Which black color is the best?

These are the best black paint colors for interiors & exteriors. Whether you’re looking for a black paint with brown undertones or trying to decide between Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black and Benjamin Moore Onyx – this black paint guide has all the best colors!

Choosing a black paint for your walls can be tough! In the world of interior design, black is a bold color choice that commands attention.

Black paint can look amazing! But in the wrong circumstances it doesn’t always look good… so you want to be sure to pick the right color.

Top Black Paint Colors For Interiors & Exteriors

OK, let’s break it down and discuss what makes each shade of black paint unique. Here is my list of top recommendations for black paint colors.

Let’s dive in!

1. Noir (4009-2) by Valspar

Noir – LRV: 2.767 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Valspar is an excellent brand of paint, but they get a little less notoriety than some of the more popular brands. However, Noir by Valspar has absolutely earned the top spot on this black paint color guide.

The color is simply stunning! Noir is dark and captivating with a LRV of only 2.767. I love how the color steals the show, without being overly flashy.

Noir has some charcoal gray undertones which make it somewhat unique compared to other true jet black colors.

Check out the beautiful black fireplace in the image below (painted with Noir by Valspar).

Fireplace color: Noir by Valspar (source)

This moody bedroom has Noir by Valspar on the walls and looks so dreamy.

Wall color: Noir by Valspar (source)

2. Tricorn Black (SW 6258) by Sherwin-Williams

Tricorn Black – LRV: 3 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Tricorn Black is one of the most popular Sherwin Williams black paint colors. In fact it’s one of the most popular colors by any brand.

This is a go-to black paint color for many designers because it looks wonderful almost anywhere.

The color is also a Top-50 color for Sherwin-Williams (there are only 3 black paint colors in the list – the other two are included later in this list: Iron Ore, and Peppercorn).

In the image below, the Tricorn Black feature wall contrasts against the other white design elements in the room – I love the look!

Wall Color: Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams (source)

Wondering what is a good exterior black paint? Tricorn Black makes a great black paint color for front doors. The image below of a front porch all dressed up for fall makes it clear that Tricorn Black can be included as one of the best black exterior paint colors.

Front Door Color: Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams (source)

Pssstttt…a better way to test paint colors on your walls 👇🏻

Before we get too much further into my list of best black paint colors, I need to fill you in on a little known painting hack.

The hack? Peel and stick paint samples.

Black is one of those colors that doesn’t always appear accurately on digital screens, so it’s extra important to test out paint samples in your home.

For the easiest, no mess way to test out paint colors, check out these Peel-and-Stick Paint Samples from Samplize. Gone are the days of purchasing all of those small paint samples and painting big squares of different colors on your walls!

Sale alert! Right now you can get 2 samples for FREE, when you purchase 8 or more samples.

Plus, if this is your first time ordering from them, use can my code: JOYFULLY5OFF to get an additional $5 off your first order. And yes, you can stack this with the bundle deal going on! #booyah

Samplize is a game changer – they make the process so easy! Their large 9″ x 14.75″ vinyl peel-and-stick samples use real paint, and make it so convenient to see how a color will look in your home (without the mess).

Ok, back to the list of popular black paint colors…

3. Onyx (2133-10) by Benjamin Moore

Onyx – LRV: 4.99 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Onyx is one of the best warm black paint colors from Benjamin Moore. If you’re looking for a true inky black, this should be a top contender.

It’s one of the truest, and darkest black paint colors you’ll find anywhere. Even though it’s quite dark, it’s still interesting with a depth of complexity and nuance to the color.

“Like its namesake, this deep black is both luxurious and grounded.”

Benjamin Moore

It’s no surprise this is one of the most popular Benjamin Moore black paint colors. Check out Benjamin Moore’s Onyx featured in the bold black wall below:

Wall Color: Onyx by Benjamin Moore (source)

Another look at this warm black paint color used to make a home office space stand apart. I love the vertical shiplap detail they added behind the floating desktop.

Accent Wall Color: Onyx by Benjamin Moore (source)

4. Wrought Iron (2124-10) by Benjamin Moore

Wrought Iron – LRV: 8.17 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore is inspired by classic wrought iron that you might see on a fence or a fancy stair railing. The color is a perfect match for this imagery and definitely deserves a spot on this list of best black paint colors.

With a LRV of 8.17 this is one of the lighter black paint colors on this list and could be considered an almost black paint color (very dark gray). I love how this color is slightly lighter and has a hint of rich charcoal gray in the mixture of colors.

“A shade of black beloved for its relatively soft, malleable character.”

Benjamin Moore

In the dining room pictured below, the black Wrought Iron wall looks amazing above a white shiplap wainscoting.

