Modern black and white living room decor
30 Black & White Living Rooms That Work Their Monochrome Magic
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Do you look at the world in black and white? Usually that can be a bad thing, but in interior design, it is a very good thing. Monochrome doesn't mean boring, when expertly applied, this design concept can be executed in a manner that brings a living room to life. There are countless ways to use these colors in a way that is interesting and engaging. We have gathered thirty living rooms that display this to perfection and incorporates this color palette in different ways. Do you see the world in black and white (and a few shades of grey)? Make your vision a reality, and have fun!
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- Visualizer: Ahmed Alsayed
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- Visualizer: Jakub Komrska
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- Visualizer: Juraj Talcik
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- Designer: Mayelle
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- Architect: Mario Martins Atelier
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- Visualizer: aTng 糖
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- Visualizer: Inuti
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- Visualizer: Alena Bulataya
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- Visualizer: Inuti
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- Designer: Lera Katasonova
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- Visualizer: Igor Sirotov
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- Visualizer: Oporski Architektura
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- Visualizer: Monika Siwińska
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- Designer: Geometrix
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- Designer: Geometrix
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- Source: 3D Allusions
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- Designer: Atmosphere Interior Design
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- Visualizer: Mai Elhossiny
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- Source: Entrance
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- Visualizer: Kseniia Tkachenko
- 21 |
- Designer: ID White
- 22 |
- Visualizer: Sergrey Baskakov
- 23 |
- Visualizer: Paraform Studio
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- Visualizer: Pix 3D Studio
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- Visualizer: Jelena Stojanović
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- Visualizer: ARTSTUDIO Design
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- Visualizer: Stanislav Kaminskyi
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- Visualizer: Design At Sketch
- 29 |
- Visualizer: Burnazzi Feltrin
- 30 |
- Designer: Pascal Grasso Architects
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Love the black and white scheme? Don’t forget to check out:
Black, White & Wood Kitchens
30 Black & White Dining Rooms That Work Their Monochrome Magic
40 Beautiful Black & White Kitchen Designs
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13 stylish monochrome schemes |
(Image credit: Crown / Future / CM Natural Designs)
Black and white living room ideas are popular with those looking for a sophisticated and timeless feel.
A classic and versatile pairing, black and white can be used to create myriad interior looks, from Parisian chic to mid-century modern, plus, the two-tone combination works well with nearly every shade on the color wheel.
Here we've rounded up an array of living room color ideas that embrace the monochrome palette alongside some tips from the experts to help you master two-tone decorating.
Black and white living room ideas can be tricky to get right, the key is to first decide on the look and mood you want to create as this will dictate the tones and the proportions of black and white you use. Do you want a calming sanctuary to retreat to at the end of a busy day, or a luxurious scheme with drama and wow-factor?
Used in isolation in their pure form, the black and white pairing is perfect for creating a head-turning look, but, by introducing a series of different shades from the tonal spectrum, from off-white and grey through to charcoal, there's scope to create an array of different looks.
A neutral pairing, decorating with black and white is a great base for layering prints, accent colors, antiques, artwork and cherished possessions, but the two-tone combination can also make for a striking scheme used in isolation, or with greys as part of a monochrome design.
1. Use black as an accent in a white room
(Image credit: Michael Sinclair)
Decorating with white is guaranteed to make your living room ideas feel light and bright, making it a popular choice for small living rooms. For a chic, contemporary look, consider punctuating the space with stark black and white accessories, furniture and lighting and artwork.
Using pure white and black as part of a high-contrast look is a brilliant way to bring luxury, but it can sometimes feel cold and stark. In this space, a deep-pile black and white rug and long flowing curtains help bring an element of softness.
2. Balance white with black
(Image credit: Future)
All-white open-plan living rooms can feel vast and lack a focal point, but introducing large blocks of black can help anchor the space and make it feel more balanced. In this scheme, a sleek, low black couch, together with a black wall panel, help to define the living area while still keeping it feeling open and contemporary.
3. Add a bold accent color
(Image credit: Future)
White living rooms are brilliant spaces for introducing bold accent color ideas, especially when they feature high-contrast combination of black and white or graphic prints. Primary colors such as yellow, blue and red work particularly well with stark black and white, and are popular accent colors for mid-century modern living room ideas.
