Shapes and lines are streamlined, and when bulkier areas come into it they’re connected by slimline supports to create unexpected, fine forms. Curves have also come to play a key role, with roundness taking the edge off and making the shade more friendly, approachable and easy to live with.

Materials are mixed, so the darkness of the black is varied across a product – an opaque frame here, some translucent detailing there – and light also interacts with modern black designs in a way it hasn’t before, with glossy finishes such as glass. Or high shine adding depth and highlighting three-dimensional elements while matte black sucks in light to create a shape that’s flatter and gives slighter forms a little more drama.

Standard Sofa and Chiara Armchair by Edra

Charles Sofa by B&B Italia

Texture plays a key role too, with making the most of a material’s nuances – be it the unevenness of a weave or the transparency of glass – adding layers of interest for a feel that’s elevated and refined as well as moody.

The simplicity and elegance of a refined black object banishes visual clutter and distraction, while its minimalist aesthetic enhances feelings of relaxation, peacefulness, and mental clarity. By focusing on the darkest shade of the spectrum, the deep tone evokes a calmness and serenity which allows the mind to relax and unwind, the subtle approach to black design creating an atmosphere that’s both impactful and soothing, as well as surprisingly spa and sanctuary-like.