Home/Living room/Black and white living room interior: photos of ideas, combination features
Black and white colors have long been exemplary in clothing design: there is no person who does not suit one of their many combinations. But the question still remains unresolved: is a black and white outfit appropriate for every room? Leading experts in the world claim that with skillful use of colors, classics will become a fun decoration for any apartment! Particularly popular is the black and white interior of the living room - one of the main rooms of the house, created to become an original masterpiece of design.
The monochrome “modern” style in the living room interior looks very elegant
Color features
The first thing to do for a living room in black and white is to think over the overall compositional plan and decide on the leading color. It is believed that in equal proportions they run the risk of looking too colorful. In interior design, like in a game of chess, only one can win. Who exactly is up to you to decide.
Black and white checkerboard flooring is very popular in living rooms.
Black
Black color attracts us with its aristocracy, mystery and intimate charm. It visually makes the room smaller, so black as the main shade is best suited for spacious rooms with a lot of light. The negative impact of this color is that in itself it can be depressing and therefore needs to be diluted with other colors. But, on the other hand, black helps you concentrate and promotes productive work. Therefore, cladding, furniture elements or textiles can be dark in the living room with one condition - the percentage of black in the room should not exceed 50%.
Black marble gives nobility to the living room interior
White
Much more often, white becomes the main color of the interior, especially in small rooms, because white makes the room wider. This is not surprising, because it is difficult to imagine something cleaner and airier. However, it usually acts as a blank slate - a background for the artist's further work, because an abundance of white can look quite cold and evoke hospital associations. If you want to avoid stark contrast, use different shades - from snow white to ivory.
Black and white loft-style living room in the attic
Combination
A harmonious combination of two colors emphasizes the strengths and neutralizes the weaknesses of each of them. By choosing a black and white color scheme, you can not only skillfully control the size of the room, but also create an ultra-modern design. The proportions of a particular shade will depend on the space, lighting and purpose of the room. The smaller the room, the more light colors it should have. Even a small living room will look spacious if you choose white as the base color.
White living room with black decor elements
Note! Black or white surfaces are the easiest to spot dust or dirt, so this type of living room interior needs to be kept clean at all times.
Additional colors
Speaking about accessories in the black and white interior of the living room, we should mention diluted colors that will fit perfectly into the overall design and make it even more colorful.
Bright decor accents refresh the monochrome interior of the living room
The following tones would be an ideal choice:
- Red symbolizes the active principle. It will modernize the interior and encourage active activity after a hard day. Red is used not only for curtains, bedspreads or rugs, but even for several pieces of furniture. Remember that too much of this color can be aggressive.
- Sunny yellow will warm the room with its warmth and optimism. It will significantly diversify monochrome everyday life, freeing them from the atmosphere of officialdom and feigned severity. Yellow textiles or large accessories will look best: vases, watches or paintings with yellow elements. When using this color, you should choose less dark shades of black, otherwise the living room will look motley.
- The color green is associated with fresh leaves and spring grass. It will make the space closer to nature, allow you to relax and unwind from the bustle of the city. Green, represented by living plants or flowers, will look especially good. It is believed that green and black are not the most advantageous combination, so the main color in the room should be white.
- Gray is ideal for a black and white living room, because it will smooth out the transitions between two colors and bring harmony and coherence of opposing elements to the interior. If you don’t like striking contrast, dilute it with different shades of gray in the design of the walls, floor and ceiling.
Olive, mustard, silver and golden or brown colors are also suitable. Our photos of black and white living room design will help you choose the right combination of shades.
The green color of indoor plants fits organically into a black and white interior
“Polar” living room: design rules
If we take physics into account, then black cannot even be called a color, but the same cannot be said about the purpose of this shade in design. Here it is not a lack of color at all - it is one of the most important, strong elements of the palette. Based on this statement, designers unanimously advise adding a touch of glamor to the interior.
TOP 6 interior rules for a white and black living room:
- The main condition is the choice of a solo color. What exactly it will be is up to you to decide. The black and white palette of the walls will be a key element in the implementation of such a solution.
- The flooring (white parquet or black tiles) is an extra-fashionable solution, and “dark wood” will bring coziness to the living room and soften the solidity a little.
Dark floor in a black and white living room
- A large TV, tall speakers, a game console and other achievements of civilization - these are the elements without which a “polar” living room in black and white style is unthinkable.
- No ─ to the black ceiling! Otherwise, it will not only visually reduce the height of the room, but also, like night, will put pressure on a person’s consciousness (although there is an option with black ceilings, which have a different purpose).
A snow-white ceiling will visually increase the space
- Dividing functional zones into living room spaces, local distribution of black and white tones in them.
Zoning the living room space
- Everything has its own measure (we are talking about playing with lines, shapes and volumes). The contrast should be soft, restrained, a feeling of peace and comfort at any time of the day or year.
