Black paint is one of those colors that can instantly elevate a space. Done right, it feels classic, bold, moody, and timeless.
As an interior designer with more than 25 years of experience helping people choose paint colors, I have worked with many black paints over the years. Some are true black, while others lean charcoal, blue, brown, or even green.
In today’s post, I’m sharing the best Sherwin Williams black paint colors and how they look in real spaces. We will look at seven popular colors and talk about where they work best in your home.
Best Sherwin Williams Black Paint Colors
Before we dive into each color in detail, here is a list of the top colors I have used or recommend. Tap on any color to be taken to that area of the blog post.
Now, let's get started with the most popular Sherwin-Williams black paint color.
Tricorn Black – The Truest Black
When people ask me about the best Sherwin Williams black paint colors, Tricorn Black is usually the first one I mention. Tricorn Black is one of the blackest blacks Sherwin Williams offers. It is a true, deep black with almost no noticeable undertones.
This has been my go-to color when I wanted a true black front door. Below you can see an example of me rendering my front door, showing how it looks against a red brick house.
This color is classic and timeless. It looks beautiful on a white house, a brick house, or just about any exterior. If you are thinking about using black outside your home, Tricorn Black is an excellent choice.
While I love it on exteriors, I personally prefer slightly softer blacks inside a home. That’s why my favorite place to use Tricorn Black is on a front door or exterior accents.
If you want to see a full example of a home painted this color, you can also look at my post on popular Sherwin Williams exterior paint colors where I show a house painted Tricorn.
Caviar – A Rich Soft Black
Another one of the best Sherwin Williams black paint colors that designers often recommend is Caviar.
Caviar is a deep black, but compared to Tricorn Black it feels slightly softer. While Tricorn is known for being the blackest black Sherwin Williams offers, Caviar has a touch more depth that can feel a little less stark.
Because of that subtle softness, Caviar can work beautifully both inside and outside the home.
This color looks great on:
- Front doors
- Kitchen cabinets
- Interior doors
- Accent walls
- Exterior trim
If you want a black paint color that still feels rich and dramatic but not quite as intense as Tricorn Black, Caviar is a wonderful option. It is also a great color to consider when pairing black with warm woods, brass hardware, or classic white walls.
If you are comparing the best Sherwin Williams black paint colors, Caviar is definitely one worth testing.
Iron Ore – A Soft Charcoal Black
Another one of the best Sherwin Williams black paint colors is Iron Ore.
Iron Ore is extremely popular and is often considered Sherwin Williams second most popular dark paint color. Instead of being a pure black, it reads more like a charcoal black with a softer background.
My daughter used Iron Ore on the exterior shutters of her home. Her house is painted Shoji White, and the combination is beautiful. You can see the full house and how those colors work together in my post on Sherwin Williams Shoji White.
Iron Ore works well in many places:
- Accent walls
- Cabinetry
- Shiplap walls
- Exterior house, shutters or door
- Floors
Personally, I usually do not recommend very dark floors because darker floors tend to show dust and lint more easily. But if you truly want a dark floor color, Iron Ore is a good option.
You can also see a full house example of Iron Ore in my post on best Sherwin Williams neutral colors.
Black Magic – A Deep True Black
Another contender among the best Sherwin Williams black paint colors is Black Magic.
I have less experience with this color, but I did test it in a bedroom rendering. Interestingly, it appeared slightly blue in that space.
On the RGB scale, Black Magic is 50, 49, 50, which makes it very close to a true black. For comparison, Tricorn Black is 47, 47, 48. Because of that, Black Magic is also a very deep black.
You could use this color on:
- Front doors
- Exterior siding
- Trim
- Accent walls
However, because it is such a dark color, I would only use it inside if the room has a good amount of natural light or if you want a really dark room such as a theatre room or man cave.
In the bedroom example I rendered, the lighting affected the color a bit and made it look closer to Inkwell. Which leads perfectly to the next color.
Inkwell – A Black With Blue Undertones
If you like black with a hint of blue, Inkwell is a beautiful option.
Among the best Sherwin Williams black paint colors, this one stands out because of its blue undertone. It reminds me a little of the dark blue-black color that Abercrombie used in their stores years ago. It has that same rich, moody feel.
The LRV is 4, which means it is still very dark. Most black paints have LRVs between 4 and 6.
I actually considered using Inkwell in my guest bedroom because the room already has blue tones. If I were going to paint the shiplap wall in that room, Inkwell would be my choice.
This color looks beautiful on:
- Accent walls
- Bathrooms
- Floors
- Cabinets
- Trim
- Furniture
I probably would not use it on an exterior unless I specifically wanted that blue undertone to show. It could be especially pretty on a coastal home but make sure to test it because colors near the ocean can look different than inland.
Black Fox – A Warm Black With Brown Undertones
Black Fox is one of my personal favorites on this list.
Unlike the others, Black Fox has a noticeable brown undertone. This gives it a warmer and slightly softer look. The LRV is 7, which makes it lighter than Tricorn Black or Black Magic.
Its RGB values are 79, 72, 66, which create a rich black with a warm grayish undertone. Sherwin Williams actually describes it as a neutral black with a sophisticated warmth.
I rendered this color on the nightstand in my daughter’s old bedroom because her bed was brown. I wanted to see how Black Fox would pair with that warm wood tone.
The combination turned out beautiful!
Black Fox works especially well in spaces like:
- Accent walls
- Music rooms
- Theater rooms
- Man caves
- Furniture
- Floors
- Cabinets
Greenblack – A Black With Green Undertones
The last color on our list of best Sherwin Williams black paint colors is Greenblack.
This is a cool black with a subtle green undertone. It makes a striking statement when used on accent walls or cabinetry. I rendered this color in two different rooms so you could see how it works.
First, I placed it on the wall in my guest bedroom behind some paint-by-number artwork. The contrast turned out beautiful.
I also rendered it on the bed in an old photo of my daughter’s bedroom so you could see how it pairs with dark wood furniture.
One tip when viewing paint colors online: if you see a color you like, remember it will look a little different on a screen than in real life. Which brings us to my next topic. Testing paint colors to be sure you have the right one.
Always Test Paint Colors First
Before choosing one of these best Sherwin Williams black paint colors, I always recommend testing the color first. Paint can look very different depending on lighting, surrounding colors, and finishes in your home.
Start by narrowing down the colors you like. Then test them so you can see how they look throughout the day. I walk through my entire process in my post on how to pick paint colors where I share my step-by-step method for testing paint.
Final Thoughts
Black paint can add incredible depth and character to a home when used in the right place.
From the deep true black of Tricorn to the warm undertones of Black Fox and the moody blue tones of Inkwell, each of these best Sherwin Williams black paint colors brings something unique to a space.
If you are considering using black in your home, start by testing a few samples and see how they look in your lighting.
And I would love to hear from you. Where are you thinking about using black paint in your home? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Decorating!