Wall Color: Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore (source)

Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron is also a very popular black paint color for kitchen cabinets. Look how stunning the kitchen below looks with the black kitchen cabinets paired with brass hardware.

Cabinet Color: Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore (source)

5. Iron Ore (SW 7069) by Sherwin-Williams

Iron Ore – LRV: 6 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Iron Ore is a Top-50 color for Sherwin-Williams, which is no small feat! Like many black paint colors, Iron Ore can take on a slightly different appearance, depending on the natural light in a room.

In a darker room with limited natural light, many dark gray and black paint colors will tend to look like a dark inky black.

However, in a bright room with lots of natural light, certain black paint colors, like Iron Ore, can end up looking a little more gray. You can see this playing out in the two images below.

“This cool, deep and mysterious charcoal can lend an air of sophistication when used sparingly in well-lit spaces – or on exteriors.”

Sherwin-Williams

The bedroom below features a black wall painted with Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams.

Wall color: Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams (source)

In the next image, an accent wall is painted with the same Iron Ore paint color by Sherwin-Williams. With tons of natural light in this room, the color takes on more of a navy blue, almost dark gray appearance.

The lighting conditions in every room are a little bit different, which is why it’s so important to test out paint colors in your home. I recommend using Peel-and-Stick Paint samples from Samplize to simplify the process.

Wall color: Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams (source)

6. Soot (2129-20) by Benjamin Moore

Soot – LRV: 6.19 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Number six on the list is another one of my favorite Benjamin Moore black paint colors. Soot by Benjamin More brings about warm imagery of soot from an old brick fireplace on a cold winter day.

This is a beautiful black paint paint color – it’s a dark and inky but it has a cool hint of blue undertones (especially in Northern light).

“A clean, straightforward shade of black with endless uses.”

Benjamin Moore

Wall + Trim color: Soot by Benjamin Moore (source)

Trying to decide between black paint colors for kitchen cabinets? The photo below just might convince you that Soot by Benjamin Moore is a perfect choice. For more paint colors that are perfect on cabinetry, check out my article Best Kitchen Cabinet Colors.

Soot by Benjamin Moore looks beautiful on the cabinets in the office space below!

Cabinet color: Soot by Benjamin Moore (source)

7. Black Jack (2133-20) by Benjamin Moore

Black Jack – LRV: 6.04 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Black Jack by Benjamin Moore is another bold black paint color with a subtle hit of blue. It’s really similar to the previous color (Soot by Benjamin Moore). Not only do they have nearly identical LRVs, but they both have blue under tones.

These two paint colors are so similar, that it may be difficult to spot differences on a screen (this is where Samplize Peel-and-Stick Samples come in clutch).

Black Jack has blue undertones that lean slightly toward purple, while Soot has blue undertones that lean in the direction of aqua (but this doesn’t mean that the the colors will look purple, or aqua at all).

Black Jack vs Soot

“A straightforward black that can deliver a graphic punch to any space.”

Benjamin Moore

Studio McGee made a big statement using Benjamin Moore’s Black Jack on the shiplap walls in the bathroom below. Seriously stunning!

Wall Color: Black Jack by Benjamin Moore (source)

Here’s another look at Black Jack used as an accent wall color in a nursery. This is an excellent gender neutral design choice for a nursery that could be reused multiple times over the years.

Wall Color: Black Jack by Benjamin Moore (source)

8. Black Fox (SW 7020) by Sherwin-Williams

Black Fox – LRV: 7 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams is one of the lightest paint colors on this list, and it also has the strongest brown & tan undertones. It’s a truly stunning soft black paint color.

Creating a cohesive design in your home is probably the #1 most important factor that can make a color scheme feel really polished and professional.

“This beguiling black neutral lends a nuance of sophistication with its warm greige undertone. Make a statement with an accent wall or a well-lit office.”

Sherwin-Williams

This color is natural and earthy, making it a popular warm black paint color. Depending on your design style, this could be a great choice.

Curious about your design style? Take my Design Style Quiz!

In the bedroom below, Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams feels right at home with the warm natural wood and vintage artwork in the room.

Wall Color: Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams (source)

Black Fox makes for a great moody black paint color for cabinets as well. The image below not only features Black Fox on the bathroom cabinets, but it’s also used as the wall color.

Wall + Cabinet Color: Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams (source)

9. Limousine Leather (MQ5-5) by Behr

Limousine Leather – LRV: 4 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Limousine Leather by Behr is a top-notch black paint color. As the name suggests, it looks like the shade of black you might see on a fancy black leather seat in a limousine.

