I am back passing along another lesson I have absorbed through years of poring over good design. I am no professional, and these are not firm rules, just observations of things I have seen repeatedly that seem to work at elevating a room.
Just like I addressed the importance of creating a balance in THIS POST, today I want to address another area to consider when you feel like your space just doesn’t feel quite where you want it to be. I am talking about the power that neutrals can have in a space. More specifically, I am talking about black and white. Now, when I say black and white, you might conjure up images of an eighties-style modern room with black leather sofas, checkerboard pillows, and chrome. Or something like the picture below. That’s not it.
Let me show you some gorgeous spaces of all different styles and tastes and how they use black and white to enhance the room. See if you can spot where what elements they used to harness the power of black and white:
What black and white does is break up the color and let your eyes take a break. It’s creates “visual breathing room”. Oftentimes, we get a lot of midtones in a space and although we are really drawn to certain colors, sometimes too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Even if you venture out to include a few other colors that you like, but keep them in the same midtone level, it can start to feel a little muddy or blah. Adding some black and white can bring in that pop of contrast to counteract that effect.
As for the actual black and white colors, they can vary to suit your taste a bit. White doesn’t necessarily need to be a bright white. It could be a cream or off-white as well, just as long as the contrast is there. Black doesn’t necessary need to be true black. It could be charcoal from a pencil drawing, or it could be an oil rubbed bronze finish on your curtain rods. As long as it still reads as black.
In my opinion, some easy ways to add contrast through black and white would be refreshing the pillows on your couch hanging a print that has a nice large white mat and a slim black frame. Or, if you have built-in bookcases, adding some vases or decorative objects. Especially if they are wood. I put together a selection of items that could do the trick if you are looking for ideas for how to sprinkle a dose of black and white in your home. Hopefully these will get your wheels turning. You may see a few of these pop up at my house soon 🙂 Sources and links are in the caption.
Do you have a room that could use a dose of black and white? It won’t be your solution every time and for every room, but if you find your space looking a bit muddled or blah, give it a try!
J. W. McCammon
Thanks for all the useful tips. The photos are eye candy!
Ale Post author
Glad you liked them Julee!