Dark Wall Colors; Creating Captivating Contrasts

Sometimes, as a homeowner, you feel that the interior design of your home and the furniture or decorative elements need a change, but you don’t really know what to do. Do you add a new piece of art? Change up the soft furnishings in the room? Do you create a different lighting environment? Do you paint a wall or refurbish some hardwood flooring?

From the simplest project to the redecorating ideas on a much bigger scale, it’s hard to know where to start, or do we start at all? It’s hard to know what the answer is all the time, but you know that itchy feeling when you get it; something has to change. 

Often, when I’m doing a preliminary walkthrough (virtually or in person) of a client’s home, I’ll notice that their color palettes are often lackluster, very homogenous, and in desperate need of dynamics, contrasts, and inspiration. 

A popular solution I’ve noticed that homeowners are gravitating towards these days is creating a stark contrast with dark wall colors; I thought I would provide my insight and explore how dark-colored walls can create eye-catching auras in different areas throughout the home. 

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Dark Wall Colors – What Colors Can Be Used? 

When creating a dark contrasting wall, it’s all about going bold, full strength, all in! It’s best not to go half-measure. What do I mean by that? The dark wall’s tones, hues, and saturation levels must be deep, confident, and rich. A royal blue won’t cut it; the colors that work best as dark walls are blacks, dark teals, deep greens, midnight blues, dark purples, and incredibly rich browns. 

The point of having dark wall colors is to create palpable contrast with the lighter elements in the room’s design. Visitors must feel the weight of the wall color for the contrast to be effective, so you must fully commit to the dark color on the wall. Think about it before you take the leap because once you commit to it, it’s an exciting way to go. In other words, it’s not a decision to be rushed!

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Dark Wall Colors – What’s the Method/Effect?

Now, there are places within the home that are well-suited for the dramatic effect of dark wall colors and other spaces that are not. As I’ve noted, a dark wall color adds contrast, weight, impact, and attention to the space; you want to match those characteristics with the emotional intention of the room. Once you have added that rich saturated color, don’t be afraid to decorate that wall, this is a style that is all about drama and how to make it work for you. 

For example, spaces that work perfectly with dark wall colors are studies, gaming rooms, parlors, offices, dining rooms, and even living rooms. Rooms better suited for colors with more serene environments or levity are areas like bedrooms, bathrooms, playrooms, mudrooms, entranceways, and so forth. 

When executed beautifully, a room with dark wall colors will create an effortless contrast between the walls (base color) and the layered/accent elements of the room. The other elements with lighter colors, whether a piece of fine art, decorative sculpture or wall art, wood trim, or furniture, will have even more presence and pop juxtaposed with the dark walls. 

Captivating Contrast Combinations 

• Natural wood tones

For this color specialist, it’s hard to beat the combination of natural wood tones and dark wall colors when presenting a space. There’s something timeless, regal, revealing, and minimalist about contrasting a beautiful and luminous wood grain/hue against a dark-colored wall. Picture a dark teal wall contrasting with a beautiful golden wood-stained floor; just enchanting. 

• Wall art arrangements 

What better way to showcase some art than to have it sharply contrasted with the wall it’s hanging on? Paintings, drawings, photographs, pop art, vintage posters, and so much more look tremendously set against the large canvas of a dark wall.

Rather than make your art pieces become background noise in a sea of neutral colors, let them take center stage against a dark, contrasting base color. Imagine it as something shining against the dark sky. The darkness disappears behind it, and the piece you want to draw your attention to really stands out.

Dark Walls Apply to Built-Ins and Accent Walls Too!

When thinking about applying a dark wall color, don’t stop at just the sheetrock walls. If there is built-in cabinetry, a wall covered in wood paneling, or even a painted brick wall, every one of these places offers an opportunity to apply a rich color to your room. 

If you cannot paint all the walls the darker color, consider painting the cabinetry or accent wall. It offers you a place to showcase your artwork or hardware; this creates the focal point in the room with the saturated color of your choice!

Think Outside the Box for an Exciting New Approach

I know the concept of painting your walls a dark, commanding color can be nerve-wracking for some. Still, fortune favors the bold, and more homeowners are embracing thinking outside the conventional color selections to create some truly impactful spaces in their homes!

If you’d like to discover some dark wall color combinations and complimentary color schemes, try my Color911 color app! It will help you envision how dark walls can bring out the other colors in your design and create the design change you never knew you needed!