Black is quite a common shade, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it to create truly stunning interiors. Whether you just want a touch of black to ground a color scheme or a bold palette with black at the forefront, there are many potential color combinations!
Here’s a list of colors that go with black, including color palette examples.
1. Charcoal and Black
Hex Codes: #36454F, #101314, #FFFFFA
This elegant combination works beautifully. Depending on how you use it, you can create sleek, modern interiors or darker, moodier looks. If you want to keep the overall aesthetic a bit brighter, combine black metal shelves with charcoal gray furniture (or a bedspread) in a room with white walls.
If you’re going for a bolder look, take the plunge with matte black walls and charcoal chairs. Just don’t forget to include white or other light colors elsewhere in the room.
2. Golden Yellow and Black
Hex Codes: #FCCB06, #000000, #B1DDF1
The combination of black and yellow might be reminiscent of bumblebees. But combining a golden, jewel-tone shade of yellow with black will give you a chic aesthetic you don’t see every day!
If you already have a room with golden yellow furniture, you might try adding a black coffee table or black and white patterned rug. You can also try this combination in smaller doses. On a neutral-colored couch or bedspread, try adding a few black and golden yellow accent pillows. If you find you like that look, you can use this combination in more of the room. Try curtains, rugs, lamps, vases, wall hangings, etc.
3. Royal Fuchsia and Black
Hex Codes: #CA2C92, #272727, #E5F4E3
Not too many designers gravitate toward this combination. But the pairing of royal fuchsia and black can lead to very memorable rooms! It’s a bold choice, so it’s generally good advice to start small and go from there.
If you already have a room that is primarily black and white, try adding a couple of fuchsia accents (like a piece of wall art or an accent pillow). If that isn’t quite enough, you might be interested in adding fuchsia accent furniture. This color combination works well in prints, so you could add an accent wall or kitchen backsplash in a black and fuchsia pattern.
4. Taupe and Black
Hex Codes: #483C32, #141413, #FFECD1
If you like neutrals but are tired of beige or brown, taupe is an excellent color choice. It’s not quite gray, not quite brown, and has an orange undertone. In particular, cooler shades of taupe look especially compelling with black.
Taupe makes a pretty wall color that’s a little more interesting than beige. It works well in a room with black or mostly-black furniture. And since both of these colors are neutrals, it’s easy to create a layered palette with black, white, and varying shades of taupe. If you wish, you can even add a non-neutral accent color like cobalt blue or emerald green.
5. Teal and Black
Hex Codes: #008080, #050505, #DDDBCB
If you’re designing a room and want to make a statement, this dynamic duo might be just what you need. Teal is a rich shade that sits somewhere between blue and green. And if you like bold, somewhat non-traditional walls, try teal as a wall color!
This is a great choice for a home office: just add a black desk, chair, and desk lamp. If painting all the walls teal is too intense, try a teal accent wall instead. This is also a great color combination for bedroom decor. If you have a black bed frame, add a teal bedspread. Add a black bedside table and lamp. For a cool, relaxing energy, paint the walls a shade of soft or medium gray.
6. Cobalt Blue and Black
Hex Codes: #0047AB, #1C2321, #7D98A1
Cobalt blue is a uniquely striking shade. Even though it’s highly saturated, it’s refreshing and relaxing. And if you want to use it to craft an elegant interior, combine it with black.
Using too much of both of these colors can become overwhelming. But you might want to start with a cobalt blue accent wall. Add a few black and white photos or art pieces in black frames. The combination of black, white, and cobalt is perfect for modern interiors. Or if you want a combination of vintage and modern, put a black and white tiled floor in a room with cobalt walls!
7. Burgundy and Black
Hex Codes: #800020, #0C0F0A, #E8E8E8
Burgundy is a rich and sophisticated color that often looks great with black. However, to avoid making a room too overpowering, it’s wise to use this combination carefully. Most designers adhere to the 60-30-10 rule. With this rule, you pick a neutral (like white or beige) to take up 60% of the room. Pick a color (like burgundy) to take up 30%. The other color (like black) can then take up 10%.
