Black and White Bedroom Ideas
A black and white bedroom stays restful when you let one colour lead and use the other as the accent, then soften the contrast with grey, natural wood and texture. Black and white prints are the easiest way to set the scheme, because they tie the walls, bedding and furniture together.
Below: how to balance black and white, warm versus cool monochrome, bedding and headboards, and how to choose black and white prints for the bedroom.
Prints for this look
The colour palette
Balance the contrast
Equal amounts of black and white can feel busy in a bedroom. Decide which colour leads. A mostly white room with black accents (frames, lamps, a bed frame) feels light and crisp. A mostly black room with white bedding and art feels dramatic and cosy.
Then add a middle tone. Mid grey, natural oak or warm linen bridges the gap so the eye isn't jumping between extremes. The 60-30-10 rule is a handy guide: 60% of the lead colour, 30% of the other, 10% grey, wood or a single accent. See our decorating rules for more.
Warm or cool monochrome?
Black and white can lean warm or cool. Warm monochrome uses off-white walls, soft black, oak, linen and brass. It feels relaxed and suits most bedrooms. Cool monochrome uses brilliant white, jet black, chrome and grey, and feels sharp and graphic. Choose one direction and stick to it, including the whites in your art paper and bedding.
Bedding, headboards and pattern
Pattern is where a monochrome bedroom gets its character. Try one patterned piece, such as a striped duvet, a check throw or a geometric rug, against plain walls. A black metal or dark wood bed frame looks crisp against white walls; a white or linen upholstered headboard softens a black wall.
If the room starts to feel stark, add one accent colour in a small dose. A blue cushion, a green plant or a single ochre throw all sit well against black and white.
Choosing black and white prints
Black and white prints suit almost every style: photography and animal portraits for a graphic look, line art and ink drawings for calm, typography for something more playful. Mix two or three styles and keep the frames consistent, all black or all oak, so the wall feels connected.
Above the bed, choose one A1 above a double, or a pair of A2 prints above a king size, hung 15 to 25 cm above the headboard. A set of three A3 prints in a row also works on a wide wall. Browse the black and white collection, or plan a layout with the gallery wall planner.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | Inches | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Shelves, desks, small gaps, sets of 3 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Hallways, side walls, pairs |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Above a sideboard or small sofa, the anchor of a gallery wall |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Above a standard sofa or bed |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large walls, open-plan rooms, statement pieces |
All our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames, and every print is made to order on museum-grade matte paper.
