Choose the Best Rooms for Dark Paint Colors

Despite the classic libraries of yore, a dark color in a modern office is likely to put you to sleep, especially if you work from home. The best rooms for dark paint colors? "I love a dramatic dining room," says designer Gil Walsh. "Dark, moody burgundy or eggplant make the room come alive when they are paired with the metallic accents of a beautiful chandelier and flatware."

Dining rooms were a top choice for moody paint among the designers we spoke with, who say dark paint in a dining room creates a cozy cocoon for entertaining. Other popular rooms include powder rooms and bedrooms, where dark colors create a sense of retreat.

Consider the Color Palette of Your Whole Home

A dark color shouldn't come out of nowhere. Think of it as part of your home's overall color palette. "The key is moving beyond the concept of a single 'feature wall' or 'pop' of color," says designer Stephanie Martin.

Integrate dark colors throughout your home in accessories, furniture, wood stains, or wallpaper. This ensures your home feels cohesive and not like a patchwork quilt of trends. "When moody tones are layered and woven throughout a home's palette, they create a sense of warmth, intimacy, and allure," Martin says. This sense of cohesion will feel more peaceful to you and more timeless to any guests.

Annie Schlechter

Select a Space with the Right Lighting

Study the natural light a room gets before you paint it a dark shade. "How a dark color looks is entirely dependent on the amount and direction of natural and artificial light in the room," Hudson says. "A deep charcoal might look sophisticated and moody in a room with a large south-facing window, but the same color in a north-facing room with limited light could feel flat and cave-like."

This doesn't mean you can't use a dark color in a north-facing room, but you may have to work harder to achieve coziness. Choose a color with warm undertones, and accessorize the room with lush drapes and brass light fixtures.

Be Intentional About Paint Finish

The paint finish you choose has a big impact on whether or not the room feels carefully planned. Designer Kristyn Harvey leans toward natural finishes when using dark colors.

"When moody colors are done in a plaster or limewash finish, rather than a gloss, they are especially timeless," Harvey says. Paints with natural variation and texture can work well in a variety of homes, especially cottages and homes with old-world elements, such as stonework. If your style is more glam or formal-traditional, you may want to consider glossy paint.

Ann VanderWiel Wilde

Create a Color Scheme of Opposites

If you've painted your room dark and are worried about it looking dated, a lighter lift than repainting is to update your accessories. "A bold color can instantly refresh a space," Walsh says. "I would encourage adding a touch of red or coral to a navy or deep green room to create contrast and a sense of brightness." Pull in bold colors from other rooms of your house, or change your rug for a more modern style.