No gray area here! Black and white is a classic pairing that transcends time. If you are looking to add drama, elegance, and flair to your space, look no further. We’ve curated a wide range of ideas from recently renovated homes that will show you how to use black and white in your home design or renovation.
Achieve a High-Class Look with a High-Contrast Kitchen
While all-white kitchen design has been trending for the past few years, adding black into an airy white kitchen can bring a sense of luxury to everyday meal preparation. In addition to being elegant, high-contrast design is great for people with low contrast vision. If you’re looking to warm up the space, consider gold hardware and fixtures, or incorporating wood, either in the flooring, floating shelves, a custom range hood, or a statement hutch.
Monochrome kitchen renovation by RenoMark member Reborn Renovations
Spa-Like Serenity with White Bathrooms and Black Accents
For many people, the goal of a bathroom renovation is to recreate a calm and relaxing space. You can still be trendy while achieving a spa-like atmosphere by starting with a warm and welcoming white space and then incorporating carefully selected contemporary black features. The bathroom below also uses wood tones to warm up the room, and patterned tiles adds visual interest.
Bathroom renovation by RenoMark Member Sosna Inc.
Stand Out with Bold Wallpaper
Using textured wallpaper is a great way to add dimension to a space. When staying within a monochrome colour palette, you can be bolder with the design and shapes used. A powder room is a great spot to get creative with wallpaper if you don’t want to commit to a larger room. Plus, you’ll create visual interest for anyone spending time in the loo.
Photo: Dynamic patterned wallpaper in a bathroom renovation by RenoMark Member Pure Residential
Using Black to Add Depth
There’s often a misconception that only light coloured ceilings or walls make a space feel larger. Sure, white walls may make a space feel airy and light, but dark walls can create a sense of depth that also makes a room feel more spacious. Dark colours can also capture and bounce light in unique ways. Square footage is not the most important component of a room; it’s how that room makes you feel that matters most. Dark rooms can be very cozy and foster a feeling of intimacy.
Use of contrast and black wall to create depth in a small kitchen by RenoMark Member Tyrrell Projects Inc.
An Accent Wall that Makes a Statement
A high contrast accent wall can draw the eyes in and bring a fresh dynamic energy to an otherwise average space. In the example photo below, the black accent wall with angular lines creates an energetic backdrop to a space centred around an air hockey table. Go vertical if you want your ceilings to appear higher, and think about adding horizontal lines to stretch your space wider.
Artistic feature wall in game space by RenoMark member Alair Homes
Bolster Curb Appeal with Black and White Exteriors
Black and white home design can flow through to the exterior of your home as well. The contrast helps architectural elements stand out, and creates a memorable and modern appearance. If you’re painting, make sure to hire a professional, as different surfaces need specific preparation before painting, and some won’t take paint well at all. And if you need to redo your siding due to age, consider upgrading your home’s insulation while you’re at it. This blog post will walk you through the best ways and times to upgrade your home’s insulation.
Modern home exterior renovation by RenoMark member Aquarian Renovations
Dramatic Hollywood Staircase
Imagine waltzing down this staircase in a ballgown… or your bathrobe! Either way, the experience is guaranteed to feel dramatic. By painting the staircase black and having a white background, you can upgrade a normal feature of a home into an unforgettable centerpiece.
Photo: Glamorous staircase renovation by RenoMark member Alair Homes
Get the Crittall-Style Effect
In this kitchen cabinet design, the black cabinetry and accents allow for elements in the cabinets to pop, balancing both eclectic and modern-industrial. The cabinet’s thin black lines and glass give a similar appearance to Crittall-style windows, doors and dividers which have black steel or aluminium frames and are characteristic of the industrial style.
Kitchen renovation by RenoMark member Reborn Renovations
Get Creative or Classy with Tile Designs
You can trace the use of checkered black and white tiles back to renaissance paintings and even the ruins of a 2000-year-old villa located outside of Rome. Tiles can be placed in a classic checkered design, or you can push the limits of your creativity with new shapes and combinations of black and white.
Photo: Hexagon tiles used in a bathroom renovation by RenoMark member My House Design/Build Team Ltd.
Black and White Art to Match your Dcor Details
If you like the white and black look but crave a pop of colour, selecting vibrant artwork will draw the eye and add contrast to your space. And it can be changed more easily than coloured cabinets or walls. But if you’re a true lover of a neutral colour scheme, adding dramatic black and white art to your walls creates an upscale gallery atmosphere.
A kitchen renovation with high contrast art by My House Design/Build Ltd.
If you’re thinking about transforming your home with a renovation, start a conversation with a renovator near you. Use RenoMark’s professional directory to find a professional in your area and start a conversation on how to incorporate your vision into your home.
Looking for more design trends and inspiration? Don’t miss the latest release of the finalists for the 2022 CHBA Housing Awards, and check out our Pinterest account.
