Black Magic
Often used for its genuinely dark qualities, Black Magic remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. We've gathered 50 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#323132
LRV
3.13
Black Magic's Color Strip
Black Magic is the third shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Caviar and Inkwell. The strip spans from Tricorn Black at the lightest end to Iron Ore at the deepest. As part of strip 251, these colors are curated to work together — helpful when you're deciding how light or deep to go.
Black Magic in Real Rooms
Black Magic has a low LRV of 3.13 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Neutral family, the photos below show it applied in a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen cabinets, kitchen, front door, house, misc and dining room.
5 Bedroom Photos
Lighting is key in a bedroom, and Black Magic reacts beautifully to dimmers. As you lower the lights for sleep, the color takes on a velvet-like quality, losing its daytime crispness in favor of a smoky, mysterious depth that is incredibly conducive to relaxation.
Bedroom accent wall in Black Magic creates dramatic contrast.
@interiors_kdm
Wall painted Black Magic makes a bold bedroom statement.
@made_by_pietrek
Accent wall in Black Magic grounds the bedroom space.
@simplymadehome
Bedroom accent wall in Black Magic adds moody depth.
@malibustaging
Bedroom interior with Black Magic accent wall creates drama.
@taralewinteriors
12 Living Room Photos
Choosing Black Magic for a main living area is a commitment to timelessness. It avoids the trend-cycle fatigue of brighter hues, offering a sophisticated neutrality that can be reimagined every few years simply by swapping out textiles or accent pillows. It is the ultimate foundation for an evolving home.
Living room wall in Black Magic delivers moody elegance.
@jillysue317
5 Bathroom Photos
Using Black Magic on a bathroom vanity is a clever way to introduce color without painting the walls. It creates a sophisticated anchor for the room, especially when topped with a thick white quartz or a contrasting dark stone.
Bathroom walls in Black Magic provide an elegant, moody backdrop.
@walnutandpinedesign
Black Magic on the bathroom walls creates intimate, spa-like ambiance.
@thejimenezcasa
Black Magic transforms the bathroom with rich, dramatic color.
@brah.holler.farms
The bathroom features Black Magic walls for contemporary elegance.
@oatmeal_modern
Bathroom walls in Black Magic establish serene elegance.
@oatmeal_modern
6 Kitchen Cabinets Photos
Choosing Black Magic for cabinets allows you to be more adventurous with your tile and stone choices. Because the cabinetry is so well-grounded, it can balance out a heavily veined marble or a colorful geometric backsplash without the room feeling "busy."
Kitchen cabinets painted Black Magic make a striking focal point.
@rosewoodcustombuilders
1 Kitchen Photo
On kitchen walls, Black Magic adds a considered, intentional feel without demanding too much attention in a busy space. It holds its own against both warm wood countertops and cool quartz or marble, making it an incredibly flexible choice for the hardest-working and most high-traffic room in the house.
A kitchen island in Black Magic anchors this modern space.
@redrosesandrust
6 Front Door Photos
A front door in Black Magic changes the entire read of a facade without requiring a renovation. The color is strong enough to register from the street but refined enough not to feel like a statement for its own sake. It's the "handshake" of the home.
The front door painted Black Magic welcomes guests boldly.
@inspiringaccents
7 House Photos
Black Magic on an exterior reads differently at different scales: approachable up close, commanding from the street. It works especially well on houses with good trim detail, where the contrast between wall and trim can do real visual work.
Exterior siding in Black Magic creates curb appeal and drama.
@cambridgeclassichomes
7 Misc Photos
See how Black Magic is used in narrow hallways to create a "gallery" feel. The color provides a steady, rhythmic background that allows a series of framed photos or art pieces to feel like a cohesive, professional installation.
Furniture painted Black Magic gains renewed visual interest.
@elysetharpdiy
1 Dining Room Photo
Pairing Black Magic with a white ceiling and high white wainscoting creates a classic, high-contrast look that is perfect for a traditional dining space. It brings a sense of architectural rhythm and formality that is hard to achieve with lighter tones.
The dining room walls in Black Magic evoke refined sophistication.
@sage_and_sycamore
Coordinating Colors
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 3), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
At LRV 83 vs 3, Lemon Meringue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 46 vs 3, Anjou Pear is decisively the brighter choice.
Trim Color
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 3), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
Similar Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 3 vs 3), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 3 and 3, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 3 vs 3), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 4 and 3, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 4 vs 3), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 4 vs 3), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 4 vs 3), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 4 and 3, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 3), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 4 and 3, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Complementary Colors
Kingston reflects far more light (LRV 70 vs 3), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
Window Pane reflects far more light (LRV 72 vs 3), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 3, Piedmont is decisively the brighter choice.
Holly Glen reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 3), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
Glimmer reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 3), opening up a space where Black Magic encloses it.
At LRV 34 vs 3, Agate Green is decisively the brighter choice.
Courtyard reads slightly lighter (LRV 9 vs 3), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Lighter Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 3 vs 3), so neither reads brighter in a room.