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.
How Do You Pick Black Paint?
Black is one of those colors that doesn’t always appear accurately on digital screens, so it’s really important to test out paint samples in your home. I always recommend my readers to use Peel-and-Stick paint samples by Samplize.
Samplize is a game changer – they make the process so easy! Their 12″ x 12″ vinyl peel-and-stick samples use real paint, and make it easy see how a color will look in your home (without the mess).
OK, let’s break it down and discuss what makes each shade of black paint unique.
Top Black Paint Colors For Interiors & Exteriors
Here is my list of top recommendations for black paint colors – let’s dive in!
1. Noir by Valspar (4009-2)
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).
This moody bedroom has Noir by Valspar on the walls and looks so dreamy.
2. Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams (SW 6258)
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 blacks by any brand. It’s a go-to black paint color for many designers.
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!
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.
3. Onyx by Benjamin Moore (2133-10)
Onyx – LRV: 2.9 (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 my favorite 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.
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:
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.
4. Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore (2124-10)
Wrought Iron – LRV: 6.16 (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 6.16 this is one of the lightest black paint colors on this list and could be considered an almost black paint color. I love how this color is slightly lighter and has a hint of rich charcoal gray in the mixture of colors.
In the dining room pictured below, the black Wrought Iron wall looks amazing above a white shiplap wainscoting.
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.
5. Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams (SW 7069)
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.
The bedroom below features a black wall painted with Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams.
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.
6. Soot by Benjamin Moore (2129-20)
Soot – LRV: 4.11 (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, inky black.
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.
Checkout all of the beautiful black painted cabinets in the office space below!
7. Black Jack by Benjamin Moore (2133-20)
Black Jack – LRV: 3.98 (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, true black paint color. It’s really similar to the previous color (Soot by Benjamin Moore) except it’s slightly darker with a LRV of 3.98 (compared to 4.11).
Studio McGee made a big statement using Benjamin Moore’s Black Jack on every wall in the bathroom pictured below. Seriously stunning!
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.
8. Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams (SW 7020)
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.
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 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.
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.
9. Limousine Leather by Behr (MQ5-5)
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 a popular warm black paint color and with a LRV of 4, it’s one of the darkest black paint colors.
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.
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.
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.
10. Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams (SW 7674
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.
In the image below, the shiplap walls are painted with Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams.
Here’s another look at this Sherwin-Williams 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.
Want my A-to-Z blueprint on how to design a room that’s beautiful and stylish?
More Paint Color Resources
I love helping people choose paint colors – it’s one of my passions! I’ve written several articles to help streamline and destress your color selection process.
Check all of them out here:
- Best Gray Paint Colors | The Ultimate Guide
- Best White Paint Colors | Ultimate Guide
- White Dove Paint Color Review | After Painting My Whole House!
- Paint Color Trends 2021 | Trending Colors From Top Brands
- Best Paint Colors For North Facing Rooms
- Top Paint Colors For South Facing Rooms
- How To Choose A Paint Color | Lighting, Undertones, Sheen (and more!)
- Samplize Review | Peel-and-Stick Paint Samples
- Green Paint Color Guide | Most Popular Colors
Thanks for reading! Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions, or if you have a favorite black paint color that you think should be on the list.