Painting a wall dark in a room can have a dramatic effect on the overall look and feel of the space. Dark walls immediately create a bold, dramatic statement and evoke powerful emotions. Going with a dark wall color is a significant decorating choice that can be exciting yet intimidating. Before taking the plunge with a dark wall, it is important to understand the effect it has on a room.
Dark Walls Create an Intimate Feel
One of the most pronounced effects of a dark wall is that it makes a space feel more intimate and enclosed. The dark color envelops the room and creates a cozy, sheltered feeling. This can be used to great effect in bedrooms, dining rooms and living spaces to make them feel more snug and welcoming. The cocooning effect is enhanced when the rest of the walls are painted in lighter, complementary tones.
Dark walls bring a space together and help the various elements within it flow. Lighter walls can make a room feel vast and cold. The intimacy of a dark wall makes decor such as furniture, art and soft furnishings really pop rather than getting lost against a sea of white. Darker wall colors help zone spaces within an open floor plan. Sections of deep teal or charcoal in a living area provide definition without building physical barriers.
Mood Enhancing Qualities
Darker wall colors evoke strong sensory reactions and set a definite mood within a room. The psychology of color plays an important role here. Darker paint colors such as deep reds, grays and browns conjure feelings of sophistication, intimacy and masculinity. They create an air of drama and mystery.
Lighter neutrals like off-white and beige elicit sensations of optimism, clarity and tranquility. Rooms with lighter wall colors feel airier and more carefree. Darker neutrals like charcoal gray, dark brown and navy blue take on a more serious, grounded vibe. They instill coziness and envelop the senses.
Calm and Soothing
Surprisingly, dark walls painted in cooler, deeper shades of blue, green and gray can actually have a calming, almost sedative effect. These nature-inspired hues are restful on the eyes. A dark teal dining room or slate gray bedroom is soothing and retreat-like due to these calmer, darker wall colors.
Dramatic and Sexy
Sultrier paint colors like crimson, eggplant and chocolate brown awaken the senses and create drama. They spark passion in bedrooms and make entertaining spaces more exciting. Dark accent walls in hues of charcoal or navy blue add intrigue to home offices and studies.
Sophisticated and Refined
Deeper, more saturated paint colors come across as polished and elegant, especially when used on feature walls. A living room with taupe walls takes on an air of formality when one wall is painted in an eggplant or dark teal accent shade. This type of look has an upscale hotel or lounge vibe.
Tricks for Using Dark Walls
Painting a whole room in a very dark shade can be overwhelming and feel like a cave. By utilizing the following techniques, you can easily incorporate the drama of a dark color without going overboard:
- Accent wall – Paint one wall in a bold dark hue.
- Two tone – Paint upper and lower halves of a wall in contrasting dark and light colors.
- Ceiling and trim – Painting the ceiling and trim a lighter color keeps the space airy.
- Vary intensity – Use a deeply saturated shade on accent walls and lighter tints of it everywhere else.
- Natural light – Ensure the room has sufficient windows and light sources.
- Reflective surfaces – Mirrors, glass and metallics reflect light around a dark space.
- Lighter furnishings – Upholstered pieces and wood furniture in light neutrals temper the bold wall color.
Best Colors for Dark Walls
While any paint color can be taken to a darker shade, some hues lend themselves particularly well to deep, dramatic tones. Here are some top choices:
Navy Blue
From bright mariner blues to deeper midnight tones, navy elicits relaxation and intrigue. Use lighter shades as an accent in beachy, cottage spaces. Paint a reading nook or dining space in a deeper navy for great impact.
Charcoal Gray
Subtle, sophisticated charcoal grays look stunning in contemporary spaces. For bohemian living rooms, layer in texture with wovens and wood tones. Keep modern bedrooms fresh by pairing charcoal walls with crisp white trims.
Chocolate Brown
Classic, earthy chocolate browns exude cozy cabin vibes. To keep them feeling current, match brown walls with modern furnishings and plenty of light. Accent with orange artwork or accessories.
