50+ Black Living Room Ideas That Are Moody and Refined

Find inspiration from dozens of black living room ideas that’ll add drama, coziness, and sophistication to your home.

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Black Living Rooms We Love (and How to Design Your Own)

To some people, black is a wardrobe staple because the color signifies quiet drama, sophistication, and class. (In my humble opinion, people always look great in black.) And if you appreciate how the color makes you feel when it's in a garment, it might suggest that painting your living room black would have the same effect.

If your curiosity is piqued, you're in the right place. Shrouding a living room in black might seem like it'd instantly feel gloomy, but I'm here, with the help of dozens of black living room ideas, to inform you that it doesn't.

For starters, black looks great with a plethora of accent colors. And there's not just one shade of black to choose from, either. “There are so many shades of black out there, it could make your head spin,” New York City-based designer Michael Kramer told Apartment Therapy. “Not to mention, black reads differently depending on what material it is on.”

Tips for Decorating a Black Living Room

  • Black accents are your friend. If you live in a rental and can't paint the walls, opt for several black-colored items (think: rug, potted plants, throw pillows, and a black leather sofa or chairs).
  • If you're hesitant to paint a room black, start with an accent wall or add textured items, like charred wood or iron, to the space. “High-textured black elements will catch the light differently and create more visual interest than a flat black accent wall,” Kramer explains.
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Even though there's a strong throughline of black in this St. Louis home's living room, it doesn't feel dark. That's thanks to the pink and gold floral wallpaper and the bright artwork in the space.
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What makes the television area in this Austin home wonderful is the striking black accent wall. It adds drama to the space, while the white surrounding walls and black-and-white rug retain the room's spacious feeling.
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Black doesn't always make a living room feel cramped, and this 350-square-foot New York City apartment is proof of that. (The room is colored in Benjamin Moore's Onyx.)
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You don't necessarily have to paint the walls to create a black-themed living room. This moody New Jersey loft has white walls that make the black details — like the chair, rug, and pillows — stand out.
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The gothic living room in this Virginia home is the homeowner's favorite space. A friend painted a custom mural that nods to the home's previous owner and the cemetery down the street.
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Black drenches the second living room in this California home (it’s even on the ceiling!). However, the homeowner found ways to make it feel light by including natural, warm colors from the firewood and a luxurious blue sofa.