Of course, if you aren’t ready to commit fully to this combination, you can always start with some accents. Burgundy is a warm and inviting color, so it’s perfect for living rooms. If you already have a living room with neutral furniture, try adding black and burgundy accent throws and pillows. If you like this combination, you can try adding more black and burgundy to the room.
8. Cream and Black
Hex Codes: #FFFDD0, #262626, #FF7F11
Black and white is a classic combination. But if you want to warm it up a bit, you might consider combining black with cream instead. This lovely combination is especially nice for living rooms. In an open-plan living room, try cream-colored walls with a black mantle. Add in cream-colored couches and chairs with black accent pillows.
This color combination also lends itself to patterns. A black and cream patterned rug can add some visual interest to any room. Similarly, you might consider patterned accent pillows and throws or even a patterned accent wall.
9. Bright Red and Black
Hex Codes: #EE4B2B, #071013, #AAAAAA
Black and bright red combinations really draw the eye. And while this is a dynamic and memorable choice, it should be used with some restraint.
One interesting idea is to take a living room that is already black and white and simply add a red accent wall. You can even hang a black and white photo print on the wall to really tie the look together. Or if you want to try something a little more subtle, add curtains patterned with red and white to a room with black and white tile flooring.
10. Emerald Green and Black
Hex Codes: #50C878, #191716, #DADFF7
Emerald green is a sophisticated shade with calming blue undertones. And when you combine it with black, it creates an inviting yet relaxing interior. It’s become a popular color for modern furniture, so if you want to add some emerald to your interior, it shouldn’t be too difficult to accomplish.
If you’re leaning toward a darker aesthetic, try placing an emerald couch in front of a black wall. Add some gold hanging lamps or table lamps for a little sparkle. But if you want to create a more open look, try emerald green furniture on a black and white tiled floor (or patterned rug).
11. Cool Beige and Black
Hex Codes: #D8BCAB, #251605, #9F6BA0
Black and beige are both neutrals, so they tend to look good together. One classic (and easy) way to combine the two is to add black furniture or a black bedspread into a room with beige walls and/or floors. However, if you want something a little different, try cool beige furniture, rugs, etc. in a room with a black accent wall.
If you want to play it a little safer, you can always add touches of black to a room that is mostly beige. Black bookshelves, coffee tables, lamps, and pillows can all help ground a room that is mostly cool beige and/or other neutrals.
12. Bronze and Black
Hex Codes: #C5832B, #0D1321, #EFF1F3
Though the metallic accents in a room might not seem critically important, the metal finish you choose can have a real impact on the mood. Bronze hardware creates a vintage-inspired, dignified aesthetic. And in some cases, adding bronze can be as simple as changing the knobs and handles on black furniture to bronze.
Of course, if you wish, you can go bolder with this combination. Bronze hanging lamps or floor lamps add a sophisticated touch. And you might even consider adding a bronze wall hanging to a matte black accent wall. Since you can harness the power of this combination simply by accessorizing, it’s a great one to pick!
13. Cocoa Brown and Black
Hex Codes: #734C3F, #1A1615, #F5F1ED
Cocoa brown is a soft, inviting brown shade. And while you might not think of it as a companion for black, it’s a great choice when used carefully! This earthy shade makes a nice wall color when paired with white trim. You might consider using it in a room with a white bedspread and black bed frame. You can also choose a bright accent color (like coral or turquoise) if you want to add a little more energy.
Cocoa brown is also a great color for living room furniture. It’s a little less common than beige and espresso brown, so it’s a great choice for those who want to stand out. Try cocoa brown couches and chairs in a room with a black and white rug and/or black and white accent pillows.
14. Chartreuse and Black
Hex Codes: #DFFF00, #080705, #BFC0C0
Chartreuse is not for the faint of heart. This bright, peridot-like green is most commonly incorporated as a furniture color, though you can simply add a few accents at first if you aren’t sure. And since it’s light and bright, chartreuse is perfect for forming sharp contrasts with black.
For an extra-bold look, try adding a chartreuse chair in front of a matte-black wall. If this look is too dark, you might prefer placing it in front of black and white wallpaper. If you’re looking to tie in the furniture color with another part of the room, add chartreuse curtains, vases, or bowls, too.
