The bedroom is the inner sanctum of your home and it is only natural that you would want it to be designed as tastefully as possible. The most important element that defines the luxury of a bedroom is the furniture and black has been a bastion of good taste since time immemorial. Black luxury bedroom furniture has been the subject of trends throughout the years, affording those who want a sleek and defined environment the beauty of sharp lines and those who want to add plush opulence also get to enjoy the same versatility. The colour performs well as a neutral backdrop, but can also add drama when used as a feature in combination with bright or contrasting colours.
In modern design, black is being used in innovative ways to create fascinating and dynamic furniture that is both luxurious on its own and perfectly suited to sets.
However, as ever with any luxury purchase, there are a number of factors that can and should impact your choices, when decorating such a personal and oft-used space. This guide provides you with all the information you’ll need to have a complete picture of how to find, select and arrange your bedroom furniture to best suit your style and taste.
Black has always been considered a colour associated with sophistication and high culture. When used in interiors, it lends the living space a level of understated refinement, a sophisticated aesthetic with which few other shades can compete. Low reflectivity and its suitability in virtually any finish are strong reasons for making black furniture the centre of your bedroom decor. In this section, we’ll explore these and several more aspects of this iconic colour.
In any picture of luxury, black is a key element. The key is contrast, and regardless of the material, black will always serve that purpose. Dramatic lines, deep shadows and a sense of mystery; the very essence of luxurious design is making a statement and these clean divisions within design are what draw top designers back to black again and again.
Ace Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci once said "Black is always elegant. It is the most complete colour in the whole world, made of all the colours in the palette". That statement perfectly sums up why black is considered both versatile and timeless. Both neutral and a feature, black furniture is the perfect accompaniment to any colour.
Bedrooms are supposed to be comfortable and cosy, they are the place for rest and relaxation, after all. What is relaxing to the eye will be relaxing to the mind and body. Black is a distraction-free shade that can make you feel warmly enveloped and still, the ideal conditions for winding down and switching off.
As a colour, black has never been out of fashion and the same holds true today. While a completely black interior might be an extreme way to use it, black bedroom furniture will always add depth and elegance to a design and these sorts of values underpin design instead of flowing in and out of fashion. Black furniture will never be seen as obsolete, instead, it will retain its value and charm as a long-term investment.
A classic rule in interior design is that one should gauge how much of a given colour to use by percentages. The primary colour being used should take up around 60% of the space, with a secondary colour and accents taking 30% and 10% respectively.
Here are some ideas from interior designers on how to apply that rule with black interiors.
Using black interiors in the bedroom works well as a blank canvas to build styles from rustic and industrial, to sleek minimalism using contrasts of scandi-coloured woods or pure white ceramic. Because black has various undertones like green, charcoal, blue and brown, choosing the shade and finish to start with will help you decide on which accents will create the best contrasts and the right ambience. Matte finishes will show less daily wear and tear, while high-gloss finishes will reflect more light and create more dramatic transitions.
When used as the only colour for your bedroom furniture, black may overwhelm many other colours except white; however, this effect can be softened by adding accents like external clothes rails, modernist art or bathroom fixtures in brass, blush pink pastels or gold. While monochromatic contrast is stunning, it‘s best balanced with natural elements like wood picture frames, exposed beams, or a natural wood bed frame.
Adding touches of black is very effective in small doses too like bedside tables, a mantelpiece or a writing desk. Black door knobs or light fixtures often add architectural interest and this theme can be carried into your ensuite with black grouting or tap fixtures. Pairing your black accents with the same undertones as your primary colour will soften the contrast in these areas and will add weight and depth to the space's design. Placing black on black can work well to create a sumptuous feeling within a bedroom, especially when textures are varied.
Now that you have a fairly good idea about how to use black in different amounts, it's time to look into some of the benefits and drawbacks of these colour schemes. This section will help you in weighing some of the more practical elements of design.
Black, like white, gives you a lot of freedom to create stunning contrasts that can really make other pieces of furniture, or entire areas, become visual focal points, which can be used advantageously to create flow through a room. For instance, a reading nook with white or cream-coloured walls panels or floors could bring light in while maintaining an overall cosier aesthetic.
One of black's more notable qualities is that it has a mentally grounding effect and can help the mind unwind, free from too much visual stimulation. That, in turn, may help enhance your mood by regulating anxiety and stress.
Black furniture requires less cleaning and maintenance since the smaller imperfections on the surface are less visible. Of course, natural materials like leather and wood require care in the long term, but black surfaces, especially matte ones, are far less likely to show stains or wear and tear.
In small touches or as a backdrop, black suits almost every surface. Stairs, railings, frames and furniture, the real versatility comes from the fact that you can use it in any amount and it will add gravitas.
Black itself comes in a host of shades and many different finishes, adding even further variety. Charcoal, jet and olive are some of the more popular undertones found in modern designs, but the range is very wide and there is truly something for every eye and every style.
Black does not reflect light and hence, it can make your bedroom feel enclosed if the shade is too dark or the area too small. It’s best to apply colour blocks for larger surfaces before committing to your choice and it’s highly advisable to view showroom arrangements or commission a 3D rendering to get a fuller picture of how your particular vision will look in situ.
Here’s a quick look at some of the most effective tips from our design team to make your black furniture really stand out.
If black furniture is going to be the focal point of your bedroom, complement it with pops of colour. Pastel doesn’t only mean light, deep yellows, blues and greens are ideal colour choices for pillows, cushions or artwork. That will create a brighter combination with the darker theme of black.
As mentioned earlier, black doesn’t reflect light and that may not be ideal. However, it is easy to compensate for that by having light-coloured walls or floors. For instance, a cream-coloured wall or hardwood floor would perfectly balance out the shade of black that you choose and create perfect harmony in your bedroom. Black and white is another popular combination that continues to be a timeless trend.
Metallic accents are a stunning addition to a room with black furniture since they boost the degree of overall aesthetic appeal. A black and gold bedroom could be the ideal way to go in this context. According to Rey Amini, senior interior designer at FCI London, adding small metallic accents such as lamps or decor pieces can have a big impact on elevating the look of a black bedroom.
Black furniture is an understated statement of luxury and it stands for itself. While certain accessories and colour combinations will enhance the overall look, you should keep things as simple as possible. It’s ideal to not clutter the room with excess accessories and instead only stick to the select ones.
FCI London has more than 40 years of experience in the luxury furniture and interior design industry and we pride ourselves on being a trusted name in the supply of high-grade bespoke furnishings and in creating luxury interiors both large and small.
Visit our 30,000 sq. ft. showroom, the largest luxury showroom in London, to discover, explore and experience a wide range of contemporary and traditional sofas, along with professional advice from a team of experienced and award-winning interior designers.
Utilise our complementary services like 3D Rendering, project planning and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to make your design journey as seamless as possible, saving you time and effort wherever possible.
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