Dark and Moody Rooms That Are Anything but Gloomy
Not every house has to be light, bright and colourful – but it pays to know how to bring dark rooms to life
If you’re not the kind of person who needs light-filled rooms full of bright colours to feel energised, it’s time to embrace your true self and give in to those inner yearnings for dark, cave-like spaces. The good news is that the use of black, dark grey and other deep tones can not only bring intimacy to a room, but also a dose of sophistication it might otherwise lack … whether it’s a sultry bedroom, cool kitchen or even a bathroom or living room. Let these rooms inspire your own shift to the dark side at your house.
White bathrooms are as common as white kitchens these days, but a darker palette can be refreshingly cocoon-like.
With the right lighting (or a candle or two), a nightly bath in this bathroom could be a deeply relaxing way to end the day and welcome a good night’s sleep.
GLOOM PREVENTION: If you’re using dark wall and floor tiles, make sure you maximise the natural light coming in with the use of large mirrors. This will prevent the room feeling stagnant or depressing.
With the right lighting (or a candle or two), a nightly bath in this bathroom could be a deeply relaxing way to end the day and welcome a good night’s sleep.
GLOOM PREVENTION: If you’re using dark wall and floor tiles, make sure you maximise the natural light coming in with the use of large mirrors. This will prevent the room feeling stagnant or depressing.
This bathroom also manages to pair dark tiles with bright white fixtures with ease.
GLOOM PREVENTION: The bathroom stops short of being gloomy with the help of a skylight that brings out the natural tones and veins in the stone tiles.
Take a look around this house
GLOOM PREVENTION: The bathroom stops short of being gloomy with the help of a skylight that brings out the natural tones and veins in the stone tiles.
Take a look around this house
It takes courage to paint the walls of a bedroom in a deep shade, but it’s the way to go if you see your bedroom as a retreat from the world – dark walls can make it wonderfully cave-like.
GLOOM PREVENTION: Use your bedding to bring a little colour and whimsy into the space. Otherwise, the darkness could feel too heavy.
GLOOM PREVENTION: Use your bedding to bring a little colour and whimsy into the space. Otherwise, the darkness could feel too heavy.
Nothing says grown-up sophistication in a dining room more than the use of black and other dark tones.
GLOOM PREVENTION: The subtle artwork in this dining room brings just enough life and colour into the space to stop it feeling too staged or sterile.
GLOOM PREVENTION: The subtle artwork in this dining room brings just enough life and colour into the space to stop it feeling too staged or sterile.
When the homeowner briefed designer Luisa Volpato on what she wanted for her bedroom, she requested luxurious comfort, texture, opulence and dark, sophisticated tones. She got all this and more with the help of that decadent wallpaper and sultry lighting.
GLOOM PREVENTION: Use texture to add interest to a dark space, and mix dark tones up with dashes of metallic or paler tones to lighten the mood.
See the before and after photos
GLOOM PREVENTION: Use texture to add interest to a dark space, and mix dark tones up with dashes of metallic or paler tones to lighten the mood.
See the before and after photos
This living room is both theatrical and super cosy thanks to the dark ceiling and mix of textures and patterns.
GLOOM PREVENTION: Shimmery wallpaper keeps the room from being too dark. Instead, it adds the warmth and drama the space needs to make it truly inviting.
YOUR SAY
How have you avoided the doom and gloom? Or have you embraced it? Share with us in the Comments.
MORE
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Kitchen Trend: Black Is Back
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
GLOOM PREVENTION: Shimmery wallpaper keeps the room from being too dark. Instead, it adds the warmth and drama the space needs to make it truly inviting.
YOUR SAY
How have you avoided the doom and gloom? Or have you embraced it? Share with us in the Comments.
MORE
11 Reasons Why You Should Paint Your Interior Doors Black
Kitchen Trend: Black Is Back
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
GLOOM PREVENTION: Stainless steel lighting, stools and appliances add enough reflective quality to make this space brim over with appeal.