Dark living room
Dark living room ideas: 10 design rules for brightening a dark space |
(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)
Dark living room ideas need not be dull, dreary or dated.
There are a plethora of sophisticated ways to enhance a dark space, so dress your living room with deep navy blues, smokey greys, gorgeous greens and earthy tones for a space that is cosseting, cocooning and oh so stylish.
These daringly dark living room ideas will help you brighten your dark space and have you reaching for the paint chart.
Dark living room ideas – how to brighten a dark space
Whether your dark living room is expansive, open-plan, a shared home office space or on the compact side, there are a multitude of living room paint ideas and design tricks to create – and enhance – a dark living room scheme.
1. Go for contrasting colors in a dark living room
(Image credit: Future/Brent Darby)
If you are stuck with how to decorate a dark living room, then look no further than the color wheel.
Apply color theory to decorating and reveal a whole new way to enhance a dark space. When choosing a living room color scheme, your first port of call should always be the color wheel.
It provides a clear and instant visual for exactly which hues contrast and coordinate, to help you to devise harmonious, tonal or contrasting looks.
By taking shades that sit opposite each other on the wheel, such as orange and blue, you can create a rich, vibrant scheme packed with drama and energy. This pairing works particularly well in small living rooms.
2. Embrace dark colors in a small living room
(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)
If your living room is north- or east-facing, or if it lacks natural daylight, your choice of decor – and color scheme – can change its mood dramatically.
This is where green living room ideas can come in use: it's a transformative color that can connect indoors with outdoors, and make a room feel brighter and more cheerful, even when the tones you choose are quite subtle and sophisticated.
Employ color theory (see above) when choosing color pairings for a dark scheme. Here, subtle touches or coral, yellow and blue are standout additions.
Marianne Shillingford, Dulux 's Creative Director says, ‘Creative decorating techniques like layering, adding shapes and painting the ceiling in a color rather than white can completely alter the appearance of a room and make it unique to you.’
3. Go for a gorgeous gray color scheme
(Image credit: Future / Polly Wreford / Sally Denning)
'For centuries gray has been regarded as a workmanlike, utilitarian non-color,' says Kate Watson-Smyth, author of Shades of Grey . But in fact, gray living room ideas are supremely practical as this color doesn’t show the dirt easily, making it perfect for family living rooms.
While it may seem counterproductive to use an all-over grey in a dark living room, the best decorating choice is embrace the darkness rather than trying to force a look that just isn't working.
By using the same color, but in both its palest and deepest incarnations, you can create a rich, cosy living room that is co-ordinated.
4. Light up a dark living room – artificially
(Image credit: Future / Brent Darby)
The right living room lighting ideas can not only make a dark room look brighter, but also highlight architectural features, provide dramatic decorative effects, create illusions of space and define zones in open plan areas.
Create a thoroughly modern scheme with statement neon lighting. They give a dark living room a gentle glow, and set against a dark wall, they are guaranteed to stand out.
5. Go for white walls – and surround yourself with natural materials
(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)
Neutral living room ideas are versatile, and the color shown above is one of the most popular shades for dark interiors. It offers a blank canvas that brightens dark spaces and makes even the smallest rooms feel spacious and airy.
A basement living room is the perfect place to use neutrals as a base. After years of living in a 'throw-away society', we’re celebrating taking a 'less is more' approach by decorating with a neutral color palette, natural materials and plenty of greenery in the form of houseplants.
6. Opt for a symmetrical layout
(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)
Symmetry in interior design is a trick used to create smart-looking rooms – and it's perfect for small or dark spaces.
Symmetry creates balance and a feeling of calm when used in interior design. And while it is wonderfully elegant in large rooms, it can also create a feeling of enhanced space in smaller rooms, and these that are very busy, such as dark living rooms and kitchens, too.
7. Create a feature wall
(Image credit: Future )
Turn a dark living room into something to marvel at with smart gallery wall ideas that include your favorite artwork or photographs.
The space above the couch itself can often be forgotten, but it needs just as much attention as other areas.
Choose prints that coordinate with the overall scheme of the room and hang in an assortment of matchings frames. Group in odd numbers – three is a great place to start – to create harmony and visual interest.
8. Find furniture to fit the size of the space
(Image credit: Future)
Select room seating that is in proportion to the size of your living room – oversized couches and chairs can make a small room feel narrow.
Make sure you arrange your chairs at an angle to create a sense of depth to the room, as shown here. Otherwise, if you place all seating against the walls you might end up with a narrow 'bowling alley' look.
This layout is great for intimate conversation, informal entertaining and dark living rooms.
