My personal trainer Ruth Voss at Innovative Fitness asked another question about black the other day (Note to Ruth: there seems to be a trend here :). Why do teenagers want a black room? There are a few answers to this question;
1. As self-expression becomes more important, kids -- especially tweens and teens -- search for ways to make a statement and stand out in a crowd.
2. A desire to maintain control.
3. Black makes them feel less vulnerable, forming a protective shield and anonymity around them, private and safe.
However, psychologists say that people who use black to the exclusion of all other colours are depressed. They also say teens want black to distinguish their space from their parents'. I think it would be important to understand your teen and where the desire for black is coming from. Then come to a compromise and do something like this bedroom below, if you really can’t handle your teen having one that looks like the above image.
I think if your teen wants to go black, this is the best way to do it. Either paint an accent wall in the room where the headboard is (usually that’s the one) or above the chair rail with chalkboard paint (as shown below). One step further, would be adding a coat of magnetic paint [underneath the chalkboard paint] so that your teen can put their posters up with magnets!
Notice how the black in this room (above) has a blue undertone? It’s a great choice with the sky blue in the room. I personally feel that your child/teen should have a say [within reason] in the colour of their room as it is their personal space whereas your home is yours.
I had to show this one [also from Apartment Therapy] because it’s the nicest black room I’ve ever seen! It simply proves that there is no such thing as an ugly or bad colour. Context is everything.
Here’s a room done in high-gloss paint; however, this will show every bump and imperfection so unless you have perfect walls, go for a lower sheen, although this will also make the room even darker as it won’t reflect the light as shown here.
If Black is your favourite colour: Rarely chosen as a favourite colour because it is actually the negation of colour. The person who chooses black may have a number of conflicting attitudes. You may be conventional, conservative, and sophisticated, or you may like to think of yourself as rather worldly and serious, a cut above everyone else, or very dignified. You may also want to have an air of mystery or think of yourself as very sexy. Wit, cleverness, personal security, and prestige are very important to you.
If you Dislike Black: As black is the negation of colour, it may be a complete negative to you. It is the eternal mystery, the bottomless pit, the black hole, the road to nowhere. It may represent death and mourning to you. Things that go bump in the night are black. Were you frightened by the dark in your childhood? That experience may still be buried in the recesses of your mind and may still haunt you when you look at anything black. Black may simply be too heavy for you to handle at this point in your life. You are uncomfortable with the super sophisticated and feel insecure in their company. You like real people and are not dazzled by dignitaries. Leatrice Eisman
Also it’s good to keep in mind that this too shall pass. . .
