Black Bedroom Ideas
A black bedroom feels cosy rather than gloomy when you use soft, warm blacks, plenty of texture and pools of warm light. Balance the dark walls with warm white bedding, wood and a metallic or warm accent such as brass or burnt orange, and give the art a light mount or frame so it stands out.
Below: choosing a black, colours that go with it, bedding and headboards for a dark bedroom, and how to pick art for black walls.
Prints for this look
The colour palette
Choosing a black for the bedroom
Pure jet black can look flat on a large wall. Most dark bedrooms use a soft black with a warm brown or green base, or a charcoal with a little blue or grey in it. Warm blacks feel enveloping and suit wood and brass. Cool blacks and charcoals feel sharper and suit chrome, marble and crisp white.
A matt or chalky finish absorbs light and gives that velvety look. Painting the ceiling and woodwork in the same colour makes the corners disappear, which can make a small bedroom feel larger, not smaller.
Colours that go with black walls
- Warm white and ivory in bedding and lampshades lift the room.
- Antique brass and gold catch the light against black.
- Burnt orange, rust and ochre make a warm, glowing accent.
- Walnut and dark oak add warmth without breaking the mood.
- Deep green or oxblood for a richer, layered dark scheme.
Use the 60-30-10 rule as a guide: about 60% black, 30% warm neutrals and wood, 10% accent. Our decorating rules page covers it in more detail.
Bedding, headboards and lighting
Mix charcoal and warm white bedding rather than using all black, which can look heavy. Linen, velvet and wool all catch the light differently and keep a dark bedroom interesting. A tall upholstered headboard in charcoal, rust or caramel gives the bed presence against the wall.
Lighting matters more in a black bedroom than any other. Use warm bulbs, a pair of bedside lamps and a wall light or two, so the art and textures are lit in the evening.
Art for black walls
On black walls, art needs contrast to show up. Prints with a white or cream mount, light backgrounds or bright details stand out best. Black and white photography and animal prints look sharp and graphic, while warm abstracts in ochre, rust and gold glow against the dark.
A thin white or brass frame helps the edge read. Above the bed, go for one A1 above a double, or a pair of A2 prints above a king size, hung 15 to 25 cm above the headboard. Browse our black wall art or add warmth with burnt orange prints.
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.