15. Cool White and Black
Hex Codes: #F4FDFF, #040403, #5B7553
Black and white is a classic combination, but the shade of white you choose can really shape a room. Pairing black with a cool, crisp white is a truly classic combination. But as you may already know, it’s also great for crafting ultra-modern interiors.
If you have a modern, mostly-white living room, try adding just a few black accents to ground the look and add some contrast. Black accent tables and bookshelves work well. But if you want just a touch of black, you might consider patterned accent pillows. Or if you’re going for a look you don’t see every day, you can even paint the ceiling black!
16. Sage Green and Black
Hex Codes: #9CAF88, #000807, #9395D3
Sage green has become a popular color for interior design in recent years. It looks especially nice in the kitchen. It’s easy enough to incorporate there, too. Just add black hardware to sage green kitchen cabinets and include black appliances!
But sage’s earthy hue also makes it a great wall color. And if you use a pale enough shade, it functions almost like a neutral. Sage walls look good with white trim and with some black accents throughout the room. Furniture, vases, or even patterned rugs are all good choices.
17. Navy Blue and Black
Hex Codes: #000080, #080705, #FCFCFC
This combination might sound overly dark. But just like with burgundy, this combination is an excellent candidate for the 60-30-10 rule. Try taking a room that is mostly soft beige or another pale neutral. Add a navy blue couch, chair, or bedspread. From there, sprinkle in a few black lamps or other accessories, and you’ll have a beautifully balanced room.
That said, you don’t have to stick to a traditional look if you don’t want to. Navy blue makes a great wall color! In a dining room, try navy blue walls with a black table and chairs. Make sure your ceiling is white and the floor is covered in a light-colored rug in order to balance out the darkness of the other two colors.
18. Wood Tones and Black
Hex Codes: #6F432A, #02111B, #F6F7EB
As a neutral, black tends to look good with all manner of wood tones. You can opt for lighter finishes for a high-contrast look or darker finishes for a moodier look. If you’re going for a more modern palette, try black furniture with pale wooden legs. Alternatively, you can include end tables, coffee tables, and bookshelves with very light finishes.
To create something darker, pair black furniture with darker-finished wood flooring. In this case, make sure the room you’re designing has plenty of natural light!
19. Pastel Blue and Black
Hex Codes: #B4D9EF, #020202, #706C61
Generally speaking, the combination of blue and black is a great one. But the combination of pastel blue and black isn’t one you see every day! It’s a dramatic contrast perfect for those looking to do something a little different.
Pastels look especially nice in rooms with a lot of natural light. In a well-lit living room, try pairing soft blue walls with black furniture. Adding in a few green potted plants will make a room like this look especially inviting! But if you want the overall look to be a little softer, include white furniture but add in a black coffee table and/or mantle for a grounding influence.
20. Burnt Orange and Black
Hex Codes: #BF5700, #12130F, #2274A5
The combination of black and orange might remind you of Halloween. But burnt orange is a slightly muted, sophisticated shade that looks surprisingly nice with black!
If you want the focus to be more on high-energy orange, try placing a white couch or bedspread in front of an orange accent wall. Add a few black-framed, mostly-white prints or photos above the couch and place a few black and orange accent pillows. You can also include black accent tables or lamps.
21. Periwinkle and Black
Hex Codes: #CCCCFF, #130303, #624CAB
Periwinkle is a soft, relaxing color you certainly don’t see every day. But if you like blue and purple but can’t make up your mind between the two, it’s a perfect choice. In particular, it makes a soothing wall color perfect for a bedroom or other relaxing place.
Try painting the walls of a bedroom periwinkle and then adding a periwinkle and white patterned bedspread and patterned curtains. This gentle look goes well with some black accents to ground it. A black bed frame and end table are perfect choices. If you want to add a pop of warm color, you can even add a peach accent pillow or two!
22. Rust Brown and Black
Hex Codes: #8B3103, #11151C, #C4CBCA
Rust brown is a warm, reddish brown. It might sound like an odd choice to pair with black, but it’s an effective way to add some warmth without straying too far from a neutral palette.
If you just want to add a touch of this interesting shade, try rust-brown accent pillows on a black couch. But if you want something a bit different, add a rust-brown couch and a black chair to a living room. This combination looks nice with gray walls. And if you really want to counterbalance the warmth of rust brown, go for gray shades with bluish undertones.
