Most people are nervous about strong colors in their homes, so going with a dark color is definitely spooky for so many. But moody colors like black actually make rooms cozy and gorgeous. The key is to remember that you should choose a color you love and that you can always change it easily. Here’s how to be bold and try a dark room in your house!

Drench the Room

Select a color you love and drench the room with it. That means all walls, bookshelves, cabinetry, and more, like I did in the Houston home office above. That color is actually a very dark blue, rather than a black, but I do love a black room!

Bring Balance

Balance the dark color with some light. That could be lighter paint colors, a great light fixture, or fantastic natural light. In the gorgeous kitchen I designed above, the black cabinetry is complemented by a paler gray on the upper cabinets, and a lot of white on the walls. With the art and all of those windows, it offers a chic look that is far from scary!

add highlights

If you’re still nervous about dark colors, try them as accents rather than for the overall color scheme. In the wet bar above, I used black for the island and the nearby door. With the beautiful agate accent wall, the black becomes almost an organic look that is naturally fabulous.

Tell the Tale in STONE

In the kitchen above, I used a deep black stone for the counter and backsplash. It’s complemented by the beautiful Ann Sacks tile on the floor. Stone and tile are more permanent design elements, though, so be sure it’s a color that you’re willing to live with.

What do you think about dark rooms? Would you be willing to give them a try? Let me know in the comments section below.

And enjoy your spooky season!

Beth