In this modern living room, the statement acid yellow chairs and a black and white zig zag rug work together to create a playful and engaging space.
4. Combine shades of grey for a softer look
(Image credit: Bergman Design House)
Pure black and white is a bold combination which can feel stark and be hard to live with. Decorating with grey in varying tones is an easy way to achieve a softer take on the monochrome living room.
In this space, the textured grey rug, warm grey walls and grey fireplace all help soften the strong black lines and shapes within the room.
5. Use black and white in a mid-century scheme
(Image credit: Jamie Nesbitt-Webber / Photographer Regan Wood )
Sculptural furniture with strong architectural lines and biomorphic shapes are iconic features of mid-century modern decor – if you're planning to furnish with these iconic pieces, alongside vibrant artworks, then opting for a simple black and white backdrop is an effective way to show them off, as demonstrated in this scheme by Jamie Nesbitt-Weber .
'The vintage Arne Norell Sirocco chairs from Sweden and George Nelson slat bench paired with the new modern Striad Lounge Chair and grid patterned Kasthall tufted Swedish rug give this room a mid-century aesthetic,' says the NYC-based interior designer. 'The bright primary colors in the art and accessories are a wonderful contrast against the white walls and black slate floor.'
6. Bring softness with elegant curves
(Image credit: Arteriors)
Opting for living room furniture and lighting with sinuous curves can make a wonderful antidote to high-contrast black and white color schemes. In this minimalist living room, the elongated sofa, coffee table, side table and armchair all boast beautiful rounded silhouettes which help temper the two-tone drama.
To keep the room feeling clutter-free, sleek and sophisticated, the walls have been kept bare and instead a sculptural living room ceiling light serves as a piece of functional art.
'This season we’ve seen a growing trend for oversized fixtures and fittings, particularly pendants and lamps. Statement lighting adds a wow factor and in the case of pendant lights, helps to draw the eye up to create a feeling of space and luxury,' says Helen Pett, design ambassador at Arteriors .
7. Introduce pattern with upholstery
(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth)
Covering a living room sofa or a pair of armchairs in patterned, monochrome fabric is a gentle way to add texture and interest to a two-tone scheme, as demonstrated in this space designed by Kitesgrove.
'We chose these Jaggar armchairs from Pure White Lines upholstered in a classic duotone houndstooth to introduce visual interest and nuance to the space,' says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove . 'Houndstooth is a bold yet timeless pattern, and the fabric’s jagged geometry works well on the armchair’s curved mid century design, helping to define the layered and distinctive character of the space.'
'To keep the black and white living room feeling cozy, the space has been softened with a variety of natural materials including warm wooden furniture, while a long pile wool rug, and quieter accents such as the textured cushions and the plants to bring the space together,' adds Clara.
8. Create drama with black walls
(Image credit: Crown)
For a dramatic take on the monochromatic room living room, try painting your walls black and using white as the accent color. While people often shy away from curating a predominantly black living room, it can be a great way of making this family space feel more intimate and cocooning, especially if warmed up with brown wood, as done here.
'Dark colors have become more mainstream – charcoal can really give a room a feeling of luxury and sophistication and works surprisingly well in a small area to give it some grandeur,' says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown .
'We feel black adds drama, strength and solidity to a space. It can either be used to create a bold living room feature wall, or if that isn’t your style it can be incorporated in more subtle ways via accessories and furniture.'
9. Add a decorative wallpaper
(Image credit: Lisa Cohen / Future)
Monochrome wallpapers are a fabulous way to introduce pattern and texture to black and white schemes. When choosing living room wallpaper ideas think bout scale – detailed architectural designs such as this are great for adding interest without dominating, alternatively large-scale florals will bring drama and wow-factor.
To frame the design consider painting the skirting or doorframe in a dark color. 'Blacks and dark greys work fantastically well on woodwork, skirting or as a highlight stripe in place of a dado rail, adding definition and contrast to a design scheme,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene .
