Get Moody! How Darker Colors Add Flavor
Choosing a paint color for your home can be one of the toughest decisions you can make when it comes to interior design. The seemingly endless rainbow wall of paint chips with cutesy name assignments can be inspiring to some, while downright dizzying to others. (But seriously, whose job is it to name those paint colors, and where do we apply?)
This bedroom has great balance with light colors and a well chosen blue wall, HEX color #323d51.
Featured floor: Bellawood Artisan 5/8 in. Monaco White Oak Engineered Hardwood Flooring 7.5 in. Wide
While it can seem like splitting hairs between one shade and the next, the overall effect of color scheme can be incredibly consequential when it comes to setting the mood of your space. Even for the most practiced designers, the art of choosing the perfect shade is rarely simple, and if you’re looking to go bold with a darker hue, it can be all the more daunting to commit to a color. Although the idea of going dark might seem too scary for many, the effect a deeper color can have on a space, whether on all four walls or just one accent wall, can transform it from ordinary to dynamic.
For those in favor of taking the leap with a bold, darker shade, here are some benefits, tips and tricks for making your dark walls pop.
This dining room combines the bright energy of maple engineered hardwood with large windows and a bold green wall color HEX #0e6054
Featured floor: Mayflower 3/8 in. Natural Maple Engineered Hardwood Flooring 5 in. Wide
Expand Your Space
There’s a common misconception that darker colors can make a room feel smaller than brighter shades. In reality, a rich, deeper shade can add dimension and depth to a room- with the right balance of lighting. Start by experimenting with smaller spaces like bathrooms or mudrooms, where you can test more bold shades without too much commitment—when you’re ready, see how a dark shade in a larger space like a living room can create a surprisingly warm, cozy atmosphere.
Tip: for bigger, more heavily utilized spaces like living rooms or bedrooms, it’s key to take advantage of natural light to keep the space from feeling too heavy.
This living room creates interest and a sense of space with large contrasting elements such as the light drapes and furniture, eclectic art, and vibrant deep green walls, Sherwin Williams 'Dard Hunter Green.' HEX #597142.
Featured floor: Bellawood 3/4 in. Character White Oak Solid Hardwood Flooring 3.25 in. Wide
Balanced Contrast
The key to nailing a dark paint color is creating a balance between the walls and your decor. Too much darkness can come across as dreary or cold, so it’s important to bring some lighter, warmer shades into your furniture and finishings.
Consider adding decorative accents with natural materials like wood, stone, or clay to add warmth and up the cozy factor of your space. Lighter-colored wood flooring like LL Flooring’s Somersworth Oak can balance a dark color palette with light, natural warmth. Because darker colors already provide a dose of drama, stay away from too many additional patterns or bright colors; instead, choose one or two pops of color to keep things from looking cluttered or overwhelming.
Think Out of the Box
You don’t necessarily need to go full-hog with a full room of dark color—there’s plenty of room for creativity with built-ins (like these here), accent walls, and wallpaper that can inject some drama in smaller doses.
-LL Style
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