Dark & Moody Interiors - Why we love this trend

Styling a home dark can feel like a bold choice and many are worried that moody interiors can look a bit depressing and gloomy. However, dark and dramatic interiors are experiencing a major return. The dark trend isn’t new, it’s been steadily growing in popularity for several years now, with no sign of fading. Few have championed the dark aesthetics more influentially than Abigail Ahern, the British interior designer known for her dramatic immersive spaces, advocating for a rich moody palette for over a decade. Originally this movement started as a bold alternative to minimal white spaces and the feeling of living in a white box. When we first wrote about dark interiors back in 2020, dark homes were already going strong in the world of interiors. Five years later and the trend of dark interiors has become a lasting design movement, proofing to have real staying power rather than being a passing phase. We thought it's about time to have another look at this lasting trend and getting inspired to style our homes dark. Whether it's a charcoal wallpaper for a luxurious bathroom, an inky blue or smoky green wall, or dark green panelling in a hallway, the trend of dark interiors leans into depth, texture and a cocooning atmosphere, and isn't "only" about black.

Hummingbirds Secret Garden Wallpaper in Charcoal and coastal Jellyfish wallpaper in Deep Ocean/Limestone with a dark teal backdrop, both wallpaper by Good & Craft, would work beautifully when paired with olive green, rich teal and dark grey paint.

We are blown away by this gorgeous powder room by our customer Aiden T. Interior Design, using our dark Jellyfish Wallpaper Living Waters in Charcoal / Amber paired with a dramatic green paint Chimichurri SCP810 by Benjamin Moore. Interior Design: Aiden T, Photo: JYU Studio, Singapore.

The Illusion of Depth & Space

Most people will say you're being bold if you choose to paint or wallpaper your room in a dark colour. Despite the common belief that dark walls make a room look smaller, they can actually make it appear larger. One reasons for this effect is that dark colours blur the edges of a room and this creates a sense of depth. Dark visually removes corners and ceiling lines as they appear to be less defined, this is tricking the eye into perceiving more space. You might have already come across this effect in a garden, where dark fencing can create the illusion of depth, shifting the focus away from boundaries, thereby making the space appear larger.

The lighting in a dark room also becomes more uniform as dark walls reflect less light. This creates softer shadows and fewer contrasts. Another reason why dark rooms can feel larger is, if the space is well designed, it draws attention to elements like furniture, accessories, textures and lightening rather than the size of the room. This can create a cozy atmosphere, making the room feel intentional and dramatic with focal point on materials, artworks or paintings, and shapes of furniture. This visual interest can also evoke a sense of luxury, and can make you feel like you are in a more expensive environment. The impression of sophistication that dark interiors create is often seen in high-end bars and luxurious hotel lobbies, and it can be applied wonderfully in sitting rooms, especially those that are used primarily in the evening. It is a good idea to start by painting or wallpapering just one wall. So you can still decide if you paint the other walls in a lighter complementary colour or go on the dark side and have the whole room in a moody look.

If you are not quite ready to commit to a fully dark room, a powder room or downstairs toilet is the perfect opportunity to experiment with dark shades and patterns. These smaller spaces not only require less material of wallpaper or paint, but are also ideal to make a bold statement. Dark wallpaper can turn these otherwise often boring space into an unexpected elegant area with wow-factor.

Add a real statement with our Good & Craft Chinoiserie inspired wallpaper in Charcoal paired with black wall panelling. If the rich black background is too moody for your taste, why not going for more colour? Our Chinoiserie wallpaper is also available in a range of other deep tones, including dark green, rich teal and sage green.

When choosing dark wallpaper, keep in mind that dark doesn't mean black. Our Good & Craft Chinoiserie wallpaper here shown with a dark emerald green backdrop, adding not just drama but also subtle depth to the walls. Different atmospheres and more colour can also be created by pairing dark wallpaper with various colours of wall panelling or tiles.

Working with Lightning

Dark walls absorb more light than lighter shades. To not end up with a gloomy and heavy atmosphere it is important to reintroduce brightness and using additional lightening.