(Image credit: Future / Lisa Cohen)
If you are planning a dark living room, and lack a little confidence with your color scheming, let us introduce you to the 60-30-10 rule. This foolproof design theory will ensure that you never go wrong when it comes to choosing colors.
60 represents 60% and is the main color you are using in the room. Here, that would be the deep black on the wall. This shade will anchor the room and be the backdrop for your 30 color, which is the vivid yellow in this space.
Use this color half as much as the main color. This is likely to be seen on accent chairs, curtains, or even a feature wall.
The 10 is your accent color, which will be represented by about 10% of your furnishings, showcased here through gorgeous green foliage.
10. Hang mirrors to reflect light
(Image credit: Future / James Merrell)
Mirrors are a wonderfully versatile design feature, adding instant intrigue and interest, while maximizing light and boosting the sense of space in a dark living room.
‘We always recommend going for the largest mirror you can afford to make the most of every ray of light from your mirror’s reflection,' says Lucy St George of Rockett St George .
Plus, not only are mirrors great for reflecting light, they can also give you the opportunity to create a vignette, especially when hung as a gallery, creating a light-reflecting, space-enhancing focal point.
How do you decorate a dark living room?
Decorating a dark living room is no east feat, but it is not impossible to create your dream scheme.
The first, and most fundamental thing to consider is lighting. Get your lighting right and the rest of the scheme will follow. The right living room lighting ideas can not only illuminate a dark living room, but will also enhance the feeling of space.
Color (even if you’re using neutrals) should be high on the list of things to consider when starting to redecorate. Ensure your chosen hues work well in your room by applying testers of paint onto sheets of white paper, then tacking them onto each wall you’re thinking of using that color on.
Finally, add bold color with furnishings. It might seem niche, but we recommend employing the 60-30-10 rule when planning and designing a dark living room.
What is the best paint color for dark rooms?
Traditional or contemporary, white paint is an ideal option for a dark living room.
There’s nothing cleaner or crisper than pure white paint; it’s a look that lasts, no matter what the latest craze is. If you’re minimalist at heart and love a clutter-free aesthetic then white paint is undoubtedly the best option for a dark room.
However, many an interior designer will often recommend going with – rather than against – the darkness in your space to create a cozy living room. In which case, choose a neutral paint color. This can be a range of taupes, beiges, blues, greys and browns for a smart, tailored look.
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
15 dark living room ideas to inspire a dramatic color scheme |
(Image credit: James Merrell)
Dark living room ideas are only increasing in popularity. Once reserved for old houses with high ceilings and opulent decor, these moody, dramatic hues have gone mainstream, gracing the walls, floors and ceilings of homes of all shapes and sizes. These inky hues are everywhere, so naturally, we wanted to pull together all our favorite dark rooms that are sure to tempt you to leave behind your love of neautrals and try something a little darker.
Dark living room ideas
'There are plenty of ways to create drama and add depth to a space when using dark colors. Before decorating a space, I always start by considering the natural light. In this case, it is really important to figure out whether the room is south-facing or north-facing.' advises designer Kelly Wearstler.
'South-facing rooms tend to get a warmer light, which means some colors can show up a bit on the yellow side.
To counteract this, I recommend using a dark color with a cool base. Meanwhile, north-facing rooms are a lot darker. But, this doesn’t mean you can’t use a dark color for decorating! Dark colors are a great way to create a cozy space, just use a dark color with a red base to add some warmth to the room.'
From dark greys, forest greens, and everyone's favorite, navy blues, all of these living rooms prove that dark colors can work with all style, in any sized room. In a small living room they have a lovely cocooning effect, that contrary to popular interior design beliefs, can make a space feel bigger. And in larger living rooms, dark walls have an elegant feel, especially when paired with opulent decor and gold accents. So we say it's time to move on from all-white walls and grey furniture and test out some of these sumptuous dark living room ideas...
1. Go all over with a dark petrol blue
(Image credit: Barbara Corsico)
Painted ceilings have been a trend for years now, no longer need they be painted some version of white, treat them like you would your other walls and paint them to match.
There's a tendency to keep ceilings light as this is a well-known trick for making ceilings appear higher, but in fact, matching dark walls to a dark ceiling blurs the boundaries of the room and creates the illusion of taller ceilings.
2. Make color pop against a dark living room wall
(Image credit: Caroline Cobbold)
Dark walls accentuate color more than white ever would, so despite their deeper hue, shades like dark grey and navy blue work wonderfully in a colorful living room scheme. Splashes of bold color or even a stark white will create a lovely contrast and lift a dark living room.
