Jennifer Aniston based her living room palette around this unconventional hue – and there's a designer trick for getting it right
A balanced color scheme has never felt as crucial as it does in Aniston's home – we can learn from how she uses this tricky tone
![Jennifer Aniston](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/myyrS3H6HYh9XoQDBSrWG5-415-80.jpg)
For fans of Jennifer Aniston, her mid-century modern Bel Air home needs no introduction. The structure, designed by architect A. Quincy Jones in 1965, is the ultimate canvas for experimenting with her favorite design trends, thanks to its abundant use of glass windows that fill her spaces with sunlight – and this includes her bold living room color palette.
The Friends actress opted for a primarily black color scheme – exhibited not through her paint choices (though the area around her fireplace uses this hue) but through her furniture choices. In the room, designer Stephen Shadley has found a way to decorate with black without darkening Aniston's room.
Despite the rich, dark furniture pieces (most notably, the dark leather seats), black-hued sculptures, and fireplace, the space appears indisputably bright and airy. Much of the sucsess comes down to the floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the room with natural light. However, as designers explain, it's also because of her styling.
A post shared by Stephen Shadley (@stephenshadley)
A photo posted by on
Alongside her black furniture and artworks, Aniston has a balanced room with a large light gray rug (that covers almost the entire floor). She's also used a lighter gray on some of her wall space and incorporated a cream throw and statement indoor plant in the corner of the room. It's a color-balancing technique that Rudolph Diesel, an interior designer at Rudolph Diesel London, swears by.
'To style black furniture, I suggest surrounding your black pieces with light-colored accessories in the form of cushions, throws, or rugs. In my experience, this contrast creates a more visually balanced space and prevents the room from feeling too dark or heavy,' Diesel says. Alongside the technique seen in Aniston's space, they also recommend decorating with mirrors – especially in rooms that aren't filled with natural light like Aniston's.
'Incorporating reflective surfaces, like mirrors or metallic accents, will cause light to bounce around the room, boosting the perceived brightness of the space,' Diesel suggests.
A living space that uses black accents strategically, similar to Jennifer Aniston's space.
Besides choosing the right-colored accessories, we can also learn a lot from Aniston's lighter wall paint. As mentioned, she has chosen a subtle light gray that doesn't demand attention. It allows her black furniture to make the statement it deserves while letting the rest of the room breathe. We can do the same with a similar gray or another light neutral, including off-white or cream.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
'To ensure that black furniture works well within your interior design, I recommend coming up with a cohesive color palette that complements the boldness of your black furniture pieces,' Diesel explains.
'Light walls and flooring provide a neutral backdrop that allows the black furniture to stand out without overwhelming the space. Experimenting with different textures, such as velvet or leather, would deepen visual interest in the room while maintaining a unified look.' For an Aniston-inspired starting point, we love these soft, neutral pieces below. The rug is particularly perfect for adding light and warmth that juxtaposes black leather, and its colorway is pefect for almost every type of space (even beyond the living room).
The final key to a cohesive black living room involves playing with varying heights and shapes. Both of which 'can go a long way in amplifying the aesthetic appeal of black furniture' in a living room. 'For example, tall floor lamps draw the eye upwards, contributing to the growing sense of balance and sophistication throughout the space.'
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
It's not too late to cut these perennials back for a flush of fall flowers – 6 popular plants to trim this month
Gardeners in warmer climates can get late blooms to enjoy by carefully cutting back these perennials now
By Drew Swainston Published
-
10 things you should never store in your oven drawer
Stay safe and healthy by keeping these items out of your oven drawer
By Sarah Warwick Published
-
Kim Kardashian's starter home offers a modern flair on Tuscan-style luxury – it's listed for $5 million
The estate, sitting in the coveted Deep Canyon area, is a celebration of Southern European timelessness among Beverly Hills glamor
By Megan Slack Published
-
Lily Collins uses this strategically-placed floating unit to make use of 'dead' space in her kitchen – for streamlined results
The Emily in Paris star intelligently makes use of even the quirkiest spaces in her LA home – and her technique is easily replicable
By Megan Slack Published
-
Zooey Deschanel's inventive kitchen island is a major 2025 design trend – it brings instant texture and sophistication
The actress's textural kitchen island is trailblazing one of the most popular looks of the new year, experts are in love with the cozy, luxe look
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Jennifer Lopez uses this color to bring 'laidback luxury' to her compact living room nook – experts say it's the perfect accent shade
J.Lo. uses a unique, 70s-inspired shade to bring fun and whimsy to her living room corner, it is a bold complement to the neutral space
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Justin Theroux's spacious living room layout masters one of the 'fastest growing' real estate trends – say agents
The Beetlejuice actor's home serves as a reminder of why some layouts will never fall out of favor – real estate agents say the look is perfect for small spaces
By Megan Slack Published
-
Mark Zuckerberg's backyard decor is unique – but his technique is a surprisingly simple way to transform outdoor spaces
Though we've never seen anything quite like the Facebook CEO's garden decorating, it's a highly replicable way to elevate your backyard
By Sophie Edwards Published
-
Giada De Laurentiis brings on-trend neutrals alive in her living room – experts say her palette feels physically comforting and safe
The chef mastered one of 2024's most soothing ‘it-girl’ aesthetics – but her versatile scheme will live on for many years ahead
By Megan Slack Published
-
Colleen Hoover first saw this tool in an unlikely place – but it's a surprising way to elevate your kitchen storage
We were skeptical of the 'It Ends With Us' author's kitchen tool because of where she was inspired to buy it, but it's an affordable way to upgrade your frying setup
By Sophie Edwards Published