Decorating
10 of the Best Dark Bedrooms on Houzz
Let inky blues, charcoal greys or mossy greens help to lull you to sleep. But which of these cocooning shades to pick?
If your aim is to establish a haven of relaxation to retreat to at the end of the day, a dark bedroom should be your go-to. The colour of a space impacts on your mood and ability to drift off: dark walls create a calming, cocoon-like feel that may help to bring on sleep. Lighting levels from artificial sources are also important – use bedside lamps with diffusing shades and dim bulbs to avoid stimulating your senses.
These 10 tranquil bedrooms should help to set the tone for any restful revisions.
These 10 tranquil bedrooms should help to set the tone for any restful revisions.
Find your accent
Teal and grey are dream bedfellows for this sultry scheme, because they counter the warm tones of the brick sill and timber floor.
Restricting colour to one wall may be wise for bedrooms with a shady aspect – remember that shadows build pigment, making paint appear darker.
Check out the Houzz bedroom photo stream for more rooms like this
Teal and grey are dream bedfellows for this sultry scheme, because they counter the warm tones of the brick sill and timber floor.
Restricting colour to one wall may be wise for bedrooms with a shady aspect – remember that shadows build pigment, making paint appear darker.
Check out the Houzz bedroom photo stream for more rooms like this
Draw the line
Classic midnight blue is an elegant choice for those in search of the perfect paint colour. In this bedroom, the woodwork has been ‘painted out’ – meaning it isn’t highlighted in white. This minimises the appearance of the two doors on one wall and creates a uniform finish.
Painting only the area below the picture rail in a dark shade lends intimacy in a room with a high ceiling.
…or try dark blue in the living room
Classic midnight blue is an elegant choice for those in search of the perfect paint colour. In this bedroom, the woodwork has been ‘painted out’ – meaning it isn’t highlighted in white. This minimises the appearance of the two doors on one wall and creates a uniform finish.
Painting only the area below the picture rail in a dark shade lends intimacy in a room with a high ceiling.
…or try dark blue in the living room
Create a subtle statement
Wallpaper brings depth and drama to this chic city bedroom. The random pattern and dark colour are a calming backdrop, rather than being designed to draw the eye.
Texture is key – a silk or bamboo carpet provides a soft feel underfoot, while a mixture of cool- and warm-coloured neutrals lends a luxe, layered effect.
If you’re lucky enough to enjoy windows as impressive as these, make the most of them with floor-brushing curtains and elegant pinch pleats.
Wallpaper brings depth and drama to this chic city bedroom. The random pattern and dark colour are a calming backdrop, rather than being designed to draw the eye.
Texture is key – a silk or bamboo carpet provides a soft feel underfoot, while a mixture of cool- and warm-coloured neutrals lends a luxe, layered effect.
If you’re lucky enough to enjoy windows as impressive as these, make the most of them with floor-brushing curtains and elegant pinch pleats.
Earn your stripes
Striped wallpaper makes this bedroom feel snug and characterful. Working with pattern requires restraint when it comes to choosing furniture – the aim being to avoid the scheme from becoming too busy. Those not sold on stripes could experiment with checks to create a lodge-like retreat that kids and grown-ups will argue over.
Striped wallpaper makes this bedroom feel snug and characterful. Working with pattern requires restraint when it comes to choosing furniture – the aim being to avoid the scheme from becoming too busy. Those not sold on stripes could experiment with checks to create a lodge-like retreat that kids and grown-ups will argue over.
Team with timber
If you want to unify the look of several wooden elements, a rich dark blue will work with all tones of timber. The distressed-effect shutters and midcentury-style side tables provide a naturalistic counter to the cool blue of the paint. Peacock-inspired accessories are cold in tone but warm on touch, creating a cosy collaboration.
If you want to unify the look of several wooden elements, a rich dark blue will work with all tones of timber. The distressed-effect shutters and midcentury-style side tables provide a naturalistic counter to the cool blue of the paint. Peacock-inspired accessories are cold in tone but warm on touch, creating a cosy collaboration.
Find your Zen
Green is a colour known for its restful properties, making it a prime candidate for blissful bedrooms. Take a leaf out of this restful retreat’s book and darken the hue as deep as you dare. Forest green feels fresh and cosseting – or go even sootier, towards black.
Green is a colour known for its restful properties, making it a prime candidate for blissful bedrooms. Take a leaf out of this restful retreat’s book and darken the hue as deep as you dare. Forest green feels fresh and cosseting – or go even sootier, towards black.
Go back to school
Blackboard paint is fun, affordable and won’t be ruined if your children take their artwork to the walls! This sweet space combines matt black with colourful paintings and dark green accents. Barely there acrylic curtain poles are a slick solution for those working with sloping walls.
Blackboard paint is fun, affordable and won’t be ruined if your children take their artwork to the walls! This sweet space combines matt black with colourful paintings and dark green accents. Barely there acrylic curtain poles are a slick solution for those working with sloping walls.
Ditch light linens
For the effect of a dark bedroom without splashing out on pricey paint or paper, swap pale sheets for something moodier. This scheme has mid-grey walls, but the dark headboard, lampshades and linens lend deeper hues that bring richness and contrast. Linen bedding looks laid-back and relaxed – creases are all part of its character.
Has this selection tempted you to go dark in your bedroom – or perhaps you have already? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
For the effect of a dark bedroom without splashing out on pricey paint or paper, swap pale sheets for something moodier. This scheme has mid-grey walls, but the dark headboard, lampshades and linens lend deeper hues that bring richness and contrast. Linen bedding looks laid-back and relaxed – creases are all part of its character.
Has this selection tempted you to go dark in your bedroom – or perhaps you have already? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
Densely woven natural-fibre wallpaper has a fabric-like quality that lends softness to dark shades. Crisp white sheets are the antidote for those who fear their bedroom becoming dreary, and they provide the perfect backdrop for patterned cushions.
If you yearn for an uncluttered bedside table, wall lights could be a top choice. This sleep space has two different types for the ultimate in-bed reading experience.
Be inspired by more spaces with inky dark walls