The Dark Room
The 2020 Fever Dream
In January 2020, my world was turned upside down with the heartbreaking loss of my mother. Just as I was grappling with this immense change, the world itself seemed to shift, and within three short months, we were plunged into a global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The early days of the pandemic brought stringent restrictions, leading me to make a tough decision.
I chose to move back into the house where I had grown up, now inhabited solely by my widowed father.
Initially, I thought it would be a brief return, but as time passed, it became evident that this move might become a more permanent arrangement.
My father, a lifelong pillar of health and fitness, had spent years as a dedicated personal trainer and gym enthusiast. However, at the age of 92, and having shouldered the immense responsibility of caring for my ailing mother, his body and spirit had endured their fair share of challenges. The once bright and energetic man that I knew and loved was now beaten and broken.
Accepting this new chapter in my life, I decided to revamp my living space by taking over the small middle bedroom that had previously served as an office. Because I couldn't bear the thought of returning to my old bedroom, which held painful memories of my mother's battle with COPD and dementia.
The room was originally painted a nice taupe color (which was perfectly fine), but honestly- it felt a little basic and bland.
Determined to breath new life into the space, I decided to give it a very budget-friendly, mini make over. And as you probably already know, when you’re short on cash, but want to make a big impact- paint is usually the answer.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
You know, I'd left my mark on my parents' home with a series of design projects. I'd tackled everything from kitchen and bathroom renovations to fireplace makeovers, and I'd paid meticulous attention to crafting spaces that my parents would truly cherish.
So, when my father watched me stroll into the room, paint rollers and buckets in hand, he didn't bat an eyelash.
Initially, I wasn't quite sure what direction I wanted to take with this room, but I knew one thing for certain – I craved change.
Thoughts of my mother lingered in my mind, and her absence had plunged me into a profound state of depression. I yearned for comfort, healing, and a space that could mirror my current emotional state.
The Bright Side
So okay, here's my confession- I'm an unabashed lover of light and airy interiors.
I mean, really. It's like my thing.
When I envision the ideal home, I picture soft white walls, generously sized windows, and an abundance of natural light filling every corner. However, something deep within me was urging me in a different direction.
And even if my heart longed for light and brightness, the truth was that the small middle room was not the ideal place for that dream.
Let me explain why…
PLAY WITH CONTRAST
A darkly designed room with layers upon layers of dark, rich colors is a showstopper but, (let’s be honest) it can be hard to pull off. So if everything dark sounds too intense or you don’t have the budget to pull it off, try layering some contrasting light neutrals. This will allow for a surface that light can bounce off of and give the eye a break from the darkness.
Despite receiving some morning light, this room tended to be on the darker side.
When a room lacks adequate lighting, the instinct is often to paint it in a lighter color to brighten it up.
This can indeed work to some extent, as lighter colors reflect light and help it bounce off walls and surfaces. However, depending on the space, this approach can sometimes backfire. Especially with white, which truly shines when bathed in natural light.
This is especially true if the room lacks defining architectural features to add interest or depth.
Another hitch in the light and bright direction was my reluctance to spend a lot of money on a space I wasn't sure how long I'd be occupying. So, it was really important to me to use what I had and not have to buy anything new.
Finally, this bedroom was going to serve strictly as a nighttime room.
The room was small and located right next to my father's room, where his penchant for high-volume TV listening (even with his hearing aids), made it less than ideal for daytime relaxation.
Given its nighttime role, I wanted the space to feel enveloping, secure, and almost womb-like. So it was settled. I was going dark.
Design Inspo
Once I committed to the idea of going dark and had a sense of the room's intended feel, I needed to select the right color.
Blue had been a go-to for me in the past, but it felt a bit too familiar. Then, there was the idea of black, which had always intrigued me, but somehow didn't seem like the right choice.
A few months earlier, I had purchased a pair of dark green velvet curtain panels from everyone’s favorite Scandi big box store. They hadn't been used as originally intended and were stashed away in the back of my closet.
When I rediscovered them one day, I was reminded of my deep affection for their rich emerald hue. Suddenly, it all clicked – it had to be green.
For me, green symbolized earthiness, tranquility, growth, and a connection to nature- all things that I longed for in my life.
DARK ENTRIES
Somewhere between a rich emerald and forest green, I was drawn to Jasper by Sherwin Williams because of its muted, smoky undertones that create a sense of calm and serenity.
Design Process
After extensive searching, I found the perfect green that matched my Ikea curtains – Jasper by Sherwin Williams, a deep, dark green that fell somewhere between emerald and forest.
