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How to Furnish for a Dark Decor
After years of being relegated as a trim and accent colour, it looks like darker wall colours, including straight black, are the latest trend in home décor. The evidence is all over the internet, including on Pinterest, which has quickly become the ‘go to’ online destination for home design ideas.
Top paint manufacturers, after years of pushing pastels and rich primary colours, are leading the charge. Benjamin Moore’s has even made ‘Shadow’ their Colour of the Year for 2017.
Why the sudden shift to such dark colours, which have traditionally been associated with making rooms feel smaller? Benjamin Moore gives you a hint in their description of Shadow, saying on their website that it “is allusive and enigmatic – a master of ambiance”.
But no matter the reasons, if you like to decorate and furnish your home with the most up-to-date décor, you need to know what furniture and accessories to choose for darker wall colours.
1. White or Very Light-Coloured Furniture
Yes, typically a darker room can seem smaller, but on the other side of the spectrum, dark walls tend to stay in the background and let your furnishings light up the room all on their own. If you don’t like the start contrast of white furniture dark walls, try light shades of grey, red/brown, blue and green.
2. Bright Tables & Accessories
You can add splashes of colour to breathe life into the room with console tables, bookshelves, throw pillows and other decorations and accessories in bright yellows, reds, greens and blues.
3. Woodgrains
Whether it’s in your flooring, on top of your coffee table or in accents on your furniture, the grain of wood is revealed in its full beauty against a dark wall colour.
If you’re not ready for the full-black trend, try making just one wall in the room a dark grey and use some of the tips listed above on just that wall. The results can be quite dramatic.
