Dark color paint in bedroom
15 Decorating Ideas for Dark Colored Bedroom Walls
By
Michelle Ullman
Michelle Ullman
Michelle Ullman is a home decor expert and product reviewer for home and garden products. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes & Gardens, among others.
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and
Lacey Ramburger
Lacey Ramburger
Lacey Ramburger is a personality assessment expert based in Kansas City, Missouri, with more than five years of experience. Her areas of expertise include Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram. She is the author of the book "Being Whole" and dozens of articles on personality assessments and relationships.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 01/11/22
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with white, pastel, or neutral walls, but if you’re playing it safe just because you fear dark paint will turn your bedroom into a cave, take heart. No matter how dark you go, you can still have a bedroom that’s airy, glamorous, or contemporary—whatever style you like best. The secret is balancing the strong wall color against the rest of the room’s décor.
One thing you’ll notice in just about every bedroom with dark walls is a white ceiling. This prevents a closed-in, cave-like vibe and helps maintain an airy feeling throughout the room. You can create the same effect with light-colored flooring, too. Check out these 15 bedrooms we've found for more tips on how to decorate your dark walls.
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01 of 15
Chocolate Brown
Ashley Montgomery Design
Though it might seem counterintuitive, dark walls, when done right, can actually make a small room appear larger.
That’s because dark colors visually recede, fooling the eyes into seeing the walls as further away than they really are. Check out the chocolate brown walls in the bedroom here (the paint color is Chocolate Candy by Benjamin Moore). Although this room is small, it doesn’t feel that way thanks to the rich, warm paint, the white ceiling and bedding, and the eye-catching yet unfussy pattern on the rug and shams. Additionally, keeping the palette limited to just two colors creates a feeling of airy simplicity. 12 Incredible Brown Bedroom Color Combinations
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02 of 15
Deep Purple
Mary Patton Design
If you like a bit of elegance and a touch of contemporary style in your décor, dark walls in an unexpected color are the perfect backdrop. Look at how the clean lines of the white metal canopy bed pop against the purple paint, while the patterns on the artwork and the shams add just enough contrast to keep things hopping. Using plenty of white in a dark-walled room helps prevent claustrophobia, while touches of shine bounce light around the space for an airy feel.
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03 of 15
Black and White Bedroom
Morse Design
Some might shy away from the idea of painting their bedroom walls black, but you shouldn't be. While black can come off as intimidating, the key is to balance it out with lighter pieces. Black and white always make a great team, so you can't go wrong with choosing white decor, bedding, or furniture to add some contrast and drama to your space.
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04 of 15
Dark Red
LA Designer Affair
While bright red walls are typically too stimulating for the bedroom, muted shades of red, such as burgundy or wine, are equally dramatic yet allow you to get to sleep at night. You can up the excitement factor with a few touches of bright color to play up the strong walls, but keep it under control by limiting those accents to a few pieces of artwork or decor. A light, painted ceiling is another way to balance the strength of dark walls.
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05 of 15
Black With Natural Textures
Alvin Wayne
Think the darkest color of all is only for vampires or goths? Not when you do black right, as in the gorgeous bedroom shown here.
There’s no need to let a dark wall color pigeonhole your decorating style. While glamorous décor most often has a creamy, dreamy palette of light neutrals or pastels, black walls take it to a new level. And there’s certainly nothing depressing or gloomy about a room filled with fabulous texture, wooden accents, natural lighting, and whimsical touches, like the accent pillows on the bed. -
06 of 15
Smoke Gray
Mary Patton Design
Choosing to paint your walls gray can seem daunting at first but can actually create a relaxing atmosphere. When working with dark-colored walls, you can go monochromatic and match the furniture and decorative items to the desired shade. The gray headboard and frame serve as an extension of the wall, while the white bedding and accent chair stands out in striking contrast. Especially if you want to go the minimalist route, gray bedroom walls can create a perfect backdrop.
