making black and white work for you in the bedroom

Timeless Black And White Bedrooms That Know How To Stand Out Posted By MMK  - Repost of Architecture & Design

I find black and white to be a perfect color combination for the bedroom. Sure, it may not offer the room the warm glow that others colors such as beige, brown or the natural color of the wood do but the simplicity of the combination creates a classic, timeless and peaceful look, which is exactly what the room needs to feel relaxing and inviting. And even though it may be very simple in theory, a black and white bedroom can stand out in numerous interesting ways.

When the color palette is so simple, other elements can be used to make a bedroom décor stand out. The wavy wall in this case adds a plus of sophistication to the room while the oversized padded headboard gives the space a pleasant and comfortable feel.

When black is the main color for the bedroom, feature such as mirrors, lamps and artwork can be used to brighten up the space. For example, the tall mirror behind the nightstand is a really nice touch in this case.

A minimalist and basic color palette can be complemented by eye-catching accents such as an imposing chandelier or wallpaper with a subtle but eye-catching print only visible when the light falls at a certain angle.


The most important thing is to find the right balance of black and white elements in the room. It should be cohesive look throughout so, if the walls are white for example, you can put in a black dresser, a matching bed and some small accent details featuring the same color.

A really interesting approach is to opt for black flooring. This modern master bedroom has a shiny floor and accent pieces which combine the two colors specified above in a natural way. The area rug and the armchair share a similar theme.

To create a sense of spaciousness in the bedroom, use black as an accent color while white is your main shade. Use clean, simple lines throughout and soften the look through texture and accent lighting.


A black and white bedroom can be a bit too harsh and sober for some, in which case you can try to give the space a more casual and relaxed feel. For example, opt for an open clothes rack design, an artistic painting displayed on a wall or for wooden flooring painted white.

A bedroom can feature a really simple and basic color palette and still stand out, even if the décor is just as simple as the color scheme. Highlight the contrast between these two colors. Use white where you know it will be emphasized by the natural light and black where you wish to create focal points.

Another possibility is to decorate with black walls. It’s enough to have one black wall white the rest stay white. Emphasize the strong contrast through framed wall décor. Put white features on the black wall and black features on the adjacent white wall.

If a black wall seems a bit too dramatic for your style, opt for a dark gray shade instead. It will also pair nicely with other crisp white elements and you can coordinate it with a few other gray accent details such as a small area rug or a planter or vase.

Give the bedroom a classic, elegant look using a black trim for white walls or bedding. Then you can also mix and match these two colors throughout the room. A black bookcase can be placed against a white wall, a black lamp on a white nightstand and so on.

An interesting approach is to make all the furniture and all the walls in the room white and to only use black in the form of accessories and accent features such as the duvet, the hardware, accent pillows or framed artwork.

When the color palette is limited to only black and white, you can show your creativity by using various prints and patterns throughout the room. Opt for bedding that features graphic or geometric designs in these two colors.

Even though the prints and patterns are very variate, the room décor stays simple and very enjoyable. We particularly like the way the black accent wall complements the bed and everything on it.

A huge black wall can darken the room, even if the rest of the walls are white. In this case, however, the slanted ceiling offers a perfect opportunity to include a black wall in the décor without making it stand out too much. It’s merely like a headboard which extends on either side to incorporate the nightstands.

If the window wall is painted black, then the window will stand out and will seem a lot brighter because of the strong contrast. Continue the décor with a coordinating black floor which contrasts with a white platform bed. Soften the look with an upholstered headboard and an ornate chandelier.

Or try the opposite look. A black platform bed can be the main piece in the room, even if the wall closet is visibly larger. To maintain balance in the room, you can have the floor covered with light gray carpet.

When straight lines and angles are combined with soft curvatures and simple and elegant colors, the result is a well-balanced and pleasant décor. A beautiful detail in the case of this contemporary bedroom is the sleek black lines that almost looks like a shadow between the full height closets and the ceiling.

Although it’s generally believed that black walls can make a room seem smaller and dark and gloomy, that’s not always the case. If the ceiling is white and there are other elements which can brighten up the space, then black walls can actually give a bedroom an intimate and comfortable feel.

But if the room is really small, then the approach can be a bit different. It’s best if the bed is the only black feature in the room. Turn the small size of the space to an advantage by making it feel cozy and welcoming through soft textures and accent lighting.

When the color palette is limited, an interesting option is to use the colors in big blocks so that contrasts are simple and visible. A black floor can coordinate with a bed that has a black frame to diminish the barrier between the two.

A black and white combination seems like a good option for a boys’ bedroom, making it easy to create masculine vibe. However, it can also be used to create a feminine décor. It’s all in the details. A headboard with a delicate, ornate frame or a chic mirror can totally change the ambiance.