One of the interior design trends a great many of us fear is decorating with dark colors. While Morticia Addam’s may have had the confidence to decorate her home with black-on-black, most of us are hesitant to step away from lighter tones. Fortunately, incorporating dark colors is actually quite easy. Any home, and any room, can be enhanced with a thoughtful application of dark colors. Just be mindful about how you do it, and you’ll have created a striking and enviable space in no time.

Where to Begin

There are lots of ‘rules’ about what dark colors will do to a room. Most often there’s an assumption that they’ll shrink a space, and make it feel claustrophobic. However this doesn’t have to be the case. Instead of claustrophobia, a well chosen dark tone in the right room can actually make the space feel cozier and more inviting.

Consider having your trial run in a smaller, relaxing space, like the bedroom or living room. When you pick out your paint, consider choosing a more saturated shade. Washed out darks can be tricky, as they tend to read gloomy. Then, choose an accent wall to paint dark, balance it with a lighter color on the remaining walls, et voilá! It really is that simple. Decorate with various textures to add depth to the room, and you're done.

Dig in to the Details

To take it to the next level, pay careful attention to the details your space has to offer. If you have a room with crown or base molding, keep the trim white or a natural wood grain to contrast the dark wall color. If you have an archway, painting it dark will leave a grand and luxe impression. And if you have split walls, painting just the bottom half a dark color will give the room an elegant, classic feel.

For decor and furniture, it’s all about texture. To help you choose what textures to focus on, think about the feeling you hope to evoke in that space. For a luxurious impression, consider velvets, faux furs, and leather. If you want your space to feel more classic, then think about using exposed wood, wicker, and linen.

One area to tread lightly in is patterns. In a darker space, too many layered patterns can quickly become chaotic. Try choosing just one or two bold pattern elements, like damask curtains or a floral rug, and be deliberate in how you execute them in the space.

Above all, Enjoy Experimenting

The bottom line for dark colors and interior design is simple; have fun with it. Paint is easy to re-do, so if the Dark Mauve you first picked out doesn’t thrill you the way you had hoped, then give Forest Green or Charcoal Grey a go. Your options are nearly limitless, so let your inspiration run wild.

And don't let your experimentation stop at paint colors. Try changing your doors to sliding barn doors, and add a whole new element of dark/light balance. Setting a dark finish sliding door against a lighter wall creates beautiful contrast. Like this Plank Barn Door treated with a dark mahogany stain. Check us out at barndoorz.com. We can't wait to help you bring your imagination to life.