9 Gorgeous Living Rooms With Dark Walls
Wondering whether to go to the dark side in your living room? Perhaps these stunning spaces will convince you
Whether you go for charcoal, grey or navy, there’s no denying that dark walls can look beautiful in a living room. A deep-toned backdrop can give the space a snug feel, creating a cosy room for relaxing in. Check out these inspiring ways to do dark in style.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Go all in
Give your deep-toned living room a finished look by painting joinery in the same shade as the walls.
In this home, the owner has cleverly combined Ikea Billy bookcases and kitchen bridging cabinets to construct a bespoke shelving unit. By painting it in the same grey as the rest of the space, he’s made it look chic and expensive.
Also consider painting architectural features such as doors and architraves in the same dark shade as your walls, as it will give your room a dramatic, designed finish.
Give your deep-toned living room a finished look by painting joinery in the same shade as the walls.
In this home, the owner has cleverly combined Ikea Billy bookcases and kitchen bridging cabinets to construct a bespoke shelving unit. By painting it in the same grey as the rest of the space, he’s made it look chic and expensive.
Also consider painting architectural features such as doors and architraves in the same dark shade as your walls, as it will give your room a dramatic, designed finish.
Work in wood
Complement dark blue walls with honey-toned wood for a warm, cosy feel. Here, the deep blue backdrop showcases midcentury-style furniture with elegant wooden frames, and a rather stunning room divider.
The pale brown hues in the furniture are highlighted against the dark surfaces and, together with the jewel-toned rug and upholstery, help to lift the space.
Read reviews of painters and decorators in your area.
Complement dark blue walls with honey-toned wood for a warm, cosy feel. Here, the deep blue backdrop showcases midcentury-style furniture with elegant wooden frames, and a rather stunning room divider.
The pale brown hues in the furniture are highlighted against the dark surfaces and, together with the jewel-toned rug and upholstery, help to lift the space.
Read reviews of painters and decorators in your area.
Stay single
If you don’t want to paint your whole room in a dark shade, you can still bring in deeper tones. Pick just one wall and turn it into a moody feature to contrast with lighter surfaces elsewhere.
In this living room, the designers have covered the back wall with a bold charcoal colour and combined it with dark wood storage furniture.
The white wall keeps the space feeling light and airy, but to balance the two opposing colours, they’ve incorporated a dark sofa and berry-toned textiles.
If you don’t want to paint your whole room in a dark shade, you can still bring in deeper tones. Pick just one wall and turn it into a moody feature to contrast with lighter surfaces elsewhere.
In this living room, the designers have covered the back wall with a bold charcoal colour and combined it with dark wood storage furniture.
The white wall keeps the space feeling light and airy, but to balance the two opposing colours, they’ve incorporated a dark sofa and berry-toned textiles.
Add some drama
Embrace the old-world feel of dark walls by displaying vintage artwork on them. Choose a mysterious portrait in similarly sombre tones to give your space a touch of drama.
In this room, the modern furniture contrasts with a couple of oil paintings, one of which is hung against the dark blue wall. The shadowy figure adds an air of mystery.
Embrace the old-world feel of dark walls by displaying vintage artwork on them. Choose a mysterious portrait in similarly sombre tones to give your space a touch of drama.
In this room, the modern furniture contrasts with a couple of oil paintings, one of which is hung against the dark blue wall. The shadowy figure adds an air of mystery.
Create contrasts
If your living room has a wide opening into the adjacent room, consider going for a contrasting look, as the designers have done here. The dark, cosy living space opens up to a light, modern kitchen-diner with views out to the garden.
To emphasise the difference, in the living room the designers have chosen tactile surfaces, such as wall panelling, a velvet sofa, a soft rug and parquet flooring, which contrast with the glossy surfaces in the room beyond.
If your living room has a wide opening into the adjacent room, consider going for a contrasting look, as the designers have done here. The dark, cosy living space opens up to a light, modern kitchen-diner with views out to the garden.
To emphasise the difference, in the living room the designers have chosen tactile surfaces, such as wall panelling, a velvet sofa, a soft rug and parquet flooring, which contrast with the glossy surfaces in the room beyond.
Soften up
A dark living room doesn’t have to be bold and dramatic, as this space illustrates. Use gentle shades to bring a soft feel to the space.
Here, a pale lilac sofa and mauve textiles look elegant against the grey walls. To add even more soft edges to the space, the designers have included patterned cushions in pale green and yellow tones.
A dark living room doesn’t have to be bold and dramatic, as this space illustrates. Use gentle shades to bring a soft feel to the space.
Here, a pale lilac sofa and mauve textiles look elegant against the grey walls. To add even more soft edges to the space, the designers have included patterned cushions in pale green and yellow tones.
Pop in some pink
Ensure your dark-walled living room looks bright and contemporary by adding pink elements and some luxurious metallic finishes.
In this scheme, the soft pink furniture and artwork are teamed with stunning warm metals to offset the inky blue walls.
Ensure your dark-walled living room looks bright and contemporary by adding pink elements and some luxurious metallic finishes.
In this scheme, the soft pink furniture and artwork are teamed with stunning warm metals to offset the inky blue walls.
Enliven with lime
For a smart, modern look, combine dark blue walls with accessories in yellow, green and turquoise.
By sticking to the cool end of the colour spectrum, you’ll be able to add a variety of hues for an interesting, layered look while still creating a harmonious feel.
Tell us…
Which of these dark living rooms is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
For a smart, modern look, combine dark blue walls with accessories in yellow, green and turquoise.
By sticking to the cool end of the colour spectrum, you’ll be able to add a variety of hues for an interesting, layered look while still creating a harmonious feel.
Tell us…
Which of these dark living rooms is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Dark colours are ideal for showing off artwork and architectural features in a paler shade.
Here, a decorative white marble fireplace looks stunning against the deep grey chimney breast, while the striking artwork helps to balance the colours of the books and other objects. The two together create a focal point in the room.