Moody Paint Colors: Trending Now
Dark, moody paint colors aren't going anywhere, according to the more than 10 designers we polled. Despite feeling like a ubiquitous trend, the deep navy blue, forest green, and even black interior rooms that dotted your timelines for the past five years are part of centuries of timeless design.
"Dark, moody paint is timeless," says paint expert Lisa Hudson. "Rich, deep colors have been a staple of sophisticated interiors for centuries, creating a sense of intimacy and luxury."
That said, dark colors have been so prevalent lately, we may have lost sight of how they're best used. The designers we spoke with offered advice on how to sidestep the trend cycle and apply dark paint colors in more timeless and updated ways. If you painted a room dark and have regrets about it, there are tips for you, too. Avoid the copy-paste look of dark painted rooms by following these five tips.
Meet The Experts
- Gil Walsh is a designer and the founder of Gil Walsh Interiors.
- Stephanie Martin is a designer and the founder of Stephanie Martin Interior Design.
- Lisa Hudson is the president of Fresh Coat Painters.
- Kristyn Harvey is a designer and the founder of Kristyn Harvey Interiors.
Choose the Best Rooms for Dark Paint Colors
Despite the classic libraries of yore, a dark color in a modern office is likely to put you to sleep, especially if you work from home. The best rooms for dark paint colors? "I love a dramatic dining room," says designer Gil Walsh. "Dark, moody burgundy or eggplant make the room come alive when they are paired with the metallic accents of a beautiful chandelier and flatware."
Dining rooms were a top choice for moody paint among the designers we spoke with, who say dark paint in a dining room creates a cozy cocoon for entertaining. Other popular rooms include powder rooms and bedrooms, where dark colors create a sense of retreat.
Select a Space with the Right Lighting
Study the natural light a room gets before you paint it a dark shade. "How a dark color looks is entirely dependent on the amount and direction of natural and artificial light in the room," Hudson says. "A deep charcoal might look sophisticated and moody in a room with a large south-facing window, but the same color in a north-facing room with limited light could feel flat and cave-like."
This doesn't mean you can't use a dark color in a north-facing room, but you may have to work harder to achieve coziness. Choose a color with warm undertones, and accessorize the room with lush drapes and brass light fixtures.
Be Intentional About Paint Finish
The paint finish you choose has a big impact on whether or not the room feels carefully planned. Designer Kristyn Harvey leans toward natural finishes when using dark colors.
"When moody colors are done in a plaster or limewash finish, rather than a gloss, they are especially timeless," Harvey says. Paints with natural variation and texture can work well in a variety of homes, especially cottages and homes with old-world elements, such as stonework. If your style is more glam or formal-traditional, you may want to consider glossy paint.
Be Intentional About Paint Finish
The paint finish you choose has a big impact on whether or not the room feels carefully planned. Designer Kristyn Harvey leans toward natural finishes when using dark colors.
"When moody colors are done in a plaster or limewash finish, rather than a gloss, they are especially timeless," Harvey says. Paints with natural variation and texture can work well in a variety of homes, especially cottages and homes with old-world elements, such as stonework. If your style is more glam or formal-traditional, you may want to consider glossy paint.
Create a Color Scheme of Opposites
If you've painted your room dark and are worried about it looking dated, a lighter lift than repainting is to update your accessories. "A bold color can instantly refresh a space," Walsh says. "I would encourage adding a touch of red or coral to a navy or deep green room to create contrast and a sense of brightness." Pull in bold colors from other rooms of your house, or change your rug for a more modern style.