Black isn’t often the first color people think of when they dream of redecorating a bathroom. But this midnight hue can look modern, vintage-inspired, or maximalist, depending on your décor. You can embrace a moody bathroom with glossy black tile, funky black wallpaper, and classic vanities. A bathroom can be drenched in black or have just enough black accents to read as black without going completely dark.
Want to explore the bold world of black? We’re sharing our favorite black bathroom ideas from interior designers, which prove this inky hue is anything but basic.
Go High Contrast
Marc Mauldin / Elle Du Monde
Black lends itself to a high contrast moment, particularly when paired with soft whites. A few added textures help warm the space up just a bit. “We wanted to go high contrast with the black faux linen wallpaper, which is contrasted by the white quartzite floating vanity. To add warmth, we introduced brass plumbing and lighting, along with an antique French gilt mirror,” says Elle Cantrell, owner and lead designer of Elle Du Monde.
Incorporate Texture
Marc Mauldin / Elle Du Monde
A dark color like black can easily go flat, so the trick is bringing in textures throughout the space, whether that’s in fixtures or wallpaper. “We layered the sink wall with side-lit mirrors and an alabaster and brass sconce. Wall-mounted faucets and a floating vanity add a modern twist. Faux silk wallpaper adds texture to the space,” says Cantrell.
Black Out the Space
Michael Duryea / White Label Interiors
If you’re open to a space that leans fully into a dark, moody look, then drenching the space in black is as dramatic as it gets. “We chose to ‘black out’ the bathroom for a bold, unique impact. The result is a striking contrast of dark tones and gleaming fixtures that strike the perfect balance between chic and bold,” says Stacy Becker, president and director of design of White Label Interiors.
Choose Tile With Texture
Kara Mercer / White Label Interiors
Incorporating textured tile can add dimension and interest to a black bathroom. That can be done through actual texture on the tile or by adding a glaze to the surface. “The tiled wall in this bathroom is glazed black with handmade texture; it’s a bold look that still feels soft. As reflected in the mirror, the adjacent walls are white and bright, but this wall brings a surprising yet cohesive energy to the space that delights guests,” Becker says.
Go for a Classic Look
Ryan Garvin / Michael Mitchell Inc
This bathroom from Michael Mitchell Inc. incorporates classic cabinetry and marble tile for a look that’s traditional and contemporary at the same time. It’s luxurious and light, even though black is a main color throughout the palette.
Add a Subtle Pop of Pink
Margaret Rajic / Outline Interiors
A blush pink gives this black bathroom from Outline Interiors a cheeky look. Hot pink or bubblegum pink might read too vibrant, but this gives it just the right level of unexpected sophistication.
Use Metallic Details
Sarah Crowley / Outline Interiors
Contrasting black tile with white grout and metallic wallpaper adds a chic and whimsical touch to this bathroom from Outline Interiors. The gold details tie the space together and add an overall lightness.
Install Wainscoting
Y & B Interiors Photography / Outline Interiors
Wainscoting or beadboard painted black gives a bathroom, like this one from Outline Interiors, a more vintage-inspired black look. Add a nostalgic wallpaper, and the entire space looks like it may have been there for decades.
Let There Be Light
Life Created / Living with Lolo
The fear of a bathroom looking too dark keeps many people from incorporating black in their space. But this bathroom from Living with Lolo shows that the key is ensuring plenty of light, whether from large windows or a large mirror.
Create Crisp Contrast
Nate Sheets / McCroskey Interiors
Black and white create a color palette that never gets old. “A sleek, contemporary bathroom balances dark, minimalist cabinetry with a bright, airy ambiance, enhanced by a corner window draped in sheer, light-filtering fabric,” says interior designer Leann Lynn of McCroskey Interiors. “A crisp white freestanding tub, a hexagonal patterned stool, and subtle natural touches create a refined yet inviting retreat.”
Cast a Warm Glow
Nate Sheets / McCroskey Interiors
A moody space gets an instant glow-up with warm pendants that make the dark tones seem more approachable. “Slender pendant lights cast a warm glow, enhancing the space’s minimalist elegance and intimate, luxurious ambiance,” Lynn says.
Channel History
Birch / Places Studio
Channeling history can give a black bathroom a historic but updated look, particularly when it’s done with vintage-inspired materials reimagined in a modern way. “The goal of this black bathroom was to respect the historic period of the home but with a modern upgrade. We took a historic material, Nero Marquina, and made a bold choice to play with scale on the herringbone pattern on the walls. The accents of unlacquered brass give this bathroom all the moody yet classic vibes,” says Chelsea Albright, principal designer at PLACES STUDIO.
Choose a Bold Wallpaper
Adri + Dahlman Interiors
Wallpaper can add a bold look to a black bathroom, as well as offer an opportunity to choose a dark hue while still keeping the space light. “We added drama to the basement bathroom with chic black and white Schumacher wallpaper and black porcelain floor tiles from Tile Bar,” says Oshri Adri, co-founder of Adri + Dahlman Interiors.
