Tips for Incorporating Black and White

Pick a Palette
Just because your color palette centers around black and white doesn’t mean you can’t add a burst of color here and there. Try choosing one color, like the rich mustard yellow we show in these images, to pair with your black and white color theme. Or look for bright emerald green, light sapphire blue and rich purples or pinks. Jewel tones are not only in style, but also go great with black and white. You can also never go wrong with the classic combination of black, white and red.

A Stylish Space to Work
Give your home office or workspace décor a clean, modern look that inspires you to stay focused and organized without losing a sense of whimsy.

Furniture: Choose a few key furniture pieces to play off of each other in your color theme. The white desk chair has a rounded, modern look, while the black desk features straight lines and built-in cubbies—perfect for nestling complementary accents or using as extra home storage.

Accents: Mix black and white accents with small bits of color. For a workspace, make them purposeful as well—choose trays, organizers, mugs and supplies that fit your theme.

Artwork: For a fun and functional way to decorate your workspace, use circular cork mats as a free-form bulletin board. Paint mats in various sizes black and white then hang them in a pattern or arrangement that suits your style.

Lovely Living Space
Whether it’s a nook for reading or your full living room, give your sitting areas a classically cozy look with black and white as your starting point.

Furniture: Easy-to-clean fabric in dark hues like black, are perfect for living spaces that see a lot of hang out time. They won’t show dirt and spills and will go with almost anything. The simple white side table shown here was a $3 flea market find that just needed a little love and a coat of paint to tie into this space perfectly. Read Diamonds in the Rough for tips on sanding and painting wood.

Accents: Keep things simple and uncluttered with a combination of functional and decorative pieces. Accent pillows are an inexpensive way to incorporate a trendy pattern or graphic print that can easily be switched out. The same goes for lampshades—start with a basic white base and add in a fancy-looking shade that can be changed out as you please. Pay tribute to a loved one with a small handmade silhouette on a side table with the easy instructions in this article: Modern Heirlooms.

Artwork: Repaint old frames in black and white, and then create your own found object artwork. Choose ordinary objects in basic shapes like keys, charms and puzzle pieces then paint them black or white and mount on complementary paper or poster board in a variety of shapes or designs. Add a bright complementary color to one frame and a few of your objects for added interest. For full instructions, read From Ordinary to Extraordinary.

Delightful Dining Area
Create a beautifully basic space where you can relax and enjoy a meal, quick bite or morning coffee.

Furniture: Create a snug seating area for two near a window, as a cozy spot to enjoy your morning joe or a romantic meal. Paint a small table set to fit your black and white theme—try painting the table white, then mix it up with your chairs. Paint them solid black or add some playful color on the legs or rungs.

Accents: Make your seating soft with tie-on seat cushions in black and white. You can refresh your look whenever you like with new cushions. Light up your space with a sheer shade on a nearby window and use wall sconces in black and white to fit the café feel of the area. You can even use your place settings as an opportunity to bring in your color theme—mix and match style and color with a focus on black and white with one color accent. For more tips on mixing and matching color, pattern and more read Mix and Match Makeover.

Artwork: Since the focal points of your wall décor are the window and lighting, add art as an extra accent by layering framed images or prints on the floor nearby. It will help give your space a casual, eclectic look.

The simple, elegant home décor look of black and white can be beautiful almost anywhere in the home. Use these images and tips as inspiration to create your own black and white transformation.