I first really fell in love with the idea of a dark colour for ‘certain’ rooms about 15 years ago when visiting a friend in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Their library come bar come den was painted black with a collection of masks they’d collected from all over the world hanging on the walls. This room definitely created mood, drama and intrigue, perfect for an evening of drinks and gossip!
Dark Walls
Dark walls can be the same blank canvas as white walls, but have a totally different effect on the space. Simply because it isn’t something we are used to seeing in decor, the effect is dramatic and exciting.
Dark walls are the perfect backdrop for lots of art and wall decor, helping images pop out even more than they do on a white background. This is the same for furniture.
Plants look especially beautiful against dark walls and ensure the space still looks ‘lively’.
Go dark in… a small room
This may seem counterintuitive to most styling advice, but here me out. If a room is already small, like in a bathroom, there is often no hiding this. We say embrace it. What you gain is drama and, interestingly, a certain cosyness.
For a small bathroom or kitchen, try dark tiles. If you go for a slightly reflective tile, the space won’t be swallowed up so much by the dark hue. Add chrome, brass, or gold hardware for a super luxury vibe.
Of course, if you are trying to make a small feel larger, neutral is the way to go. Check out our blog on decorating with neutrals here.
Go dark in… a cluttered space
Dark walls hide a multitude of sins, and we’re not just talking about finger smudges. Dark walls are a great balance for a lot of colour and clutter than aren’t easily hidden away in storage, such as toys in a kids room, a busy noticeboard in an office or a hallway with an overflowing coat rack.
Of course, in an ideal world, your home would always be tidied of these items and perfectly pinterest-ready. But, this is life and if you find that your home keeps feeling cluttered despite your best efforts, maybe dark walls are the way to go.
If you need help with decluttering your home, read out decluttering 101 blog or get in touch for a virtual decluttering session with one of our experts.
Lighting and dark colours
Lighting is always important, but even more so when decorating with dark colours. In the evenings, and in rooms with little natural light, you’ll need more lights on in a room with a dark colour palette.
You want the right balance between enough general overhead lighting to see everything you need to and softer accent lighting to create ambience. Read about task, accent and general lighting in this blog.
Nervous about going fully over to the dark side?
If you’re slightly nervous or want to try something a little different, try colour blocking.
We see this term used a lot in the fashion industry. Do half a wall in a darker colour than the top half. Include both colours and tones in your accessories, this will tie it all together beautifully.
We also love the trend of painting trims dark, such as door frames and skirting boards.
Dark Decor
Of course, you can also start really small with dark colours by using dark hues for your accent pieces.
Black, or very dark wood furniture, look fantastic in a white room for a beautiful, clean monochrome look. This is great for all kinds of styles, from super traditional to uber modern.
We really love using black as an accent colour for decor. Look how striking it is used sparingly in this minimalist nordic-inspired design:
Don’t be afraid of the dark side of decor! There is so much fun to be had with experimenting with dark hues in your home.
