Dark colors for exteriors are back in style and they are increasingly cropping up as a backdrop for gardens and patios. The dark background does something magical to whatever is placed in front of it. The greens of grasses, trees and shrubs look greener and any bit of color you place in the environment pops. It’s interesting that the darker colors – blacks and charcoals in particular – tend to recede in the environment, while the lighter colors come forward. I think this would be a great trick for a fence in a smaller yard. I don’t know if you have any Spring garden projects this year, but it might be interesting to think about painting something in your yard black or charcoal instead of white or cream.
Here are 7 photographs of successful gardens with black and charcoal to inspire you!
Here’s a Before photo of a white pergola by Nick McCullough who has a list of great colors to consider for garden structures in Garden Design Magazine, as well as some great design photos. (Source)The same pergola with dark paint. Lovely and not heavy at all. (Source)I love the dark background in this patio in California. I think the dark colors work especially well in places that get a lot of sunshine. The Colorado sun can be blinding on white walls. (Source)A dramatic black fence looking beautifully modern and restful. (Source)Minimal and restful – I love the simple charcoal screen here as contrast to the tropical plants. (Source)Here’s another striking black pergola with a black garden shed behind it. (Source)Another dramatic privacy fence painted black (Source)And another black pergola that looks stunning! (Source)
We have an ugly, Park Ranger brown gazebo in our backyard that I was going to repaint white, but now I’m wondering if charcoal gray would work? I’ve been looking online, but the gazebos that are pictured are always white or natural wood…maybe there’s a reason there aren’t any charcoal gray or black gazebos out there!
Laura is a Denver Interior Designer who runs an Interior Design Studio based in sunny Colorado with a strong commitment to livable and interesting interiors. She also runs The Colorado Nest, a Denver blog about Design, Art and Life in the Mountain West and co-hosts the book podcast "The Inside Flap" on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.
View all posts by Laura Medicus Interiors
4 thoughts on “The Power of Black in the Garden: 7 outdoor spaces that prove that Black is back”
The Osho Resort in Pune is a stunning example of using black outside- not just in the garden but as the external color of all buildings (internally they are white). See Google images for details: https://goo.gl/AnmSBk
Wow, I really love the black fences that are shown in these pictures. I agree that dark colors can work really well in places that get a lot of light. Not only that, but I bet it’s easier on the eyes to not have light reflected on you.
The Colorado Nest 
The Osho Resort in Pune is a stunning example of using black outside- not just in the garden but as the external color of all buildings (internally they are white). See Google images for details: https://goo.gl/AnmSBk
Good idea! I like!
Wow, I really love the black fences that are shown in these pictures. I agree that dark colors can work really well in places that get a lot of light. Not only that, but I bet it’s easier on the eyes to not have light reflected on you.
The light reflection aspect is a great point! I don’t think I thought of that one!