Black Wallpaper

Black wallpaper can make a room feel intimate, elegant or full of character. From textured charcoal to dramatic florals and crisp geometric patterns lets explore all the ways you can use black wallpaper in different ways.

Will Black Wallpaper Make My Room Look Smaller?

This is a common concern and although dark walls can make a room feel more enclosed, that isn’t always a disadvantage. In a bedroom or media room, a cosy atmosphere may be exactly what you want to achieve.

There is also more to think of than just the background colour. A black wallpaper with an big botanical pattern will look quite different from a dense plain textured design. Therefore the amount of contrast in the pattern, the scale of the design and the light in the room all influence how big or small it feels.

If you want to retain a lighter look, balance black wallpaper with pale flooring, light bedding or furniture or a white ceiling and timber trims.

Where Does Black Wallpaper Work Best?

Living Rooms: Black wallpaper in a living space will feel quite dramatic. Use the wallpaper as a strong focal point. Behind a pale sofa, it creates contrast; alongside darker furniture, it can make the space feel more intimate. Keep a balance in the materials you pair with it; use timber, linen and curved furniture to soften the room.

Bedrooms: A subtle texture suits a restrained bedroom, while a floral or scenic design can become the main artwork. Bedside lamps help reveal the wallpaper’s detail especially if you use a design that has a metallic element.

Powder Rooms: A small powder room offers the perfect opportunity to try a more adventurous design. Black wallpaper can provide a striking backdrop for a mirror, vanity and wall lights. Choose a product suitable for the conditions, a toilet or shower room needs good ventilation and keep wallpaper away from direct splashes. Suitability depends on the wallpaper itself, not its colour.

Media Rooms: Possibly the best place for a dark wallpaper. If the black wallpaper is behind the TV this has the added benefit of the TV blending in when not watching it. Keep the walls matt so as not too reflective on the screen.

Feature wall or all the walls?

Using black wallpaper throughout a room creates a more immersive effect. This can work beautifully in spaces intended to feel cosy or dramatic.

A feature wall allows you to create a focal point that the eye is drawn to when entering the room. This gives the room visual depth.

There is also a middle ground. Wallpaper above painted panelling, inside wall mouldings or in a framed section allows you to introduce a dark design in a smaller area.

What Colours Go With Black Wallpaper?

The undertone of the black wallpaper matters here. If you look closely maybe in different lights the black may have a brown undertone which means it pairs well with warmer tones. Or it may have a charcoal tone which makes it pair well with cooler shades.

• White: Creates maximum contrast
• Timber: Softens the starkness by introducing natural warmth
• Olive and sage green: Works well with botanical patterns and earthy interiors.
• Terracotta and rust: Brings warmth to charcoal and black schemes.
• Dusty pink: softens the contrast and picks up colours in many floral designs.
• Brass and bronze: add warm highlights or metallic flecks.

You don’t necessarily need to repeat black throughout the room. A few connections, such as a lamp base or furniture detail, can be enough.

What to Check Before You Order

View a sample in the room where you plan to use it. Look at it in daylight and under your nighttime lights. Pay attention to both the background colour and the finish.

Installation deserves care with dark wallpapers. A dark wallpaper on a white backing paper can be visable at the joins. Correct wall preparation and accurate seam placement matter. Some installers paint the ends of the rolls black to avoid this but be careful as this would depend on the wallpaper type. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the chosen product.

In Summary…

Black wallpaper can be quiet with luxe texture, colourful and botanical or bold and geometric.

Shop online for delivery Australia-wide, or book an appointment at our Thornlands showroom to explore the ranges in person.