Dark and Light: Using Contrasting Colors to Make a Room Pop
Rooms aren’t just for living in — they’re for showing off your personal style! Experimenting with different combinations of tile, flooring, and fixtures is one of our favorite ways to find the perfect balance of functionality and personality. Designing with a mix of contrasting tones, lights, and darks is one trend that keeps popping up from designers who regularly inspire our creativity.
Create Dimension in Small Spaces
We love a monochromatic room, but there’s something about using bold, contrasting colors that helps create depth and interest. Adding dimension to a small space can make the room feel larger. Rather than cluttering the floor or walls with too much pattern, a simple black-and-white approach is often the best decision. Michelle at @thecozyfarmhouse designed her laundry room as a perfect example of the dimension that black and white elements can add to a small space.
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Since she started with white appliances, using Riad’s solid black 2″x8″ cement tile on the wall was a great way to create depth behind the cabinets and machines. Add in a stylish rug for that small pop of pattern, and you have a utilitarian space that’s transformed into one of the trendiest spots in the house.
When Black is a Color, not a Mood
Incorporating black into home design is a trendy choice that we’re happy is sticking around. Planning the black elements carefully is essential so you don’t end up with an unintentionally dreary space. Balancing purposeful dark pieces with high-contrast light ones will help make the black color itself stand out. Don’t decorate around the black — decorate to highlight it! Lisa @design_twelve understood the assignment with her recent butler’s pantry reveal.
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Those black cabinets are meant to be a focal point, not a moody background piece. Using our Casablanca Carrara and Bardiglio Grey 12″x12″ Bundle on the floor and our Snow 2″x6″ Zellige for the backsplash truly complements the pop of black. This black and white tile pairing and the stunning hardware choices certainly belong in an upscale room.
Adding Some Dark into the Light
Natural light is all the rage, and we certainly agree that a bright, open room is a breath of fresh air. When you have too much light, though, there isn’t anywhere for your eye to rest and settle into the coziness of a space. That’s when adding some dark accents can help create the balance that designers live for. This kitchen transformation from Chayce and Hannah at @blankslatereno shows just how important that balance can be.
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The old space tried to balance the light cabinets and ceiling with a dark floor, but it certainly left the room feeling weighed down. Chayce and Hannah’s decision to lighten the floor and move the dark contrast to the tile backsplash is nothing short of inspirational. Our Black Zellige 4″x4″ tile has just the right amount of sheen to sparkle in between the crisp white cabinets and counters. Each piece is doing its job to help the other stand out beautifully.
Contrast Can Be Colorful, Too
Black and white design elements are classic for a reason, but it’s not the only way to get that pop of light and dark contrast that helps shape a room’s identity. The right colors can also add depth and balance to a space. This bathroom reno from Alyssa at @demiliodesign makes it easy to see the possibilities.
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Rather than using black to contrast the white shower tile, she chose our Trident Blue cement tile. The space feels open, bold, and fun in a way that traditional black and white might not capture. We look at this room and see possibilities mixed with a definite nod to the ocean and all things water—the perfect mix for a bold light and dark bathroom renovation.
Mixing light and dark might be a trend that has been around for a while, but we’re excited to see the design possibilities that pop up when you decide to be unapologetically bold with your choices. Need additional help? Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your project!
