Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These dark color palette ideas deliver all the mood

The depth of these dark colors will transform any space in your home

Dark rooms can sometimes get a bad rap. When designers talk about paint colors that bring light in, make rooms appear larger, or add color to make a room feel “fresh,” lighter colors often rule the day. But they don’t have to. In fact, bringing in a dark, rich color to a bedroom, living room, office, or bathroom can actually give the space added personality and depth that light colors cannot.

You can also decorate around the dark colors with furniture, lighter cabinets, and wall decor to break up the monotony of a dark color. Here are a few dark color palette ideas to inspire you to bring dark paint hues to any room.

Related Videos
Hanging plant on mantel with a dark wall behind it

Feature walls

While the concept of a feature wall may feel dated, you can add modern textures if you want to dip your toes into the dark paint game. We love the dramatic moodiness that this black wall gives surrounding a stark white fireplace. For even more drama, you could add thin wood pieces to the wall before painting it, giving it texture and movement. If you want to try it out, check out this Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron color in matte to complete the look. If you’re not sure about all black, you could add it to the lower half of a wall (again using a batten board or wainscoting), then keep the wall above it lighter.

Try a small room first

I have two rooms that bookend my kitchen — the mudroom and a small hallway leading to a walk-in pantry. I used this Hunter Green in both rooms but left the kitchen lighter, so as you look at the kitchen from the living room, both rooms surrounding it are dark. It offers just enough character to the entirety of the space without overwhelming the whole kitchen with a dark color.

Kitchen with navy blue cabinets and brass hardware

Try dark on cabinetry

If you really want to WOW, try installing (or painting old cabinets) with a dark paint color, like this navy above. Kitchens are where we spend most of our time eating, talking, entertaining, and many times, working. Why not bring character and moodiness into a space we use so often? You can keep the walls lighter around it and opt for a lighter countertop (though we love the stainless steel above) if you’re worried about the space feeling too closed in.

These are just some of the ways you can begin to introduce dark colors into your home. Whether it’s via paint, cabinets, or dark-patterned wallpaper, these colors add depth to a space and offer a fun alternative to the dull beige or white we often see in home design. We promise once you start using dark colors, you’ll wonder why it took you so long.

Editors' Recommendations

Mudroom ideas: 3 things not to forget when making this room a convenient workspace
Consider these ideas for a makeover to your mudroom/laundry room
Laundry room with multifunctional storage unit

We spend more time than we'd like to admit in our laundry room or mudroom. When we get through our pile of dirty clothes, we look, and there's another pile waiting in the wings. Regardless of room size, there are three things every mudroom should have: a place to fold clothes, a place to dry clothes, and ample storage. If you have a small mudroom or laundry closet, there are things you can do to achieve each of these; all you need is a little imagination to make the most out of the space you do have.
Folding space

Having a dedicated spot to fold clothes when they come out of the laundry isn't just a nice-to-have thing, it's a lifesaver if you're doing laundry for an entire family and need to separate clothes into piles by person. If you don't have the space for a countertop or standing table, check out this collapsible folding table that you can put in place when you need to fold and then collapse it back down against the wall when you're done. There are a lot of options for sizes, so if this one is too long, there are options for shorter ones available.
Drying space

Read more
5 tips for renovating your space from an HGTV star
Here's what the experts say you need to consider when starting a DIY home remodel
Happy couple looks at bedroom renovation plans

Recently, homeowners flocked to the annual Indianapolis Home Show featuring designers, brands, contractors, and more. During its final weekend, HGTV’s Good Bones star Mina Starsiak spoke to locals about her TV show, upcoming projects, and tips for renovating a property. For homeowners looking to take on a fixer-upper or DIY home remodel, Starsiak has a few pro tips.

Itemize your renovation with your contractor
One of the most important tips Starsiak and her team stressed to homeowners undergoing a renovation is to itemize the project with your contractor. Starsiak emphasized, "When speaking to a contractor, itemize the project and have them list everything with the price." She said that homeowners can avoid miscommunication with their contractors by listing project specifics.

Read more
Survey: These are the biggest kitchen trends
Cabinets, appliances, lighting and more for 2023
Kitchen remodel plans

Most people spend a ton of time in their kitchen. No matter the primary use for your kitchen, it's likely the gathering place for your family as well. For this reason, many homeowners look to the kitchen when it’s time to update their home’s decor. A kitchen update can improve your home’s functionality and style and raise the resale value. If you’re thinking about a kitchen remodel, check out the hottest kitchen trends for 2023 below.

A recent study by Houzz surveyed 2,380 U.S. homeowners to find the significant kitchen trends for 2023. From cabinetry trends to sustainability and electrical updates to lighting, check out the highlights of the Houzz study below. 

Read more