How to Use One of the Trickiest Paint Colors in Your Home

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OK, I get it—the idea of painting a room or even just one wall black is intimidating, especially because the cardinal rule of making your space feel bigger is to steer clear of dark hues. But here's the thing: once you get over the mental hurdle, it's anything but scary. Black paint can be cozy, transportive, and, in some instances, honestly welcoming and warm. So how do you pull off the color without overpowering a space? We tapped two experts at PPG to clear up some frequently asked questions. Here, senior product marketing manager Jenny Burroughs and senior color marketing manager Dee Schlotter share their top tips for painting with one of the most dramatic hues out there.

Jenny Burroughs: Priming is everything when moving from light or medium colors to black or vice versa. Some homeowners might be nervous about painting walls black because they think it'll be a nightmare to paint over later, but with proper priming, it can be covered pretty easily. A gray or deep-hued base primer is the move if you want full coverage in fewer coats. Trust me on this one.

Dee Schlotter: So the indigo undertones of PPG's Black Flame make it a cooler black, while warmer blacks pull red and brown undertones. Both cool and warm blacks are gorgeous anchors for other softer colors. For example, a cool tint serves as a stunning anchor for trim and doors against colors like Olympic Paint's Burnt Red and soft blues like Glidden Paint's Arctic Blue. I'm honestly into all of it.

Burroughs: Matte finishes continue to rise in popularity this year, especially with kitchen appliances. As this trend keeps growing, there's also been a rising interest in using flat paint sheens to get that same luxurious matte finish on walls at home. For high-traffic areas, higher-sheen products like eggshell and satin offer way more durability. They can handle repeated cleaning and touching, so we recommend using them in a playroom, a kitchen, and bathrooms—basically any room that sees a lot of action. Flat finishes are amazing for hiding imperfections and can easily be touched up, making them a great choice for ceilings or dining room walls.

Burroughs: When you're loading up your roller, make sure it's sufficiently covered in paint. Then roll in 3- to 4-foot sections at a time in a W motion. Move quickly so you maintain a wet edge in each section. To finish, run the roller down the wall from ceiling to floor without pressing hard on the handle—this evens out the stipple and blends everything together. For any touchups, use the same type of applicator you used originally, and always use paint from the same bucket so the finish and color match the original coat. Little things like this make a big difference!

Schlotter: Here's the thing—no matter the color you pick for your small space, using one color on all the walls actually makes it look larger. And repeating colors in a room at least twice creates a unified flow that makes your space feel way more open and cohesive. By using your wall color at least one other time, whether in a rug or a small accent piece, you'll not only pull your whole look together but make your room appear more spacious. Game-changer, honestly.

Schlotter: When you think nursery decor, your mind probably goes straight to soft pinks and blues and whimsical pastels, right? But over the past couple of years, nursery colors have gotten way more mature. To add instant sophistication to your baby's space, pair it with a pale pastel on the ceiling and an off-white trim. I'm honestly into it.

There are honestly endless ways to bring this classic hue into your home, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latestcultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man's Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe's. You will never find her at SoulCycle.

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