Monochrome Scheme
A colour palette of black, grey and white looks great in a contemporary scheme. Use black fabric, perhaps with a contrasting stripe or floral as a curtain material. Use a light grey paint for the walls so that the scheme is not too dark.
Black and grey striped fabric looks very smart when made into roman blinds, perhaps in a study or bathroom. Add chrome or silver accessories for a stylish look.
Monochrome schemes can also be used successfully in country style schemes by using a floral fabric in shades of black and greys. Teamed with white bedlinen and fluffy rugs you can bring a country look to a bedroom.
Choosing complimentary colours
Black can be treated as a neutral colour which means that you can put virtually any colour with it. The colours that tend to work best are vibrant tones such as pillar box red, hot pink or a zingy yellow. Use these as an accent colour for cushions, rugs or a statement chair. You could consider wallpapering a feature wall in a complimentary colour.
Metallic colours can also be used with black – silver, copper and gold make great accent colours. You can use for mirror frames, vases or picture frames. If used in a kitchen copper pans against a black background would look stunning and very unique.
You can also accessorise with sparkle, for example a crystal chandelier or glass lanterns.
Chic Scandinavian Style
If you want to bring Scandinavian style into your home then using black fabric teamed with greys and whites and simple designed wooden or white furniture will give a chic Nordic look to your home. If you want to add a complimentary colour to this scheme then the best colour to use is red, a traditional Scandinavian colour.
Gothic Decor
Gothic inspired schemes are the ideal place to use black fabric. For these schemes a luxurious black velvet fabric would be the ideal choice for curtains, preferably interlined and full length, use extravagant tie backs to complete the look. Choose rich velvet fabric in shades of aubergine, navy and burgundy for cushions. Walls should be dark and moody, this is a great scheme if you want to add a touch of drama to a dining room.
Don't be afraid of the dark!
Black always seems a scary colour to choose for interiors but if used with the right complimentary colours the results are stunning.
