The color black is quite a divisive topic in interiors. Some love it for its bold presence and contemporary appeal, and others would rather stick to warmer hues like chocolate brown or deep greens instead to provide contrast.
According to TikTok's Taylor Simon, however, there's a case to be made for including it in every room of your home.
Decorating with black commands attention, there's no doubt about that. 'I feel like when I say to add black to a room people might think of a room that's totally black, but that's not what I mean,' says Simon. So what other powers does black hold? Here we go over her top talking points for why you should add black to every room – and she makes a good case.
@intayriors ♬ original sound - Taylor Migliazzo Simon
You might remember interior designer Taylor Simon, aka @intayriors, as the TikTok creator who coined the viral Unexpected Red Theory. Since then, Simon has blessed us with countless more videos breaking down the latest trends in interiors, her top tips, and insider knowledge on color combinations to use and avoid.
Recently, she took to the social platform to explain to you, dear reader, why you should be using black in every room of your home.
'Black is a great way to add contrast and depth to your room, and it highlights any colors that it is surrounded by,' she explains in the video.
Of course, she is completely right. One of the primary reasons to add black into any space is its ability to create a focal point. Whether it’s through furniture, accent walls, or decorative pieces, black draws your attention and adds a layer of interest to your space.
A splash of black in a room can ground the space and add a sense of elegance and sophistication.
As Simon says, even the smallest black detail like a tiny accent will do. 'Black acts as an anchor for your eyes, providing a focal point for your eyes to rest as you look throughout the room.'
Take this mostly neutral entryway seen above, designed by Stéphanie Coutas. The space is contemporary yet serene, with organic textures and hints of black thanks to the hardware and decor. The black provides a focal point to elevate the entire design.
'I think it [adding black] is even more important when you're decorating with mostly neutrals,' says Simon. A few well-placed black accents can anchor a room and give it a more polished, cohesive look. This allows you to maintain the calm and inviting nature of neutrals while adding a layer of elegance.
'A little goes a long way,' Simon explains. 'You don't have to do big furniture pieces (although this can look really good) it can be as small as a vase on the floor or a light fixture,' she suggests. 'Even a small vase on top of a cabinet adds that dimension that you need.'
'Another way I like to recommend adding black is through art,' Simon recommends. 'This can be through a frame or the art itself.' Much like in this neutral, traditional living room above by Studio Atkinson, the colorful artwork has been framed in a modern black frame to allow the art itself to sing. The iron floor lamp anchors this effect.
'And it doesn't have to be something super shiny, another way to incorporate black is through more matte ceramics or iron fixtures.'
'Black is also just very sophisticated, and it elevates every space,' Simon continues. Synonymous with elegance, unlike other colors, black has the unique ability to make a statement without being overwhelming.
Simply put, there isn't a lot black can't do. If you're thinking, there must be colors to avoid pairing with black, there are of course a few, but it all comes down to personal preference. Much like black feels like it should be reserved solely for contemporary space, that's truly not the case.
Black is bold and unapologetic, and accents in this hue can make a room feel both grounded and elevated. It's the secret weapon for adding instant sophistication and gravitas.
Whether you're aiming for a dramatic transformation or subtle sophistication, don't shy away from incorporating black into your decor. As Taylor Simon aptly explains, there's a great power to be had in including black, even in the smallest of doses, in every room of your house.
