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Behr’s Color of the Year 2024: Cracked Pepper

Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year: Cracked Pepper – A Sophisticated Choice

Transform any dull space into a timeless masterpiece with Behr’s Cracked Pepper, a versatile black hue that makes a bold statement, earning it the title Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year.

Create a stunning contrast against other color palettes by using this soft, blackish-gray shade as an accent wall. Avoid regretting your paint color choices when you side with Behr on this stunning shade. Whether you’re a DIYer, decorator, or designer, Cracked Pepper is the perfect hue to exude confidence and elevate your creative expression.

Photo Credit: Behr

Embrace Dark Colors in 2024: Research Shows Majority of Americans in Favor

Behr’s recent research reveals that over half of Americans believe that dark colors can enhance a space and create a new atmosphere. A whopping 74% of Americans stated that they would be open to painting a room or an area a dark color, demonstrating that dark colors are gaining popularity in home decor.

Cracked Pepper is a flexible color that can be incorporated into any design style. Regardless of whether your surroundings are retro, midcentury, or minimalist, this shade can effortlessly complement your current decor and hues. Rather than detracting from your space’s features, it enhances them.

Photo Credit: Behr

Different Ways to Incorporate Cracked Pepper

If you’re a fan of the dark hue, there are multiple ways to incorporate Cracked Pepper into your home decor. The possibilities are endless, and you can play around with it based on your personal taste.

Some designers love the unconventional yet bold idea of painting all four walls with this color, which adds depth and a sense of boldness to a room. Additionally, the color can create a very confident, meditative, and composed look and feel. If committing to painting all four walls is too much, start by adding small touches of color throughout your space to see how you like it.

Photo Credit: Behr

In recent years, painting interior doors black has become quite trendy and we don’t see this design choice leaving in 2024, so if this is a look you have been dying to try, Cracked Pepper is the perfect hue for such a project. If you have light or neutral walls, even more reason to go with this color for your interior doors — the door will really stand out on its own. Cracked Pepper is also a wonderful choice for a kitchen island or cabinetry.

Tips for Incorporating Dark Paint Colors

Since Cracked Pepper is a dark hue, here are some of our best tips for working with dark paint colors: 

Using dark paint colors in the home can be a bold and dramatic statement, but it can also be intimidating. However, with a little bit of careful planning and consideration, anyone can successfully incorporate dark colors into their home decor.

First, consider the room’s lighting. Dark colors absorb light, so it’s important to make sure that the room has adequate natural and artificial lighting. Consider adding additional lamps or light fixtures to brighten up the space. If your room doesn’t get much natural light, consider using a warm, light-colored accent wall to balance out the darkness.

Balance the dark colors with lighter elements. Use light-colored furniture, artwork, and accessories to create contrast and balance in the room. This will prevent the space from feeling too heavy or closed-in. Consider using metallic accents to add a touch of glamour and reflect light.

Pay attention to the finish. Matte finishes can make dark colors feel even darker and more dramatic, while glossy finishes can reflect light and create an illusion of space. Consider using a semi-gloss finish on trim and doors to add some shine and contrast to the walls.

Finally, test the color before committing. Paint a small section of the wall and observe it at different times of the day to see how it looks in different lighting. This will help you avoid any surprises and ensure that you are happy with the color before painting the entire room.

By following these tips, you can successfully incorporate dark paint colors into your home and create a bold and beautiful space, especially if you opt for Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year, Cracked Pepper.

Holly Antoine

Holly Antoine is a Home, Lifestyle and DIY content creator. After leaving behind an 11-year career in the dental field to pursue her passion for design and decor, she developed her own branded site, HollyGrace.ca, where she shares her love of home design, decor, DIYs and inspires others to get creative and build[...]

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