5 ways to decorate with Sherwin-Williams' Black Magic – an 'enigmatic' color that's endlessly sophisticated

Decorating with black is a bold move. The darkest of all colors, black is guaranteed to create a statement look when used in home decor. Embracing these types of dramatic hues is a key trend we've seen this year, with homeowners and designers seeking to create spaces that feel encapsulating, sophisticated, and cozy.

While there are many paint options for decorating with black, Sherwin-Williams' Black Magic is a standout hue; a warm-toned black that brings drama to any decor scheme. 'Black Magic is an enigmatic paint color that offers a unique take on classic black,' says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.

'Distinguished from a true, neutral black, Black Magic possesses a subtle yellow undertone that adds a hint of warmth and depth to its character. This shade combines the profound allure of black with a touch of warmth, making it an excellent choice for those seeking depth, sophistication, and a hint of coziness in their color palette.'

What are the best ways to decorate with Black Magic? 

Despite being a bold color trend, there are many different ways to decorate with Black Magic. Whether you want to fully embrace this paint idea for a dramatic look, or use it as an accent hue for a more subtle look, there are many options to consider. Below, we've rounded up five of the best ways to decorate with this daring hue, to give you some ideas for creating moody and elegant black room ideas. 

1. Create an opulent space

When styled in the right way, Black Magic can create a space that feels sophisticated and timeless. You can create this feeling of grandeur in any room, but the entryway is a great place to start. 'I'd use it for creating drama in a foyer or adding a chic touch by painting all the doors black,' says interior designer Bethany Adams.

Bethany Adams

Bethany Adams has over 15 years of experience designing and project-managing high-end residential projects all over the US. She started her design firm in Louisville in 2015 and before worked for several designers and architects over the course of a ten-year career in Chicago.

Interior designer Kathy Kuo also recommends this opulent look, and makes some simple styling suggestions: 'Offset the dark color with plenty of rich textures like bouclé, velvet, and leather, and be sure to add eye-catching wall art pieces in lighter color combinations so that they really pop.'

Another advantage to embracing this hue is that it has a warmth to it so you can be sure the space won't result in feeling too harsh. 'As far as black paints go, Black Magic is a fairly warm paint color,' says Kathy. 'It works well for a space that you plan to make feel warm and cozy with dark academia-inspired pieces or even dark cottagecore and grandpa chic motifs.'

2. Make smaller rooms feel more cozy

'Sherwin-Williams Black Magic is the perfect color to help bring some drama to any room,' says interior designer Luis Carmona. 'Because of its darker shade, which is not quite pure black, Black Magic can be used in a smaller-sized room like a powder room or laundry room to help open up the space.'

'Contrary to popular belief, a shade of black can also make a room appear larger as much as its white paint counterpart. While it is not as common to paint a smaller room a dark color, it has become increasingly popular due to its ability to not only make the room appear larger but also act as a design element that drapes the entire room.'

Luis Carmona

Luis Carmona is the owner and lead designer at VERDE Interior Design. With almost two decades of experience in the creative space (interior design, advertising, and marketing), Carmona gets to blend his many passions into one design studio, offering services to commercial and residential clients in both Houston and Dallas.

3. Aid relaxation in the bedroom

Black Magic can also work as an effective paint choice in the bedroom, aiding in creating a dark space that can help with relaxation, as Luis Carmona explains: 'Black Magic is also the perfect shade to use in bedrooms where you want it to be dark. The darker shade will help absorb the light, making the room naturally darker, perfect for any room designated for movie-watching. Most would consider using black paint as gloomy and dark, but in reality, the darker shades have been known to help with sleep and relaxation. The darker color provides support to blackout curtains or other design elements put in place to help block out the light.'

4. Go bold with statement walls

For the ultimate statement look with Black Magic, consider painting all four walls of a room in the home, such as the living room or dining room. While this will no doubt bring the drama, opt to add lighter-toned accessories to balance the space. 

'I know black can be intimidating but I would recommend homeowners to not be afraid of it,' says Sue Wadden. 'While black can shrink a space, if you work in lighter and brighter colors to the rest of the space through accents, art, and furniture, it can feel illuminating. Although painting all four walls in black is a bold choice, they can serve as a stunning backdrop for many different styles if done right.'

Sue Wadden

With a strong background in design and color leadership, Sue Wadden was appointed director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams in 2016, and has been with the paint brand since 1998.

5. Use as an accent hue

Lastly, if you're more inclined towards a more subtle way of decorating with Black Magic, you can equally use it as an accent color in any room of the home. This could include painting the trims of a room, as Bethany Adams suggests: 'Even builder-grade millwork will get a boost from this bold hue.'

Or, if you're considering decorating with this color in your kitchen ideas, opt to use it on kitchen cabinets, as Sue Wadden recommends: 'This color is also a great choice as an accent color to add a touch of elegance, like on kitchen cabinets. Black Magic also works beautifully with natural wood tones, earthy textures, and crisp whites, creating a space that feels both grounded and elevated.'

If you're feeling inspired to embrace black in your home decor ideas, you can be certain it will result in a space that feels opulent and timeless. To give you some more inspiration, consider what colors go with black to complete the rest of your decor scheme.