Accent Wall Ideas: The Best Black Paint Colors
Add drama to any room with an accent wall
I love dark paint colors—I’ve flooded several of my rooms with them—but not every space can pull them off. Sometimes, colors with darker LRVs are too much and overwhelm a home.
Thank goodness we have accent walls & me (wink wink).
If you love colors with some serious meat on their bones but are nervous about a full-room commitment, an accent wall is an awesome way to add some depth without jumping into the deep end. Just make sure you have the lighting and decor before committing to one of these bad boys.
The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colours and LRV
1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS IRON ORE SW 7069
Iron Ore: He’s deep, dark, and moody, and he’s a great way to get the contrast of black without its stark/harsh look. Iron Ore can also pick up a vague, almost green undertone. I painted our home office this colour in our last home, fondly referred to as the home from Hell, our ‘summer home’, but I didn’t get a good shot of it as I was too wrapped up in my wine-infused misery.
However, I DO have a great shot of it in my Color Consulting client’s home; check it out…
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore: IMAGES, Info, & More
I’d love to give you a few comparisons for Iron Ore, but it’s a color unto itself. With its sneaky undertones, there isn’t a color that comes even close. HOWEVER, it won’t hurt to compare to colors that are similarly ‘unique’ with their undertones…
- Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain
- Sherwin Williams Peppercorn
2. BENJAMIN MOORE RACCOON FUR 2126-20
Raccoon Fur gives me the warm fuzzies – but that’s because I love double-ds. Hey, not THOSE kinds of double-dd (a girl can dream), but the other kind – paint colors that are deep and dark.
Raccoon Fur isn’t quite black, but given the right situation, it can act like a soft version of it. It’s actually a fine blend of black, blue (with a purple undertone), and dark gray.
Check out this baddy accent wall!
The Best Steampunk & Industrial-Inspired Paint Colors
IF RACCOON FUR IS UP YOUR ALLEY, CHECK OUT THESE COMPARISONS…
- Benjamin Moore Abyss is for those who want a bit more blue (blue-purple) hue on their wall
- Benjamin Moore Black Horizon also picks up some more blue compared to Raccoon Fur
Blue (as a color or undertone) tends to have purple or green undertones. The most POPULAR dark shades are blue-purple.
3. BENJAMIN MOORE WROUGHT IRON 2124-10
Wrought Iron is a wicked pretty color for an accent wall. With a super low LRV of 8.17, it winks at the black world without committing 100%.
I don’t have a photo of Wrought Iron on an accent wall, but I have one of it doing a great job on these non-white interior doors…
Wrought Iron has blue roots heavily blended with purple, black, and gray.
I have Wrought Iron (not shown) in our master bedroom, and it’s wickedly gorgeous. However, Tim’s always leaving his undies around, so I haven’t been able to snap a great photo yet. Regardless, you’ll find that Wrought Iron is just a bit more blackish and slightly less colorful than Raccoon Fur.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Wrought Iron…
Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
IF YOU LOVE WROUGHT IRON, YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT…
- Benjamin Moore’s Cheating Heart adds a bit more blue to the mix
- Sherwin Williams Cyberspace starts picking up a more legit dark navy-gray blend
4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS TRICORN BLACK
If you’re looking for the best black paint color for an accent wall, Tricorn Black could be it.
This stunningly dark shade of black flashes no noticeable undertones and adds an awesome impact to any room.
Here’s Tricorn Black looking badass and beautiful on laundry room cabinets. This can be another way to add black to your space without committing on a large scale…
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black FULL Paint Color Review
IF YOU LOVE TRICORN BLACK, CHECK OUT…
- Benjamin Moore Black 2132-10
- Sherwin Williams Inkwell
5. BENJAMIN MOORE BABY SEAL BLACK
I don’t know how many black seals YOU’VE seen, but this is a first for me. Baby Seal Black isn’t quite black, thanks to its LRV of 8.74, but it definitely adds ‘black-inspired drama’ to a room…
This next photo shows a bit more of its purple-blue undertone…
IF YOU LOVE BABY SEAL BLACK, TAKE A LOOK AT THESE…
- Benjamin Moore Black Berry takes things one level darker with the same luscious purple undertone.
- Benjamin Moore Gravel Gray is similar but drops some of the purple and comes off a touch more blue.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WONDER…
For those lingering questions (you can also leave a comment if I don’t cover your thoughts!)
IS BLACK A GOOD ACCENT WALL COLOR?
If you love drama and contrast, you bet your cute little booty it is. Black is a striking addition to a room, but it’s not for the faint of heart, style or skill-wise. Cutting a clean, straight line between your black accent wall and adjoining walls, trims, and ceiling is tough, so you might consider hiring a pro.
Also, consider the sheen of your paint carefully. Black can look garish in a glossier finish, and if you’re doing the painting yourself, it can also show more flaws. I highly recommend a quality matte paint.
WHAT’S THE BEST BLACK ACCENT WALL COLOR?
For a legit black, my favorite is Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black – simple and classic.
WILL A BLACK ACCENT WALL MAKE A ROOM LOOK BIGGER OR SMALLER?
Oooo, this is a tough one that’s open to perception. Many find that accent walls add depth and interest (making a room look bigger). Others feel that a darker shade brings that wall forward, making a room look smaller. My PERSONAL opinion is that it makes a room look a bit smaller, which can be great if you want a cozier, more intimate look.
Well, that’s as deep and dark as we go…for now. If you want more accent color ideas, keep on reading…
READ MORE
The Best DARK NEUTRAL Accent Wall Paint Colors
The Best COLORS for Accent Walls (Blue, Green, Etc.)
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