Black and white – who could keep them apart?

Black and white color have a good thing going. Always have. From chequered floors to a perfectly judged stripe, they share an instinct for looking right together. On wallpaper, though, this familiar couple can still surprise.

Take a sprawling botanical drawing. In black and white, every curling leaf and wayward stem earns its place. An abstract brushstroke feels bolder; a finely sketched landscape invites a closer look. Then there are the patterns with a sense of humour – curious creatures, unexpected details, little scenes you only notice while waiting for the kettle. With colour out of the equation, the drawing gets your full attention.

Choosing black and white wallpaper is really about deciding how much energy you want on the wall. A loose, airy design can lend a bedroom a lovely stillness. A crisp geometric repeat puts a spring in a hallway’s step. In the living room, a generous mural gives the eye somewhere to wander, especially when the furniture leaves enough of it on show.

The trick to making it feel inviting? Texture. Think oak floorboards, a linen sofa, a wool rug under bare feet. Warm lamplight softens the contrasts in the evening. Even the shade of white matters: a creamy background feels quite different from a bright, papery one.

And there’s no obligation to keep the whole room monochrome. An bright blue sofa looks beautifully at home here. So does a burgundy chair or a pink lampshade bought with absolutely no sensible justification. Black and white can accommodate a little impulsiveness. The quiet one might surprise you. The bold one might be exactly what that sensible sofa needs.

Browse the gallery of black & white wallpapers and see which design catches your eye!