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POLL: This or that: Dark walls vs white walls

Emmeline Westin

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Some people swear by crisp white walls, others have gone over to the dark side. What side are you on?

Let us know in the comments section what you picked!

Library · More Info

Dark and dramatic walls

Bright white walls

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Paul Craig Photography

9 years ago

I think it's wrong that people shy away from dark colours in a small room. If you like the colour, try it. A small room with little light can be very very cosy with dark walls. Go with it, add some low level mood lighting, rather than trying to fight it and make it brighter.

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Comments (25)

sandyandrews
9 years ago
I've ticked white walls, because I think dark colours should be used with care. True, they can create a dramatic backdrop in a room, but if used in an room with little natural light, the scheme can be gloomy. My ideal answer would have been some of BOTH - as it's amazing contrasts that I love best.
cinderellaslipper
9 years ago
Dark & dramatic are fine for the young, but when you get to my age...53 and can't find your glasses, it's pale shades all the way, the paler the better....much easier on the eyes.
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Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated. So I'm kind of stuck with the chaise as it is but could move it to another room (at the cost of moving the problem elsewhere). It's not actually mine so I don't really want to go to the expense of reupholstering it. The chest also isn't mine, but I'll have them both for a few years yet. If I move the chaise I'd probably have to swap it for a deep red rocking chair I have in another room (see pic), which would again influence the colour scheme. The sofa would fit under the window but there's a radiator there so it's not really ideal. I'll look into moving the TV point though as that would allow me to have chaise / rocking chair and sofa on two walls together. I agree that the blinds are an issue so I think I'll try to get either a glass covering instead, or some white blinds. I may even paint the windows white too if I'm brave enough. For the walls, I liked your mock up Carolins and the suggestions to use a light grey. That's what I was already considering. Still can't decide whether to have a dark grey feature wall, but it's tempting. I agree with the accent colour suggestions - I really like pink or yellow with grey. Carolins - where are those yellow toned cushions from? Definitely a big mirror too. Hmm decision time!
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Alonda Clinton
9 years ago
I have to agree with sandyandrews. I love the dramatic effect that dark rich color brings to a room, but it has to be the right room.
hayleydaniels
9 years ago
I also voted for the white walls even though I love colored walls as that example was just too dark.
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EAST
9 years ago
Actually a combination of black with other colors works great.
Nova Williams
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
My obsession with vibrant splashes of colourful home accessories means I always go for crisps white walls. Not that those accessories wouldn't work with dark walls but they don't lend themselves very well to creating the slightly moody, mysterious and dramatic effect I like about dark walls. Besides, I grew up in the Caribbean where many homes are white inside and out (keeps you cooler) and colour is introduced by furniture, accessories and house plants/flowers. That probably says a lot about my preference in decor! :)
Bill Yockey
9 years ago
I painted my dining room a deep brown and love it. the dark color looks good with candles--makes dinner seems Intimate and warm.
sandyandrews
9 years ago
Well yes, I do agree, because I think the dining area is one of the best places for experimenting with rich deep tones. There's nothing nicer than sharing good food and wine with dear friends & family gathered around the table, under carefully chosen 'pools' of light, those darker walls can create such a delicious, intimate atmosphere. However, in my living /kitchen room I like to bounce the sunlight around on brighter, lighter & even whiter walls. How lucky we are to have such a huge range of paints and colours to choose from these days !
grobby
9 years ago
I've seen some gorgeous dark colors on walls that look very elegant. But I have to have air and light, so it's light walls for me.
PRO
MsJacqueline
9 years ago
Based on the images used. The darker walls are for the win. Personally i'd go with light but then again i'm always open to trying out new styles.
User
9 years ago
The dark photo is beautiful, partly owing to the ceiling and silvery floor, but I picked white walls all the same. Does that have something to do with the way they reflect the early morning light, I wonder?
Vonn
9 years ago
I would never in a zillion years have chosen the blackish colour, having seen it look like this, I so would.
User
9 years ago
Neither, colour in the medium spectrum works for us. Are going to paint one wall white, though.
Ann Cayton
9 years ago
I agree with cinderellaslipper that the older one becomes, the greater the desire for as much light as possible, however, I adore the idea of dark moody walls in principle.
PRO
LuxDeco
9 years ago
We do love a dark statement wall, say for a gentleman's office. However, we have to agree that it does depend on the room and it's aesthetic. Crisp white walls are perfect for a south facing living room too. Both examples of this can be seen in our Townhouse Collection. LD
Karin Madgwick
9 years ago
I love both, depending on the room and house style
User
9 years ago
I've swayed to the dark side and am very much planning on painting my kitchen in this gorgeous blue...
Keepable Kitchens - Little Greene · More Info
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AG Interiors
8 years ago
I'm a bit bored with white walls unless you are going for the white, modern, minimalist look - I'm moving more towards coloured walls [ although more-often-than-not neural walls ] and I'm particularly partial to neutral wallpapers with texture such as silk, linen and seagrass, which can add depth and warmth to a scheme.....
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Orr & Gillespie
8 years ago
Dark moody walls are fab in the right space!
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Identity Papers
7 years ago
I've seen one of my designs work well in projects with dark and light walls. It really does depend on the room.
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Michael Nicholas Design
7 years ago
Each works for different rooms.

Dark colours can add luxury - as they did for our dramatic makeover of a bedroom. The charcoal colour is elegant and calming in both winter and summer due to south facing windows.

Light / off-white colours add to a contemporary aesthetic - especially in a cohesive look and feel within an open plan scheme or where it is necessary to draw attention away from a relatively low ceiling as was the case in this dining room we designed in a duplex apartment in the South of France. The problem further solved by low-back dining chairs.
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W&M Architects
7 years ago
White walls make spaces feel larger
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Deborah Hayward
7 years ago
i love dark walls but think they have to be in the right room with light accessories and furniture looks very dramatic, i think white walls can be equally difficult as they can be cold and clinical
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STF London ltd
7 years ago
We love dramatic look! They would look great in marble.

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