After several years of the most favored paints being varying shades of grey, off-white and taupe the pendulum has at last swung in the opposite direction. The interior design world is embracing a deeper moody color palette. Black Flame by PPG, Black Magic by Olympic Paints, Deep Onyx by Glidden and Shadow by Benjamin Moore are the chosen paint colors for 2017 - 2018.

A thing or two to keep in mind when painting rooms in a deep rich hue:

Your walls need to be in pristine condition as the dark color will highlight every flaw

Furnishings, rugs and accessories in bright hues will make walls recede to a dramatic backdrop

Distressed wood finishes, rattan, cane, velvet and brocade all play well with deep saturated paint shades

If your ceilings are low paint the baseboards and moldings in the same shade to make the ceiling seem higher

If an entire room in a deep shade is too much to live with an accent wall can still give a hit of drama

This undated photo provided by PPG shows their colour Black Flame on the wall and was named 2018 Colour of the Year by PPG Paints. A statement-making black, infused with the undertone of the deepest navy, which evokes the privacy, hope and classic m… — This undated photo provided by PPG shows their colour Black Flame on the wall and was named 2018 Colour of the Year by PPG Paints. A statement-making black, infused with the undertone of the deepest navy, which evokes the privacy, hope and classic modernism that many consumers crave today. Mail&Globe,com

Shadow by Benjamin Moore - described as a rich deep amethyst creates a dramatic stairwell — *Shadow by Benjamin Moore -* described as a rich deep amethyst creates a dramatic stairwell

Benjamin Moore's Shadow is the shade of 2017 - Simply White was the Benjamin Moore shade for 2016 and the change couldn't be more extreme — *Benjamin Moore's Shadow* is the shade of 2017 - *Simply White* was the Benjamin Moore shade for 2016 and the change couldn't be more extreme

Photo from Elle Decor Magazine - custom finish lacquered black - consider black a neutral as it works well with just about every color in the spectrum — *Photo from Elle Decor Magazine -* custom finish lacquered black - consider black a neutral as it works well with just about every color in the spectrum

If deep rich walls are too intense to live with, consider a dramatic edgy accent with a black chandelierphoto from Trendir.com — If deep rich walls are too intense to live with, consider a dramatic edgy accent with a black chandelier
*photo from Trendir.com*

Bjorn Wallander -Countryliving.com...metallic grey walls are the perfect complement to the bold red & white bedlinens, Chinese side table and turquoise lamp — *Bjorn Wallander -Countryliving.com...*metallic grey walls are the perfect complement to the bold red & white bedlinens, Chinese side table and turquoise lamp

Miki Duisterhof - Countryliving.com...go big or go home by painting walls, cabinetry and trim in the same shade which looks fab in this kitchen — *Miki Duisterhof - Countryliving.com...*go big or go home by painting walls, cabinetry and trim in the same shade which looks fab in this kitchen

Roger Davies - Countryliving.com...the distressed wood finishes, sisal rug, woven shades and white cabinetry and a subtle pop of pattern on the bench creates a rustic-chic vibe — *Roger Davies - Countryliving.com...*the distressed wood finishes, sisal rug, woven shades and white cabinetry and a subtle pop of pattern on the bench creates a rustic-chic vibe