Most people tend to shy away from dark wall colors when decorating their homes. Besides making rooms appear smaller, a dark shade can have a gloomy effect that many people find disturbing. However, what interior designers love about dark colors is that they enable homeowners to go bold without having to pursue unconventional ideas that push interior design boundaries to the breaking point.
When the right color combinations are used, dark walls can make wonders even in a small room. Since there are so many ways to include dark shades in your interior decor, here are three tips to creating dark color schemes that make aesthetic sense.
Tip #1: Create a Nice Contrast
There’s no better way to achieve a theatrical contrast that’s more than welcome in both small and large rooms than using a dramatic color like dark grey or navy. Dark grey is a luxurious shade, which can bestow a unique elegance on any interior, especially when sprinkled with pops of sweet, unobtrusive colors like off white, pale yellow, soft teal, light peach or muted rose.
On the other hand, navy can be used to create beautiful combinations that feel both retro and contemporary. For instance, you could paint a room navy and accent it with white, tender yellow, peach, lime green, sea-foam blue, lilac or warm neutrals. Since a little color can go a long way, remember to use accent colors in small amounts.
Tip #2: Use Dark Colors as Background
A black accent wall is a wonderful addition to any interior. Imagine a black wall used as a backdrop for framed artwork whose color schemes complement the other colors in the room. A semi-gloss or gloss finish, which reflects light in a dazzling, almost hypnotic way, is the perfect choice for a small room or for achieving a gorgeous contemporary vibe. Another modern approach to using black consists in painting the ceiling instead of an accent wall. Besides breaking the monotony of the decor, a black ceiling is very stylish, can look great in any room and adds that “designer” touch you may be looking for.
If you’re trying to create a more intimate atmosphere, a dark shade of brown is a far better choice. Chocolate brown, coffee brown, saddle brown and beaver brown are perfect color options for a cozy yet luscious interior. Any of these shades will look great paired with white, cream, taupe or happy colors like a light tone of orange, yellow, green, blue, pink or purple.
Tip #3: Define Your Interior with Surprising Dark Wall Colors
Of all the dark wall colors used to upgrade interiors, the most surprising shade is eggplant. Combining the energy of red and the coolness of blue with the warm tone of brown and the dramatic tone of black, the color eggplant is the perfect choice to define simple, clean design lines and add a warm, energetic welcome along with an enticing, stylish vibe to any room.
All-dark walls can be beautiful and stylish, but a touch of brightness is almost always needed to create a stunning, relaxing living space. Before choosing any dark wall colors, remember to check your furniture and floor finishes to ensure they look right against your favorite hues.
If you’re in doubt about the colors you should choose for achieving a subtle, luxurious and distinct feel, we invite you to get in touch with our experts at Performance Painting. Since 2001, our experienced color consultants together with our professional painters have been transforming buildings into beautiful jewels throughout North and Central Florida.