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07 of 15
Navy With Mixed Accents
Blue Copper Design
If you decide to go dark on your bedroom walls but don’t want an especially modern feel, choose natural or painted wooden furniture rather than metal, plastic, or mirrored pieces.
The traditional look of wood balances the contemporary vibe of bold paint, keeping the overall appearance warm and friendly, as opposed to sleek and modern. But traditional furniture doesn’t have to mean boring or old-fashioned style—the bedroom shown here is a great example with its navy blue walls. The wooden bed frame, textured artwork, and soft pattern pillows strike a perfect balance between traditional and modern style. -
08 of 15
Black Walls With Pops of Color
Laquita Tate Styling and Design
Another way to work with black walls is by using them as a base to display pops of color. The bedroom shown here demonstrates this well, by hanging a colorful piece of artwork above the headboard. The vibrant colors in the piece already shine, but truly catch your eye when displayed against a dark base. The bright blue nightstand is also a vibrant touch that keeps the space feeling playful and colorful.
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09 of 15
Dark Green
Burchard Design Co.
Looking to add some spice to an otherwise nice-but-nothing-special bedroom or guestroom? The solution is as simple as a gallon of dark paint in your favorite green hue. This room has plenty of modern charm. But imagine it without those strong green walls: cute, but lacking the “wow!” that the bold color inspires. If you want the most decorating bang for your buck, it’s hard to beat the impact of a fresh coat of dark color. Adding some metallic accents can elevate the space to another level.
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10 of 15
Deep Blue With Patterns
Blakely Interior Designs/Photographer: Robin Ivy
A simple way to offset a dark-colored wall is by overlaying it with bright patterns. While the deep blue wall in this bedroom is still decidedly on the darker side, the geometric light blue pattern helps liven things up. Using shades in the same color can help keep things cohesive and not cause an overwhelming amount of contrast.
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11 of 15
Navy
Burchard Design Co.
Straddling the line between regular blue and black, navy is an optimal choice that many designers and decor enthusiasts incorporate into their rooms. When working with navy, accents of gold are always a winner, creating a modern and elegant feel. Navy also serves as a great backdrop to contrast against wooden elements, giving a rustic, welcoming vibe.
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12 of 15
Dark Olive Green
Mindy Gayer / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
Another version of a dark green bedroom, this olive tone is understated and adaptable. The light wood nightstands pair well with the hue, and the additional accent of light blue keeps the space from feeling too neutral. The use of wooden palettes on the wall adds some texture, making the color feel intriguing rather than plain.
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13 of 15
Black With Modern Touches
Mary Patton Design
While white walls are often heralded as being an ideal blank canvas, you shouldn't discount black walls to achieve the same purpose.
Black often evokes a feeling of sophistication—so accents with modern metallics and glamorous decor are an obvious choice. The golden global lamp and curtain rod are a delightful addition, and the tasteful floral throw pillows continue the simple and stylish trend. -
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Vibrant Blue With Dark Furniture
Mary Patton Design
Dark blue tones don't have to be limited to navy—there are plenty of versions to choose from. This gorgeous hue is vibrant yet still on the moodier side of the blue spectrum. The dark wood four-poster bed adds to the drama in a stunning way and proof that you aren't tied to strictly light furniture accents if you choose dark colors for your walls.
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Blacks Walls With Pink Accents
Modern House Vibes
For a unique take on the dark wall trend, try pairing your black walls with pink accents. This color combination creates a similar contrast to black and white but adds a slightly more vibrant feel to the room.
If you aren't sure where to start, paler shades such as rose or blush in particular pair exceptionally well with the inky shade.
How to Choose the Right Paint Colors for Your Bedroom
Watch Now: Best Paint Shades for Small Spaces
22 Gorgeous Dark Bedrooms - Bedrooms with Dark Color Palettes
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Proof that going to the dark side is beyond chic.
