Next Up

Dark + Dramatic Colors for Any Room

Follow Maria on:

Go ahead; cross over to the dark side of design. From charcoal gray to navy blue to chocolate brown, get inspired to use these moody colors in your home.

Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money off these affiliate links. Learn more.
Photo: Genevieve Garrupp. From: Nastasi Vail Design
Scroll For More Photos
1 / 25

Handsome Home Office

A stately, gray built-in bookcase serves as the focal point of this stormy home study. The surrounding trim sports the same glossy gray used on the bookcase, for a cohesive look. The pale, weathered wood ceiling and textured dove-gray wallpaper serve as a bright contrast against the dark gray details throughout.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Christian Garibaldi, Garibaldi Imagineering LLC. From: Karen B Wolf Interiors
2 / 25

Timeless Tuxedo Kitchen

This handsome kitchen brings a whole new meaning to fine dining. The space is fit for a king with its regal black-and-gold island, barstools and range hood. Pale gray cabinetry acts as a foil to those bolder elements.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Julie Soefer Photography. From: Laura U Design Collective
3 / 25

Smoky Sophistication

This richly detailed master suite features a mix of smoky silver, deep blue and plummy tones drawn from the watery, abstract mural above the bed. The high-style bedroom features layers of luxurious silk, satin, velvet and faux fur accessories that deepen the dimension, and intrigue, of the design.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Mali Azima. From: Minhnuyet Hardy
4 / 25

Luxe Living Room

If this dreamy design doesn’t convince you to go dark and dramatic in your home, what will? Shadowy built-ins flank a bright white stone mantel to create the ultimate, high-contrast backdrop for a pair of serene blue sofas.

see more photos

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Spacecrafting. From: Lucy Penfield
5 / 25

Dramatic Floral Powder Room

Look at small spaces as the perfect opportunity to go big with your style choices. Rich with glamorous details, this dark and romantic powder room showcases how daring design choices have the power to make unremarkable spaces, remarkable. We’re smitten with how the gilded fixtures and magenta accessories shine against the midnight garden wallpaper.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Tessa Neustadt. From: Blackband Design
6 / 25

Dark Chocolate Dreaming

We're in love with the decadent, dark chocolate grasscloth that covers the focal wall in this glamorous, Art Deco-inspired bedroom. The snowy channel-tufted headboard pops against the deep, dramatic brown hue and serves as a chic backdrop for jewel-toned toss pillows and a buttery soft faux fur throw.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Regan Wood. From: Allison Lind
7 / 25

Art Deco Details

Sleep comes easy in this dark purple bedroom. The pretty plum hue wraps the room from wall-to-wall, then travels up along the ceiling. Even the double doors are painted to match, creating a luxurious jewel-box effect. Gleaming baubles in this jewelry box include, but are not limited to, a gold, crushed velvet channel-tufted bed, a vintage brass chandelier and a teal, lacquered dresser with lucite pulls.

see more photos

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Hilton & Hyland, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Hilton & Hyland
8 / 25

Charcoal Media Room

What better way to catch up on your favorite high-drama series than in a moody media room? Here, the matte charcoal walls create a gorgeous, glare-proof space to spend movie nights. A tufted, charcoal velvet sofa gives the space a modern, monochromatic edge while the cream rug and herringbone hardwood floors anchor the design in traditional style.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Chipper Hatter Photography. From: Corine Maggio
9 / 25

Classic and Cozy

Corine Magio provides another excellent example of charcoal walls, this time paired with warm wood tones, a red sofa and a plaid throw for a rustic preppy look.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Jacob Hand Photography
10 / 25

Dress Blues

Glamour is in full effect in the corner of this deep blue master bedroom. Dark colors allow metallic and reflective surfaces to shine and this dressing area is no exception. The deep walls serve as a chic backdrop to a gleaming, leaning floor mirror, a streamlined dresser and a sleek, studded silver vanity mirror.

see more photos

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Amy Bartlam. From: Kelly Sutton
11 / 25

Wrapped in Green

Designer Kelly Sutton takes a "more is more" approach in this bedroom to a luxurious effect. The malachite-inspired shade used on both the walls and ceiling envelopes the cozy bed.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Ryan Garvin. From: Prairie
12 / 25

Black Boho Bathroom

You should skip the sterile white-on-white bathroom design and take notes from this inky, edgy bathroom instead. Not only do the ultra-dark walls look amazing, but they create a sense of intimacy in an expansive space.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Jeff Herr Photography. From: Terracotta Design Build
13 / 25

