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Jamie Weissman Jamie Weissman Jill Harness Jill Harness
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If you’re looking to spruce up your bedroom decor, designing a dark bedroom may not be on your radar. But — think again. “Going dark with a space tends to make it feel polished and intentional, and there’s something really satisfying about beginning and ending the day in a place where each aspect of the design has been considered,” Caitlin Murray of Black Lacquer Design, says. “I find dark colors calming and soothing. For me, the brighter an interior, the more energized and fresh it feels. Dark decor is dynamic in a whole other way.”
Now more than ever, homes are starting to trend darker, moving away from the ever-popular all-white look. Plus, deep hues are actually the perfect backdrop for creating an atmosphere geared toward a good night’s sleep.
Need more convincing? Here are 20 dreamy dark bedroom ideas to save for your next bedroom redesign.
1. Bring in some balance.
If black is a little too much for you when attempting to go dark, try reaching for a deep blue, which helps induce relaxation while adding a dramatic backdrop to your room. To avoid going too dark, contrast it with a light shade like this Bristol homeowner did with their pink bed and curtains.
2. Use matte black walls.
When you really want to go dark, don’t just choose black —go with matte black, which absorbs light, rather than reflecting it. It’s hard to deny the dramatic impact when you see this Melbourne bedroom.
3. Summon up some magic.
Up until the last 150 years or so, purple was an impossibly expensive color to produce, leaving a lasting mental association between royals, mages, and the hue. This Manchester Victorian home proves just how magically luxurious a purple-themed bedroom can look —especially when fitted with a purple velvet bedspread.
4. Add some shine.
Like dark colors, but don’t want the room to feel too oppressively dark? Then go with a glossy dark blue paint that can reflect the light in the room —as seen in this Chicago apartment. As a bonus, this high-shine paint is a lot more scratch-resistant if you decide to rearrange your furniture.
5. Lighten up the decor.
Despite the dark blue walls, this dreamy New Orleans’ bedroom looks downright airy. The trick is pairing the dark wall color with white sheer curtains to let in as much light as possible and choosing white decor throughout the space.
6. Choose a dark (light) color.
Yes, pink is traditionally considered a light hue, but the dusty rose bedroom of this home in Bristol manages to perfectly balance the levity and softness of pink and the calm, reserved vibes of a dark bedroom —a perfect fit for a restored Victorian.
7. Go red, white, and blue.
You don’t have to be the most patriotic person in the world to appreciate how these three colors work together (there has to be a reason so many countries choose these colors for their flags). This Brooklyn apartment’s royal blue nursery walls pop when paired with red curtains and a white ceiling.
8. Add some contrast.
The best way to pull off a dark bedroom is to add contrast. In this moody bedroom, a bright blue comforter lightens the space by providing contrast against the dark wall in the background.
9. Use different shades of gray.
Or simply incorporate different shades of the same color, like this beautiful bedroom owned by actor Erich Bergen. Gray walls and black bedding pair perfectly for a somber yet masculine dark bedroom.
10. Create an industrial chic look.
Dark walls, black exposed piping and a wooden ceiling work together to give the bedroom in this Philadelphia loft an industrial vibe without looking depressing at all. The two large windows lighten this space; a requirement for any dark bedroom.
11. Add a touch of phantasmagoria.
If there was a poster child for a fantastic dark bedroom, this would be it. This deep purple primary bedroom, designed by Sarah Barnard Design, is amazingly chic but funky at the same time.
12. Keep it simple.
Instead of patterned bedding, try a solid option that’ll act as a blank canvas for decorative pillows. In Jaclyn Johnson’s Los Angeles pad, blue bohemian cushions take center stage and pair well with the rest of the room’s other decor, from a neutral wall hanging to patterned textiles draped over a vintage look ladder.
13. Try a pink and blue pairing.
A deep blue wall color is a unique alternative to black paint and will add depth and dimension to a dark bedroom. Try pairing it with bright pink accents for an eclectic, bold look, as seen in Tessa MacGregor’s Scotland home.
10. Find balance with white decor.
If deep-colored walls seem a little, well… dark, lighter accents can lighten and brighten up the space. As seen in Cass Smith’s Virginia home, decorative accents like white curtains, globe pendant lighting, and hotel-style bedding help create a cozy atmosphere.
11. Try an accent wall.
To test the waters before committing to a paint color for your dark bedroom, try a dark accent wall behind your bed. Furnish the rest of the room with pieces that accentuate the wall’s color, as seen in Zenia Olivares’s New Jersey home. This will help tie the decor scheme together.
12. Go for gold.
Luxe accessories like gold frames are a glam addition to darker spaces, as seen in Angie Teater’s Manhattan apartment. Plus, it leaves room for other metal accessories, like nightstands and lamps, to play a role in the space.
13. Craft a neutral setting.
It’s easy to feel like you’re sleeping under the stars in Kelly Pike’s UK home. A midnight blue and silver birch wallpaper design puts a dreamy spin on a classic faux bois motif, while pops of white and cream balance out the moody hues.
14. Try out teal.
Teal is a color that feels restful and calm, so it’s a no brainer when it comes to bedroom decor. Try it on for size with large scale floral wallpaper, as seen in Allison Muir’s San Francisco home. You can paper just an accent wall or cover the whole room, if you really want to bring the drama.
15. Go geometric.
Circular shapes are becoming increasingly popular in design, and it’s easy to see why. The modern wallpaper in Dave Widmer and Chad Ross’s Chicago home strikes a fun, cheery chord and plays well with the other patterns in the space, including the striped pillows and plaid coverlet.
16. Make a scene.
All eyes are on this maximalist mural in Kristin Laing’s Austin home. A full wall design transforms this bedroom into a lush jungle paradise.Faux fur accents and a shag rug add a hit of texture to simple white bedding, rounding out the rest of the design scheme.
17. Try floor-to-ceiling wood.
Abigail Ahern’s London home makes a case for a bohemian glam dark bedroom with deep wood hues on the floor and walls. Various neutral-toned accessories complement the room’s brown tones, creating a cozy, cocoon-like atmosphere.
18. Employ flower power.
When it comes to Sally Worts’ United Kingdom home, bold floral wallpaper is highlighted by complementary pink accents, creating a glam, maximalist feel.This room is the perfect example of going all in on dark furnishings—wallpaper, furniture, flooring, and even bed frame. Yet because the space gets good natural lighting, the dark bedroom feels sleek and sophisticated, not stuffy.
19. Get nothing but the blues.
Blue is the color of serenity, so using this shade in a dark bedroom is a no-brainer. To add dimension to an all-blue look, consider bedding with subtle silk detailing, as seen in Estefania and Chris Palomerez’s Oakland home.
20. Try a dark and light bed combo.
A dark wall and light bed combo, as seen in this New York City apartment, is proof that opposites attract. Pair a tufted tan headboard with solid bedding, a patterned throw, and a few vintage accents for a modern, sophisticated look.
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