Hello, Lovelies,
I hope you're enjoying the fresh air, warmer days and all that comes with spring.
If you are new here, welcome! If you're an oldie, then you probably know how much I LOVE darker tones in design. I know they aren't for everyone, and of course I wouldn't paint every room in my house a dark color--that would be depressing. But I sure find richness, sophistication and--may I even say--seduction when darker tones are brought into a space.
So lets talk about the do's and don'ts of going to the "dark side."
Natural light can be a crucial factor when choosing to paint walls dark. You want sophistication, but you don't want to feel locked in a dungeon, right? I said "can be" because there are always exceptions to the rules of design. Beauty really is in the eyes of the beholder.
You need to ask yourself, "What's the purpose of this room?" For example, in a bedroom you may want to create a feeling of warmth and intimacy, and in that case natural light might not be as important.
Besides, you'll likely have at least some natural light--unless your room doesn't have windows. In that case, please don't paint that room dark. It will definitely feel like a dungeon.
The key to creating a dark-colored, sophisticated room is the accents you use. Here are a few examples where a dark room works perfectly:
What do these rooms have in common?
How about art? Choose lighter art for dark walls. Not only will your art pop, but it will also brighten up your room.
I prefer brass accents with dark colors. There's something so beautiful and luxurious about brass and gold tones with darker paint. Use candles, pillows, books, bedding and furniture to make the room look brighter. You guys, it's all in the details!
If your room doesn't have a door and spills into another space, painting it dark actually creates a feeling of endlessness and the design looks purposeful.
Here are few things to consider if you're thinking of going dark:
Deeper hues, while warm and cozy, can also make a room feel small and cave-like. However, you can fix that with large, light pieces of art or a light gallery wall. Adding a mirror creates a feeling of depth in the space.
Darker rooms heat up quickly in the sun—and that sunlight can fade some of the materials in your room. And darker rooms are unforgiving when it comes to imperfections. Just a small chip in the drywall will stick out like a sore thumb on your wall.
What's more, it's a pain in the rear to change the color after you're tired of the dark shade. Color awakens certain emotions, and feeling the same emotions day after day can drain you. So you WILL get tired of it.
In the end, you need to know if YOU are someone who can go to the dark side! As I said, it's not for everyone. Some find these colors beautiful in photos, but in reality dark walls make them feel anxious and depressed. But if you've been thinking about going dark, find a small space to paint and see how it makes you feel.
In the end it's just paint--go for it!
XO,
Anya
photo credits: @studiomcgee, @anyasdecor, @chrislovesjulia, @jeanstofferdesign, @designsbytresha, @housebeautiful @alicelaneathome, @ginny_macdonald