I clearly remember the first time I discovered the magical power of a black pencil, how you could use it to draw up the outlines of shapes and give weight, dimension and depth to a white piece of paper. I was around five years old at the time, but even today, despite the many new tools and techniques that I use, still a great part of our work is about defining the contours of a space or an object through the use of black lines, shapes or volumes.

The color black when used correctly can help you to accentuate the effects of light. It is a simple and powerful tool that you can use to give dimension to a room. A black object in a space works like a weight point, it doesn’t attract attention by creating light but by absorbing it. Which is why working with black is quite liberating, it allows other colours to stand out, it can frame the space or let it breathe, it creates contrasts that reveal new dimensions of light and space.

When designing a space you can use black objects the same way that an artist uses a black paintbrush. Through the composition of black elements in space, you can guide the viewers' eyes through the room orchestrating their experience of the space and creating balance between objects. Black accents can help you to create a narrative of motion.

If you are looking for black interior design ideas, you can think of the room as a canvas and take inspiration from the many great painters who have used black in their work. Look at the work of Rembrandt and Vermeer for example, how the figures and subjects can glow thanks to the way they are framed against a black surrounding. Even Picasso the master of color chose black when he wanted to make his most dramatic work “the Guernica”.

But this is not limited to figurative painting, abstract and conceptual artist Lucio Fontana the founder of the “spacial painting” movement, created “space” by cutting or punching holes in plain coloured canvases, creating dark, black anchors that magically gave new dimensions to the empty canvas. Richard Serra did something similar with his large charcoal drawings, where the canvas gains almost a three dimensional quality thanks to how the black material absorbs the light from the space. Anish Kapoor is another sculptor who used black to radically transform the viewers perception of the room.

What we can learn from the work of these artists, is how black can create anchors and frame the space. Just as these artists use black to guide the viewer’s eye or create a sense of depth, you can apply the same principles in your home to tell your personal narrative. A black coffee table for example can anchor the room at its center and create a warm and welcoming environment around it.

When designing your interior, don’t forget to use this powerful tool to add drama, depth and balance to your space. View our collection of black furniture and decor items designed for modern and artful interiors.

3 considerations for using black in interior design:

- Black is a powerful and versatile color in art and can be used in interiors to add sophistication, drama, and balance to any space.

- Black works best when in contrast with brighter tones by accentuating the effects of light and brightness.

- Introducing black accents like frames, rugs or vases can anchor the interior and make a big impact by adding new dimensions to space without overpowering it.