23. Lavender and Black
Hex Codes: #E6E6FA, #01161E, #124559
Lavender is somewhat similar to periwinkle but looks more like a grayish purple. It’s a versatile shade that works nicely as either a wall color or an accent.
If you want a dark, bold look, try a lavender couch with black accent pillows against a navy blue wall. Just make sure you add plenty of white elsewhere in the room! If you choose a room with lavender walls, even a few touches of black will go a long way toward grounding the look. Black vases, lamps, and bookshelves are all good choices.
24. Rose Gold and Black
Hex Codes: #F4CBC6, #0D1821, #F9FFEB
Rose gold is a metallic that has found recent popularity. It’s a great way to add subtle opulence if you find gold finishes too flashy. This combination is a nice one for a bathroom. On a black sink, try adding rose gold hardware. You can do the same in a black-colored shower.
This combination is also a good one for living rooms. Try a room with ivory couches and walls. Add a rose-gold wall hanging. Then, sprinkle in some black accents like coffee tables or accent pillows. This look goes especially well with a white or off-white rug, too.
25. Aqua and Black
Hex Codes: #00FFFF, #071E22, #829191
Aqua is a pretty and energetic shade of blue. Though it does have some light green undertones, it isn’t quite as green as turquoise. And if you’re up for something extra bold, you might be interested in an aqua accent wall in a living room! Paired with black furniture and a black sculpture or wall hanging, it looks especially striking.
But you don’t need to include massive amounts of aqua to make a statement. If you have a room that is already mostly black and white, even a simple aqua accent chair can make a real difference.
26. Warm Beige and Black
Hex Codes: #F5F5DC, #110B11, #AD343E
Warmer shades of beige can add a soft, inviting look to any room. Beige is ubiquitous in the world of design, and it’s hard to go wrong with this combination. It’s often seen in living rooms with beige couches and chairs. You can easily add a black coffee table and black accent pillows to ground the look.
You can also do the reverse. Try warm beige walls and black living room furniture. But if you want something bolder and somewhat unusual, opt for a matte black accent wall, too. Just like with cool beige, this combination also looks nice with a variety of other softer neutrals. White, cream, taupe, and various shades of gray are all good choices.
27. Hunter Green and Black
Hex Codes: #355E3B, #070707, #F1E0C5
If you like dark shades of green, hunter green is a classic shade to choose. And if you’re a fan of dramatic, dark walls, you might consider adding a hunter green accent wall. When you do this, be sure to avoid over-adding black, as it can make the room too dark. Instead, opt for black-framed photos or wall prints with a lot of white.
If you’re decorating a living room, you can also add in black furniture. But as always, with two dark colors, you’ll want to make sure you add plenty of lighter neutrals. Shades of beige, tan, and white are all great options.
28. Copper and Black
Hex Codes: #B87333, #090809, #EEE5E9
This combination might sound a little unusual. But bright copper metallics form an unforgettable contrast with black. And one of the easiest ways to incorporate copper is with hanging lamps. In a kitchen with black appliances and cabinets, add in copper hardware and a row of copper hanging lamps. You might also want to make the countertops a copper-like color to prevent the overall look from becoming too dark.
Copper also excels as a color for a bathroom. If you can find an antique-style copper bathtub, it looks especially nice against a black wall! Similarly, copper sink hardware adds an elegant touch when paired with a black marble sink.
29. Royal Blue and Black
Hex Codes: #4169E1, #120309, #D1E3DD
Royal blue is similar to cobalt, which tends to be a bit brighter. And since it’s quite a saturated hue, it’s ideal for those seeking bold design choices. One of the best ways to incorporate royal blue is through accent walls or wallpaper. And if you’d prefer some sparkle, you might like wallpaper that’s patterned with royal blue and gold. Placing a black velour couch in front of a wall like this creates a room that’s elegant yet inviting.
Since royal blue is a powerful color, it also works well in small doses. Little pops of royal blue look especially nice in rooms that are mostly black and white. For instance, in a largely black and white living room, even a single royal blue vase or accent pillow can make a very big difference!
