Sure, it’s summer and I don’t know where you live, but I’m in Texas and it is like an inferno here. So dark and moody rooms may seem like something you just don’t think vibe with hot weather, but let me let you in on a little secret grasshopper…moody rooms are a VIBE.
The once “it closes in a room and makes it feel smaller” mantra for using dark paint colors is a phrase most designers not only disagree with, but wish was never said. We all know that blew up like the low fat diet did and was debunked just as fast. But I digress. So let’s discuss why moody rooms are amazing and why you’ll want one.
Debunking that age old myth, dark rooms make excellent relaxing spaces. There’s something about them that provides a sense of tranquility, coziness and invitation for conversation. Maybe it IS the dark hues that make people want to open up and chat. Maybe it is the closeness it invokes. If you spend most of your day in a light, bright space, a dark painted room can feel especially rich and enveloping.
“Although we are drawn to interiors that are light and bright, like a beacon of sunlight, we also welcome the quiet moodiness of rooms wrapped with deep, dark colors.”
Lucy Penfield of Lucy Interior Design
Lighting
One key element in keeping moody rooms from feeling heavy or depressing is to embrace the natural light in your home. As seen in our office, painting bold, dark walls in rooms with a lot of natural light can help the space to feel larger and more open. Cheerful pops of color like the orange window cushion and the colorful rug with some orange as well are also a great way to accent the look.
If you do not have a room full of windows like this one, bring in layered lighting by having a great overhead light or chandelier, wall sconces, and lamps throughout the room. This not only brightens it up, it adds layers of light and ambiance.
Colors
Using colors opposite the color wheel or even high contrasting colors such as black and white can also create visual interest and elegance. Here are some examples of these colors being used in rooms.
Using the color wheel to choose colors for your room creates colors that are pleasing to the eye. Stay tuned for a full blog post on choosing colors for your rooms using the color wheel soon! So if you have blue walls, oranges or yellows work well together like in our office here.
*This post contains affiliate links. That means, while it’s the same price for you, I get a very small commission out of it that helps me and my family. But most importantly, helps fund my estate sale and coffee addiction.
Embrace black
Many of our favorite moody rooms have bright pops of color, but this mostly black room from Around the Houses blog is utterly romantic and sophisticated. Fully embrace the moody look by pairing rich leather furniture with dark walls. The layered accessories in this room feel curated and purposeful.
Painting the room
Painting both the walls and trim a dark color makes the room even more dramatic and really envelops the space for an ultra-cozy look. Even more, it can make the space appear taller, too. For a super moody vibe also paint the ceiling the same color. Usually it is suggested to do eggshell on the walls, satin on the trim and flat on the ceiling but there is also a trend doing all one sheen—I’d opt for eggshell or satin—creates a great monochromatic, dramatic feel. We will be painting the office ceiling navy soon to match the walls and bookshelves and I cannot wait to see how much it makes the space look really dramatic and cozy.
Adding furniture
The type of furniture in a moody room is important because it can soften the dark colors and bring in that earthy, natural feel which creates the coziness. Leathers are excellent for this. Rich woods and plants are great to add that touch of nature and warmth too. Especially in the gray, blue and black rooms.
Also brining in textures is vital to making the space curated. Pillows, blankets and even in upholstered furniture. Mix leather furniture with tweed, velvet or bouclé.
All-in-all using the tips above can really create a warm, inviting and conversational space for any room. Let me know how you love to create drama in a moody room.