'Darker colors act as a great backdrop behind a bright contemporary painting or antique tapestry, making pieces stand out dramatically - so think about where your most treasured and stand-out piece of art is, and use a dark wall to make it pop.' recommends Kelly Wearstler .
3. Reflect light with a silvery dark grey living room
(Image credit: Matthew Williams)
Grey living rooms are a classic but opting for a steely, silvery grey paint with a slight gloss finish is a fresh, stylish take.
And paired with brown? It shouldn't work but the warmer tones of the sofa and rug in this dark living room add a softness to the otherwise all-grey space.
4. Blend built-in storage into the walls
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
Be inspired by this fabulous modern home in Stockholm and blend built-in storage and shelves into the wall by matching the color to the walls. Again, the dark grey shades provide the perfect backdrop for books and decor, plus is a really easy way to make a TV less of an obvious feature in a living room too.
5. Play with pattern
(Image credit: James Merrell)
How fabulous is this dark blue living room? Despite sticking to an almost monochrome color pallette there's so much pattern and texture going on to create a very cool, eclectic feel. Going all over with the very deep blue adds drama and atmosphere to the room and the mix of animal prints brings even more eccentric glamour while also giving the space a lift.
6. Mix black walls with gold accents
(Image credit: ames Merrell)
Black and gold are an iconic color duo and we love the opulent, often slightly gothic vibe they both bring to a room. In this dark living room, the dark walls, ornate gold mirror and chandelier, plus all the taxidermy going on certainly nod to the Victorian gothic style but the fresh white used for the ceilings and the floorboards, plus the simple contemporary design of the rest of the furniture make this room feel fresher and more liveable.
7. Embrace the trend for dark green living rooms
Green living rooms are having a bit of a moment right now. We are seeing more sage, olive, and emerald spaces than we are grey and we are being drawn in by these mood-lifting tones. A deep, velvety forest green can be a great choice if you want to create a dark living room. Not as intense as a charcoal grey or as obvious as a deep blue, a green adds depth and intrigue, plus you can tone down the dark side if paired with the right colors too – case in point in this living room with the lovely blush pink and white.
8. Expand a small living room with dark colors
(Image credit: Paul Raeside)
While it may be a truth universally acknowledged that light colors expand small spaces, as this small living room proves, the same can be said about dark colors. Going for a dark paint on the walls and ceiling blurs the edges of the space making it appear larger, plus you create a very sophisticated but cozy atmosphere that's perfect for a living room.
As Kelly Wearstler says, 'I always say, just because a room is small, does not mean it needs to be white or light - don’t be afraid to use dark, moody tones in a smaller room. Darker colors can have a beautiful impact, and make a room seem larger and full of character.'
9. Bring together deep rich tones
(Image credit: Alexander James)
Dark living room ideas aren't all about greys and blues, there are a plethora of rich warm toned shades that create just as dramatic (if not more) spaces. The deep burgundy tones used on the ceiling and plum shade of the carpet in this living room create such a cozy, eclectic space full of personality and quirk.
10. Paint a ceiling a moody hue
(Image credit: Future)
Want to just dip your toe into dark interiors? A feature wall is an obvious choice, but feature walls can look a bit blah, especially with a dark color because it will look so stark against white walls. So instead of a feature wall, paint a feature ceiling in a deep hue. See how this dark living room still feels very neutral and fresh with crisp white walls and pale wooden furniture but the dark ceiling brings the drama without totally overwhelming the room.
11. Match furniture to the walls
(Image credit: Little Greene)
A monochrome scheme makes a dark living room extra dramatic. Choose a single color and bring in a few different shades to create a really enveloping space with lots of layers and textures. Take inspiration from this space and pair a deep grey/blue wall with matching soft furnishings, just be sure to add lots of tactile fabric, as can be seen here with the velvet, the fringing, and drapes; it's this mix of textures that are going to add interest to the room.
Our guide to the best sofas of the year has plenty of seating options that come in a wide range of upholstery options to make toning your furnishings in with a deep dark wall color easier.
12. Go for a soft jet black
(Image credit: Frenchie Cristogatin)
Going all over with a jet black might sound intense, but in the right space, with the right black it's not as a statement as it sounds. Example; this black living room, with its high ceilings, wall-to-wall bookshelves and large mirror, the dark hue doesn't seem intense at all. It's helped by the fact it's a very soft black and it's paired with pops of color, plus by painting every surface black there's a very modern feel, despite the period features.
'If you want to make it look really modern though you shouldn't pair it with white which will be too high contrast.' says Kate Watson-Smyth a.k.a Mad About The House . 'Paint the woodwork to match - this will make your walls look taller and your ceilings higher.