Eggplant Purple
Eggplant purple ranges from romantic lighter lavenders to more exotic, mystical dark violets. Use these regal tones in bedrooms and dining rooms. Complement with gold accents for glamorous flair.
Forest Green
Deep forest greens connect you with the tranquility of nature. Play up the organic vibe with floral prints, woven textures, and wood accents. Pair sage green with cherry red for a traditional English countryside look.
Burgundy
From dusty rose tones to deep wine hues, burgundy’s red-purple undertones add daring vibrance. Use metallic accents and candlelight to enhance burgundy’s sultry appeal in bedrooms and living areas.
Room-by-Room Guide
Certain spaces in a home lend themselves better to the enveloping effect of dark wall colors. Here is a breakdown of where deeper shades work best in various rooms:
Bedrooms
Deeper teals, grays and browns foster relaxation in bedrooms. Paint the whole room in a darker neutral or use one dark accent wall. Add plenty of task and ambient lighting. Use lighter bedding and window treatments to prevent too cave-like a feeling.
Living Rooms
Living rooms can handle bolder dark paint colors like navy blue, eggplant and forest green. Paint an accent wall or create a two-tone look with darker colors above a chair rail. Anchor the space with a pair of lighter neutral sofas.
Dining Rooms
Wine-hued paints complement dining rooms beautifully. Charcoal and chocolate browns also work well. Candlelight enhances the intimate ambiance. Mix traditional furnishings with modern pieces for interest.
Bathrooms
Use navy blue, charcoal gray or chocolate brown on vanities and behind sinks and tubs. Deeper aquas and greens are serene bathtub paint colors. Add marble or wood accents along with mirrors and sconces.
Home Offices
Stimulate productivity in a home office with deep red or navy blue accent walls. Balance it out with bright white desks, shelving and trim for a crisp, focused look.
Media Rooms
Dark eggplant, chocolate or navy blue paint absorbs light reflections from TV and computer screens, reducing eyestrain in media rooms. Install sconces for ambient lighting.
Benefits of Dark Walls
Some of the top benefits of incorporating deep, dramatic wall colors into room designs include:
- Provide contrast – Dark walls make furniture and decor stand out.
- Add visual interest – Make a striking style statement.
- Define spaces – Dark accent walls zone areas within open floor plans.
- Enhance mood – Stimulate emotions from cozy and calm to sexy and dramatic.
- Hide imperfections – Darker paint conceals dents, bumps and uneven textures in walls.
Potential Drawbacks
Things to keep in mind when weighing using darker wall colors:
- Dark colors absorb light and can make rooms feel small and confined if overdone.
- Not ideal for north-facing rooms that get little natural sunlight.
- Requires more artificial lighting to prevent a cave-like feeling.
- Limits wall decor options to lighter art and mirrors.
- Makes a space feel heavier and more serious.
Best Paint Finishes
Flat or matte paints showcase dark colors at their boldest and have a classic appeal. They can show scuffs more readily than other sheens though. Eggshell and satin finishes provide subtle sheen and are good compromises for durability and aesthetics. Semi-gloss and high-gloss paints reflect the most light but are best reserved for trim in rooms with dark walls.
Dark Wall Design Ideas
By thoughtfully combining dark wall colors with intentional lighting, decor and furnishings you can create stylish, functional spaces. Some inspiring looks include:
- Slate gray bedroom with white bedding and wood nightstands
- Navy blue dining room with brass accents and pendant lighting
- Charcoal living room with patterned area rug and mustard yellow pillows
- Chocolate office with cherry bookshelves and desk
- Eggplant media room with textured carpet and silver sofa
- Crimson nursery with white crib and neutral patterned curtains
Conclusion
Dark wall colors make a striking style statement and greatly impact a room’s ambiance. They envelop a space with intimacy and drama. Deeper tones of blue, green, gray, brown, red and purple evoke strong sensory reactions. Dark walls create contrast for furnishings to pop. Careful placement of lighting and reflective surfaces prevents them from feeling too dark and confined. Accent walls, two-tone designs and varied intensities allow you to enjoy the benefits of dark paint colors without overpowering a space. In the right settings, deep dramatic wall colors bring sophisticated flair to room designs.