Picture Perfect: Decorate With Black And White Photographs For Exquisite Interiors

black and white photography for your walls

There are times when we obsess about décor and furnishings. Some of us save up to buy that single iconic chair or loveseat that will elevate the interiors to a whole new level. Then there are occasions when we endlessly ponder over color schemes and accent hues. Yet, the most personal and beautiful part of a home is often a display of some cherished moments framed up and arranged with cherished symmetry.

Photographs and photo galleries are nothing new when it comes to interior design.

In fact, they are one feature that might be as old as our ability to create permanent dwellings!

The Dying swan artwork in black and white steals the show here with grace and balance! — The Dying swan in black and white steals the show here with grace and balance!

by AMW Design Studio

Despite this age-old fascination with photographs, contemporary residences and semi-minimalist trends are altering the way we look at adorning our walls with prints. Decorating with black and white photography is seeing new heights thanks to improved cameras and the growing inclination to use neutral colors and muted tones. Here are a few arrangements and dazzling displays that will inspire you to get started on this bold and striking path –

Bring in uniformity despite varying sizes of photoframes by using black and white prints — Bring in uniformity despite varying sizes of photo-frames by using black and white prints

by James Thomas

Grey contemporary interiors combined with black and white prints stylishly — Grey contemporary interiors stylishly combined with black and white prints

Sleek and stylish dining room with hints of red

Snapshot in black and white takes center stage here

by Megan Buchanan

Sophisticated Vancouver residence draped in black, white and gray

by Douglas Williams Photography

Wall next to the staircase is a popular spot for the display of photographs

by Dumican Mosey Architects

Personal photographs in the bedroom give your home a exclusive appeal — Personal photographs in the bedroom give your home an exclusive appeal

Glittering interiors in black and white with a hint of red

by COLECCION ALEXANDRA

Custom wall murals are not all that hard to create

by Décor Demon

Shades of Contemporary Charm

With home owners and designers sticking to backdrops in warm earthen shades of cool muted tones, an image in color can often disturb the flowing form. Black and white photographs add uniqueness, depth, character and style to walls without upsetting the color scheme of the room. They also seem to accentuate the impact of accent colors like red, yellow and green. Doubling up as lovely standalone art pieces that blend with plush neutral décor and as cool personal image collection, black and white prints are multidimensional and easy to incorporate.

Splashes of yellow accents surround photo arrangement in black and white

by Esther Hershcovich

While interior design is all about filling up the empty space within the walls, one must never fill a home completely. There must always be an empty spot on the wall waiting for the perfect photograph or print to come along. This way, when you do find that last missing piece, you will have the satisfaction of a completed quest and a room waiting to welcome its latest addition!

Rule of threes seems to work pretty well for photographs as well!

by CHROMA Design Lab + Interiors

Square frames in a large frame give the room geometric variance — Square frames in a large frame arrangement give the room geometric variance

by Charlie & Co. Design

Accent colors look far more impressive when surrounded by black and white

by K West Images

Add some adventure to your interiors with travel inspired black and white canvas

by Z Gallerie

Black and white photographs add to neutral interiors without disturbing the color scheme

by L K DeFrances & Associates

Cute and cuddly additions to a cozy bedroom in cream and white

by Michelle Hinckley

Nostalgic and Exclusive

Black and white photographs carry along with them a sense of nostalgia and the charm of an era gone by. Photographs are all about capturing those fleeting moments of time that never reiterate. Black and white prints carry a depth that seems to be missing even in the most extravagant color images. Add to it the contrast of the two shades along with the grays and you have a framed image that seems to take you back in time instantly. Unlike wall art in color, these images seem sophisticated and stylish in an unassuming and modest manner.

Black and white photographs of stars from cinema's golden era for the home theater — Black and white photographs of stars from cinema’s golden era for the home theater

by Silvan Homes

Eclectic kids' bedroom with fashionable prints in black and white — Eclectic kids’ bedroom with fashionable prints in black and white

by michelle williams interiors

When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls! This goes for all black and white prints as they capture the essence of a natural setting and go much beyond the exterior. It is this special quality of black and white images that makes them so mesmerizing and transcendental.

Chocolate and vanilla living space with single large photograph

by Pleasant Living

Gorgeous print of Audrey Hepburn is as dramatic as any black and white photo in this scarlet setting — Gorgeous black and white print of Audrey Hepburn is a dramatic addition to this scarlet setting

by (m) + Charles Beach Interiors

Iconic artist Sally Mann's photographs form a perfect backdrop for the Egg Chair — Iconic artist Sally Mann’s photographs form a perfect backdrop for the Egg Chair

by Chloe Warner

Long corridors in white bring home an art gallery atmosphere!

Modern bathroom in white with a neatly placed black and white print

by d’apostrophe design

Picture ledge with black and white photos creates an elegant focal point in a bright room

by John Lum Architecture

Textured and wavy wall in white complements the image of a crashing wave perfectly

by Turn Collaborative

Shining the Spotlight Just Right!

The most important aspect of creating an art gallery or display in black and white is lighting. Just like in every other case, lighting can make or break your picturesque collection. Rail or track lighting is always best option as they shed spotlight squarely on the lovely framed prints. This also helps eliminate any chance of glare disturbing the aesthetic appeal of the collection. Black and white photographs can be mixed and matched in several different ways. Photo frames in various sizes can come together to offer contrast even as their lack of color forms a flowing and unifying factor.

Captivating photographs by Helmut Newton for the contemporary home office

by Atmosphere Interior Design

Light up your entrance-way with some stunning images

by Forum Phi

Floating shelves and tops of bookcases are also great places to decorate with photographs. These give you the added benefit of doings o without causing any damage to the walls. Whether it is a single large image of a nature at its imperious best, or a star from an era gone by or a snapshot of an important moment in your past, black and white photographs bring them alive with class. Easy to try out, these displays transform your interiors instantly. Give them a shot and notice the new-found sophistication!