Anthracite paint

Anthracite paint is the deep charcoal grey with a black core that lets a wall hold its own without turning harsh. Where pure black quickly looks severe in a living room, anthracite keeps just enough warmth and grey in it to add depth while staying readable. At Selected Wallpapers you choose anthracite paint in matt and satin finishes, along with the matching wallpaper and fabrics to finish off that dark wall.

Why anthracite paint works so well on a wall

Anthracite is never a flat colour. Within a single shade there are usually subtle undertones that catch the light: a blue-grey anthracite cools a room and reads as crisp, while an anthracite with a brown or green undertone feels warmer and more earthy. That difference changes everything. So test a pot on the actual wall you have in mind and look at the colour in both daylight and lamplight, because anthracite paint shifts with the light far more than a pale shade does.

Where anthracite paint looks its best

A whole room in anthracite asks for space and light; in a small, dark room it can feel closed in. On an accent wall, in an alcove or around a fireplace the colour does exactly what you want: it draws the eye and lets the rest of the room settle. Anthracite paint works especially well on panelling, wainscoting and internal doors, because the deep grey emphasises the shadow lines of the mouldings. A stairwell or a study also gains character from a dark wall.

Combining anthracite paint with wallpaper

A dark wall needs a counterweight. A plain wallpaper in a calm tone next to an anthracite wall keeps the balance, while a textured wallpaper gives you a tactile counterpart that actually makes the matt of the paint look richer. If you want to lend the dark wall a little glamour, set it against a metallic wallpaper: the sheen catches the light that anthracite tends to absorb, so the two reinforce each other rather than compete.

Which finish should you choose with anthracite paint?

With a dark colour every imperfection and every brushstroke shows. A matt wall paint hides irregularities in the surface best and gives anthracite that velvety, light-absorbing look. For woodwork, doors and frames choose a satin or eggshell finish: it is more hard-wearing and easier to clean, which is welcome with dark tones that show fingerprints. A good primer in a grey tone is almost essential with anthracite, otherwise you need more coats to get full coverage.

Fabrics and accessories for an anthracite wall

Against an anthracite wall, natural materials come into their own. Linen curtain fabrics in sand, ochre or warm white soften the dark grey, while brass, scorched wood and terracotta breathe life into the room. Add a few scatter cushions in a contrasting colour and the anthracite wall becomes a backdrop that lets everything around it speak, rather than a black hole in the room.

Ordering anthracite paint at Selected Wallpapers

At Selected Wallpapers & Interiors you order anthracite paint online, with advice from our studio on colour, finish and the right pairing of wallpaper and fabrics. If you are torn between a cool and a warm anthracite, request a sample first and test the colour at home. If you would rather have the wall painted, we can put you in touch with a professional decorator. The current delivery time is always shown on the product page. International shipping, duties & taxes included.