By Monique Valeris
Douglas Friedman
Believe it or not, a dark bedroom can be the perfect set-up for a good night's rest. Deep reds, rich navy blues, charcoal grays, chocolate browns, and striking black shades are all perfect choices for a bedroom design scheme. And if the rest of your home is awash in vivid hues or soft neutrals, it can feel soothing to enter a bedroom that's designed around a dark color palette.
For inspiration, we've assembled some of our favorite high-design, dark bedrooms. Get ready to embrace the dark side.
Simon Upton
1 of 22
Sultry Reds
In this bedroom in designer Lorenzo Castillo's home, a deep red palette lends a sophisticated, sensuous flair to the space. The wallpaper is by Sanderson, the headboard is upholstered in a Valentino velvet, the bench is Louis XV-style and the Spanish mirrors are 17th- and 18th-century. Paintings by Yturralde finish the look.
Zeke Ruelas
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Chic Layers
For his Hollywood Hills home that pays homage to its 1960s roots, John McClain fashioned the master bedroom with rich hues and layers of texture.
Julie Soefer Photography
3 of 22
Earthy Hues
Earthy tones and textures unite in this bedroom design scheme by Ben Johnston, who is known for his classic, visually appealing spaces.
Nick Johnson
4 of 22
Textured Beauty
A mix of classic and modern aesthetics are at work in this New York guest bedroom designed by Thom Filicia.
The room is outfitted with layers of texture, including a custom rug from Patterson Flynn & Martin and drapery fabric by Mila Blake.
Alyssa Rosenheck
5 of 22
Sophisticated Black
Sophisticated black walls serve as the perfect backdrop in the bedroom of this Washington, D.C., apartment. White sateen bedding from Tribute Goods, muted artwork from Tennessee-based landscape artist Megan Lightell, and French white oak floors soften the design.
Simon Upton
6 of 22
Floor to Ceiling
Decorator Alisa Bloom outfitted her blue Chicago penthouse guest bedroom with a headboard in a vintage French fabric, and a pillow and coverlet in a Lee Jofa silk.
Simon Upton
7 of 22
Black Walls
For the master bedroom in her 1920s Chicago penthouse, Alisa Bloom embraced a dark palette, choosing walls sheathed in a black Holland & Sherry fabric. Along with unsigned artwork from Redefined Chicago, the space features a B&B Italia bed in a Holland & Sherry wool, a desk by Lucien Rollin, and a chair by Oscar de la Renta for Century.
The 1940s console was purchased in Paris.
Douglas Friedman
8 of 22
Deep Gray
In Andy Cohen's Greenwich Village apartment, gray Ralph Lauren Home wallpaper complements the shades on the vintage Pierre Giraudon green-resin nightstand lamps from John Salibello. The bed is upholstered in a Maharam plaid by Paul Smith and dressed with Pratesi linens.
Mike Schwartz
9 of 22
Dark and Moody
When it came to designing this Lincoln Park home, interior design firm Studio Gild adhered to a dark and moody palette. The upholstered walls elevate the room and add to its cozy vibe.
Martin Westlake
10 of 22
Bamboo Style
A black bamboo staircase swoops upward to this master bedroom in Bali, featuring a domed canopy of shaped bamboo.
Mikkel Vang
11 of 22
Daring Gray
The Manhattan loft of Coldplay guitarist Jonny Buckland is a lesson in decorating around dark gray walls—Farrow & Ball's Modern Emulsion in Down Pipe to be exact.
The bed by BDDW is dressed with linens by Ralph Lauren Home and a pillow covered in a vintage grain sack; the chairs are by Eames and the painting is by Thilo Heinzmann.
Richard Powers
12 of 22
Glam Blue
A rancher in Upstate New York benefits from glam blue walls—upholstered in a Ralph Lauren wool suiting—along with a ceiling
covered in a Stark tea-leaf paper, custom wool carpet by Hokanson, and artwork (over the bed) by Richard Serra.
Cynthia Lynn
13 of 22
Black Quilted Accent
To boost this guest bedroom's style factor, Sally Grimes of PROjECT Interiors opted for a black channel-quilted leather headboard and a Moroccan wedding blanket adorned in sequins.