Work with different sources of light: If your room has windows, and if possible to use natural light let sunshine pour in by keeping the windows unobstructed or using sheer curtains during the day. Overhead fixtures like pendant light provide general illumination, whilst task lighting such as desk lamps and reading lights create another layer of light, helping to brighten up a specific area. Accent lighting like LED strips or art lights can be used to highlight features and creating a warm atmosphere in a room. Use warm toned-bulbs to cast a golden glow that complements deep colours.

When working with dark wallpaper, or dark painted walls in general, keep in mind that dark rooms benefit from a thoughtful mix of lightening types to achieve an inviting atmosphere. Try to incorporate as much different light sources as possible, from windows (if available) to overhead pendants, mirrors and other reflective surfaces as gold and brass fittings or even glossy tiles. Our Good & Craft Living Waters wallpaper in Laguna blue here shown with a light coloured floor.

Floors are another surface that can be used to reflect light, even rugs in soft tones can be incorporated to not further darkening the room. You can additionally introduce other lighter coloured materials such as towels and other textiles to break up the darkness.

Light coloured contrast can also be added with white trims, window frames, ceilings and furniture to break up the darkness.

Add a touch of gold or other metallics

Also a great way of bringing in reflection and warmth are metallic surfaces and gold accessories. Using mirrors help to make a space feel more open and keep the room form feeling closed in. Brass or gold taps, silver or chrome fittings and metallic lampshades will help adding a touch of sophistication and visual sparkle. Natural materials like wood, plants, teracotta and vintage treasures will help to achieve a warm and earthy feeling.

Photo Credit: Above (Left) Wallpaper Living waters with Jelly Fishes by Good & Craft /

(Right) Photo and products by The Future Kept, Lobster and Swan, through Pinterest

Photo Credit: Rockett St George, through Pinterest

If gold or brass isn't your thing, other reflective surfaces like chrome or silver add reflexion too and work beautifully when those cooler metallic tones are also represented in the wallpaper. Fish wallpaper shown here is in colourway Midnight / Charcoal by Good & Craft. The paper has a subtle metallic sheen with a mother of pearl effect and gently reflects light with a luxurious glow.

Mix it up with prints and patterns

Dark spaces benefit from tactile richness to keep them inviting. They are the perfect surrounding to make colours stand out. Patterns and clashing colours will look bold and even more bright among charcoal and black. Combine dark shades with berry and powder colours to create a warm atmosphere. Velvet, linen or wool adds coziness, whilst floral patterns give the room a soft touch and add dimension.

Photo Credit: Above (Left) Jotex through Pinterest /

(Right) Wallpaper Fruits Blossom Midnight with dark floral pattern by Good & Craft

Dark Floral Wallpaper

Dark floral wallpaper is a powerful design choice that combines moody depth with botanical beauty. Delicate blooms against a dark backdrop add visual drama and a painterly quality, creating a captivating contrast that feels luxurious, timeless and romantic. Dark floral wallpaper work especially beautiful in intimate spaces such as powder rooms and bedrooms or in small rooms, where the wallpaper can take center stage without overwhelming the space.

Photo Credit: Above (Left) Dark Floral wallpaper Hummingbirds Secret Garden in Charcoal by Good & Craft /

(Right) Hummingbirds Secret Garden wallpaper used by a customer for this beautiful powder room. Photo M. Spinale.

Be Bold

Weather you are decorating a decadent boudoir, moody bedroom or sitting room, some of you might even take it a step further by pairing dark walls with dark furniture. Interior blogger Abigail Ahern, who embraces deep hues to create rooms that feel luxurious, cocooning and emotionally rich, is not only using dark colours on her walls but also decorates with furniture and accessories in muted colours and dark hues. When working with dark furniture in a moody setting, try to add textural richness through fabrics and shapes. Add controlled colour accents and a touch of gold sparkle for dramatic but harmonious results.

Photo Credit: Above (Left) Good & Craft Golden Snake, Photo by Sally Worts (Sally Does Sassy)

(Right) Velvet cushion Golden Snake by Good & Craft

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