It’s one of the top warm black paint colors by Behr and with a LRV of 4, it’s one of the darkest black paint colors in this article. However despite the dark rich color, Limousine Leather is a really such a pretty soft black paint color as well.

In the image below, Caitlin Marie goes through a budget friendly entryway refresh where she paints her front door black with Limousine Leather, and adds a new rug as well as some greenery.

Using black paint colors for the front door is becoming increasingly popular!

You can check out the before & after photos of this space over on her blog post titled: Black Front Door & Sukhi Woolen Rug.

Door Color: Limousine Leather by Behr (source)

Here’s another look at this bold black paint color by Behr in a dining room setting (below). You can really see just how Limousine Leather is one of the closest colors to a true black, especially up against the Polar Bear White doors & trim.

Wall Color: Limousine Leather by Behr (source)

10. Peppercorn (SW 7674) by Sherwin-Williams

Peppercorn – LRV: 10 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams is one of those almost black paint colors – technically more of a dark gray than black, but I’ve included it in this black paint color guide anyway. Sometimes when black paint isn’t quite right for a space, something like Peppercorn can work perfectly.

This paint color has a LRV of 10 which makes it a little bit lighter than all the other black paint colors in this article. Peppercorn has grayish blue undertones that place it in the cool neutral category. This would be a perfect black paint color for a home theatre or media room!

Peppercorn is a Top-50 color for Sherwin-Williams, which is kiiiiind of a big deal! Anytime I see that a color has made it into the Top-50 for Sherwin-Williams, I know it’s gotta be a good one.

“This versatile dark gray, evenly balanced between warm and cool, can create a bold focal point in your home or a rich and timeless exterior.”

Sherwin-Williams

In the image below, the shiplap walls are painted with Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams.

Wall Color: Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams (source)

Here’s another look at this Sherwin-Williams soft black paint color used on some custom built-ins. What a fun way to make this architectural design stand out. Peppercorn would also be a great black paint color for furniture.

Built-ins Color: Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn (source)

11. Black Magic (SW 6991) by Sherwin-Williams

Black Magic – LRV: 3 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)

Black Magic by Sherwin-Willaims is a deep, dark black with a hint of warmth. It’s perfect for the homeowner, or designer looking for an eloquent dark black paint color.

For those who don’t shy away from bold palettes, this black makes a bewitching statement in any space. It has a slight warmth that feels deliciously enticing.

Sherwin-Williams

In the image below, At Home with the Barkers painted the walls of their bathroom with this bold & brilliant black paint color.

Want to sample them all?

Still can’t decide on a black paint color? Test all the paint colors from this article in your home by grabbing my custom Sample Bundle from Samplize. It has all of my favorite black paint colors!

Peel-and-stick paint samples are the easiest, no mess way to test this color in your home. All you need to do is peel and stick. So convenient!

👉🏻 Use my discount code: JOYFULLY5OFF for $5 off your first order.

Tip: Don’t forget to see how the paint colors look with the lights on (and off!) in the room you’ll be painting. 

I hope you found this list of Best Moody Black Paint Colors helpful!

If you’re reading this, you’re probably planning a painting project soon. So we’ve listed our favorite painting tools & resources that we love below, including how to get paint on a budget and our favorite hack for painting ceilings!

Our Top Painting Tips & Resources:

How To Get A Great Deal On Paint

Did you know that you can use budget friendly paint, and have it color matched to premium Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams paint colors? At Joyfully Growing Blog, we always use Glidden Premium paint from The Home Depot.

Glidden Premium rivals the quality of the top paint lines from Behr, Sherwin Williams, and Benjamin Moore.

Any paint store, or home improvement store with a paint section will be able to match colors from most major brands. This means that you can select one brand of paint, but get it mixed in any color you want!

In many cases, affordable paint like Glidden Premium can be up to 50% cheaper than the ‘big name brand’ competition. This can save you a ton of money!

Our Go-To Painting Supplies

• Paint brushes – I recommend ‘Pro Grade’ paint brushes, they’re the perfect budget friendly option. This set comes with both flat and angled brushes to get every nook and cranny. I LOVE the quality and, in my experience, they’re much more affordable from Amazon compared to in-store prices. You might be surprised how cheap this professional quality 5 Brush Set is on Amazon (it’s less than $10!).
• Paint rollers – Cover more surface area with a handy roller.

Tip: I love this one for tall walls or ceilings, it has an extendable handle.

• Paint sprayer – Paint brushes and paint rollers will get the job done, but for serious efficiency and productivity, you cannot beat this Graco Magnum Project Plus airless paint sprayer (Amazon). I personally own this paint sprayer, and have used it on tons of painting projects.

