Dark Colors, Bold Statement

Decorating with dark colors need not be scary. Deep hues can make a dramatic difference in your home décor.

by Jacqueline Rupp

Maybe up until now you've shied away from dark colors because they seemed too intimidating. Perhaps you thought adding a black armoire to your bedroom might create a dark void in the space, or painting the walls deep purple would turn the dining room into a cave. Whatever your dark-décor aversion might be, relax. Did you know dark colors can actually enliven a room? Using bold colors can revamp a space and give it a modern makeover. So turn to the dark side for some rich and exciting options.

Dramatic Walls

Painting an entire room burnt sienna isn’t always a good idea, but there are some great ways to incorporate darker shades—like navy, plum, mahogany and dark gray—into a room. One of the best options is to paint one focal wall a darker color and then the adjoining walls a lighter or complementary color. One wall in dark navy, for instance, will provide a crisp and clean atmosphere paired with adjoining bright white walls. Or, a deep dark magenta wall can combine perfectly with lighter shades of the same hue in a dining room.

Maria Benson of Nyla Simone Home says options like these can create an impressive effect for very little money. "Simply adding or modifying the color can reinvent a space. Dynamic, deep colors like violet, amparo blue [a shade like denim], tomato puree and, yes, even black are ideal for giving a room instant, cost-effective drama." Painting one wall can also act as a decorative springboard for adding contrasting furniture, such as a lighter-colored table and lamp. This creates a combination that will add visual "pop" to decorative accessories.

Fab Flooring

If you're still a little intimidated about covering a wall in a dark hue, what about thinking on your feet and adding a bold treatment to the floor? Deep-colored wood flooring, for instance, can actually make a room feel cozier. You can also add more depth and dimension to the floor by incorporating patterns and texture. Carpet tiles, for instance, in alternating shades of brown can make a stunning contrast against cream-colored walls. The trick is to use darker colors sparingly and deliberately. Darker flooring often means the rest of the room should skew toward a lighter palette to keep the room from becoming too dark, especially in smaller spaces.

Furniture Finishes

Perhaps nowhere can you get more creative than with the inclusion of dark furniture finishes. It's probably the easiest way to make a bold impression. "Darker colors in living spaces convey a luxurious look that generates a unique personalized statement,” says Gabriella Vivaldi of Eurotrend, a modern furniture company that focuses on sleek, clean designs. The trick is to create contrasting patterns, like a crisp white wall and white marble floors with dark furniture and accessories. With darker shades, the best results are given by larger furniture pieces like sofas, or wall units that become the centerpiece for the room."

One of the hottest dark color combinations is that of dark brown wood finishes with silver hardware. This look proves that little details of sparkle and color can really make dark pieces shine. And the look isn’t limited to just trendy combinations; even classically warm looks can get an updated touch via some deep tones. Benson says to try adding dark colors to traditional styles, such as a warm Tuscan décor, which can be re-interpreted with bolder colors. "Contemporary palettes are eye-catching and can add new energy and excitement to traditional styles," says Vivaldi.