In the same way you don't wear a white top with everything in your wardrobe, don't default to white woodwork when you have spent so much time and money searching for the right color for your walls,'
13. Bring in brown tones
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Yes, brown tones. Bitter chocolate, warm toasty espresso, deep sandy shades are having a revival and have shed their 70s skin and become a very stylish hue that's perfect for adding warmth and depth to a living room. Pick your shade carefully however as it's a tricky color to get right, make sure you order swatches so you can test it out in your space. And think about what colors you will pair it with so you can look out for the right undertones.
Here Farrow & Ball London Clay, a deep plum-toned brown is made even more purple by being paired with purple throw cushions.
14. Paint the floor
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
If you can't part with your neutral walls, add deeper tones on the floor.
If you have wooden floors, paint them in a darker color to contrast those pale walls and take the color onto the woodwork too, as seen in this dark living room, for a really cohesive look. If you don't have wooden floors or don't want to commit to painting them, try a larger area rug in a dark color or pattern for a similar effect.
15. Add jewel tones to a dark living room
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
Rich tones complement dark walls in this modern rustic living room, adding warmth to the cool-toned blue/grey and enhancing that cozy, cocooning feel. The deep reds in the Persian rugs break up all the blue too, creating the perfect amount of contrast and mixing in some traditional style with the rest of the minimalist, contemporary pieces.
Hebe is the Digital Editor of Livingetc; she has a background in lifestyle and interior journalism and a passion for renovating small spaces. You'll usually find her attempting DIY, whether it's spray painting her whole kitchen, don't try that at home, or ever changing the wallpaper in her hallway.
Livingetc has been such a huge inspiration and has influenced Hebe's style since she moved into her first rental and finally had a small amount of control over the decor and now loves being able to help others make decisions when decorating their own homes. Last year she moved from renting to owning her first teeny tiny Edwardian flat in London with her whippet Willow (who yes she chose to match her interiors...) and is already on the lookout for her next project.
Dark living room: 100 best ideas and novelties in the photo
It has long been so that the dark color in the interior is associated with something frightening and even sinister. Some people believe that such shades conceal space, fetter and suppress. In fact, black and other dark shades that have been correctly used in the interior look elegant, elegant and cozy. They are able to improve brain function, relieve nervous tension, calm down.
Dark living room design
Design, as well as decor, in a dark living room can be very diverse.
At the same time, texture and texture always come to the fore. The use of leather or stone in dark tones when decorating a room always looks advantageous.
For romantic natures who do not like noisy companies, who want to be alone with their thoughts, who prefer peace and quiet, a dark living room can be an ideal option. This interior design contributes to a pleasant and peaceful communication with family and friends, and also allows you to achieve complete relaxation.
Living room in dark colors is an excellent counteraction to negativity, stress, noisy city life. It is worth paying attention to the fact that in romantic places such as restaurants, cafes, the atmosphere is always darkened, muffled. A person is always enchanted by the sunset. Its dark alluring colors pacify and fascinate. In the evening, with the onset of darkness, any interior is transformed, it is filled with comfort and warmth. And when you go out into the street, you will notice that everything looks different - more gentle and soft.
The dark interior does one more thing and is perfect for decorating the living room-library. Soft atmosphere and subdued light, peace and quiet are very important for books. This environment will allow you to completely immerse yourself in reading and nothing can distract you from the exciting and interesting plot of your favorite literary work. In addition to serenity and calmness, dark colors contribute to the excellent work of thought.
The dark interior of the living room is just a godsend for those who want to decorate the room in a minimalist style. In this regard, black and other dark tones, which carry a certain completeness, sophistication, elegance and rigor, simply have no equal. And this is exactly what you need in a minimalist interior.
Black and white interior is suitable for people who work in a noisy office or travel a lot. When they come home, in such an environment they will find refreshing coolness and peace. The addition of a dark brown color is acceptable.
Basic rules for decorating a living room in dark colors
With regard to dark, as well as for any other shades used for interior decoration, there are a number of rules that will help create the right and good atmosphere. There are 3 main areas in the design of the room: contrast, lighting and room size. Particular attention should be paid to the issue of the dimensions of the living room. Dark colors can be safely used in a room with a large area. Natural and artificial lighting will be the main assistant here.
Dark tones, especially black, should not be carried away too much in a small living room. In such a room, other colors must be present, acting as contrasts, relaxing and diluting the dark atmosphere. There should be enough light in the room.
Ideas for a dark living room
An empty wall can be decorated with photo wallpapers with a story that will fit into the main design of the living room. The panorama of the night city with elements of luminous lights will look modern and stylish.
In a retro style, the image of a city street will emphasize the classic image of the room.
