep and installation, dramatic black wallpaper will maintain its like-new appearance for many years, while making a striking decorative statement.
How Lighting Affects the Look of Black Wallpaper
Proper lighting is paramount for ensuring black wallpaper has the desired dramatic yet inviting effect. Lighting affects both aesthetics and functionality. Follow these tips on lighting black wallpaper successfully:
Use Layers of Light
Relying solely on overhead fixtures will create a dark, cave-like feeling. Instead, install varied lighting like wall sconces, accent lamps, and recessed lighting at different heights.
Show Off Dimensions
Grazing lights that highlight wall textures beautifully illuminate black wallpaper’s visual dimensions. Sconces cast appealing uplighting on black walls.
Install Dimmers
Dimmers allow brightness levels to be adjusted to suit changing moods and needs. With black walls, increasing wattage for tasks like cleaning is helpful.
Accent With Pools of Light
Strategic ceiling-mounted fixtures or pendant lamps create pools of light, drawing focus to artwork or architectural details against black wallpaper.
Reflect Light
Mirrors and reflective metal finishes bounce light around the room, opening up dark spaces. Lucite and glass accents also redirect light nicely off black backgrounds.
Warm It Up
Warm light bulbs counter any harshness from black and make a space feel welcoming. Try amber, gold, or amber-hued smart bulbs.
Highlight With Color
Use colored lamps or programmable LED lights to cast a futuristic glow and highlight black wallpaper’s dramatic impact. Pale blues and purples work well.
Proper lighting transforms dark, monochromatic black wallpaper into the perfect stunning yet versatile backdrop for any style. Don’t be afraid to creatively play with varied lighting effects to complement black’s mystique.
Common Questions About Black Wallpaper
Black wallpaper is a bold stylistic choice that makes a powerful impact. For those considering taking the dark plunge, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Is black wallpaper hard to maintain?
Black wallpaper requires gentle care and cleaning to avoid scuff marks and abrasions showing up prominently. Use a mild cleaner and soft cloth, take care not to damage edges when dusting, and repair any moisture issues quickly to prevent discoloration.
Does black wallpaper make rooms feel smaller?
It can optically, but using black wallpaper strategically on a single accent wall or in a large space counters this effect. Proper lighting also keeps black walls from closing in too much. If rooms feel too dark, add mirrors or metallic finishes to reflect light.
What colors go well with black wallpaper?
Black’s dark shade lets other hues pop dramatically. Blue, green, red, purple, yellow, brass, silver, gold, and metallics all complement black gorgeously. Neutrals like white, cream and beige soften the look. Use color in accessories, artwork and furnishings.
Does black wallpaper look modern?
Black is inherently chic and pairs perfectly with contemporary furnishings and shiny materials for a fashionable, cutting-edge look. Geometric or graphic black patterns feel especially modern and sleek.
Can I use black in a nursery?
Absolutely! Use touches of fun colored accents and ample lighting to prevent it from feeling too dark. Black and white is classic. Pair black wallpaper with brights like yellow or pink for a bold, playful contrast.
Is black wallpaper depressing?
It doesn’t have to be! The key is using adequate light sources and warm metallics or wood tones to create balance. Crisp white trim and ceilings also keep black walls from feeling too heavy. Add personality with art and accessories.
Use these tips when implementing black wallpaper to maximize its striking, versatile potential while minimizing reservations about going to the dark side. Properly installed and illuminated, black backgrounds lend spaces gorgeous drama and edge.
Recommended Black Wallpapers to Consider
Ready to take the plunge with dark, dramatic black wallpaper? Here are some gorgeous and versatile design options to consider for your space:
Deauville Stars Black – Cole & Son
This bold, shimmering design features dense overlaying starry constellations on an inky backdrop. Its palpable texture and sparkle make a stunning statement.
Hexagon Black and White – Milton & King
For sharp modern style, hexagon-patterned black and white wallpaper combines geometric edge with three-dimensional interest through contrasts.
Peacock Black – Arte Wallcoverings
Showcase nature and movement with this black wallpaper print of abstract sweeping peacock feathers in metallic inks. It imbues spaces with an organic opulence.
Sophie – Seabrook
The ultra-modern Sophie pattern features a painterly black and white splatter design. This playful yet edgy print adds artistic drama on a grand scale.
Black Zinc – Phillip Jeffries
Rich woven black grasscloth wallpaper offers gorgeous organic texture. The matte black finish exudes natural zen-like tranquility.
Fornasetti Otto Cara – Cole & Son
Whimsical octagonal frames house Renaissance facial profiles on this black background. It provides quirky, sophisticated character.
Durant and Crow Black – Designers Guild
A bold damask design grounded in black adds a touch of the exotic with dimensional Asian motifs like pagodas and flowers.
Lustre Pixel Black – Graham & Brown
Tiny faceted pixels emerge on this glamorous textural vinyl wallpaper, casting a subtle hi-tech disco vibe with light-catching sparkle.
Contempo Stripe – York Wallcoverings
Wide horizontal matte stripes offer the perfect blend of shimmer and sheen in black and silver for artistic modern allure.
With striking patterns, prints and textures available, black wallpaper can transform any space into a darkly magnetic, yet inviting design destination.
In Closing
Black wallpaper no longer needs to be feared for making spaces feel dark and confined. Instead, embrace black’s power to create ambiance, add modern edge, and beautifully showcase decor when used thoughtfully. By following the tips and design ideas covered, black wallpaper can become a go-to versatile, stylish option for your unique decor vision. Let dramatic dark wallpaper make an alluring statement and elevate your space to new stylistic heights. Don’t shy away from black’s chic appeal and transformative potential – with the right approach, you can confidently join the dark side.
