Luxaflex: Decorating With Black Is 2018’s Brightest Trend

Decorating with white used to be the default for most stylish homes. A blanket of white paint and some pops of colour was the easiest cool decor shortcut. But deep, dark and rich colours have been quietly gaining ground. Today they grace many fashion-forward homes and lend a property some lush and intense warmth. These darker shades also hide a multitude of decorating sins such as uneven walls or overpainting of traditional mouldings. If you want to try going to the dark side, we’ve got a few tips and tricks for decorating with black thanks to Luxaflex. They’ll ensure your home looks sumptuous and sleek rather than dowdy and bleak.

In the Bedroom A white bedroom is frequently seen as the ultimate in grown-up sophistication for bedroom decoration. And although it has an eternal, restful appeal, it’s not always the best option. If your bedroom lacks light or space it can make a room feel pokey or cold. And if you have toddlers; it can be hard to maintain. If all black seems too big a leap if you are just beginning to experiment with darker design, then a monochrome palette with a larger percentage of black or grey is a good place to start. It can also win over a partner who is unconvinced by a bold colour move. This look is very Scandinavian and when used with wood and woollen accents can make for an earthy, sensual feel. A black window covering such as a Duette can add some drama with warmth, or for a softer and indulgent feel try the undulating fabric vanes of Silhouette. If you want to use black bedroom ideas in a dark bedroom, then better to envelop the walls (and ceiling if you feel confident enough) in a soft black shade, with a brown rather than black base that will keep the look deep but not too imposing. Add in lamps at bedside level to create a glow against the wall, and to make it practical in the day use variable control spots in the ceiling to brighten it up as you need. A Darker Kitchen Dark kitchen cabinets will become a big story in 2018, as like bathrooms, they move away from looking quite so practical and are seen more as indulgent rooms in their own right. But not the black gloss kitchen or black and white kitchen floor you may have seen before (although the latter never really goes out of style). Instead, matte black kitchens and black kitchen taps will be the kitchen ideas interior designers will be pinning to mood boards. It’s about a sensuous, materials-based palette, not just pure wipe down practicality. Rather than a glossy black kitchen worktop that reflects back light, these will be materials that keep the feel moody and low. The Black Bathroom A black bathroom may seem counter-intuitive, if a feeling of freshness is the aim. However, in a room that can, by necessity, be full of hard edges and angles it can add some much-needed quirk, especially in a large bathroom where too much white tile can lend an almost surgical feel. Instead, slate, concrete or black furniture like a freestanding metal stool or the latest trend taking over hardware, matt black taps, will break up these floating expanses. A Black Lounge A black living room is a fantastic way to push this trend to its ultimate incarnation. Not only is it brave, glamorous and with a distinctly bohemian edge, it’s actually a lot more practical than you may imagine. As ever with any room, the lighting ideas will be key to making it work all day long; although it may never have a fresh morning feel, a light-enhancing window covering can keep it feeling bright and suitable for day use.