AD It Yourself

20 Dark Bedroom Ideas Featuring Moody Colors for Deep Sleep

Step away from the white paint and come over to the dark side
Image may contain Indoors Interior Design Cushion Home Decor Plant Wood Panels Bed Furniture Bedroom and Room
Who says a neutral bedroom has to be light color?Photo: Stoffer Photography Interiors

If you’re thinking about changing up the color palette in your home, you might want to consider a dark bedroom. Whether you’re starting with smaller details, adding an accent wall to the space, or embracing an all-around deeper hue, a well-designed dark bedroom can be cozy and inviting. From navy to forest green to gray and even black, there’s an array of dark hues and popular paint colors to pick from right now. Here, you’ll find dark bedroom ideas from interior designers that will inspire your own home makeover, including primary bedrooms with dark walls and guest suites adorned with whimsical wallpaper. Plus, we answer common questions on dark bedroom design and offer decorating ideas, from adding coziness to choosing furniture. Keep your paintbrush on standby—it’s time to say goodbye to any blank walls and come over to the dark side.

How can you successfully design a dark bedroom?

“The key to creating dark bedrooms, or any rooms for that matter, is to keep the saturation levels consistent,” says designer Abby Hetherington of Abby Hetherington Interiors in Bozeman, Montana. This ensures that the overall room feels cohesive, from dark walls to deep furniture finishes. Jenn Feldman, designer at Jenn Feldman Designs in Los Angeles, adds that color drenching is all about layering and balancing the “fixed” versus “flexible” elements of a space. “For the room to really take on a cohesive and designed aesthetic, the walls and floors should all be tonal, or drenched, in the same tone or color,” she explains, adding that this unity also evokes calmness. “Then the flexible elements—bedding, accents, decor—can be layered in and shift the feeling to a more bold or a more watered-down version of the color,” says Feldman.

What are the benefits of a dark-colored bedroom?

Embracing a dark color palette opens you and your home up to an entirely new design aesthetic. “Many people think bedroom design is all about crisp, white duvets and light, airy features,” says Lindsie Davis, principal designer at Blueberry Jones Design in Austin. “But a dark and dramatic bedroom can be just as calming.” The receding nature of darkness can also make a dark bedroom feel larger, says designer Lucinda Loya of Lucinda Loya Interiors in Houston.

Mood is often impacted by our environment, which is why it’s so important to design a space that puts your mind at ease. “A dark bedroom, free from distractions and bathed in a soothing ambiance, signals to our internal clock that it’s time for rest and rejuvenation,” says designer Hanna Li of Hanna Li Interiors. A monochromatic color palette, often found in dark bedroom design, is inherently non-fussy and calming.

How can you make a dark bedroom cozy?

From adding texture to bringing in light, there are many ways to make a dark bedroom feel more inviting. “Creating warmth in a dark space is paramount, regardless of the chosen color palette,” says Li. Whether she’s using blues, browns, or grays, she aims to incorporate luxurious materials like leather to add texture and tactile appeal to a dark room. Designer Benjamin Johnston of Benjamin Johnston Design in Houston agrees that texture is key to creating a cozy dark bedroom. “I love grasscloth wall coverings or textured wallpaper for this reason,” he says. “Pair various textures through bedding and steer clear of lightweight draperies when you want everything to imbue a sense of coziness.”

Light fixtures can make a big difference as well. “Low lighting in the bedroom, uplighting, and bedside sconces with a dimmer will set the mood and help you relax,” Johnson explains.

How should you decorate and furnish a dark bedroom?

A dark bedroom is a bold design decision in itself. When furnishing a dark bedroom and adding accent pieces, designers recommend keeping color balance in mind. “A mix of furniture finishes, all in darker hues, is a good idea in a dark bedroom,” says designer Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors. “You want the pieces to blend in, but you don’t want them to disappear either.” Lighter accessories, such as area rugs and white bedding, can also complement a dark bedroom and add visual interest.

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  • Image may contain Cushion Home Decor Indoors Interior Design Pillow Lamp Bed and Furniture
    Photo: Audrey Hall
    1/20

    Mix textures in a monochromatic space

    A well-designed bedroom doesn’t cover up the architectural details of a home; it embraces and compliments them. In this modern bedroom in Yellowstone Club, Montana, Hetherington drew inspiration from the home’s weathered woods. The minimalist color scheme doesn’t feel boring due to its play on materiality. “We mixed all these varying elements together to create a space that really stands out,” says Hetherington. “You have the subtle geometric grid of the wall covering, the smooth suede of the bed, the linear pattern of the rug, and all of the coordinating textiles which give the room a certain energy.”

  • Photo: Douglas Friedman
    2/20

    Opt for a rich wall covering

    The grand decor in this Healdsburg, California, bedroom, designed by John Ike and Carl Baker of Ike Baker Velten in collaboration with Ken Fulk, celebrates its history as an early 1900s rambling farmhouse. “The design focus was on a nod to the era in which it was built, with a rich texture of materials, flooring, and wall coverings,” explains Baker. Further, the dark colors and foliate design of the wall covering contribute to an Edwardian sensibility in the moody bedroom.