Sophisticated Seafoam

Consider a colorful alternative to white when planning custom built-ins for your home. The misty seafoam blue creates a cozy, warm feeling in this master suite. We’re especially taken with the way this dark hue subtly disguises the black television in a way that feels both effortless and elegant.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Caitlin Murray. From: Caitlin Murray
14 / 25

Onyx + Emerald Dining Room

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call a showstopper. This eclectic dining room boasts a kaleidoscope-colored area rug, a glamorous glass table and a quad of dazzling, emerald velvet dining chairs. The standout jewel of this design for us, though? The glossy onyx trim that frames the windows, coats the doors and traces the ceiling of this stunning dining room.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Chipper Hatter. From: Corine Maggio
15 / 25

Coastal With a Twist

Dark, moody colors are often associated with more modern spaces, but they work well with traditional styles, too. Blue is a common color in coastal style, and a dark shade of navy works as the perfect color in this coastal dining room by Corine Maggio. Crisp white trim rounds out the nautical feel.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Jacob Hand. From: Anthony Michael Interior Design
16 / 25

B+W Bedroom

White-on-white bedding will forever feel fresh and fashionable. This master suite shows off its elegant, snowy bed by framing it with pitch-black walls and matching, black lacquered nightstands. A quad of gold-framed photos is displayed above the headboard as a glamorous, finishing touch.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Duckworth Interiors
17 / 25

Start a Fire

Black, gray or navy not really your thing? Heat things up with deep, fiery tones instead. We love the unexpected pairing of deep merlot walls with rich, rust-colored velvet seating. A smoky gray toss pillow and side table make handsome accessories and further accentuate the deep, dimensional tones used in the design.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Jacob Hand. From: Anthony Michael Interior Design
18 / 25

Moody Blues

Don’t let small square footage scare you away from the dark side. This petite sitting room features striking, navy grasscloth wallpaper that infuses the space with luxury. Bonus? The daring blue shade creates intimacy, drawing the eye to the striking skyline views beyond.

see more photos

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Amy Bartlam. From: Natalie Myers
19 / 25

Play in the Dark

There's no losing with a room like this, friends. Masculine, cognac leather chairs pop against the rich navy walls in this cozy game room. Custom built-ins provide storage for booze and bar essentials, and a checkered game table tempts you to hours of fun. A bold, brass Sputnik fixture hangs overhead, packing a punch of modern flair.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Laure Joliet. From: FLO Design Studio
20 / 25

Dramatic Stonework

Sometimes the key to dark colors is to use stone finishes or wallpapers that incorporate black into the design. FLO Design Studio went bold in this master bathroom with sandalus stone, which blends black and brown grains in a rich, almost wood-like grain.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Sarah Dorio; Design by: CLOTH & KIND; Builder: Athens Building Company . From: CLOTH & KIND
21 / 25

Steely Sitting Room

This pretty pair of steel-blue bookcases steal the show in this cozy, lakeside living room. The stormy shelves are lined with aqua and green accessories, creating a sense of hominess and a lived-in look that contrasts beautifully against the ultra-crisp, white shiplap walls.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Caitlin McCarthy Design. From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs
22 / 25

Teal Gradient Wall

In this dramatic space, designer Caitlin McCarthy uses a gradient around the window to transition from a bright, white kitchen to a deep teal living room for a sort of day-and-night effect.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Laura Metzler. From: Kerra Michele Huerta
23 / 25

Classic Navy Nursery

Skip the pastel pink and barely-there blue for your nursery. This white and navy colorblocked design is modern and sleek, while still being super sweet. We’re big fans of this high-contrast color combo for a nursery because it will never feel too young or require you to redecorate when your babe hits a certain age.

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Robert Peterson; Rustic White Photography. From: Tiffany Brooks
24 / 25

Masterful Mudroom

Bring magic to the mundane. Give your entryway a dark and daring makeover inspired by this fasionable design. The mudroom’s ornate floral drapes and deep gray walls add richness to the functional space.

see more photos

More photos after this Ad

Photo: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography. From: Brian Patrick Flynn
25 / 25

Daring Deck

Take those moody hues outdoors to soak up some much-needed vitamin D. This expansive outdoor deck is painted a dramatic charcoal gray and yields a distinctly fresh and contemporary appeal. Use a similarly deep hue for classic, black and white patio furnishings or to highlight bold and bright colors, like the red and aqua featured here.