It’s an excellent quality sprayer, and powers through any painting projects in a hurry. Painting with an airless sprayer makes it easy to complete projects in much less time.

• Drop cloth – Skip the mess and grab a reusable drop cloth instead. This will come in handy for future projects. Just pop it in the washing machine after you’re done painting and it will be ready to go for the next project.
• Multi-surface painter’s tape – I always use this brand of painter’s tape, it’s great for smooth or lightly textured walls, trim, baseboards, tile, or even glass. It sticks quick and is easy to remove.
• Sanding sponges – For smoothing and prepping surfaces, you’ll need a couple of sanding sponges in different grits. 

Want my A-to-Z blueprint on how to design a room that’s beautiful and stylish?

Final Thoughts on the Best Black Paint Colors

Black paint is becoming increasingly popular it’s no wonder, there are some seriously gorgeous black paint colors out there!

There you have it – everything you need to know about the best black paint colors from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr.

Whether you’re looking for a warm black paint color, or a pretty matte black paint color for walls (or furniture!), I hope this helped you find a popular black paint color to try in your home.

Resources For Choosing Paint Colors

If you enjoyed this post, I’ve written several other paint color guides to help you pick the perfect colors for your home, as well as a few articles that’ll help you during the decision making process.

Check all of them out here:

Thanks for reading along! Pin this Most Popular Black Paint Colors post to refer back to later.

Best Black Paint Colors 2023

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I absolutely love the color black and have used it extensively in my home. Over the years I’ve developed my faves, so this post is dedicated to the best black paint color options for furniture, doors and walls. 

I have a popular series about living with black doors. When we built our home back in 2017, a few people thought our choice for black interior doors was a bit odd or unconventional.

Five years later, we still absolutely love our satin black doors, but I’ll admit I have been considering painting our front door a different color such as dead salmon for a different vibe. But more about that some other time.

I’m going to break this post up into black paint colors you can get custom mixed at a popular paint store like Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore, or at a big box store like Home Depot or Lowe’s. 

Additionally, I’ll also include some black colors you can literally grab off the shelf or order online without ever needing to head to the paint counter or leaving your house. These black paints are great options for painting furniture without needing to wait to get paint mixed or agonize about the perfect black paint color to choose.

And if you’ve landed here, you may be wondering, “isn’t black paint just black?” Not quite, but more on that in a bit.

Why Choose Black for Furniture, Doors and Walls? 

I think black used to get a bad rep as being the color of wall an angsty teenager might choose, but not anymore.

Painting furniture black can seem like a bold choice, but it is a timeless classic color at its core. Additionally, depending on the color of your walls, a black piece of furniture can be striking, bold and accentuate the decor on it or around it. Using black paint on furniture allows it to be more of an accent color than painting an entire room black.

An example of a soft black paint color: Blackboard by Magnolia Home

Personally, lately I am smitten with pairing the color black with brass finishes, wood furniture and florals and greenery. It feels fresh, calming and ethereal. Black and gold is a timeless color combination that can look modern or French baroque or fun and fresh. It’s so versatile.

You can also add a pop of color to a furniture piece or room that is painted black. There’s something magical about dark walls or furniture when paired with colors that add high contrast.

Colorful art and decor on a bookshelf with black contact paper on the back

When thinking about black walls, you have to take into consideration how much light a room gets and the overall mood you want to achieve. This is why in my original office in this house, I opted for a black accent wall and left the rest of the walls white. 

The room was small, got plenty of daylight, but since it was a space where I had to be productive and work, I didn’t want to be enveloped in the color. 

A question I get asked a lot about our black interior doors is whether they show dust easily, and honestly they don’t, thank goodness! I’ve written why we chose black doors for our home, and I did a follow-up blog post about maintaining black doors if you want to take a look. 

And now let’s dive in to my favorite black paint colors.

Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black 

Tricorn black accent wall paired with alabaster white walls

In my opinion, tricorn black is the best black color option and best choice. Tricorn black is one of the top picks you’ll see over and over with interior designers and DIYers alike (and for good reason!). Tricorn black is a true black color with no undertones. It’s a great option if you’re wanting a matte finish or a satin finish.

Truly, tricorn black is a great choice if you want a true black wall color. You could stop reading here and be confident in your decision, but I will show you some examples of tricorn black below.

Our interior doors have all been painted tricorn black in a satin finish and the doors look fantastic in natural light and with the lights on. 

A tricorn black door is paired with sulking room pink walls in my office.

Our builder got tricorn black color matched into a PPG paint and sprayed all of the doors, but if I was going to buy some of this black paint for a furniture or DIY project, I’d likely buy directly from Sherwin Williams in their cashmere line for walls or their Pro Classic lineup for doors, trim and furniture. Both of those paint lines can be a little pricey, but they have great coverage and are worth it.

