At first, black paint may feel like a daunting proposition. The reality is that when it comes to any shade of black, the end result is sure to be both unexpected and incredibly sophisticated.

Living room walls painted in Baby Seal Black ben paint color

Bathroom walls painted in Black Satin Aura Bath & Spa paint color

House exterior siding painted in Black Beauty Regal Select Paint color

Stairway handrail painted in Black Satin paint color

Kitchen cabinets painted in Jet Black paint color

House exterior painted in Black Satin Regal Select Paint color

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From inspiration online, to advice from experts in-store, we can help you find the best black paint colors for any project.

Most Popular Blacks

Here are some of our most popular shades of black.

Iron Mountain
2134-30
Gray
2121-10
Wrought Iron
2124-10
Racoon Fur
2126-20
Flint
AF-560
Baby Seal Black
2119-30

Midsummer Night
2134-20
Black Beauty
2128-10
Jet Black
2120-10
Black
2132-10
Black Satin
2131-10
Black Ink
2127-20

See All Blacks

The Beauty of the Black Living Room

Black walls can look great in any room. Often the rooms that are most successful have a balance between light and dark, where black walls are paired with a light floor color or furniture is upholstered in neutrals and white.

Black paint has an interesting effect on the walls of a room because the corners and shadows are obscured more than if a mid-tone or pastel color is used. This visual trick blurs the boundaries in a space and can make a room feel a bit more expansive.

Living room walls painted in Black Beauty Aura Paint color

Built-in bookcase painted in Baby Seal Black Regal Select Paint color

The Shades and Undertones of Black

Some black paint reads a bit blue. Other black hues have a brown edge. Then of course, there is “true black.”

Here, a basic built-in bookcase gets a sleek, elegant update when coated in Baby Seal Black 2119-30. Violet undertones enhance the sumptuous quality of this particular black paint color.

Seeing black paint in different lighting conditions — think artificial lighting versus daylight — deeply impacts what a color looks like, and how you’ll ultimately feel about it in your home.

Selecting Sheen for Your Black Paint Color

The selection of finish depends on the desired mood, aesthetic and functional goal of the room you are painting. For a highly sophisticated look, paint both walls and trim in one black hue, either using the same finish on both surfaces, or using a lower sheen on the walls such as a matte. Opt for a semi-gloss or high gloss on the trim for subtle contrast.

See how sheen can affect black paint:

Matte - A matte black paint delivers a soft, contemporary appearance.
Semi-Gloss - Higher sheens, like semi-gloss, are easy to clean, making them great options for cabinets or doors that are frequently opened, closed and in general, touched a lot.
High Gloss - A higher gloss offers dramatic highlights, making a black-painted room feel more formal. In general, deeper paint colors overall evoke more drama when paired with high gloss sheens.

Dining room walls painted in Black Ink Aura Paint color

Accent wall painted in Black Satin Regal Select paint color

Black Accent Wall. Posh Bedroom.

A black bedroom accent wall can add a layer of depth to the most private room in your home. Here, the classic combination of black and white layers beautifully with graphic elements. Consider bringing in bold strokes of geometric lines and pops of other colors to complete the modern look.

Another tip for black paint? Use lighter colors in adjoining rooms to balance out black’s depth and darkness, creating a harmonious “color flow” in your home.

A Striking Black Exterior

Painting a front door black is a favorite homeowner design choice. Painting an entire home exterior black is considerably more daring, however the result makes a powerful visual statement. We love the combination of green foliage and black exteriors. Here, Black Satin 2131-10 with Brilliant White OC-150 on trim really pops from the landscape.

In addition to being a standout color, a black-painted home exterior provides a practical color choice: black paint tends to hide dirt, so you can welcome guests into your home with carefree style.