Unlike the little black dress, which never goes out of style, black furniture seems to come in and out at least once a decade — each time with a new on-trend way to use it. And lately, Instagram has been aflutter with a new black furniture trend: the black accent piece.
Some of our favorite interior designers have incorporated a black piece of furniture into otherwise neutral color palettes. We’ve seen this look popping up in a variety design styles from modern farmhouse to mid-century modern. It’s our favorite black furniture trend to date, and we think it has serious staying power.
In contrast to the black and white checkered patterns of the 1970s (which frankly had too much contrast) and the black furniture sets of the early 2000s (which could make the whole space feel dark), new black furniture trends add subtle sophistication without creating vampire-layer vibes.
Learn how to incorporate these trends into your home decor, plus take a look at our favorite pieces of black furniture for your living room, dining room, bedroom, and beyond.
3 black furniture trends that are bringing this look home
The black accent piece may be the newest darling among designers (and we’ll definitely tell you how to get that look), but there are a few other ways interior designers have been using black to style the oh-so chic rooms you see on your favorite Insta accounts.
These new styles transform the color black from stark and modern to cozy and homey. So, if you’re thinking about incorporating black furniture into your home, you don’t want to be in the dark about these decorating trends.
The black accent piece
Adding a black accent piece is one of the easiest trends to incorporate. For example, a console table allows you to start small, and it works well in small spaces, which can easily be overwhelmed by too much black.
Invest in a single piece of black furniture and decide how you like it before you add more black to your home decor. If you love the look, you can add a single black accent piece to every room in your house — the color will become a thread that ties all of your rooms together.
Because black is a neutral, it pairs well with a variety of color schemes and is a signature color of Hollywood Regency and Art Deco design. It’s also becoming more common in modern farmhouse homes where painted furniture with black matte or chalkboard paint makes an appearance alongside neutrals like olive green and taupe.
Black wood tones
To fit black furniture into a nature-inspired home, choose wood furniture with a black finish. A black stain on solid wood or wood veneer pieces keeps your darker furniture from looking too stark and manufactured. And when the wood grain is visible below the black finish, it helps the piece play nicely with natural wood furniture and organic modern decor.
A single piece of furniture that combines a solid black finish with natural wood tones — like a hutch or an accent cabinet with a black frame and solid wood doors — is another way to bring the unexpected pairing of black and wood into your home.
A better black and white design
Black and white design is a classic look that never fully goes out of style. But the high-contrast look of pure black and pure white has softened over time with designers broadening their definitions of black and white.
You might see black, white, and other neutrals like natural wood grains and shades of cream and beige for example. You can create a cozier black and white palette by pairing a TV stand with a black wood finish with a natural-colored linen loveseat, for example. Include shades of grey or taupe alongside your black and white pieces to avoid a stark two-toned look and add dimension to your design.
Our darkest desires: 8 pieces of black furniture we love
We’ve rounded up our favorite black furniture for every room in the house. If you’re ready to bet it all on black, these pieces will help you create a winning design.
1. Upholstered Accent Chair With Tapered Legs
This sophisticated clamshell chair features black velvet upholstery and brass legs. It’s an ideal piece to complement your glam decor, and it will round out an Art Deco or Hollywood Regency room. Beyond its glamorous look, velvet also offers incredible durability that’s ideal for a home with pets. (There’s no weave for pet hair to get stuck in, and its smooth texture naturally discourages cat scratching.)
2. Round Glass Top End Table in Black
With its black steel frame and glass top, this end table is a perfect piece for incorporating dark furniture into an already dark space. The glass top will allow light to pass through and reflect around the room, so even if you’re short on windows, this touch of dark design won’t make your space feel too cave-like.
3. Humfreye 4-Shelf Bookcase in Cappuccino
This bookcase is our idea of tall, dark, and handsome. Use it to add storage to a home office or living room. The four shelves offer enough height for taller books, trinkets, and houseplants, and the X-shaped design along the side of the piece will match your farmhouse decor.
4. Darie Cushion Back Tufted Sectional Sofa in Black
Your couch is the centerpiece of your living room furniture. A sectional with black upholstery will put both style and functionality at the center of your space. While we love a light-colored sofa as much as any designer showroom, showrooms don’t have to contend with kids or dogs. Black upholstery will hold up to sticky fingers and muddy paws better than light upholstery.
5. 3-Piece Occasional Table Set in Black Oak
This 3-piece living room set has natural wood grain and a clean, blocky design that would fit well into a modern or organic modern home. Pair it with lighter neutrals to create a look that’s sophisticated without being overwhelmingly dark. The set includes a coffee table and two matching side tables with a black oak finish.
6. Carlton Upholstered Bed in Cappuccino and Black
Seamlessly combine black with dark wood bedroom furniture by choosing this cappuccino and black bed frame. It features a headboard and footboard upholstered with black leatherette and framed in a rich dark wood. You can find it in sizes that fit twin, full, queen, king, and California king-size mattresses, or choose a complete matching bedroom set with a dresser and nightstands.
7. Deanna 7-Drawer Rectangular Dresser in Black
This 7-drawer dresser will instantly bring glamour into your bedroom with its black velvet upholstery. While upholstery may be an unexpected finish for a dresser, it works well in the bedroom where soft textures are a welcome addition wherever you can fit them in.
8. Garza Rectangular Dining Table in Black
Another piece that offers the striking contrast of natural wood with black, this dining room table is ideal for rustic farmhouse and industrial-style homes. The light wood top means you can pair this design with more black touches without making your space feel too dark, which is why the matching dining chairs are finished in a sophisticated black leatherette upholstery.
Get in touch with your dark side
Black furniture can add a hint of sophistication to any space. And with the latest decorating trends, you can get sophistication without making your home feel too rigid. Keep things natural by choosing black wood furniture, add livable glamour with black velvet upholstery, or create a cozy space by mixing black with other dark tones.
However you choose to use this season’s hottest color (or should we say, hautest color), make sure your bank account also stays in the black. Head to a local furniture store to find black furniture that fits your style and your budget.
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Carlton Queen Upholstered Bed Cappuccino and Black
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