  • Photo: Julia Soefer
    3/20

    Use mirrors to reflect light around the room

    One of the best ways to add character to a home is with found pieces and collections that grow over time. While these antique and vintage mirrors were scattered throughout the homeowner’s previous space, designer Loya decided to hang them together in a glam gallery wall over her vanity as a nod to Versailles. Layered on dark walls, which are painted in Benjamin Moore Affinity in Flint, the romantic art installment makes a grand statement, emphasizes the ceiling height, and bounces light through the space from the nearby window.

  • Photo: Sam Frost
    4/20

    Create harmony with deep wood-toned furniture and lighter linens

    Denise Morrison, founder and principal designer of Morrison Interiors, suggests incorporating furniture with rich, deep wood tones into a dark bedroom to create a more harmonious space. Then, opt for lighter accent pieces. “Balance the darkness with lighter fabric choices for upholstery, such as soft linens or textured fabrics, to create contrast and visual interest,” she says. While your eye may first go to the geometric wallpaper (Etincelle wallpaper by Elitis) in this California guest bedroom, details such as the leather wall sconces by Lostine and the light textiles anchor the room and add depth and contrast throughout.

  • Photo: Shade Degges
    5/20

    Layer different patterns for depth and visual interest

    This traditional-style guest bedroom utilizes pattern layering to achieve an inviting space in a historic home outside Houston. Floral pillows and window coverings add pops of lightness to the dark space and make the bedroom look more styled, complementing the room’s light trim as well. “When designing this home and [its] bedrooms, we were careful to keep the true, time-honored Victorian period of the home,” says Anne Grandinetti, principal designer at Ashby Collective. Additionally, the Phillip Jeffries wall covering created a great base to add moody tones of taupe and ivory, explains Grandinetti.

  • Photo: Molly Culver
    6/20

    Create deliberate contrast with lighter furniture

    Deep wood-toned furniture isn’t the only option in a dark bedroom. Designer Meredith Owen of Meredith Owen Interiors suggests a color palette with a dark primary color and a lighter accent color in a dark bedroom. This bedroom in an Austin home features an accent wall painted in Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore. The headboard and bedding are a similar shade for a tone-on-tone modern look while lighter furniture and linens add visual interest. “Use textural fabrics to layer in the room to add depth without overwhelming the space,” explains Owen, who also suggests a combination of ambient and task lighting in a dark bedroom.

  • Photo: Paige Rumore
    7/20

    Utilize built-ins in a dark hue

    Built-in shelving is a great way to maximize space in a bedroom—plus, it can add dimension to a dark wall. In this Tennessee home, the spacious guest bedroom includes a study and sitting area across from the bed for visitors to enjoy. “The shelving holds all that is near and dear to our client including some family heirlooms, favorite books, and an inherited musical instrument,” explains designer Connie Vernich of Vernich Interiors. Books offer pops of contrasting color while the fretwork shelving, painted in Sherwin-Williams Granite Peak, blends in seamlessly with the walls.

  • Photo: Madeline Harper
    8/20

    Add picture molding to dark walls for texture

    “The homeowner wanted to feel like she was in a beautiful getaway in her own home,” explains Laura Williams of ATX Interior Design. The dark walls, painted in Sherwin-Williams Naval, are accented by picture molding behind the bed, brass sconces, and textured neutral details to soften the room. Color balance is especially important to keep in mind in a dark bedroom, adds Williams of her decision to introduce both dark accents and lighter linens. “With enough light and dark elements, the space will feel more inviting and serene.”

  • Photo: Joe Fletcher
    9/20

    Achieve a darker color palette with wood paneling

    Paint isn’t the only way to achieve a dark color palette. Ron Radziner, DAIA, design partner at Marmol Radziner, used black walnut paneling and dark-stained Douglas Fir wood ceilings and beams in this bedroom, which was renovated for cinematographer Robert Richardson in the Sullivan Canyon area of Los Angeles. The natural materials are cohesive with the home’s garden, which includes native oaks and sycamores. “There is a calm quality to the canyon and the dark materials in the bedroom help create a true quiet sanctuary,” explains Radziner.

  • Photo: Jess Isaac
    10/20

    Opt for a whimsical wallpaper

    A unique wallpaper can set the overall tone of a dark bedroom. In this guest bedroom, House of Hackney’s Flora Fantasia wallpaper adorns all four walls, giving the space a touch of whimsy. “This choice not only enhanced the overall aesthetic of the house but also added an element of escapism,” says designer Li. She notes that the oak furniture was chosen to impart a sense of calm amidst the lively wallpaper.