30. Dusty Rose and Black
Hex Codes: #B48E92, #020300, #36311F
Dusty rose may have had its heyday in the 80s, but it’s been steadily making a comeback! It makes a lovely wall color, and like other shades of pink, it’s perfect for creating high-contrast palettes with black.
If you want a room with a soft aesthetic, you can keep dusty rose as your main color and just add a little black to ground the space. Even something as simple as wooden tables with black legs should be enough. Of course, if you want a bolder look, you might consider a bedroom with a black wrought-iron bed frame and dusty rose walls. And if you like high-contrast patterns, wallpaper printed with black and dusty rose can add some real pizazz, too.
31. Coral and Black
Hex Codes: #FF7F50, #0A0908, #EAEAEA
Coral is a stunningly beautiful shade that evokes memories of summer. And while you might picture it used with turquoise or white, it looks surprisingly good with black. One easy way to accomplish this look is to add black and white patterned accent pillows to coral chairs and couches. If you do this, make sure most of the rest of the room is white or another pale neutral.
Coral is also great for adding a pop of color to a dining room. In a room that is mostly neutral, add a black dining room table with coral chairs (or at least a coral table runner). A gold hanging lamp also looks great with this setup.
32. Warm White and Black
Hex Codes: #FDF4DC, #151515, #7E6551
We’ve already taken a look at the many ways you can use black and white (or black and cream). But if you want something in between stark white and cream, warm white is a great option. Mostly-white rooms with touches of black are popular in modern design, but for some, they seem a bit cold. Warm white offers a great solution.
It’s tough to go wrong with this combination, but one easy way to use it is with warm white walls in a room with black furniture. You can really tie the look together with a black and white patterned rug, too.
33. Peach and Black
Hex Codes: #FFCDA2, #201E1F, #5B7B7A
Peach is a pretty, summery color that isn’t quite as high-energy as coral. It works nicely as a wall color, especially in more pastel shades. And like many similar colors, it does well with a little bit of black as a grounding influence.
Peach makes a lively and welcoming wall color for a living room. You can ground it with a black mantle and black hanging lamp. For an interesting contrast, try adding hunter green or emerald green furniture. You can even add a few peach accent pillows to tie the look together.
34. Leaf Green and Black
Hex Codes: #306433, #14080E, #FBFAF8
Leaf green looks great with black, especially if you use actual plants as your source of green! One easy way to do this is to place one or two potted plants in a room that is entirely black and white.
You can also accomplish this look with leafy prints. Try a patterned accent wall or a patterned bedspread in a black and white room. In a bedroom, this might mean a black bed frame, black furniture, and white walls. Leafy prints are fairly common when it comes to both bedspreads and wallpaper, so this look shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve.
35. Plum and Black
Hex Codes: #8E4585, #0E0004, #A5B5BF
Plum is quite the on-trend shade of purple. And since it’s a bit less vibrant than royal purple, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking a quieter, calming interior. Like emerald and navy, plum is perfect for creating darker rooms.
If you want to feel welcomed and ensconced, choose plum as a wall color. You can lean into that darker vibe with black furniture too. Just make sure the room has a lot of natural light, lighter accents, or both, as an overly dark room can start to feel a little suffocating. For example, you might choose to add a pale wooden coffee table.
36. Silver and Black
Hex Codes: #C0C0C0, #1B2021, #73683B
Silver is another metallic that looks great with black. And while you can certainly add actual silver-finished metal to a room, shimmering silver fabric is an especially great way to add some sparkle.
One of the easiest ways to do that is to add black pillows with metallic silver accents to black couches and bedspreads. Similarly, in a room with gray walls, a black bedspread with silky silver sheets is also a good choice. In either situation, try adding black coffee tables or nightstands and adding silver lamps, bowls, vases, etc.
37. Mustard Yellow and Black
Hex Codes: #FFDB58, #211A1D, #3E8989
Mustard yellow has become quite the on-trend color in recent years, especially when it comes to furniture. And while the combination of black and yellow can sometimes be garish, a carefully-executed palette with black and mustard yellow often works beautifully.
For a higher-contrast look, you can place a mustard-yellow couch in front of a black wall. This looks nice with a gray rug and light wood flooring. But if you want to try something a bit different, don’t be afraid to add a mustard yellow accent wall in a room with black furniture! And if you want to add small doses of an accent color to this winning combination, emerald green or dark cyan are good choices.
