Neutral shades are those that lack color, and in most cases, you can easily understand if a color is neutral by checking if it exists on the color wheel. Neutral shades tend to be pale, muted tones, which is why many people are confused as to whether black is a neutral color or not because it is anything but pale and muted. Here we look at whether black is a neutral color and the reasons behind this.
When most people think of neutral shades, they imagine white, light tones of beige and gray, or maybe coffee and tan colors.
Black is not a color that immediately springs to mind when you think of neutrals; however, you may be surprised to find that black is a neutral color and actually is one of the pure neutral shades.
What is a Pure Neutral Shade?
A pure neutral shade is one that does not have undertones of another color. For example, a pure gray will be entirely gray and have no hues of other shades, whereas a warm gray may have a hint of beige in it, and a cool gray will have blue or purple undertones.
Black is a pure neutral shade because, in its purest form, it is completely black without any other visible hues in it. Of course, there are exceptions to this, and black can be tinted with brown, red, or blue, but these would not be considered pure black and instead would be off-black.
Black as a Neutral
Black is different from all of the other neutral shades because it is intense, while other neutrals are typically muted, soft, or pale. Black is a strong shade that can create different feelings depending on how it is used.
Often black will be considered a negative color, as it represents evil, dominance, darkness, grief, and fear. However, there are ways to use black in the home that can elicit a sophisticated, modern, or intimate quality in a space.
Using Black in Home Decor
If you want to incorporate black into your home color scheme, then the result you want to achieve will dictate how you should use it.
If you are looking for a modern and sleek vibe, then a monochromatic style will work well. To do this, predominantly use white, for example, on your walls, kitchen cabinets, or flooring, and use accents of black for picture frames, furniture, and accessories.
You can also use heavier levels of black to achieve an intimate feel. For example, in a bathroom or dining room, paint the walls in a deep rich black tone, and accent it with feminine or grand colors, such as soft pink towels or gold gilt-framed mirrors.
You could also consider using black on a feature wall and then adding black accessories, such as candles, to tie it into the color scheme. To maintain a sophisticated and elegant look, choose glossy and metallic finishes, such as a shiny gold vase, to avoid the black becoming dismal and depressing.
Since you ask if black is a neutral color, you also may wonder.