10. Introduce black furniture
(Image credit: Corine Maggio / CM Natural Designs)
Painting furniture or architectural features in a contrasting color to the walls is a brilliant way to add instant depth and structure to living space, as demonstrated in this scheme by interior designer Corine Maggio, where the living room shelving has been picked out in black.
'This is one of my favorite living rooms we've done because it's so stately without being stuffy. The built-in bookcases were existing, but we painted them and added the gold wallpaper to strengthen that wall and separate them from the fireplace,' says Corine Maggio, founder of CM Natural Designs .
'The rest of the furnishings we kept neutral with just a slight hint of orange here and there. The neutral elements, which play on both modern and traditional forms are meant to feel as though they were acquired over time.'
11. Add a gallery wall
(Image credit: Corine Maggio / CM Natural Designs)
Hanging a series of black and white photographs in graphic black frames is a quick and easy way to create an eye-catching gallery wall.
'Despite being a rental, the client wanted a space that made an impact which is how we settled on the floor to ceiling black and white images. It had the added benefit of hiding the living room TV,' says Corine Maggio of this space. 'We also added drama by layering as much as felt reasonable. The space feels rich and lively because of this maximalist approach.'
'One of the few pieces the clients already had was the burgundy chairs, so in order to incorporate them, we had to either really embrace a lot of color or let them sing by neutralizing the rest of the space, which is what we ultimately decided on,' adds Corine.
11. Layer the pattern
(Image credit: Interior by Anne Hepfer / Photograph by Stacey Brandford)
In this black and white scheme, interior designer Anne Hepfer has used pattern liberally to create space full of interest and personality. A bold geometric living room rug sets the tone, while decorative room details are also introduced along the base of the sofa, over cushions and through the chairs, which are upholstered in a leopard-print design. A chimney breast with marble-effect wallpaper also adds to the layers of pattern.
For those that love pattern but are cautious of hanging wallpaper, a bold rug is an effective alternative. A graphic black and white geometric design can bring instant wow-factor to a space, however, it can easily be rolled up and switched if tastes change. Patterned rugs also also great for everyday spaces as they can disguise stains and wear and tear.
13. Use black to zone an area
(Image credit: The New Design Project)
In this scheme, NYC designer Fanny Abbes from The New Design Project has cleverly used a paint idea to trick the eye.
'Black was used as the natural concealer of the TV stand – hidden in plain sight. However, to make it more of a design feature, rather than just a mere black wall, we added black millwork and decorative shelving. If anything, we didn’t soften the contrast on this portion of the wall, we fully committed.'
How do you liven up a black and white living room?
Adding an accent color is an easy way to liven up a black and white living room, and luckily, as black and white are both neutral tones, the combination works well with most shades on the color wheel.
For stark black and white schemes, adding in primary colors and bold jewel tones such as teal, emerald green, cobalt and orange can look particularly effective. Alternatively, soft blush pink and myriad greys are safe choices for creating a softer more feminine look.
'If you’re looking to introduce color into your interior, consider painting a piece of furniture or adding a highlight to woodwork in an otherwise monochromatic scheme,' says Ruth Motttershead.
However, accents don't just have to be colors – adding in hints of metallic into a monochrome scheme is a wonderful way to bring warmth. for a touch of glamorous try adding in a gilt mirror frame or brass light fittings, alternatively just simple accessories like simple metallic candlesticks can be enough to lift the look.
How to do you style a black and white living room?
How you style a black and white living room depends on the mood and look you are trying to create. If you are using pure black and white as part of a dramatic high-contrast scheme consider opting for curved furniture, tactile fabrics and plenty of cushions as well as pops of monochrome pattern to soften the look.
Bold accent colors will work well against the strong two-tone look if you're seeking to create impact, while more muted accent colors will help calm the scheme. Mustard, olive and blush pink will bring color without overpowering the look and will work particularly well as part of a softer monochrome scheme which layers different grey tones.
Pippa is Content Editor on Homes & Gardens online contributing to Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors print issues. A graduate of Art History and formerly Style Editor at Period Living, she is passionate about architecture, creating decorating content, interior styling and writing about craft and historic homes. She enjoys searching out beautiful images and the latest trends to share with the Homes & Gardens audience. A keen gardener, when she’s not writing you’ll find her growing flowers on her village allotment for styling projects.
