What Colors Go With Black? – Color Pairing With Black

Throughout history, the color black has been used for a variety of things, such as the color of mourning, and even as a popular color in design for its association with elegance and authority. But is black an easy color to work with, and how do you determine the colors that go with black? There are quite a few color combinations that go with black, and in this article, we hope to help you understand how you can create these combinations easily. We will be looking at color theory below, so you can determine what colors go with black. So, read further to discover more about what colors go with black.

Black Color: Brief History

The black color has shown up on cave wall paintings in prehistoric times, so it has been around for a while. For the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks, black was a color associated with the underworld, and in Rome, it was the color of mourning. In many cultures it is seen as a color associated with evil, death, and magic.

Even though black is something that is associated more with creating shadows and darkness, it can also be a color that brings a certain significance or seriousness to a message.

How the black color is represented has changed over the years, depending on the period, and even on the emotional state of the artist. Some artists have embraced the use of color, while others avoid it and find other means of creating the effects they want. Below are the various shades of black you can get.

Understanding Color Theory

If you are looking to create the best color combinations, color theory is something you should look into. Color theory is all about colors and how they work together. This brings in the color wheel and color combinations you can create. The color wheel, which you can Google, and then you will see that it is a circle of colors. These colors include primary as well as secondary and everything in between.

There are different ways to look at the color wheel, this is because you have pigments in art, which is the way most of us understand the color wheel.

However, there are also others, such as the colors that represent all the graphics on the computer, these colors are created by light and not pigments. We will just be sticking to the basics, so we will not go too much into this. Many online sites can help you create color combinations with little effort. Since black is not a color and is rather the absorption of all colors, it tends to go well with most hues, tones, and shades of colors.

However, you can also get shades of black. What does this mean? This simply means that there are other types of black besides the pure hue. You can get a black that has an undertone, which means it will have a certain touch of color to it. This is where the color wheel comes into the picture. When looking at the color wheel, you will notice that you have shades of blue, green, and purple or violet on one side. These are considered your cooler colors, while the various shades of red, yellow, and orange are close together on the other side. These are naturally your warmer colors, and both can be seen as a color bias or temperature.

So, can you get cool and warm shades of black? Yes, there are different shades of black on both sides of the color wheel.

Soot black has a warm reddish-brown undertone, and is described as being a very dark red, almost black color.  Cool black has a slight bluish undertone, while charcoal can also be considered a cooler shade of black. When it comes to choosing paint colors for interior designs, you should also consider if you want a matte or flat look, or do you want more of a glossy finish to the look.  Next, we will be looking at the various color combinations there are.

Colors That Go With Black

There are different color combinations, which can be determined by the color wheel. These color combinations will either be the best contrasting color combinations or hues that work easily and consistently together. Of course, colors that complement black will depend on the undertone. So, if you are looking for complementary colors for black, consider the color combinations below.

Black is considered a neutral color, which means it will go well with other neutral colors.

This includes options such as white, but there are also a variety of shades of gray as well as other colors like beige, cream, and brown that also work well with black. You can also combine warm and cool colors; it just has to be done carefully so that the look is balanced and not overwhelming. However, It is easier to work with colors that have a similar color bias or temperature. Let us go through some of the basic types of color combinations.

• Complementary colors: These colors are on opposing ends when looking at the color wheel. They form a high contrast and should be used carefully to balance out a look. Choose a main color and then incorporate pops of accent color. For example, blue and orange are complementary colors.
• Analogous colors: All colors that are near each other and share certain characteristics are seen as analogous. For example, blue and violet or green and green yellow.
• Monochromatic colors: A color combination that includes different shades and tones of a single color. This creates a seamless look that has added depth.
• Triadic colors: This combination involves three colors that form an equal-sided triangle, which also creates a contrast.

Black and Burnt Orange

Let us start with orange colors that go with black. Black with warmer undertones like soot or ebony is easier to work with when combining them with warmer colors like burnt orange. This creates a warm and cozy feel to the space that has more continuity to it. However, if you wish to add more interest and contrast, try pairing orange with a cool black.

Black and Purple

Purple creates an amazing color combination with black. Black and purple are both sophisticated and are a great choice for more modern interior designs. Deeper shades, such as plum help to add drama when paired with black. However, to soften this effect, you can try pairing black with a softer purple, such as lilac or periwinkle. Make sure to balance out the colors, as purple and black are also popular Halloween colors, and you do not want to create a similar theme.

Try something like neutral base colors with purple to liven up the look and add black finishes or hardware.

Black and Green

Black is considered a neutral color, while green can be used as a more natural color, which can make for an appealing and soothing combination. Green helps to liven up the black, which can appear too harsh by itself. This combination can work wonderfully in the bathroom, providing a refreshing and comfortable space. Consider these color combos with black. Olive green and emerald green, paired with black. Green, in general, is a cool color.

However, olive green has a yellow undertone, making it a warmer green option. Emerald green is a cool green, as it has a bluish undertone.

Black and Blue

Blue is an easy color to pair with black, and there are many different shades of blue from darker navy to lighter sky blue. Blue can easily be used as wall paint or in accessories. Blue creates a cool and calming space and can be used in most rooms in the home. Black and blue can easily be layered in a room from bringing in a black sofa and blue cushions to items like blue or black pottery. When pairing black and navy, they would work best as accents to a neutral theme, which could help to add more depth to a space. You can also substitute black with navy if you are looking for a darker color.

