Today I am sharing my tried and true favorite black paint colors.
I thought that it would be fitting right before Halloween to share my favorite black paint colors. Using black for Halloween can be spooky, but it doesn’t have to be in your everyday home. Black is a statement color that can add beautiful contrast and a dark moody element to your home.
Many people shy away from using black paint in their homes. But when done right it can give you a beautiful fresh modern look. It is even popping up in more and more in modern farmhouse design.
If you haven’t considered black paint before there are a few areas in your home that just might be the perfect place to start. Some of these areas are interior and exterior doors, kitchen cabinets, and islands, accent walls, trim, or even an entire room if you have the proper lighting.
I love bright white spaces and I am typically pulling my tried and true favorite white paint colors. But the designer in me loves creating these dark moody spaces as well. There is something timeless and classic about a space that has traditional moldings, painted in a moody black color.
This is a style that I have achieved through many client projects. And today I want to share my go-to favorite shades of black paint colors, so that you can archive this look in your own home.
The Best Black Paint Colors
1. BENJAMIN MOORE KENDALL CHARCOAL
If you are a little intimidated by black Kendall Charcoal is a great color to start with. This is one of my favorite colors to use for walls when you want to add some drama. It is more of a dark charcoal grey. Kendall Charcoal will make a statement but will not be as stark as a true black. It is very versatile and lends itself to being more neutral. Meaning that it will work well with other colors.
Kendall Charcoal Source: Bless’er House
2. BENJAMIN MOORE IRON MOUNTAIN
Iron Mountain is a warmer black and can have some brown undertones with a lot of natural light. This color is great for interior doors and trim but can also be used for walls. It is a rich color but is not too dark.
Iron Mountain Source: Nyla Free Designs Inc
3. BENJAMIN MOORE GRAY
Gray is a beautiful charcoal color that is a little softer than a true black. I have used this color on walls for my clients and it is stunning. It has a nice balance of warm and cool undertones and adds drama to any space.
4. BENJAMIN MOORE RACCOON FUR
Raccoon Fur is another black that has blue undertones. Its a bold color that looks great on walls as well as kitchen cabinets.
Raccoon Fur Source: Kristen Diane
5. BENJAMIN MOORE WITCHING HOUR
Witching Hour is a cool black with some blue undertones. Because of the hints of blue this bold color looks great for the exterior of a house as well as a dramatic accent wall. It also pairs well next to white trim.
6. BENJAMIN MOORE WROUGHT IRON
If I had to pick my absolute favorite black paint it would be Wrought Iron. This is a soft-muted black paint color that is fail-proof for trim, doors, and cabinets. It has a little bit of warmth compared to a true black.
Wrought Iron Source: Dear Lillie Studio
7. BENJAMIN MOORE CHEATING HEART
Cheating Heart is a very dark almost black paint color. It works well on kitchen cabinets and built-in millwork. It is beautiful combined with white countertops.
8. BENJAMIN MOORE SOOT
Soot is a moody warm black. It is perfect for interior walls and will leave your space feeling dramatic without being cold.
Soot Source: Kristina Lynne A Design & Lifestyle Blog
9. BENJAMIN MOORE ONYX
Onyx is a very dark black paint but it is also soft. If you are looking for drama this is your black paint color. This is the darkest blackout of all the ones I have suggested.
Most Important Painting Tip
When it comes to black paint colors or really with any paint color I highly recommend getting samples. How a color looks online, in the store, or even at a friend’s house may be totally different than how it looks in your own home. Colors can change slightly due to natural light, artificial light, and the decor that you already have in your home.
I recommend collecting a bunch of paint chips( those little paper paint cards) at the paint store and bringing them home. Look at them in your space and then narrow it down to 3 colors that you love. Then you can get actual paint samples in those colors. Looking at the paint chips in your home first will help you narrow down your options and save you money. Those small paint cans can add up.
The next step can be done in one of three ways. If you don’t mind paint samples on your walls you can paint the 3 colors you chose in a couple of different places within your space. An even better option would be to order large samples from Samplize.
Samplize is an online retailer that offers peel-and-stick paint samples painted with the real paint color. This allows you to see what the actual color will look like without damaging your walls. You can save on all those paint cans, making for no cleanup and no waste.
Another option is to paint the samples on a large foam core board and move it around your space. The point of this is to see what the colors look at different times of the day and with different amounts of light.
Lighting is so important when choosing a paint color. Make sure you view the colors at different times of the day, with both natural and artificial light. You will be surprised at how different a color can look depending on the light.
Find the Best Paint Samples Here
Favorite Paint Supplies
You can shop by clicking the Links below!
“ Affiliate links provided for your convenience, please read my disclosure for more information.”
- Samplize– Peel-and-Stick Paint Samples Made with Real Paint ( these are amazing!)
- Benjamin Moore Paint Fan Deck
- Sherwin Williams Paint Fan Deck
- Shur-Line Painter Triple Painter’s Pack Including: 1 x Shur-Line 2006561 Paint Edger Pro, 1 x Shur-Line 1575H Corner Painter, and 1 x Replacement Pad Pack ( My favorite edger set this is a must!)
-
Purdy 144080230 Nylox Series Dale Angular Trim Paint Brush, 3 inch
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PURDY Painters Kit: Includes Metal Tray, Roller Cover and Frame, Angled Trim Brush
- Favorite Painters Tape
I hope you all enjoyed this guide to black paint colors and it encourages you to add a little drama to your interiors. As always thank you for stopping by the blog. ❤
Be sure to check out my other paint suggestions below.
What to Read Next:
The Best Farmhouse Paint Colors
Neutral Paint Colors | My Home Paint Colors
Ana says
Ohh this will be so helpful! I’ll be on the hunt for black paint soon!
Niamh says
Hmmm🤔, have you tested these colours? I know The photos are all credited to others but some of these are not even close to black. Take wrought iron for instance. Maybe sample them first and see for yourself. Don’t believe everything you see online or in a photo. 🤩
Niamh Courtney
michealadianedesigns says
I have used every single one of these colors on client projects that I have seen in person. As with any color group there are a large range of shades. And as I am sure you know colors will look very different depending on lighting, size of room and the objects around it. Which is why I always recommend sampling the color in your own home.
Afton Jackson says
Thank you so much for your list of black paint colors to use in a home painting project. Initially, I thought going with a black and white house would make it look too dull and boring, but these examples have definitely proven me wrong. I’ll remember to keep this list in mind so I can use these colors when getting a painting contractor to help me out.
michealadianedesigns says
Happy to help!
Afton Jackson says
Strategically using black paint for things like large doors and cabinets really looks like a great idea. This kind of accent color can go great with creamy whites, my usual favorite paint to use for our home. I’ll come up with a great color palette like this when I work with a residential painter in the area.