20 modern living room interiors in black and white
Together or separately, the choice of black and white will be a bold choice for your living room. Play on this contrast, and your interior will become more expressive and interesting. Usually, in order to make bright accents, designers choose furniture with colored facades or a colorful carpet, but the entire living room in black and white will be remembered by itself.
Check out some modern living room design ideas in black and white. This palette is classic. Black and white are symbols of purity and satisfaction. Their combination will never get bored. People of all ages will equally like the "kings" of color. See a collection of good use of white and black when creating a living room interior.
Living room in black and white
Due to the design elements - voluminous applications on the walls - the space loses its severity and looks disarming and cozy. The contrast looks impressive.
Zigshot82
Living room with black and white furniture
A high-gloss black wall cabinet and a series of white shelves give the impression of neatness and organization.
Astron
Living room with black and white furniture
Black and white living room furniture creates a feeling of light and cleanliness. Light vertical stripes on the walls pull the space up.
Zigshot82
White living room with black wallpaper on the walls
A modern and stylish interior is created mainly by well-chosen black wallpaper with a pattern that perfectly matches the furniture and the rest of the space.
Carlo
Black and white modern living room
The living room wins mainly because of the contrast of the full wall dark glass panel and light furniture.
CM John Cheng
White living room with black furniture
The austerity of the black and white minimalist interior is diluted with a monochrome detail - a floral ornament on the wall.
Davens07
White living room with black objects
The predominance of white in the interior of this living room fills the room with air. The focus, in this case, is on a carpet with a spiral pattern.
Chris Caldona
Japanese style living room with black furniture
This is a living room in an apartment whose owners wanted to decorate it in a Japanese style. The designer created it with the help of materials and decor.
Erniez
Cream living room with white accents
Beige furniture is the main accent of this room. The rest of the living room is dominated by white.
Abhay Singh
Living room with black and white furniture
The night sky combined with the fireplace and the soft light of the floor lamp create a romantic, warm and cozy atmosphere.
Ptcunha
Spacious black and white living room
White walls and black furniture is a classic.
Sedatdurucan
Modern living room in black and white
This living room also uses gray, with a striped black and white glossy floor as a highlight.
Slographic
Beautiful black and white living room
Looking at this photo, we can say with full confidence that it is the light green curtains in contrast with the black and white interior that make this room cozy in a homely way.
Arthondar
Living room in white, black and red
Darth Murda makes really charming interiors. The unique design of the walls, the decor and the right lighting create a luxurious and feminine style.
DarthMurda
Black and white living room with stylish photo murals
Original patterned murals are a sure bet for any living room.
Shyntakun
Stylish living room with black and white accents
Surprisingly, sometimes a few accessories are enough to get an unusual look, for example, black pillows on a snow-white sofa.
Polgasi
Small black and white living room
Another example of using textured wallpaper on one of the walls.
Sharon Stock
Black and white living room
Gray walls, white furniture and wooden TV stand. All this is perfectly complemented by huge vases and a chandelier.
CM John Cheng
Black and White Living Room
A zigzag ceiling gives this black and white interior a modern and eclectic feel.
Miguel Villa Guillermo
Great black and white living room
They say everything looks better in black and white. And looking at this living room, you really understand why: the room looks luxurious, modern and eccentric at the same time.
Geometric Design
Of course, these are not all examples of interesting and successful modern living room interiors in white and black colors. But one thing is for sure: after viewing these twenty, you will surely have a desire to create your own version of a black and white living room. Dark walls with light furniture, light walls with dark furniture, or will it be a monochrome interior with bright accents? Wallpaper with geometric or floral patterns, or maybe even a glass panel - the possibilities are endless.