What sealed the deal was its smoky undertone, which gave the color a muted and calming quality.
I opted for the Cashmere paint in a flat finish, which was ultra-smooth, extra matte, and wonderfully silky.
Since I wanted the room to be all-encompassing, I decided to paint not just the walls but also the trim and the doors in the same rich shade.
If it weren't for the dreaded popcorn ceiling, I would have painted that too, fully enveloping the space in color, like a precious jewel box.
Now, I know all this might sound bold, but this choice of painting everything the same color, will keep a room flowing seamlessly, visually expanding your space.
There's an ongoing debate in the design world about whether dark colors make a space feel smaller or not, to which I'd say- it does...and it doesn't.
A dark space unquestionably feels more intimate. But strangely, at night (and during certain times of the day with dramatic shadows), the walls seem to dissolve, creating a feeling of never ending openness…kind of like floating in space.
When a room is drenched in one color, it has a strange and intriguing way of feeling both cozy and vast all at the same time.
IT ALL FALLS AWAY
Although dark walls do create a more intimate space, very dark walls can trick the eye and appear to “fall away” and recede, creating a sense of expansion.
So if you want to try out a dark and moody room for yourself, how do you make it all work?
Check out my biggest tips below for turning to the dark side.
HOW TO MAKE A DARK ROOM WORK
Go with a matte or flat paint-Choose a matte or flat paint finish for a more dramatic and contemporary look. Unless you're aiming for an ultra-glamorous, high-gloss, lacquered appearance (which can be quite tricky without professional help), matte and flat finishes are the way to go. However, keep in mind that these finishes are less forgiving when it comes to cleaning, and scuffs are more noticeable on dark walls, so proceed cautiously.
Paint the walls, trim, and doors the same color and finish-For a high-end designer feel, paint the walls, trim, and doors in the same color and finish. Coordinating all these surfaces in a consistent manner enhances the overall impact. A strikingly dark wall paired with bright white moldings and doors just doesn't deliver the same striking effect. If you absolutely can’t paint your doors or trim the same finish for practical reasons, bump the finish up to the next level (ie. satin) to keep the same cohesive look.
For maximum drama paint the ceiling the same color too-While this is a bold move, it works exceptionally well when you're aiming for a dark and dramatic ambiance. It creates a jewel-box effect and is especially enjoyable if you prefer a pitch-black room at night. Just keep a bedside light handy because navigating in total darkness can be a little tricky.
Match window treatments to your wall color too-Matching window treatments to your wall color isn't a must, but it does allow your eye to flow freely around the space, creating a soothing and sophisticated atmosphere.
Introduce contrasting colors with fabrics and finishes- We love a monochromatic space, but you need a bit of variety in color and textures too. Pair a dark color with a lighter taupe, cream, copper, or a light grey to add depth and variety. And don’t forget about introducing different material and textures like wood, metal, linen, cotton, and rattan for added warmth too.
Pay attention to lighting-A moody room calls for mood lighting. Utilize floor lamps, table lamps, and sconces to create a cozy ambiance, rather than relying solely on harsh overhead lighting, especially if it lacks dimming capabilities.
Test before committing- yes, it’s only paint… but let’s be real-it’s still kind of a pain in the ass to change if you don’t like the results. Testing your color is best practice for any paint job, but especially if you’re going dark. Purchase some paint (in the correct finish, as that can affect the outcome), and create swatches in different areas of your room. Check them at various times of the day to see how the color appears as the lighting changes. Keep in mind that the color will appear even darker and more intense when applied to all four walls.
Too scared to go all the way? Start with a feature wall- I will be honest with you, feature/focal walls have fallen out of favor in the design community and are now generally frowned upon. But you know what? I don’t really care. Yes, they can look random. Yes, it looks better when all four walls are painted the same color. Yes, it can look like you have commitment issues… BUT, I think sometimes…they can make sense. So, if you have a hankerin’ to try something more dramatic, but the thought of four dark walls puts you into the fetal position- go ahead and paint one focal wall… just make sure that it makes sense. It’s ok, I give you permission.
Darkly painted rooms have been a major trend in the interior design world for the past four years or so, thanks to movements like Dark Academia and the resurgence of Goth.
However, it's important to recognize that this style isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every individual or home.
Trends have their moment in the spotlight, but they also evolve and eventually fade away. So, don’t put too much stock into them and how you decide to decorate or design your home.
Ultimately, your home should reflect your personal taste and make you feel genuinely happy when you’re in it.
If you’re not into the drama-this one may not be for you.
But if you’ve been thinking about turning to the dark side, take this as your sign to give it a try.
