Design Inspiration: Dark, Moody Interiors

Neutral color palettes will always be in style, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a little drama here and there. Embrace the dark side with rich walls and bold materials. Incorporating brighter textiles and artwork maximizes impact and keeps the overall design balanced. Explore some of our favorite dark and moody rooms by local designers for inspiration.

Photo by Jean Allsopp

A curated gallery wall and neutral furnishings pop against dark walls (painted Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams) in this room designed by Stock & Trade Design Co. in the 2021 BH&G Inspiration Home.

Featured in: Inspiration Home 2021 – Photo Gallery

Photo by Jean Allsopp

This bathroom, with its black subway tile walls and hexagon floor pattern, strikes a modern, graphic note.

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Featured in: Pool House Panache

Photo by Jean Allsopp

Starling Interiors created a wet bar full of drama with a bold mix of black cabinetry, soapstone countertops and unlacquered brass hardware.

Featured in: Inspiration Home 2021 – Photo Gallery

Photo by Jean Allsopp

Deep olive-green walls give this Mountain Brook sunroom a sleek, yet cozy vibe. The abundant natural light keeps the room from feeling too dark.

Featured in: Tour this 1920s Mountain Brook Tudor

Photo by Kerry Kirk

Cotton Woodworks crafted ‘his’ and ‘her’ pecky cypress vanities that nestle at opposite ends of the primary bathroom, divided by a soaking tub. Thibaut’s Tobago Weave Wallpaper in Charcoal creates a rich backdrop for contemporary mirrors in acrylic and brass by Mirror Image Home.

Featured in: Modern Manor

Photo by Jean Allsopp

“I love the contrast of light and dark,” designer Liz Hand Woods says of this study that includes charcoal-gray lacquered walls and white wing chairs. A vintage marble coffee table anchors the seating group.

Featured in: Past Made Present

Photo by Jean Allsopp

Every hour is happy at this built-in bar, which features custom black-plaster walls, sleek black cabinetry, and brass appointments, including the brass-wrapped shelf and gleaming hardware.

Featured in: Designer Jan Ware Adds Bold Style to a New Build

Photo by Laurey Glenn

The walls, ceiling and trim in this dining space are all painted Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams, while furnishings and fabrics take on a lighter tone creating big drama with contrasts.

Featured in: Embracing Change

Photo by Jean Allsopp

Lacquered black wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries puts the focus on the black-and-gold-leaf sink and graphic vanity from Ferguson in this design by Alison Baker.

Featured in: A Color Confident Homewood Condo

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