Accents that will faithfully and truly “be friends” with the black and white design of the living room, without detracting from each other’s merits, are as follows:
- emerald aqua accent wall; dark blue color will refresh the room;
- the status of “the color of luxury”, as well as a confident leadership position, is held by purple (a purple chair in the living room, for example);
Bright purple armchairs in the living room
- the combination of black with the color of green apple symbolizes natural softness (as well as the freshness of mint in the interior);
The mint color of the accessories will bring freshness to the living room decor.
- a checkered wall using “day” and “night” will look prim and brutal;
- Using a three-dimensional 3D image you will get the effect of a “living” wall.
3D wallpaper will add volume to the interior
And this is not the last chord in this modern design composition.
White color is not always exclusively snow-white (there are 2 main shades: milky white and crystal bluish). All of the above shades look different on different surfaces in the interior: grainy and smooth, velvet and velor; crystalline, anthracite-like, mirror and matte.
Finishing
Design nuances sometimes play a decisive role in creating a style. We recommend that you listen to the advice of professionals and try to think through the plan for your future living room yourself.
Floor
Traditionally done in black so as not to attract much attention and become a background for a bright carpet or floor accessories. However, you can also use white color - then it will seem as if you are floating in the air among the contrasting elements of furniture. There can be quite a lot of options for flooring - the main thing is that the floor is easy to keep clean.
Traditional wooden parquet in the interior of a monochrome living room looks in its place
Ceiling
The ceiling, in turn, is rarely black - there is a risk of creating pressure from above. White with intricate geometric patterns will look better. But if you are a fan of the gothic atmosphere, you can safely use the first option. Most often, modern tension or suspended structures are used for ceilings.
White ceiling with spotlights in the living room interior
Walls
They can be either plain or more interesting: with vertical, horizontal stripes or waves. It all depends on what kind of perspective of the room you want to create and how you are going to highlight the various zones. For example, with an openwork pattern on the wall you can designate a recreation area, and with stripes you can draw attention to the playing space or television. In addition to standard wallpaper and paint, photo wallpaper on one of the walls with an extraordinary black and white print or a bright colorful pattern that will become the center of the space is also perfect.
Contemporary style in the interior of a monochrome living room with white walls
Wallpaper in the interior of a white and black living room
It is necessary not only to find a compromise, but to perfectly combine the stated colors. Only then will a luxurious design be created. Here’s another “golden” rule: you shouldn’t cover all the walls of the living room with white or black wallpaper - give preference to highlighting one functional area (for example, where the sofa is located).
Highlighting a functional area with wallpaper
You and your family members are supporters of the glamorous style. There is a way out! There is one design solution: the so-called “diamond” wall. Note: “wall”, not “walls”. Swarovski crystals (or rather, wallpaper sprinkled with “stardust”) will help create such a sparkling interior.
There is another option: black liquid wallpaper, which increases sound insulation and does not leave seams.
A black glossy ceiling with a “double echo effect” will help complete the black and white composition: both the ceiling and the flooring are black (the decoration will be wallpaper with monograms). The laminate is covered with a yellow or purple (or lime green) carpet.
“Double echo effect” in the interior
Experts advise not to make more than 2 walls in a room black, so as not to “heavien” it, but this is according to the taste of a particular person.
Furniture
When choosing furniture, you should maintain color balance: if the main color of the room is black, then the furniture should be white, and vice versa. You can combine both colors in a headset if one risks looking uninteresting or gloomy. The selection of furniture will also depend on the style: classics are characterized by black and white sets made of natural wood, while a single-color sofa with bright pillows may be suitable for a modern living room. Living room furniture in black and white style is a delicate matter, and so that the room does not look ridiculous, it is better to entrust it to a specialist.
Lighting
“All lighting for the living room in black and white colors should be in harmony, should be designed in the same style as the interior”
Lamps are not only devices that “take out” a room from the darkness, they are also decorative decorations. That is why even during the day, when it is light and no lighting is needed, they should provide aesthetic satisfaction. There may be several of them: 1-2 in each zone. The following options are suitable:
- large white lamp for the living room “in black”;
- so-called “islands of light” over certain furnishings;
- table lamps, metal sconces and floor lamps with black pendant shades;
- as an option ─ one color hidden in another (a lamp with a very bright light is “hidden” inside a dark one).
Large white lamp for the living room “in black”
Black color subjugates any material (fabric, plastic, metal, glass, crystal) and any texture. All lighting for the living room in black and white colors should be in harmony and should be designed in the same style as the interior.
All details of a black and white interior must be designed in the same style
The choice of any type of lighting is special. You need to know which chandelier will be useful (orientation to height, shape of ceilings, living room area). If the living room is large and spacious, one central ceiling chandelier is suitable, but a narrow room requires the installation of 2 ceiling lamps, which must be positioned symmetrically to each other. You will also need a floor lamp; it will illuminate the area of the stairs that leads to the second floor.
