See how a striking black feature wall has given this living room a dramatic makeover!

This DIY job proves how dark colours don't always make a space feel smaller...

Are you brave enough to venture to the dark side with a black feature wall? This brilliant living room makeover, shared by Clare Jordan, shows how sophisticated and powerful this brooding paint shade can be.

The homeowner from Liverpool, decided to take a risk and replace a busy patterned wallpaper with a splash of matt black paint to give her living room a new lease of life. It makes a statement in a totally different way from that of the decorative wallpaper.

More to inspire: Living room colour schemes brimming with character and style

And it's paid off handsomely, because the black feature wall gives her living room a new wow factor...

Living room makeover

living room makeover with rug on floor

(Image credit: Future PLC /Clare Jordan)

Dark paint colours are hugely on-trend, thanks to those brave enough to go for the strong shades – sharing them on social media. Proof that it inspires Clare tells Latest Deals, 'After following lots of home decor pages on Instagram, I decided to take the plunge'.

'I always liked plain but bold decor and colours and I've always had wallpaper in the past. So at 6am one day, I stripped the old wallpaper and went in with the black.'

Luckily Clare was over the moon with the end result, and it's easy to see why...

Newly painted black feature wall

living room with wooden flooring and potted plant

(Image credit: Future PLC /Clare Jordan)

'Now it's done I totally love it. I can't believe the difference a simple black wall makes and it now makes my room look much bigger.'

There's often a misconception that dark hues can make a living space feel smaller, but this is not always the case. In Clare's living room the patterned wallpaper actually had more of an overpowering sense, in fact making the room feel smaller than the black painted wall.

To achieve the look Clare opted for the shade in a matte base, to avoid a shiny or glossy look.

living room black and white walls with potted plant

(Image credit: Future PLC /Clare Jordan)

Clare remarks, 'I wasn't that nervous as I knew I wanted a dark bold look for sure, and if I wasn't happy with it, I was going to put a dark green over it for another look.' We love a DIY fan with a plan.

Room ideas: Savvy mum transforms bathroom with black paint – you won't believe the result!

Would you be brave enough to go with a black feature wall?

Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.