Christopher Sturman
14 of 22
Dramatic Blue
Carol Fertig transformed this Manhattan apartment with deep blue walls, an antique suzani, ivory linen pillows by Calvin Klein Home, and a Swedish inlaid wood table from the 1950s.
Douglas Friedman
15 of 22
Muted Tones
Michael Bruno, the founder of 1stdibs, crafted a composed bedroom look by painting the walls in Benjamin Moore's Indian River, a timeless, rich neutral.
The custom bed is upholstered in a silk mohair by J. Robert Scott, the bedding is by Deborah Sharpe Linens, the 1940s bedside tables are from a Paris flea market, and the gilt-wood mirror is 18th century. The rug is by Mansour Modern.
Patrick Cline
16 of 22
Soothing Navy
Navy walls adds to this Brooklyn bedroom's calming feel. The inviting space features interior design by Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason of AphroChic.
Douglas Friedman
17 of 22
Statement Florals
Interior designer Mary McDonald relied on a riot of florals to create a maximalist bedroom in the California home of TooFaced co-founders, Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson. The design also features curtains in Schumacher's Bermuda Blossoms fabric, a black and ivory rug from Loloi's Kahelo Collection, and Greek Key bedding in black from Williams-Sonoma Home.
Dana Meijilson
18 of 22
Black Meets Gray
An elegant combination of black and gray tones finish this bedroom design by Mark Cunningham.
Cozy fabrics and doses of chrome add to the modern, elevated aesthetic.
Simon Upton
19 of 22
Parisian Retreat
The master bedroom in French A-Lister Jean-Louis Deniot's Parisian apartment boasts a calming palette, including black, white, and blue. The walls are coated in a custom slate-colored paint, the portraits are from the 16th century through the 1960s, the crystal lamps and bronze ceiling pendant are by Deniot, and the leather rug is by Serge Lesage.
Trevor Tondro
20 of 22
Luxe Textures
Textured black walls, along with a combination of deep browns and reds, steal the show in the luxurious master bedroom of a Central Park apartment.
Eric Piasecki; Produced by Cynthia Frank
21 of 22
Earth Tones
In this Manhattan home by Steven Gambrel, the children's bedroom showcases the power of color to transform a room. Rich browns and pops of orange tie the playful space together. The trundle bed is painted in Benjamin Moore's Ravishing Red, and the ceiling is painted in the company's Rust.
The nightstand, featuring stylish nailheads, is by Restoration Hardware, the side table is by Jonathan Adler, the photographs are by Lynn Davis, and the raffia wallcovering is by Phillip Jeffries.
Laura Resen
22 of 22
Bold Blue
In this cozy master bedroom, a collection of framed antique scrolls from Tokyo, stylish mirrors, and a 19th-century taxidermy zebra are set against walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Blue Note.
20+ Guest Rooms That Are Sure to Impress
Monique Valeris Senior Home Editor Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital.
6 beautiful proofs - INMYROOM
Guide
Cool interiors from the projects of our heroes
Many stereotypes are associated with black. It is believed that it depresses, eats up natural light and visually reduces space. And although black kitchens and bathrooms are gradually becoming a trend, bedrooms in a gloomy shade are still called a bold experiment.
We decided to collect interiors that prove that black bedrooms can be beautiful, comfortable and cozy. The main thing is to correctly place the accents. nine0009
1.
A family with a child and a dog lives in this house. The building is located in a forest area, so the project was based on unity with nature. The team of designer Yana Grosheva managed to design a comfortable space, highlight the architecture and demonstrate cool solutions.
Design: Lampa Design Studio
This is how the bedroom in non-standard colors appeared - black and gray colors are amazingly combined with the dark shade of wood. Another interesting move is the tinted glass at the headboard with lighting around the perimeter, which reflects light and creates a sense of depth. And thick curtains on the windows are responsible for a sound sleep. nine0009
Design: Lampa Design Studio
Design: Lampa Design Studio
2.