Add a futuristic vibe to a dark living room with space print wallpaper.
A black ceiling will help make the living room interior really unusual. This design technique should be used with a ceiling height of at least three meters in the room. For smaller rooms there is also a way out - a glossy black ceiling. Such a surface resembles a mirror, which will make the living room visually more spacious. And the atmosphere of the room will be reflected in the ceiling.
Dark shades palette
Classical English style is primarily characterized by dark shades. In these interiors, wooden furniture in coffee and chocolate colors and textiles of deep noble colors - royal blue, cherry, bottle - stand out.
Luxurious chandeliers with crystal pendants, fabrics with metallic threads, gilding look advantageous against the dark background of furniture and wallpaper. Large mirrors, framed in beautiful frames, will add light to the living room, thereby increasing the volume of the room.
Living rooms made in this style, despite the dark colors, look sincere and comfortable.
For high-tech or minimalist living room décor, furniture upholstery or wall cladding, navy blue, muted dark green, asphalt gray or black are the perfect choice. These shades are perfectly combined with glossy surfaces or metallic cold shine of some details.
With just black and white, you can create a very stylish interior. In a living room with dark plain wallpaper, black and white photographs will be an ideal decoration, or vice versa - colorful catchy spots. LED lighting in a modern design will look especially impressive.
The loft style is also not characterized by light colors in the decoration. The grayness of metal and concrete is combined here with the terracotta color of the brickwork. Pure bright shades, as a rule, slightly dilute the dark range.
Photo gallery of interior ideas
Dark living room - 100 photos of a simple interior in the living room
> Living room > Dark living room - photo examples of living room design in dark colors
In the design of the living room, dark shades are used to give a romantic and comfortable mood.
For a room with a small area, this option should not be used, since the dark color in the interior of such a living room will look out of place.
A dark color palette (chocolate, black, deep blue, burgundy and other shades) is perfect for spacious living rooms with thoughtful lighting and will add charm and elegance to the interior.
For a coherent interior design of a dark living room, you can add a few bright and light elements.
The fireplace in the living room is a great addition to the dark colors of the room. The light emanating from the flame will add mystery and intimacy to your room.
To see if you need to use dark shades, look at the photo of the interiors of a dark living room like yours.
Table of contents of the article:
Several conditions for using a palette of dark shades
For correct and successful use of the corresponding shades in a dark living room, some features should be taken into account.
The dark color of the wall decoration is perfect for a large living room. The main thing is to create the right lighting so that your room is not too gloomy.
If your room is not spacious, then use light shades as a basis, placing accents with dark elements. Those who wish to create the interior of such a room in dark shades can resort to increasing the area of \u200b\u200bthe living room by connecting it with a kitchen or a loggia.
For owners of a living room that is always illuminated by sunlight, dark colors will be a good solution, but do not go to extremes, creating a boring interior interior.
Use decorative elements in light and bright colors in a dark room interior. Pieces of furniture made in light colors or bright-colored shelves against the background of dark walls will look expressive.
Applying a dark color in a specific style
Living room interiors in dark shades tend to be used in the English style, with wooden furniture in shades of dark chocolate and fabrics in rich cherry, blue, etc.
A gilded or transparent chandelier with shimmering pendants, large-sized mirrors in massive frames will perfectly fit into a dark-colored living room, which will give more light to the room.
Successful colors for a dark living room in a minimalist design are black, gray (the color of wet asphalt), soft dark colors of blue, lilac or dark turquoise. A successful solution would be to use these shades in furniture or decor, on wallpaper, coupled with mirror surfaces and metallic color elements.
With the use of a black and white palette, you can create a spectacular interior style for your living room. Bright details or black and white pictures framed in pastel colors will fit perfectly to decorate wallpapers of one tone. Lighting with LEDs will create a modern gloss to the room in this style.
Loft style, which involves the use of brown shades in the brick wall decoration, is in harmony with the color of the hardened concrete and metallic tint.
Of course, in this style you need to make bright notes of decor.
Original design solutions for a dark living room
Today, the most common style idea is to decorate a certain wall with photo wallpapers that are in harmony with the overall interior of the room. Wallpaper with retro-style images will create an accent on the classic style.
For Art Nouveau design, wall mural with views of the city night twinkling with lights is suitable. Today's popular space print will be the highlight of your living room.
Add a touch of charm to your living room with a ceiling finished in shades of black. But finishing the ceiling with a dark color is necessary when the length of the room is 3 meters, or even more.
Standard sized living rooms can be fitted with a glossy dark ceiling. Thus, thanks to the mirror reflection, the living room will visually appear more spacious.
Dark shades can create a unique style for your living room.