Navy and blue outfits are quite popular and provide a sophisticated look. Lighter shades of blue provide more of a contrast.

Black and Red

Black is a great backdrop for red and creates a dramatic look that is both moody and powerful. However, there are many shades of red you can choose from, including darker burgundy, brighter Fuchsia, and softer pink. Fuchsia and black is a popular wedding color scheme that can include nail colors, cake decorations, and décor. Pastel pink and black are a more subtle combination that can still be used to create contrast.

Black and Mustard Yellow

Used in the proper proportions, black and mustard yellow can work wonderfully together. You can achieve great looks for both interior designs as well as fashion ideas. The mustard yellow stands out boldly against black, creating an interesting contrast. Consider adding white and shades of gray to the mix, for a more neutral look, with a touch of color.

How to Incorporate Colors With Black

When deciding on an interior design color scheme, the shade of black you choose depends on what you wish to achieve. Warmer tones create a cozier, comforting, and more energizing space, while cooler tones offer a calmer and more relaxed feel. You should also consider the room and lighting when selecting darker colors like black.

You might think that black would make a space feel smaller, however, black walls can seem like the endless night sky and can enlarge a space, depending on the design.

However, darker, and black shades can also create a more intimate space when used as the base color scheme. As a base color, it can go with many different colors. However, you can enhance a space by choosing a different tone or shade, to bring out the natural beauty. Black as an accent color, is perfect to bring a touch of depth, elegance, and weight to a space. Even in smaller doses, it can produce contrast and drama. 

Pairing it with other colors creates an even better look, as everything tends to stand out when placed against it. Go for a bolder and more daring look with black and more saturated colors, or tone things down with more neutral and softer colors. Remember to always balance the colors out, so it does not become too oppressive or overwhelming.

Stick to the timeless and classic pairing of black and white, with a few subtle pops of color.

Add warmth and a more elegant approach with silver, brass, and gold accents. Natural wood elements can also bring in a sense of richness. Let us look at some tips on using black in the home.

• When using a black color scheme, consider bringing in as much natural light as possible, to prevent it from becoming too dark.
• When bringing in black accents, think of adding black to key focal points. For example, couches in the living room or the bed in a bedroom.
• Consider using neutrals like white, as well as light wood elements to break up the dark color and add contrast. Green plants can also add color to the room.
• In the kitchen, consider pairing black cabinets with marble tops, metallics, and lighter wood flooring.
• If you do not want to go all-black, consider pairing it with shades of gray. You can also pair it with pastel shades for a more gentle look. You can also choose darker gray tones like charcoal if you are worried about using black.
• Try using black in unusual places. For example, a black sink is different and will stand out against a lighter color-neutral color scheme.
• You can also paint doors and window frames black. This will especially stand out against the white trim on a door frame. Black windows will draw your attention to them and outside, creating a more expansive feeling.
• Create a black accent wall for a bold effect. The dark focal point will help to highlight the rest of the lighter and brighter décor.

The Significance of Black in Art, Interior Design, and Fashion

Over the years, black has become a classic color that is used in a variety of ways in design, fashion, and art. Black can be elegant and modern and can help to set a certain mood. Black can be described as the absence of color and has been commonly linked to fear, mourning, darkness, and death. However, the color black is seen in different ways, for example, in China, black is associated with wisdom and knowledge, while in Western culture, it is associated with formality and authority.

Black is also seen as a sophisticated color that has a certain mystery about it.

Today, interior designers use black to create a variety of design styles. Black can easily be used as an accent color to provide contrast in a neutral space, or if you want to be bold, it can be used as the base color in a design. Black can also easily be used in different materials from furniture to textiles. So, black is quite a versatile color to work with.

Black is also a popular color in fashion, everybody has some form of black clothing in their cupboards, and there is always a reliable black dress that can be worn to any event. Black seems to be the go-to color if all else fails because it is flattering to the figure, so anybody will look amazing in the color. There is the traditional black suit for men, something that is worn to formal events and always produces a smart and sophisticated look.

In all cases, you can easily pair it with colors to add that little extra something, if you think the black is becoming too serious.

Black, even though not technically a color, is used in a variety of ways we might not even be aware of. Consider that black folding chair you enjoy sitting outside in the sun with, or the black framed photo on the living room wall.  What about a pair of black sneakers or slimming black jeans sitting in the cupboard?  Black is everywhere, so why not learn to understand what colors go with black? The next time you grab those jeans, you will know how to create the best color combination with black. Let us first delve into a little bit about color theory.

Black is a neutral color that has been used in all forms of design for countless years. It can be used in many ways to fit any style and mood. When used properly, black can be used to add drama, sophistication, and depth to any interior design idea!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Best Colors That Go With Black?

Black is quite a versatile color and can go with almost any color. However, it does tend to work best with neutral colors, such as white, beige, gray, and brown. It also works great with shades of green and blue, as well as yellow, and orange. Of course, you will need to create a balanced color scheme for the best results.

What Are the Complementary Colors for Black?

Are there colors that complement black? Pure black is technically not a color, so there are no complementary colors to go with it. To get colors that complement black, you will need a black that has a certain undertone. For example, you can get a black with a brownish or blue undertone. You can then determine the complementary color, based on the undertone.

Can You Pair Dark Colors With Black?

Some might avoid doing this; however, you can pair darker colors like navy blue with black, which should help to create more depth and a subtle layering effect. You can also balance the colors by including lighter browns and white.