Designer Alexandra Parmon collaborated with customers not for the first time, so she understood their preferences well.
The result of the work is impressive: complete opposites coexist in the apartment — minimalistic spaces with brutal accents and light modern classics.
Design: Alexandra Parmon
I would like to pay special attention to the bedroom: the recreation area was decorated in dark colors, which the owners of the apartment really like. The couple loves to spend time in a space that resembles a cozy cocoon, where there are many lighting scenarios and pleasant textures. For decoration, decorative plaster with a suede effect was used, and for the entrance area, a silk effect was chosen. The veneered MDF panel is also perfectly integrated into the interior. nine0003
Design: Alexandra Parmon
3.
The owner of this apartment is a versatile girl who loves singing, playing the piano and yoga, and also loves to learn languages and travel. There were no partitions in the space, so designer Elena Muzychenko decided to make a modern and functional two-room apartment with a dining room, a TV area and an incredible bedroom.
Design: Elena Muzychenko
Dark shades were used to decorate the bedroom, which were diluted with an accent wooden wall behind the head of the bed. The contrast of shades and textures refreshed the room and allowed it to sparkle with new colors. They took care not only of beauty, but also of convenience - a large number of storage places are provided here, and all cabinets are made to order to create a single space. nine0003
Design: Elena Muzychenko
4.
Designer Yana Volkova arranged a small apartment for herself. I wanted to design an original interior of a odnushka, reminiscent of a room in a trendy hotel. They coped with the task one hundred percent: a well-thought-out layout made it possible to fit everything and even more, and the color schemes are delightful.
Design: Yana Volkova
Based on the sakura palette. The dark sleeping area contrasts with a delicate pink hue: the bed was placed on the podium, where additional storage spaces were thought out - drawers and hatches at the head.
And the headboard itself is made to order from fluffy pink fabric. nine0003
Design: Yana Volkova
5.
Interior stylist Anna Furbacken designed a compact two-room apartment in Gothenburg. The specialist tried to arrange free space and think over a comfortable layout, and was not afraid to use black for the bedroom.
Design: Anna Furbacken
The walls of the room were painted black to create a stylish semi-darkness. This effect was also achieved with the help of bed linen, table lamps and a carpet to match the walls. The gloomy tones were diluted with a built-in wardrobe and a white space above it - there is an extra bed. nine0003
Design: Anna Furbacken
6.
Designers from Carmine Home studio have created a cool interior in a spacious apartment. The owner is a former athlete who now teaches sculpture at a college. The customer indicated several wishes: to arrange a bedroom with an adjacent bathroom and a guest room for an adult son.
All requests were taken into account - the apartment was divided into two parts, placing a kitchen-living room and two living rooms.
Design: Carmine Home
The bedroom was combined with the bathroom, and different textured materials were used for decoration. Behind the bright headboard of the bed, beautiful illuminated wooden panels were installed - the dark shade does not burden the interior and looks very impressive. nine0003
Design: Carmine Home
colors and their use, bright and interesting solutions, project features
Dark colors are not often used in bedroom interiors, because we do not know how to use these colors and are afraid to spoil the whole project. That is why, before starting repair work, it is very important to draw up a design project from different angles “Bedrooms in dark colors” in order to understand the whole picture. This can be done independently in specialized programs, or you can order a project from an interior designer. nine0003
Gray-brown bedroom palette
Black and brown
Dark colors will help create a dark composition in the room.
It is most often black and brown, but also metallic, gray, purple, etc. Do not be afraid to use black paints - there will not be so many of them that they turn the bedroom into a gloomy corner of the house. Black furniture is decorated with light bedspreads and lighter upholstery, if we are talking about armchairs and pouffes, and interior doors can be supplemented with frosted glass. nine0003
Silver details will look beautiful in a dark interior, for example, on vases, chandeliers, etc. Wooden floors are also appropriate, creating a comfortable and warm feeling from the room. White paints help dark tones play in the room and remain noticeable.
