5 room ideas that embrace the dark and moody interiors trend

If you've been looking for room ideas, you may have noticed how interiors have been getting darker recently: emerald greens, magenta, navy – even black. Intrigued but unsure how to introduce this trend into your home? Check out our five ideas below

Room ideas: dark bedroom
(Image credit: John Lewis)

A trend has crept up on us – we've noticed it when looking for new room ideas to bring you. It’s moody and dramatic, and full of colour – perfect for this time of year. There’s also a hint of Old Masters florals – richly coloured paintings that are full of blousy blooms that look perfectly at home in these deep toned rooms. 

So how can you incorporate this trend into your home without feeling intimidated? Scroll down for five ideas that will show you how – it’s all about balance. 

1. Use pops of colour in a living room

Room ideas: dark living room

(Image credit: Argos)

How marvelous is this living room? Opulent yet edgy, it epitomises this trend. The teal walls anchor the space and the orange accent prevents the look from being too overwhelming – painting your ceiling is another hot trend for 2020, by the way! The electric blue velvet armchair and sofa introduce another shade which adds to the richness of this scheme. To make this work the accessories are key – metallics in chrome and brass, and the vintage style frame and the flowers, they all break up the blocks of colour and bring this look together, very successfully. 

2. Add texture and pattern for relief

Room ideas: dark dining room

(Image credit: George Home)

On the surface, this dining room looks relatively simple, but there are few key ‘ingredients’ that make it interesting visually. The textured wall for starters, again, slightly reminiscent of a landscape painting. You can paint this yourself, or search for a wallpaper that will do the trick. The black chairs and table look great against it, and the balance comes from the white patterned tableware and white flooring. 

3. Swap in some vibrant, peppy plains

Room ideas: dark bedroom

(Image credit: John Lewis)

This beautifully vibrant bedroom looks so luxurious doesn’t it? Sumptuous velvet, magenta shades and bold prints, all working together in unison. This look works because of the plains dotted in between – the pillowcases, the throws and the warm-toned bedside and chest of drawers. Keep your accessories simple, this scheme is more about textures and colour than ‘things’. 

4. Invest in some gold for light relief

Room ideas: bathroom

(Image credit: Matalan)

Even your bathroom can get the dark and moody touch! This stunning space encompasses this trend perfectly – dramatic navy walls, gold elements and colourful towels – even one with blousy blooms printed on it! Again, the white sink and marble worktop break up the scheme to prevent it from becoming too over the top and the dark wood flooring adds texture. 

5. Choose one colour, in varying tones

Room ideas: dark kitchen

(Image credit: Ikea)

This is a great option if you find the thought of too many colours overwhelming. This kitchen still fits the trend, but with a slight difference. The trio of greens work really well together because they are all textures in their own way - the smooth walls, the slightly tactile hexagonal tiles and the uber glossy Metod base units, all topped off with brass handles and chrome accessories – perfect!

Lucy Searle

Lucy is Global Editor-in-Chief of Homes & Gardens having worked on numerous interiors and property titles. She was founding Editor of Channel 4’s 4Homes magazine, was Associate Editor at Ideal Home, before becoming Editor-in-Chief of Realhomes.com in 2018 then moving to Homes & Gardens in 2021. She has also written for Huffington Post, AOL, UKTV, MSN, House Beautiful, Good Homes, and many women’s titles. Find her writing about everything from buying and selling property, self build, DIY, design and consumer issues to gardening.

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