38. Pale Gray and Black
Hex Codes: #D3D3D3, #0C1618, #5CF64A
Black and gray tend to go very well together. And while deeper shades like charcoal can be great for darker rooms, including paler shades is a great way to prevent your palette from becoming overly dark.
Pale gray makes a great wall color, but it’s also an excellent choice for living room furniture. Try pairing light gray couches and chairs with black accent pillows and a black coffee table. Of course, this combination also lends itself to patterns, so don’t be afraid of patterned rugs, throws, pillows, curtains, etc.
39. Aubergine and Black
Hex Codes: #472C4C, #0D160B, #48ACF0
Aubergine (named after the French word for “eggplant”) is a dark and mysterious purple. It’s darker than plum and is steadily becoming more popular in design circles. You can use it as a color for furniture or a bedspread, but it’s most often used as a wall color.
If you’re worried about aubergine walls becoming overly dark, you might be interested in painting the bottom 1/2 to 1/3 of the wall white. This is a good look for a dining room, especially when you include a black table and chairs. If you wish, you can also add a white or pale beige table runner to lighten the palette a bit.
40. Turquoise and Black
Hex Codes: #30D5C8, #0F1108, #7A7265
Turquoise is a pretty and energetic shade that pairs nicely with black. It looks especially good with delicate black and white patterns. For example, in a room with a turquoise bedspread, you might consider a black and white patterned rug, curtains, or both.
Alternatively, turquoise is also an excellent choice of wall color in a room that is otherwise black and white. This aesthetic lets you add a burst of color that’s more intense than simply adding turquoise accents throughout the room.
41. Red-Orange and Black
Hex Codes: #FF5349, #0C0C0C, #226F54
We’ve already seen how orange and red can go with black (as long as they’re used carefully!). But shades of red-orange also look nice, especially if they lean toward the shade of clay or terra cotta.
This type of red-orange shade does well as a wall color, and it’s a great way to give a room a Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic. This look goes well with other bright colors, but it needs at least some black to ground it. Black furniture is a great choice here. You also might opt to include some green plants in black pots. The black creates a pleasing contrast with red-orange while the plants help freshen the look.
42. Gold and Black
Hex Codes: #D4AF37, #231F20, #EFF1F3
Too much black and gold together can start to look gaudy. But adding just a few touches can give any room a chic edge. Gold accessories offer an easy and effective way to do this. If you have a living room with a black mantle, black furniture, and gold or cream walls, try adding a brushed gold vase of flowers to the mantlepiece.
Like silver, gold can also be incorporated in fabric form. Shimmering gold pillows look especially inviting on cream or ivory-colored couches. Place these couches against black walls for a rich, high-contrast palette.
43. Blush Pink and Black
Hex Codes: #F1ABB9, #0D0106, #F4F1DE
Blush pink is a delicate shade that’s found its way into all manner of palettes. It does especially well as a wall color, and if it’s pale enough, it works like a neutral.
If you want to incorporate blush pink into a color scheme with black, try adding in a few other shades of pink. Start with a room with blush pink walls. Add in a black couch with various ivory, pink, and mauve pillows. This combination looks nice with a soft gray or off-white rug. If you want to add black elsewhere, consider black-framed wall hangings or wall sculptures.
44. Olive Green and Black
Hex Codes: #556B2F, #131200, #A9714B
This combination might sound a little drab, but you can use it to create memorable interiors! In a living room with white walls, try adding olive green chairs and couches. Paint both the mantle and the window frames black. That will give you enough black to ground the space but not so much that it feels overly dark.
But if you’re someone who prefers a darker aesthetic, there’s a way to do that, too. A matte black accent wall is a great way to add some character to a palette. And when you place an olive green chair or couch in front of it, it creates a look that’s just moody enough. Try adding a bronze lamp or other brown accent for some visual interest, too.
Designing With Black
Black is a timeless shade that fits into any style of decor. And depending on the shade of black you choose and the colors you pair with it, you can create anything from a dark and moody interior to a bright, airy indoor space. With this color choice, the design possibilities are seemingly endless!