You can create a more lively design using a variety of colors, for example:
- Gray and blue walls;
- Light floor with high white skirting boards;
- Nice brown wood furniture; nine0104
- Purple, blue and gray pillows and matching bedding;
- Wooden photo frames with sepia photos.
A bedroom with a dark design project
Such an interior will shine with cozy notes, even if the windows are covered with dark blue curtains with a dense texture. Pleasant lilac colors in a vase can enliven any interior, even such dark tones! When there is not enough light, the curtains can be moved or fixed with a holder and then the bedroom will be illuminated by bright sunlight, and dark colors will seem more clear and bright. nine0003
Bright colors
When you can't make the necessary repairs, or they didn't work out exactly as you imagined, don't despair. Any interior can be tweaked with just a few right details. So, here's what you can do when the room is too dark...
Dark bedroom with bright elements
- Choose more of the right items:
- white furniture,
- modular designs and compositions,
- contemporary art,
- shiny or matt metalwork,
- large windows, if possible.
- Use the right colors:
- White - in the color of furniture,
- Gray - in the decorative elements - chandelier, lamp, frame,
- Beige or cream - in the processing of photos and paintings, on curtains,
- Green (bright and saturated) will be the peak of the composition.
Use on bed, decorative pillows, carpet, vase, etc.
Bedroom design error
But there is an important detail. If the main color of the bedroom in dark colors is not gray, but blue or blue with black, the interior must be complemented not with the same tones of bright colors, but exclusively with white or green. Otherwise, you risk getting a really bad box instead of a sleeping bed. You can see a photo of a similar error a little higher. If you rent an apartment with such a dark, dark room, then decide on changes:
- replace bed linen with light-coloured ones,
- order light-coloured covers for chairs and sofas,
- complement the nightstands with interesting vases and other accessories in whitish tones,
- frame whitish sunny photographs,
- use more fresh and indoor flowers in the room, remove dark curtains away and change them to light and light ones.
Rich green sleeping room
Majestic arrangements
If simple bedroom designs don't appeal to you, then look for those that bring majesty to the room.
The right shades and decorations can help with this. The palette can be divided into bright and classic colors. Let's start with the first option:
- Bright and saturated walls seem to unite with the same color of the ceiling. It can be a rich green color that is associated with nature and money at the same time;
- The ceiling will look great with some sheen, so choose either gloss paint or stretch ceiling;
- The bed should be royal white, perhaps with gold threads added. Necessarily - with a high headboard and a dedicated area up to the ceiling. From the upper surface, canopies can be lowered onto the bed, like those of kings; nine0104
- Furniture is also chosen in a light tone in a classic style, preferably without glass inserts;
- If the bedroom allows for its size, then separate the sleeping area from the rest area, where you can just sit and drink tea, read the news, think.
Modern majestic interior
In the second option, the light palette will practically not be used, but here's what will be interesting:
- Multi-level ceiling with stretch ceiling and plasterboard; nine0104
- Black and white low-hanging chandelier;
- The use of black, brown and beige colors throughout the furniture and decor of the room;
- Multiple lighting to avoid the abundance of light color mass.
Bedroom of passion
The color of passion is known to be red. Therefore, red tones are often used in the room for sleeping and love pastime. In any variation other than pastel colors, red will turn the bedroom into dark colors. nine0003
Red bedroom for a couple
A room in a red palette is not necessarily languid and old. If you add a little black, white and gray to it, you get a modern youth version, for example, for newlyweds.
- Refuse the ceiling plinth, but the floor plinth can be left, even necessary, if the bedroom has appliances;
- It is not necessary to highlight one wall with red, on the contrary, let it be not red that stands out. This large surface should be divided into 3 equal parts horizontally in order to visually stretch the room. You will need to finish the wall in gray, black and white. The transition between them can be hidden under a metal-colored plinth; nine0104
- The floor should be wood, but painted in dark red;
- Install white and black decorative elements on red walls - doors, shelves, blinds, frames, etc.
