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How to Paint a Bedroom Black and White

Black and white, bedroom transformation complete.
How to Paint a Bedroom Black and White
Tom Greenspan
Updated 
December 21, 2022

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If you're considering a black and white bedroom design, it's important to keep in mind that the right balance between the two colors can create a sleek and sophisticated look. 

However, the room can feel dull and unwelcoming if the balance is off.

How to paint a bedroom black and white quick tip:

For the perfect black and white bedroom, start by using a 50:50 color split and then adjust the ratio to either more black for a dramatic feel or more white for a cleaner and brighter ambiance. Our advice is to start with a white ceiling and one black feature wall, then adjust.  

Incorporating patterns, textures, and furniture that complement the theme can also help to create a cohesive design. For inspiration, check out some examples of black and white bedrooms at the end of the article.

Below we go over how to paint your bedroom black and white step-by-step. Also, for inspiration, we have 5 black and white bedroom designs. Trust us; with these tips, your bedroom will be the envy of all your friends.

How to Paint a Bedroom Black and White

The following 8 steps will help you paint your bedroom black and white effectively:

  • Preparing the room for painting
  • Fill any holes or cracks in the walls
  • Remove any dirt or grime
  • Apply tape to prevent bleeding
  • Prime the surface
  • Prep the paint
  • Begin painting the walls
  • Clean Up

Blow we also have 4 great bedroom desgin ideas.

Before painting anything, do this

Preparing the room for painting

Alright folks, listen up! Before you start rolling on the paint, it's important to properly prepare the room. The first step is to remove all furniture from the room. This will make it easier for you to paint, and will also protect your furniture from any accidental drips or splatters.

Once the furniture is out of the way, it's time to cover the floors and any remaining items with drop cloths. This will protect your floors from paint stains and make cleanup a breeze. 

Be sure to cover everything, including baseboards, windowsills, and any other surfaces that may come into contact with paint. With the room properly prepared, you can start the painting process with confidence, knowing that you're taking the necessary steps to ensure a clean and professional result.

Fill any holes or cracks in the walls

Now, once the room is empty, it's time to get ready for the paint. That means filling any holes or cracks in the walls with spackle and sanding them smooth. Trust me, you don't want to paint over rough surfaces. 

Use spackle to fill 'em up, and then give 'em a good sanding. Now, you might be thinking, "Why do I have to do this? Can't I just paint over the holes?" Well, sure you could. But the paint ain't gonna stick too well, and you'll end up with an uneven finish. So, it's best to fix the walls before you start painting.

It'll show in the final product and make the room look unprofessional. Take the extra time to fill and sand the walls; it'll make a huge difference in the end.

Remove any dirt or grime

Let’s get it cleaned up. That means getting rid of all the dirt and grime that's built up on the walls over time. The best way to do this is by using a mild detergent and water.

Start by mixing a small amount of detergent with warm water in a bucket. Then, using a clean cloth or sponge, gently scrub the walls from top to bottom. Make sure to pay extra attention to areas that tend to get a lot of traffic, like around the door and window frames. 

Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse the walls with clean water to remove any remaining soap residue. Repeat these steps until all walls are cleaned. This will ensure that your paint adheres correctly and will look great for a long time.

Apply tape to prevent bleeding

After the final coat has dried, it is time to clean up. Begin by carefully removing all the masking tape, making sure to maintain a 45-degree angle in order to avoid tearing off any paint.

Use a sharp utility knife to remove any remaining tape residue. Transfer any remaining paint to airtight cans and seal them tightly. Finally, remove the coverings and return the furniture to the room.

Prime the surface

Applying a primer to ensure a smooth and long-lasting finish is important. Using a matching primer can save money and provide a solid base for the paint to adhere to.

To apply the primer, start by "cutting in" around the edges and masked areas with a brush. Then, divide the wall into small sections and use a roller to apply the primer, working from top to bottom and using "V" and "W" shaped strokes. It's important to overlap the wet edges of each section and to use a low nap roller for smooth surfaces or a roller with a longer nap for textured surfaces. Once the primer is dry, lightly sand the surface to correct any unevenness.

Prep the paint

It's time to decide on the color split for your bedroom. A 50:50 ratio of black and white is a good starting point. But, you can also bias towards black for a more dramatic feel or white for a cleaner and brighter ambiance. It's all about what you prefer.

