Black is a color to take seriously. Dark colors add drama and depth, and black painted houses send a message that you’re not afraid to be noticed.
There’s no denying the drama and authority of black houses.
Black is Beautiful
Photograph courtesy of Grant K. Gibson.
A black-painted Victorian in San Francisco owned by Claire Bigbie of Envelope A + D (a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory).
Black is a good foil for green. This enables the eye to draw better distinctions among different shades of green.
Basic Backdrop
In Mill Valley, California a cedar-shingled house is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Black with China White trim.
Blank Canvas
Black–like white and gray–is a neutral color and contrasts well with many other materials, textures, and hues.
Photograph courtesy of Ben Herzog Architect.
Black trim and windows creates a dramatic contrast to a brick facade on a Brooklyn townhouse by architect Ben Herzog.
The facade of filmmaker Derek Jarman’s black seaside cottage in Dungeness, Kent is lightened by sunshine yellow trim.
Faded Beauty
Sunlight fades dark colors faster. This is because black paint heats up and cools down (expanding and contracting more than a light color) as it absorbs more rays from the sun.
We asked architects to reveal their go-to shades of paint for black houses. For the full list, see Paints & Palettes: Architects’ 8 Top Black Paint Picks.
Photograph courtesy of Grant K. Gibson.
Blemish Booster
On a surface, black accentuates imperfections. Any blemish, chip, gouge, or flaw on an exterior wall will draw more attention if it’s painted black.
Black on black on a Victorian house in San Francisco with identical trim and body paint color emphasizes the architectural detail of elaborate moldings. For more, see 11 Traditional Houses Gone to the Dark Side.
Photograph courtesy of Grant K. Gibson.
Hothouse Effect
Black houses will absorb more heat from the sun than white houses.
White (and other light colors) will reflect rather than absorb the sun’s rays.
Dark Shadows
We have strong cultural and historical associations with the color black. It reminds us of Halloween, deepest night, and the Salem witch trials.
Shades of Gray
Depending on whether you choose a brown-gray or a blue-gray shade of paint, you can create a warm or a cool mood.
Photograph by Clementine Quittner for Gardenista.
A shade of gray with brown undertones will look warm on a facade.
Painting the body gray (and the trim black) is another way to create a dramatic facade.
Photograph courtesy of Addison Strong Design Studio.
10 Favorite Shades of Gray Paint run the gamut from warm tones to cool.