The idea of dark colors can be a cause of panic for many people decorating their homes. It’s a very dramatic interior design choice that can push a lot of people out of their comfort zones. However, once you embrace a darker color scheme, there may be no going back when you see how effective and impressive it can look.
Think About Contrast
Contrasting is essential for success with darker colors. It’s important to decide which elements of the room you wish to be dark so that you know which other features need to be chosen as a contrast. For example, if you have a dark color scheme on the walls, then it’s a good idea to introduce lighter, contrasting furniture.
Alternatively, if you have very dark and heavy furniture choices, such as a dark grey or black couch, then contrasting by using lighter colors on the walls is a good idea.
Embrace It
If you’re choosing to use darker colors, you won’t achieve the full effect if you only paint one wall and leave it at that. To enjoy the full effect of a darker scheme, embrace the colors you chose and paint all the walls in your chosen scheme.
Use the Proper Lighting
The way you use lighting when decorating with dark colors is going to make a huge difference in your home’s appearance. The wrong lighting can serve to make dark colors look even darker, or have your room feeling too imposing.
The right lighting should complement your dark color scheme and serve to illuminate the room in the right ways. It’s essential to create as much warmth as possible with dark color schemes to create a cozier atmosphere.
When shopping for lighting, it’s a good idea to choose experienced suppliers like Artcraft Lighting who are known for their impressive selection and satisfied clients. Doing so will ensure you get quality fixtures that will do your home justice.
Use Accessories
Accessorizing darker color schemes within the home can be quitefun, as darker colors look great with just about any decor. Dark grey, for instance, will look great when offset with copper, gold, silver, or cream accessories — there’s really no limit to how you can use accessories to offset darker colors.
Wall-mounted accessories will be particularly effective in breaking up darker colors, such as large mirrors or framed paintings.
Avoid Too Many Patterns
Dark colors are dramatic on their own therefore, too many busy patterns in a dark room may be overwhelming . Patterns can be used more effectively amongst darker color schemes if used sparingly, such as one patterned wall canvas or a few decorative pillows on the couch.
Final Thoughts
Using darker colors effectively means trusting your instincts and fully embracing a more dramatic effect. A dark color scheme can look tremendously impressive and creates a certain mood within the chosen room of your home. It may take more effort with accessorizing and furniture arrangement to get it just right compared to a white or cream color scheme but all the effort will be worth it in the end when you have a beautifully dramatic dark room you can be proud of.