Maintain Balance
Beautiful Habitat
A combination of dark and light is what keeps a bathroom feeling balanced and sophisticated. “Dark or bold wall colors don’t need to be intimidating or overwhelming. It’s all about balance within the room as a whole. The lighter vanity and large-scale artwork keep the room in balance,” says Tennille Wood, CEO and principal designer of Beautiful Habitat.
Embrace the Vibe
Lo Austin Photography / Andrea Sinkin Design
A black bathroom is going to have a moody, sexy vibe, so why not embrace it completely? This bathroom from Andrea Sinkin Jaffe, founder of Andrea Sinkin Design, has high gloss trim and a gold ceiling to add to its glam vibe.
Use a Mixed-Media Approach
Jake Shea / Becky Shea Design
To keep black feeling light and warm, this bathroom contrasts the weight of black tile with natural wood. “We incorporated black brick and a black floor, layering textures with a striking hexagonal black marble pattern,” says Becky Shea, interior designer and owner at Becky Shea Design. “The contrast introduced by the wood grain marble adds a dynamic element, preventing the space from feeling too heavy.”
Add a Touch of Gray
Niamh Barry / Studio AK
Incorporating gray into a black bathroom can add a bit more dimension without breaking the monochromatic palette. “Our clients were after a moody, masculine vibe in their primary bathroom. The fixtures, trim, and hardware in black and mixed grey tiles tie everything together,” says Amy Konarzycki, founder and principal designer at Studio AK.
Look For a Luxe Moment
Paul Dyer / Niche Interiors
Dramatic, metallic wallpaper can transform a black bathroom into a luxurious space that makes a huge impact. “We love using black wallpaper to create dramatic, luxe powder rooms,” says Jennifer Jones, principal designer at Niche Interiors. “The gray vanity color and black countertop were selected to blend with the metallic wallpaper from Calico.”
Add a Contrasting Wallpaper
DEMI RYAN
Bold black and gold wallpaper on just one wall creates a dramatic look without overwhelming your bathroom. “In this space, the black and gold wood-inlay wallpaper adds depth and warmth, while the floating black vanity with a burl wood top brings richness and organic contrast,” says Michelle Murphy, owner of DEMI RYAN.
Pick a Bold Marble
Michelle Gerson Interiors
This bathroom from Michelle Gerson Interiors doesn’t shy away from pattern. The bold veining on the black marble gives this black bathroom an artful, dramatic look.
Add Colorful Art
Michelle Gerson Interiors
Michelle Gerson Interiors added a pop of color and contrast to this black bathroom by hanging a colorful, striking portrait. The warm colors add a playful element to this otherwise sophisticated and stark bathroom.
Opt for Wallpaper Instead of Paint
Troy Spurlin Interiors
Paint is one way to turn a bathroom black. So is tile. But wallpaper gives you the opportunity to incorporate a more whimsical moment. “Instead of simply painting the room moody back, we’ve decided to add a twist and install fun black wallpaper above the wainscoting,” explains Troy Spurlin, principal at Troy Spurlin Interiors.
Install a Glossy Tile
Alykhan Velji
This vertical black tile has a glossy sheen that reflects light and adds gorgeous dimension to this black bathroom. “We chose a dark tile to envelope the shower in this bathroom for a moody and dramatic look,” says Alykhan Velji, creative director of Alykhan Velji Designs. The dark tile also helped hide the shower’s irregular shape.
Color Drench the Space
Allison Elefante / Wendy Smit Interiors
If you’re going to commit to black in the bathroom, go all in. The continuous lines of black on the walls, trim, and doors are a sleek look that is often more timeless than a go-to white trim. “When I decided on the black and gold rivets wallpaper, I knew we needed to go all-in and color drench the entire room, says Wendy Smit, founder and principal designer of Wendy Smit Interiors. “If we didn’t color drench the room, it would feel choppy and unintentional with basic white trim.”
Paint the Woodwork
Julie Soefer / Creative Tonic Design
If a bathroom has timeless woodwork, like wainscoting or classic moldings, paint them black to make them shine. “How better to update a bungalow than to lean into the woodwork that makes it special? In this large bathroom, the bathtub and flooring are traditional, but we updated the wainscoting and wood trim work with a coat of black paint and contrasted it with punchy, bright wallpaper,” says Courtnay Tartt Elias, founder and creative director of Creative Tonic Design.
Opt for a Bold Floral
Julie Soefer / Creative Tonic Design
This bathroom from Creative Tonic Design has a muted color palette with black and taupe neutrals, but the wallpaper is anything but boring. A bold black floral adds life to this otherwise subtle space.
Go Maximalist
Julie Soefer / Creative Tonic Design
Black lends itself to a maximalist look, like in this extravagant space from Creative Tonic Design. The bold floral wallpaper is the perfect foil for the dramatic black vanity.
