Dark bedroom ideas: How to add luxury to your room with deeper shades

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Nailing a dark bedroom design is tricky. But done in the right way, deeper shades can bring a lavish vibe to your sleep space. Don’t believe us? Let’s explore how. 

Gone are the days of playing it safe with neutrals. Over the last few years, we’ve got braver and more experimental with our bedroom colour schemes, and now, things are getting even darker – and more luxurious.  

That’s right, a darker colour palette can actually make your bedroom look more expensive. However, there are a few things you should know before embarking on your design journey. In this article, we’ll share all our tips and tricks on how to successfully incorporate dark colours into a bedroom, ensuring that the space remains comfortable and welcoming. 

Ready to head over to the dark side? Here are our dark bedroom ideas to create an elevated, chic retreat in your sleep space.  

Dark colours make for an excellent bedroom backdrop if you like a moody aesthetic. They can instantly dial up the ambience and transform the atmosphere to be cosy and sumptuous. So, if you’re looking to design a bedroom that evokes a sense of drama and mystery, picking a darker shade is the way to go.  

Darker colours may even help you sleep better, too! If you’re somebody who loves a pitch-black environment when drifting off, but you’re blessed with a bright bedroom, painting your walls in a dark shade will help make the room look darker when it comes to lights-out.

If you’re interested in colour theory, head over to our colours hub for even more inspiration.  

The secret to creating a beautiful dark bedroom design is contrast. Nobody wants to live in a space that feels one-note. By balancing darker tones with lighter elements, introducing warmth and contrast through a variety of textures, and strategic lighting, you’ll have a dark bedroom that is full of character. But we’ll get on to all of this later. 

First, let’s dive into some of our favourite dark shades for a bedroom design… 

Embrace deep hues of black and grey

Starting strong, how about embracing a dark charcoal grey, or even black for your bedroom colour palette? This is the ultimate way to create a statement, while ensuring timeless appeal. Both black and grey are classic and versatile. Whether you’re into a sleek, contemporary vibe or prefer a vintage aesthetic, you can style your dark bedroom your way with these shades.

To keep things dark but still rich in colour, how about rust or teal? These trendy shades are chic, genderless (so they look great in any bedroom!), and they pair well together if you’re in the market for a dreamy colour combo. By choosing warm-toned shades, you’ll add some instant earthy cosiness, ideal for a bedroom you want to snuggle down in. 

Create contrast with stark whites

Credit: @through_the_lane

Remember we mentioned ‘balance’ earlier? One sure-fire way to add plenty of contrast to your dark bedroom is by breaking up the deep shades with stark white accents. In other words, monochrome! If you ask us, a black and white colour scheme is bold, chic and timeless.  

Brighten with rich hues like maroon and burnt orange

Just because you’re going for a dark colour scheme, doesn’t mean it has to be heavy or cold. On the contrary, there are tonnes of dark shades that are steeped in warmth for an inviting atmosphere. Rich tones like burnt orange or deep maroon work incredibly well if you want a dynamic yet relaxing bedroom design. 

Add character with charming chartreuse 

For the maximalists out there, how about something a little bolder? One colour we’re seeing more and more of in the home is chartreuse. This captivating warm green has a strong yellow undertone and is full of character, ideal for a dark bedroom design. This elegant shade pairs beautifully with deep browns and soft gold accents for an extravagant look. 

Next, let’s explore how to create a beautiful focal point in your dark bedroom design…

Make a statement with botanical wallpapers

Dark bedrooms can often feel a little heavy. So, t​o avoid a dungeon-like space, it’s a good idea to break up the darkness with some interesting patterns or pops of colour. One way to do this is with a statement wall, such as a nature-inspired wallpaper. Botanical prints can enhance the sophistication of your room, creating a rich visual tapestry that feels ambient and grounded. Hello, indoor enchanted forest! 

Add bold artwork across your walls

Don’t fancy committing to wallpaper? How about creating a beautiful picture gallery instead? Artwork has the power to break up chunks of dark space and offers stunning points of visual interest around the room. Choose from classic landscapes, abstract prints, or illustrations of your favourite cities – the options are truly endless!  

Integrate patterns into the space to lift

A checkerboard rug here, a stripey duvet there, another quick fix to give your dark bedroom a facelift is through the use of patterns. Plus, the good news is it’s easy to switch up your accessories every few months, to avoid getting bored with your space.

Layer botanics around your space for pops of colour

Houseplants make for an easy and affordable bedroom accessory, offering interesting textures, a pop of greenery, and a dose of extra life. Just look how our Francesca bed set up shines with the trailing plants on the shelf and large monstera in the corner. If you’re worried about remembering to water them, opt for low-maintenance plants such as cacti and succulents – or you could always go faux!  

Next, let’s review how to weave in the right textures to your dark bedroom design…

Rich velvets for luxurious elegance

Textures are fantastic for adding depth and intrigue to a dark bedroom, and what better fabric than rich velvet to complement your dark shades? Whether you’re dressing your bed with a lavish velvet bedspread, adding some accent cushions, or going the whole hog with a velvet bed, like our Jay Velvet-Finish Ottoman Bed Frame, this luxe material is sure to add some opulence to your boudoir.  

Utilise natural woods like cork and rattan

Natural materials such as bamboo, cork and rattan blend seamlessly in an elegant bedroom, connecting the space with the outside world. We love the natural boho lampshades, foot stool and bedside table used in the styling here for our Downton Metal Bed Frame, which add subtle contrasts to the dark blue features in the room.  

Textured wallpaper and coverings for depth

Wallpaper is a great technique to add some extra depth and dimension to your room. Look for patterns that feature colours from your furniture or accessories to keep things coordinated and tie the whole room together. Alternatively, you could opt for rustic brickwork or wood-look wallpaper, like we’ve done here with the Wilson Upholstered Bed Frame.

Finally, let’s think about how to add some stunning pockets of light to bring your dark bedroom to life…

Light woods to add balance

If you’ve chosen a dark backdrop for your bedroom, it might be a good idea to lighten things up with your furniture choices. For example, look how our Woodstock Wooden Bed Frame in ash wood and matching bedside table pop against the dark green walls. Simple, yet oh-so effective.  

Bright metallics to emphasize hints of light

Finally, how about turning to metals for some shiny accents? By emphasizing hints of light around the room, you can add a striking contrast, all whilst bringing a sense of depth and elegance to your sophisticated room. Choose from warm-toned brass and brushed gold fixtures for a bit of edge, or shiny silver and chrome for a more contemporary aesthetic.

Dusty creams and light pastels to lighten the space

By blending a clever mix of accent shades, balancing interesting textures and adding thoughtful finishes, you can create a harmonious dark bedroom design that feels both luxurious and calming.