Fashion legend Christian Dior once said, “You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age. You can wear it for almost any occasion. I could write a book about black.” In 2022, this love of black is being reflected in a different type of fashion sense—in and on one’s home.

You may have noticed this trend popping up around your neighborhood. Homeowners are adorning their places with not only black doors but also black treatments like shutters, window frames, and trims. This color craze has been gaining steam in recent years and shows no sign of slowing down. Black is timeless, after all.

But how can you add the darkest hue to your home without making it feel like the Addams Family lives there? Balance and intentionality are key, and the following tips can help you achieve the look you’re after.

Exterior

By adding black to the outside of your home, you can easily accentuate its curb appeal and make it pop for those who walk or drive by. Fortunately, when it comes to the exterior, black shutters, frames, and doors will go well with just about any standard siding—white, cream, or gray vinyl, painted or natural red brick, and even stucco.

However, a new trend has emerged that has taken dark to an entirely different level: super modern all-black exteriors. If you are enamored of this idea, use caution since it may be too much of a good thing. For example, if you live in a warm-weather state, you likely won’t want your house encased in a heat-absorbing color. And if you live near the water, you should probably opt for a light, airy look.

Interior

You can really go to town with this trend inside your home, as the opportunities to add splashes of black are plentiful. Here are just a few ways you can do so.

Accessories
Balancing a hint of black with neutral colors adds a touch of sophistication and sharpens the clean lines of a home. For example, black picture frames or art frames can make their subjects pop even more against a neutral wall. Black accessories, such as wire baskets in the kitchen or a bathroom, can subtly upgrade a room. Best of all, black works with all kinds of materials and styles, from brass to wood and from modern to farmhouse.

Window frames and doors
If you love the idea of contrasting your light-colored walls with black, these areas may be a great place to try—especially if you’re restricted from doing so on the exterior of your home. Incorporating black trim into your windows has the same effect as the aforementioned photo frames, except, in this case, you’re framing your view of the outside. And painting a pantry door or a powder room door black makes a bold statement while highlighting the importance of the respective space.

Accent walls
Yes, you can dare to have a black accent wall. Paint one with intentionality, as it will automatically draw the eye and become the focal point of the room. Places to consider doing this include an office wall with a bookshelf and behind the headboard in a bedroom. If you have kids, you can take it one step further by using black chalkboard paint for their bedroom accent walls. No matter where you choose to add black, however, it’s sure to make the room chicer while also creating a wow factor.