The 5 Best Black Paint Colors
Tried-and-true black paint colors that instantly update any space.
Adding a touch of black paint is one of the best ways to add depth and drama to any interior and keep a home from feeling too one-note. However, it’s not easy to find the right paint color for your space, and when it comes to black, it can be even harder to commit!
After years of collecting and testing swatches, we’ve found our favorite black paint colors for each situation. Today, we’re rounding up 5 of our tried-and-true black paint colors. Scroll through for inspiration photos, our paint guide, and tips on how to use each shade.
Our Favorite Black Paints
Sherwin Williams 'Tricorn Black'
The perfect saturated black that looks incredible in a high gloss finish. We often use this for a statement-making front door or cabinets.
From our Modern Lake House.
From our Modern Mountain Home.
Sherwin Williams 'Black Magic'
A soft black that works great on interior doors (and walls) in a satin or eggshell finish.
From our Modern Mountain Home.
From our Modern Lake House.
From our Vineyard Parade Home.
Benjamin Moore 'Soot'
A moody gray-black that works beautifully for interior walls without feeling too cold.
From our Modern Mountain Home.
From our Modern Mountain Home.
From our SM Ranch House.
Benjamin Moore 'French Beret'
A black with a serious blue-gray undertone. Great for really dark walls and exteriors without fully committing to black.
From our Swan Lake House.
From our SM Ranch House.
Sherwin Williams 'Green Black'
A unique green-black with undertones of blue and a matte finish. We love using this color in an office or other interior walls.
From our Denver Tudor.
From our Northridge remodel.
Here are some common questions about black paint:
What. colors go well with black?
Although virtually any color can look great with black, contrasting black accents with light and bright neutral shades allows black paint to stand out and provide a focal point to the space.
We like to surround our black accent paints with whites and creams while adding in contrasting textures and finishes like brass and natural wood for the most striking result.
What is the best black paint color for the front door?
We often use Sherwin Williams 'Tricorn Black' for a statement-making front door. In a high gloss finish, it creates the perfect contrast to light exteriors and complements dark exteriors.
Some of our other favorites include Nightfall by Benjamin Moore, Black Magic by Sherwin Williams, and Soot by Benjamin Moore. See our full front-door paint guide bellow for more ideas on painting your front door!
For more on paint colors, read some of our most requested blogs here.
We’re about to have our lower kitchen cabinets painted Benjamin Moore Soot. I think it reads as a dark, dark navy blue. Love it!
Hi There! Love this post! Quick question, if I wanted to paint my front door on both the inside and outside would you do the same finish on both sides? For example, I really like the tricorn black in the high gloss for the front but on the inside not sure it would be the same?
I would do the same!
Do you recommend a flat finish on walls for black?
Would you recommend Tricorn Black or Black Magic with a crisp clean white (SW Pure White) painted brick exterior for my shutters? I love them both and cannot decide! Thinking of a blush pink door.
I’m thinking of painting the inside of my front door Tricorn black in a semi gloss. The front side of the door will be SW Jasper Stone in semi gloss. Do you think this would work well? We have black iron stair railings so I’m hoping it will blend nicely. We are also considering painting our mudroom/to the garage door Tricorn black in semi gloss. What are your thoughts?
Not sure you’re even looking at this anymore…but I have mostly white walls and trim. But painted my study BM Wrought Iron…as well as the front door and trim. And everyone thinks it’s navy blue! Not at all,what I wanted. So I’m repainting it. I get a good amount or natural light from the southern facing picture window in the room. Although there is a front porch. I was looking at SWTricorn Black but you seem to only like that for doors. Or also Black Beauty. Just don’t want any blue coming through. Suggestions?
When painting and interior bedroom door would you paint the framing as well as the door the same color and do you do both the inside and the outside of the door the same color
Tricorn Black or Black Magic with a crisp clean white (SW Pure White) painted brick exterior for my shutters? I love them both and cannot decide! Thinking of a blush pink door.
Thank you so much for the black paint love! I’m a lover of these and similar black paints, as well as saturated deep deep blues and blood reds. Rich true colors and your appreciation gives me hope.
For those of you wondering if anyone is looking at your comments, I’m not a professional designer but I do know it’s only paint so GO FOR IT!!
If it’s not what you wanted, it’s not permanent, you can change it… Isn’t paint wonderful!
I love the fact that I have now come to the stage where I am reading tips and tricks about paints. You wouldn’t think that there are any tips and tricks to learn, but it was really reassuring too read about the new ideas which this article has suggested.
I love getting a different perspective on things and how to make the most of my time painting. Moreover, the tips actually did make things a bit easier and I have found myself appreciating the artwork even more than before. Painting canvases as such really can give you a sense of relaxation which you never knew even existed. I will be trying out a bunch of these tips when i order my next painting.
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Great blog, and what awesome black options you have presented here!! I am really really happy, I love those bunk bed set up..just like a dream setup. I would love to explore these colors in my study area, wonderful post.
Thanks for the helpful post! I love the French Beret color. Which sheen did you use for Swan Lake?
I have a small kitchen and I am planning on painting the lower/base cabinets black. The counter to ceiling tile will be white. I really like Tricorn Black. However, our cabinet maker usually uses a satin finish on the cabinets. Will Tricorn Black still be a good choice?
Wow really amazing topic! Black is my favourite colour among all. I wanted to colour my room with black paints. From this I could find the best black paint brands. This article blown my mind. Thank you so much for the ideas and tips. I have also found this resource hdpaintingservices.co.nz/ useful and its related to what you are mentioning.
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.|