In our first home, we first used tricorn black in our owners suite as an accent wall. I enjoyed how much our headboard stood out against the black. 

Using tricorn black is a solid choice if you have a lot of neutral color, furnishings and decor in your home– if you love Scandinavian style or farmhouse, you can’t go wrong with this paint color.

We are considering painting our kitchen island tricorn black to add some contrast to our kitchen. I love black kitchen cabinets, but don’t want to commit to a whole wall of black cabinets, so a black kitchen island with a brass foot rail is on my wish list. 

Best Black Paint for under $15

If you’re an introvert like me, sometimes you just want to buy some black paint in your yoga pants and do self-checkout so you can be on your way to enjoy your iced coffee and true crime podcast.

I feel you. This is when you’ll be thrilled to hear about Painter’s Touch by Rustoleum. This black furniture paint comes in quarts (and pints online) and it is a lifesaver and excellent quality for the price and the fact it’s ready mixed paint. It can be bought online in addition to being on the shelf ready to go at Home Depot and Walmart. I even found it at Ollie’s recently for $5 a quart. 

Painter’s Touch in black paint (or white paint) is my go to paint when I plan to use my paint sprayer (which I’ve written extensively about here. Truly it is the best paint sprayer ever!) for DIY furniture painting projects. 

I used the Rustoleum black paint in a black satin finish on this office chair I revamped for Daniel’s office. 

I used the high gloss version of this paint on a bombe chest I bought from an antique store. The chest had a lot of imperfections and due to the curves of the chest I opted for a high gloss finish to help hide those issues. Mission accomplished. 

This burl wood piece I upcycled from the thrift store also used this specific paint in a satin finish, and I love how gorgeous this looks with our home decor aesthetic. This Rustoleum line dries to a smooth finish with a couple coats of paint, and you can’t beat how affordable it is.

An important note about this paint line is that in the can, the black paint looks navy. This really tripped me up the first time I was going to use it to paint a dresser. And even as you spray or brush it on, it still looks very navy. It does dry to a solid black color, I promise.

Best Very Nearly Black Paint Color

The first two options I’ve shown you are true pitch black paint colors. So what if you’re wanting almost black or very rich but not super dark black? This next paint color is definitely soft black with a teeny amount of blue undertones.

Blackboard by Magnolia Home | Photo Credit: Magnolia

Back in 2021, I tried out the Magnolia Home Paint line, which is made by KILZ, to revamp a dresser that was originally painted oval room blue. I looked at the swatches and noticed there wasn’t a true black paint color, but I still liked how the color Blackboard looked on the swatch card. 

The color is true to its name– definitely looks like a school blackboard. There’s a slight blue undertone when the paint is going on, but once it dries that blue undertone is less pronounced and shifts more to a very dark gray black hue.. Against my warm white alabaster walls, I honestly think it looks like a bright black if that makes sense. 

Blackboard is a good wall paint color that would be a good choice for a living room or dining room that gets plenty of light, and it’s by Joanna Gaines!

Dark Gray Paint Color That Could Be Black

If you have a small space that you want to feel cozy and moody, but you don’t want it to be pitch black, I have two paint color recommendations for you that will help achieve that vibe.

In our previous home, we painted our foyer Peppercorn by Sherwin Williams. This color was huge around 2012ish when we used it because it was also heavily used and promoted by Pottery Barn. 

What I still love to this day about the color Peppercorn is that depending on the lighting and time of day, it can look warm black, dark brown or dark gray. It’s a paint color chameleon that is a safe, solid choice for a man cave, powder room or a study type of space. 

A similar paint color is Railings by Farrow and Ball. Seriously, I think Farrow and Ball can do no wrong and Railings is a popular black paint color right now. It’s not quite a true black like Pitch Black is, and on the swatch card it reminds me of Blackboard, which I covered earlier in this post. 

Peppercorn and Railings, which are popular colors to this day, both look amazing when paired with gold or brass hues, and would also be lovely on cabinetry. 

Next Steps: Best Black Paint for Furniture

With these black paint ideas, examples and color choices, I think you’re well informed enough to pick the best paint colors for furniture or any other painting project you have going on in your home.

For best results look at swatches, try out some paint samples to pick the right paint color for you and then dive in and make it happen.

My biggest advice is to not panic when you open the paint can and it doesn’t look quite dark enough– use the black paint, allow it to dry and then decide how you truly feel about it.

If you’re looking for more painting content, here’s some of my other paint guides that might help you on your DIY journey. Thanks for stopping by!