There are some amazing new color palettes coming out of Europe and they are definitely dark and moody. Going dark can be spooky for people in the U.S. market because most houses here are light and bright. So what if you want to embrace your darker side at home? I have 4 tips that will help you bring in darker wall colors without fear!

1. Add a Little “Glitter”

Of course I don’t mean actual glitter, but something with a little sheen! In the powder room I designed above, we took the walls to a deep, dark chocolate and then I had an artist paint gold gingko leaves over the paint color. It elevates the look, and it makes the dark color less spooky and more sophisticated.

2. Use the Power of Pattern

The base of the stunning wallpaper pattern above is a very, very dark navy. That’s a color I love so much. But the fabulous over-pattern in white keeps the look from being too overwhelmingly dark. It’s a great idea for creating that moody look, but with a more approachable design.

3. Testing, Testing

The color on that one wall above may not be super-dark, but it’s still a deeper color than most people want to try in their homes. By using it on just one wall, it makes a statement and lets my clients test the waters to see if they might like the color enough to go all in. And they do!

4. Pick Your Favorite

The smartest idea is to select a deeper shade of your favorite color. You are much more likely to love the results if you already love the color family. So if your favorite color is green, then choose an olive or forest. If you absolutely love blue, then go for navy or cadet blue.

What do you think about darker colors in the home? Let me know in the comments section below!

Warmly,

Beth