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Black and white living room interior: photo ideas, combination features
Contents
- 1. Color features
- 1.1. Black
- 1.2. White
- 1.3. Combination
- 1.4. Complementary colors
- 2. Finish
- 2.1. Paul
- 2.2. Ceiling
- 2.3. Walls
- 3. Furniture
- 4. Lighting
- 5. Decor
- 6. Living room in black and white
- 6.1. Classic
- 6.2. Minimalism
- 6.3. Modern
- 7. Video:
Black and white colors have long become exemplary in fashion design: there is no person who does not fit one of their many combinations. But the question still remains unresolved - is a black and white outfit appropriate for each room? Leading experts of the world claim that with the skillful use of colors, the classic will become a boring decoration for any apartment! Particularly popular is the black and white interior of the living room - one of the main rooms of the house, created in order to become an original design masterpiece.
Monochrome style "modern" in the interior of the living room looks very elegant
Color features
The first thing to do for a living room in black and white is to think over the overall compositional plan and decide on the leading color. It is believed that in equal proportions they run the risk of looking too colorful. In interior design, like in a game of chess, only one must win. Who exactly is up to you to decide.
Black and white checkerboard flooring is very popular in living rooms
Black
Black color attracts us with its aristocracy, mystery and intimate charm. It visually reduces the space, so as the main shade, black is best suited for spacious rooms with a lot of light. The negative effect of this color is that in itself it can act depressingly and therefore needs to be diluted with other colors. But, on the other hand, black helps to concentrate, promotes productive work. Therefore, cladding, furniture elements or textiles can be dark in the living room with one condition - the percentage of black in the room should not exceed 50%.
Black marble brings nobility to the interior of the living room
White
Much more often the main color of the interior becomes white, especially in small rooms, because white makes the room wider. This is not surprising, because it is difficult to imagine something more pure and airy. However, it usually acts as a blank sheet - a background for the artist's further work, because the abundance of white can look quite cold and evoke hospital associations. If you want to avoid harsh contrast, use different shades - from pure white to ivory.
Loft style black and white loft living room
Combination
A harmonious combination of two colors emphasizes the strengths and neutralizes the weaknesses of each of them. By choosing black and white, you can not only skillfully manage the size of the room, but also create an ultra-modern design. The proportions of a particular shade will depend on the space, lighting and purpose of the room. The smaller the room, the more light colors should be in it. Even a small living room will look spacious if you choose white as the base.
White living room with black decor elements
Please note! Black or white surfaces are the easiest to spot dust or dirt, so this living room interior needs to be kept clean at all times.
Complementary colors
Speaking of accessories in a black and white living room interior, we should mention diluted colors that will perfectly fit into the overall design and make it even more colorful.
Bright decorative accents refresh the monochrome interior of the living room
The following tones would be ideal:
- Red symbolizes the active principle. It will modernize the interior and encourage vigorous activity after a hard day. In red, not only curtains, a bedspread or a rug are made, but even several pieces of furniture. Remember that an excessive amount of this color can act aggressively.
- Sunny Yellow will warm the room with its warmth and optimism. It significantly diversifies monochrome everyday life, saving them from the atmosphere of officialdom and mock severity. Yellow textiles or large accessories will look best: vases, clocks or paintings with elements of yellow. When using this color, you should choose less dark shades of black, otherwise the living room will look colorful.
- Green is associated with fresh foliage and spring grass. It will make the space closer to nature, allow you to relax and unwind from the bustle of the city. Green, represented by living plants or flowers, will look especially good. It is believed that green with black is not the most beneficial combination, so white should be the main color in the room.
- Gray is ideal for a black and white living room, because it will smooth out the transitions between two colors and bring harmony and coherence of the opposing elements into the interior. If you don’t like striking contrast, dilute it with different shades of gray in the design of the walls, floor and ceiling.
Also available in olive, mustard, silver and gold or brown. Our photos of the black and white design of the living room will help you choose the right combination of shades.
The green color of indoor plants blends in with the black and white interior
Finish
The nuances of design sometimes play a decisive role in the creation of style. We recommend that you listen to the advice of professionals and try to independently think over the plan of the future living room.
Paul
Traditionally done in black, so as not to attract much attention and become a backdrop for a bright carpet or floor accessories. However, you can also use white - then it will give the impression that you are floating through the air among the contrasting elements of the furniture. There can be quite a lot of options for flooring - the main thing is that the floor should be easy to keep clean.