  • Photo: Stoffer Photography Interiors
    11/20

    Create an accent wall

    If you’re not ready to commit to painting your entire bedroom, consider starting with an accent wall. In this bedroom, the bed is framed in striking espresso-stained oak. “The rest of the room is open, spacious, and light in color and texture, enhancing the drama of the built-in bed,” explains designer Amy Storm of Amy Storm & Company in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. “The ribbed texture on the wood and the subtle pattern gives the background just enough detail to make it interesting but, also keeps it simple,” she explains.

  • Photo: Jess Isaac
    12/20

    Add playful accent pieces

    Think of a freshly painted dark bedroom as a blank canvas to infuse your own personal touches. Just take this green bedroom in a South Pasadena, California, home—the walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Treron to evoke the tranquility of nature’s embrace, explains Li. Rich, moody hues are paired with softer bedding and a statement lamp for a hint of playfulness. “A vibrant pop of color is introduced through carefully chosen nightstand, echoing the accent hues found in the pillow fabric, thus adding a touch of visual intrigue to the space,” adds Li.

  • Photo: Molly Culver
    13/20

    Allow the bed to be the focal point of the room

    Instead of adding visual interest with patterned linens, try upholstering a bed frame with a geometric fabric. In this bedroom, Shelby Van Daley, principal designer at Daley Home in Austin opted for a custom bed with a bold, plaid fabric that’s scaled perfectly to fit the space. “The hunting-themed fabric on the lumbar pillow added a traditional feel, but still kept it very masculine,” she adds. The walls are painted with Sherwin-Williams in Sealskin.

  • Photo: Amy Bartlam
    14/20

    Skip a monochromatic palette for multiple colors in similar saturations

    While it can be tempting to stick to a monochromatic color palette in a dark bedroom, it isn’t the only option. This nook, designed by Feldman for a 14-year-old boy, includes both a deep green wall color and a dark blue daybed. The room achieves harmony by utilizing similar saturations throughout such as the pillows on the daybed.

  • Photo: Avery Nicole
    15/20

    Opt for maximalist textures and luxurious fabrics

    Incorporating different textures into a dark bedroom with a monochromatic color scheme is key to achieving balance, explains Davis. “The Arte fringe wallpaper was one of the most pivotal design decisions, bringing endless depth and dimension to the space,” she says of the artfully maximalist space. “From there, we used the bedding selections to layer a variety of luxe textiles, ensuring the space felt artful and distinct.”

  • Photo: Julie Soefer
    16/20

    Create softness with curved lines

    “At the end of the day, a primary bedroom is a retreat where one should find peace and solace,” says Johnston. In this Houston primary bedroom, a dark color palette is softened by curved lines that draw your eye around the space, such as those seen in the tufted headboard and textured ottoman. Traditional elements blend with modern touches while rich, warm colors add to the feeling of solitude and sanctuary. “We wanted to create a space that inspired relaxation and rest,” explains Johnston.

  • Photo: Justin Jordan
    17/20

    Find ways to introduce an accent color

    When Adams was asked to create a bedroom that feels like a boutique hotel, she set out to design a space that was unexpected, luxurious, and cocooning. Here, Farrow and Ball’s Hague Blue walls serve as a neutral backdrop to the other, more vibrant hues in the room. “Bold colors do very well on a dark backdrop,” says Adams of her decision to add color through a neon lamp, bright orange vase, and coordinating coffee table books on the bedside table.

  • Photo: Courtesy of The Ramble Hotel
    18/20

    Create glamor and reflect light with metallic finishes

    A brightly lit space may actually be the perfect candidate for a dark color palette. Just take this glam bedroom, which is located in the Ramble Hotel in Denver. The large windows and metallic accents bounce light around the space to add glamor to the room. “The dark tone we selected created an extra element of depth and mystery and created a base palette that allowed accent colors to pop with more vibrancy,” says Andrea DeRosa, cofounder and principal designer of Avenue Interior Design.

  • Photo: Brittany Bah
    19/20

    Don’t shy away from a black bedroom

    Black might not be the most obvious choice for a bedroom, but when used correctly, it can be cozy and sophisticated. This home features large windows and bright natural light throughout, so designer Amber Guyton, of Blessed Little Bungalow in Atlanta, wasn’t afraid to add a black wall, painted in Sherwin-Williams Caviar. The room also features an emerald bed frame and decorative mirror. “As beautiful as the accent wall and new upholstered bed were, I wanted to add a decorative element to the wall that would reflect light from the adjacent windows, and add brass to the room,” says Guyton.

  • Photo: Anna Spaller
    20/20

    Try a dark trim for contrast in an unexpected way

    “The Cornflower Blue Layered Stripe wallpaper from Chasing Paper’s collaboration with The Interior Collective set the tone for this room,” explains Audrey Scheck, founder and principal designer at Audrey Scheck Design in Austin, Texas. In the seven-year-old boy’s bedroom, the doors, trim, and even ceilings were painted in Wescott Navy by Benjamin Moore to pair with the deep blue ticking stripe in the wallpaper. “The dark accent was chosen to help the eye move around the space, including elevating the perspective upward toward the ceiling,” explains Scheck.

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