Take your time, and don't be afraid to experiment with different options. Remember, it's your space and you want it to reflect your personal style. Have fun with it.

Begin painting the walls

This is where the fun begins.

When painting your bedroom black and white, it's important to work in a methodical way to achieve a smooth and even finish. Start by blending the freshly painted wet edge with the new paint by rolling back and forth. 

Use a similar technique as you would with primer, using back and forth, "v" and "w" shape strokes while working from top to bottom. To avoid variations in color, transfer the paint from small containers to a single large mixing box and stir the paint occasionally. 

Make sure to let each coat dry completely before applying the next coat. You can also add some creativity by painting an existing wooden or stone-cladded wall in black or white. Consider using a high nap roller, spray, or deco paint for textured surfaces.

Use long, even strokes to ensure even coverage. Don't rush, take your time to make sure every inch of the wall is covered. 

Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying a second coat for extra durability. Repeat this process for the second color if desired. Remember, a little patience goes a long way in getting a professional-looking paint job.

Clean Up

After the final coat of paint has dried, it's time to clean up. Here's how to do it:

  1. Carefully remove all the masking tape, keeping a 45-degree angle to avoid tearing off any paint.
  2. Use a sharp utility knife to remove any remaining tape residue.
  3. Store any remaining paint in airtight cans and make sure to seal them tightly.
  4. Remove the floor coverings and move the furniture back into the room.

5 Black and White Bedroom Design Ideas

1. Black accent wall

Take the safe route if you lack inspiration or time to become involved in intricate decorating skills. Accent walls are the best option if you want to introduce black into your bedroom.

Walls in white or ivory create a harmonious balance in the bedroom, making it feel more than a monochrome two-dimensional space.  Add some texture with soft furnishings and introduce some tones of gray and deep blue to complement and contrast the black accent wall.

How to create this look?

It is traditionally believed that painting the wall against which the bed is placed is the best accent wall. Keep the dark theme going as much as possible for soft furnishings.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most complex level to accomplish, this bedroom is a 3.

Black accent walls are easy to paint, but you should prepare that wall by removing defects and anomalies which could cause the black paint to cast shadows.

2. Geometric patterns

If you add some design to a black accent wall, you can make a spectacular bedroom. Create these crazy paved simulations by adding geometric spades using masking tape. In conjunction with the lighting system, rosewood bedside tables and bookshelves contrast masterfully with the black paint.

How to create this look?

In addition to the already handsome black wall, fine-line masking tape in geometric shapes adds another dimension to the design.

Along with the soft tones of the bedding, smart wood furniture fixed in a floating method adds ambiance and contrast.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most complex level to accomplish, this bedroom is a 7.

Paint the geometric lines with high-quality masking tape to prevent paint from creeping under the paint. Apply each coat of black paint in layers without overloading the roller.

Once the black paint is completely dry, gently remove the masking tape.

3. Slatted wall

Black accent walls are so simple to paint. It's almost child's play, but adding decor design to your bedroom takes imagination and creativity.

The addition of some simple wood slats to a wall in repeating patterns will look fantastic and add some design interest.

The ambiance of the bedroom will change when you paint the slatted wall black. Shadows will be added to the wall. For those of you who enjoy design, this is an incredible look.

How to create this look?

Adding wood slats to your accent wall is relatively simple and only requires a few tools. A painted wall will have a different appearance than a flat wall. For a sharp contrast in your bedroom, keep the other walls white.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most complex level to accomplish, this bedroom is a 7.

It's an easy project if you have flat walls. Use a spacing block to make your centers the same for an even look.

4. Create a black and white mural

What better way to break the mold from traditional bedroom designs than with a black and white mural? The accent wall is awesome, no doubt about it.

Keep up the random patterns. An awesome way to create a custom-designed black and white bedroom, it is both artful and masterfully creative.

How to create this look?

If you don't use a big brush and lots of white paint, the patterns will just look like random shapes on a bedroom wall.

It is a beautiful combination of colors to have wood in the bedroom with its natural tones and green foliage in the bedroom with black.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most complex level to accomplish, this bedroom is an 8.

Despite the fact that there may be more skill than meets the eye, it's fun, and you have nothing to lose. Decide on random strokes before starting the mural to prevent white paint runs.