Traditional wooden parquet in the interior of a monochrome living room looks in its place
Ceiling
The ceiling, in turn, is rarely black - there is a risk of creating pressure from above. White color with intricate geometric patterns will look better. But if you are a fan of the gothic atmosphere, you can safely use the first option. Most often, modern stretch or suspended structures are used for ceilings.
White ceiling with spotlights in the interior of the living room
Walls
They can be both plain and more interesting: with vertical, horizontal stripes or waves. It all depends on what kind of room perspective you want to create and how you are going to highlight the various zones. For example, with an openwork pattern on the wall, you can designate a recreation area, and with stripes, pay attention to the playing space or television. In addition to standard wallpaper and paint, photo wallpaper on one of the walls with an extraordinary black and white print or a bright colorful pattern that will become the center of the space is also perfect.
Contemporary style in the interior of a monochrome living room with white walls
Furniture
When choosing furniture, color balance should be observed: if black is chosen as the main color of the room, then the furniture should be white, and vice versa. You can combine both colors in the headset if one runs the risk of looking uninteresting or gloomy. The selection of furniture will also depend on the style: classics are characterized by black and white sets made of natural wood, and for a modern living room, a one-color sofa with bright pillows can be suitable. Furniture in the living room in black and white style is a delicate matter, and so that the room does not look ridiculous, it is better to entrust it to a specialist.
Lighting
The lighting solution will also depend on the balance of white and black and on the number of natural light sources. The more black you use, the more light the room will need. After all, the risk of darkening and creating a gloomy overwhelming mood is very high. A white elegant chandelier or spotlights on the ceiling and in the floor will decorate the room. You can highlight a certain area using floor lamps or sconces.
Decor
Accessories is a real creative workshop for a designer of any experience, because the best thing for a monochrome room is bright color accents made with well-chosen decor. Here you will need all kinds of decorations - from stylish curtains and intricate wall panels to decorative sofa cushions and nice little things. Their remarkable effect is visible in the numerous photos of the living room design in black and white. For example, with the help of curtains you can create a certain atmosphere in the room and control the flow of light, and a few pillows on the sofa will please the eye and make the room cozy. Lovers of living plants can safely put several original flower vases indoors or decorate the window sill with neat house plants.
Tip! When choosing accessories for the living room - do not overdo it with quantity, otherwise there is a risk of cluttering up the room.
Living room in black and white
Before proceeding with the design of the hall, let's try to think in what style we want to see the future room. Enormous creative spaces open up here, because the chosen colors will look favorably in almost any direction of interior design. Let's look at the three most common ones.
Classic
Undoubtedly, black and white are primarily associated with the classics. They will also be appropriate in the interior of a classic living room: they will help to achieve the strict forms and contrasts characteristic of this trend. It will be beneficial to look at the living room, decorated in different shades of white, gray and black. Other elements of style will help to achieve the desired effect: exquisite velvet furniture, gold or silver trim, sophisticated decor items and plaster stucco wall decoration.
Minimalism
In the minimalist tradition, a living room in black and white will look even more appropriate. Clear lines and shapes, discreet contrast of shades, abundance of space refer us either to elegant Japanese dwellings or to severe Scandinavian cloisters. Which country you will find yourself in when you enter the living room depends on the chosen design. For example, by choosing blue as an additional color, you will bring Provencal notes to the interior, and by adding characteristic Japanese lamps and low furniture, you will be transported to the Far East.
Modern
The functionality of modern style is realized in a black and white living room. Colors won't be intrusive or overwhelming, so they'll help you focus on other interesting aspects of your style. Original patterns and urban photo wallpapers, unusual furniture and smooth matte surfaces are the most suitable decoration for a modern apartment.
Also of interest are black and white living rooms in high-tech, art deco and gothic styles. However, there are styles for which these colors are not very suitable - rich baroque, ornate rococo or vintage. We invite you to familiarize yourself with various examples of interior design of a living room in black and white in the photo.
A hall decorated in black and white is not often seen in a modern European apartment, although it is the embodiment of elegance and fine taste. This not only emphasizes the uniqueness of the interior and the complexity of its implementation, but also proves that such a living room will be a real find for creative people.