Black Colour Schemes

Why Choose Black?

Black colour schemes are much more versatile than you might think. You could use black on every wall, as a feature wall or on skirting boards, which is a wonderful way to make a space feel bigger and brighter if paired with a lighter wall colour. Black is also a classic choice for exterior wood and metal, particularly in Full Gloss for front doors.

Discover our black paint colours

If you've ever wondered what it is that makes Farrow & Ball so special, you'll find the answers here. From our high-quality ingredients to our artisanal methods, our 100% water based range of finishes and responsible practices, it's about so much more than just paint and paper.

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Our Signature Black Paint Colours

Our Signature Palette has a striking selection of blacks to choose from. True blacks, like Pitch Black , are strong, dramatic and ideal for industrial spaces. There are also softer, charcoal shades like Hopper Head and Beetle Black , which have a slightly more faded feel.

All of our blacks are carefully created with a mix of complex undertones for unrivalled depth and character. For example, Bible Black has a rich purple undertone, while Paean Black has warm red undertones.

Paean Black
No. 294

No. 294
Tanner's Brown
No. 255

No. 255
Down Pipe
No. 26

No. 26
Hopper Head
No. 305

No. 305
Railings
No. 31

No. 31
Off-Black
No. 57

No. 57
Liquorice
No. CB10

No. CB10
Pitch Black
No. 256

No. 256
Black Blue
No. 95

No. 95
Bible Black
No. 225

No. 225
Grate Black
No. 9920

No. 9920
Beetle Black
No. G16

No. G16
Smelt Black
No. G18

No. G18
Tar
No. CC1

No. CC1

Sample Our Favourite Blacks

The best way to experience our colours before taking the plunge is with a true-to-colour paint sample. To help you narrow down your shortlist of shades, we've curated three of our most popular shades to help you find your perfect match.

Sample selection contains 3 x 100ml Sample Pots of our beautiful Hopper Head, Off-Black and Pitch Black.

How to Create a Black Colour Scheme

Choosing colours is half the joy — and half the challenge — of decorating. With such beautiful shades to choose from, it can be tricky to narrow them down.

It may seem a little intimidating, but consider colour drenching a room entirely in black, or layering several black shades together. This creates an inviting, protective feel so is perfect for bedrooms, dining rooms and snugs. Of course, if you prefer a more subtle palette, a touch of black on a skirting board, storage or furniture helps add interest to a lighter neutral colour scheme.

We’ve asked our experts Joa Studholme and Patrick O’Donnell for three of their favourite black colour scheme suggestions.

Joa's Black Schemes

Joa Studholme is a best-selling author, Colour Curator and the mind behind many of our (and the world’s) most iconic paint shades. The original Colour Consultant, it’s no surprise that Joa knows our palette inside and out. You can book Joa to help with your transformation in-home or over video call.

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Scheme 1

Down Pipe
No. 26

No. 26
Hopper Head
No. 305

No. 305
Railings
No. 31

No. 31

Scheme 2

Off-Black
No. 57

No. 57
Strong White
No. 2001

No. 2001
Selvedge
No. 306

No. 306

Scheme 3

Pitch Black
No. 256

No. 256
Rangwali
No. 296

No. 296
Great White
No. 2006

No. 2006

Patrick's Black Schemes

Patrick O’Donnell spends his life talking, thinking and playing with colour. Our Brand Ambassador, the face of Farrow & Ball on social media and the host of our podcast, The Chromologist, he’s transformed homes of every shape, style and size. For personal advice from Patrick, you can book a colour consultancy.

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Scheme 1

Drop Cloth
No. 283

No. 283
Down Pipe
No. 26

No. 26
Green Smoke
No. 47

No. 47

Scheme 2

Strong White
No. 2001

No. 2001
De Nimes
No. 299

No. 299
Off-Black
No. 57

No. 57

Scheme 3

Railings
No. 31

No. 31
Stone Blue
No. 86

No. 86
Borrowed Light
No. 235

No. 235

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best black paint colour?

The epitome of elegance, black paint can have a range of different undertones, which all create a different feel. Although this colour family always exudes timeless charm, shades with a hint of blue are crisp and classic, while charcoal shades have a softer feel. Explore our palette to find the one that suits your style.

What colour goes best with black paint?

With its bold, unwavering presence, black pairs beautifully with almost every other colour, creating striking, sophisticated combinations. Black works wonderfully with neutral shades for a simple statement, or experiment with purple for unrivalled elegance. Browse our selection of recommendations to find the inspiration for your transformation.

What effect does black paint have on a room?

Black has a wonderful grounding effect, bringing drama and elegance to your space. Depending on the shade, it can feel thoroughly contemporary or charmingly traditional. Black skirting boards with lighter walls can make your space feel bigger and brighter because the walls are the largest surface in your room and feel even lighter in comparison.

Should I paint my whole room black?

Painting a whole room black is sure to make a statement. It works particularly well in spaces you retire to in the evening, as it creates a protective, intimate feel that invites you to get comfortable. For a truly luxurious feel, try using Full Gloss.

How can I choose the right shade of black?

To find the perfect black for your project, think about the space you’re painting. What is the light like? What furniture do you have? How do you use it? You might want a different black for a south facing kitchen compared to a shady snug. Or perhaps you’re painting your front door or garden fence? All of these different projects lend themselves to different hues and finishes, so explore the options and experiment with samples.

How do I make sure I get the best finish with black paint?

Creating a beautiful finish is easier than you might think. It all comes down to preparation. Cleaning, patching and priming your surface before you start painting helps create a smooth finish, depth of colour and a look that lasts. Our Primer & Undercoat is a perfect blank canvas, minimising imperfections and making our rich black paint shades look even richer.