For a spacious living room, one central ceiling chandelier is suitable
Lighting
The lighting solution will also depend on the balance of white and black and the number of natural light sources. The more black you use, the more lighting the room will need. After all, the risk of darkening and creating a gloomy, overwhelming mood is very high. A white elegant chandelier or spotlights on the ceiling and floor will decorate the room. You can highlight a certain area using floor lamps or sconces.
Decor
Accessories are a real creative workshop for a designer of any experience, because the best thing for a monochrome room is bright color accents made with the help of well-chosen decor. All kinds of decorations will come in handy here - from stylish curtains and intricate wall panels to decorative sofa cushions and nice little things. Their wonderful effect is visible in numerous photos of living room design in black and white. For example, using curtains you can create a certain atmosphere in the room and control the flow of light, and a few pillows on the sofa will please the eye and make the room cozy. Lovers of living plants can safely place several original vases with flowers indoors or decorate the windowsill with neat house plants.
Advice! When choosing accessories for the living room, do not overdo it with quantity, otherwise you risk cluttering the room.
Living room in black and white
Before we start decorating the room, we’ll try to think about what style we want the future room to be. Immense creative spaces open up here, because the chosen colors will look beneficial in almost any direction of interior design. Let's look at the three most common of them.
Classic
Undoubtedly, black and white colors are primarily associated with classics. They will also be appropriate in the interior of a classic living room: they will help to achieve strict forms and contrasts characteristic of this trend. A living room decorated in different shades of white, gray and black will look beneficial. Other style elements will help achieve the desired effect: exquisite velvet furniture, gold or silver trim, sophisticated decorative items and wall decoration with plaster stucco.
Minimalism
In the minimalist tradition, a living room in black and white will look even more appropriate. Clear lines and shapes, restrained contrast of shades, abundance of space send us either to elegant Japanese dwellings or to harsh Scandinavian abodes. Which country you find yourself in when you enter the living room directly depends on the chosen design. For example, by choosing blue as an additional color, you will bring Provencal notes to the interior, and by adding characteristic Japanese lamps and low furniture, you will be transported to the Far East.
Modern
The functionality of modern style is advantageously realized in a black and white living room. The colors will not look intrusive or overwhelm your attention, so they will help you focus on other interesting aspects of the style. Original patterns and urban photo wallpapers, unusual furniture and smooth matte surfaces are the most suitable design for a modern apartment.
Also interesting are black and white living rooms in high-tech, art deco and gothic styles. However, there are also styles for which these colors are not very suitable - rich baroque, ornate rococo or vintage. We invite you to familiarize yourself with various examples of living room interior design in black and white in the photo.
A room decorated in black and white colors is rarely seen in a modern European apartment, although it is the embodiment of elegance and subtle taste. This not only emphasizes the uniqueness of the interior and the complexity of its implementation, but also proves that such a living room will be a real find for creative and creative individuals. It is interesting that a black and white living room can become a bright accent of an apartment along with rich colorful designs. In addition, it will allow you to relax and unwind after a long working day. Therefore, we recommend that you take advantage of all the delights of this design at the first opportunity.
Additional decorative elements
Bright colored accents help soften the minimalism inherent in a black and white background and add expressiveness to the interior. The choice of combinations is extensive and each additional color carries a certain load.
Red is dynamic and encourages activity. With his participation, the interior takes on an ultra-modern look, welcomed by young and creative individuals.
Heavy black curtains to completely darken the living room
Yellow - enhances the atmosphere of comfort and brings droplets of warmth, warming the black and white space with its sunshine. With its help, the severity of lines is smoothed out, the feeling of pedantry and formality disappears. Great for established, strong family relationships.
Trio of white, black and mustard
Green – fills the room with natural beauty, visually enlivens the interior. Suitable for lovers of ornamental plants who are not lazy to care for them.
Black walls, contrasting carpet patterns and a large green corner sofa
Gray is designed to reconcile the color opposition between white and black. It produces smooth transitions that blur boundaries and create a harmonious palette of colors. Ideal for any lifestyle.
Interior designed in cold gray tones
By the way, this is surprising, but designers claim that black and white laconicism, complemented by a certain color accent, is easy to fit into any style.
Add gray or silver to the black and white palette and get high-tech. Red and blue look organically in modernity, and the soft pastel of brown introduced is close to Provence. Wicker wood will give a hint of country, and an array of cabinet furniture will bring the interior design closer to classicism.
Small cozy black and white living room in eclectic style with a pink sofa
If we talk about objects that should contain color accents of the interior, then for this you can use decorative pillows, all kinds of vases, wall panels, curtain designs, and individual furniture elements.
