Build a black and white wall mural.

Colorful paintings are all the rage, but there are few things that beat the monochrome and calm of black and white motifs. Black and white suits all kinds of styles and tastes, is easy to combine and can be used to both soften and highlight other types of motifs.

Black and white are striking contrasting colors, but that doesn't mean they have to compete. A graphic, black and white motif can be perceived as sharp and contrasting, while a black and white photograph with shading and soft transitions can instead give a calmer impression. If you combine motifs from both fields, you can often create an expression that harmonizes.

Black and white motifs can often be perceived as cold. In that case, they are best matched with motifs or furnishings that are warmer. Beige is a color that goes well with black and white motifs, as it is a neutral color that does not dominate, but instead makes the black and white expression softer.

The choice of frame has more impact than many people think.

The color of the frame you choose is also an important part when it comes to black and white motifs. A wooden frame adds warmth to the motif, while a black frame enhances the contrasting and harsh expression. The wall color also affects how the motifs will be perceived. Black and white motifs against a gray or beige wall, for example, will be perceived very differently. The gray wall color emphasizes cool and harsh expressions, while the beige color softens them.