1. CHOOSE COLORS THAT CONNECT TO NATURE
When you first think of dark interior design, perhaps you go to very dark harsh colors like blacks and charcoals and really deep navy blues, but moodier interiors aren't all about those striking cooler tones. For a much softer, cocooning take on the look, Abigail recommends, looking to the warmer side of the color wheel, and experimenting with hues that have a more natural, earthy feel.
2. PAINT WALLS AND WOODWORK THE SAME COLOR TO EXPAND THE SPACE
This look may sound bold, but it works so well as a small living room idea or in any room where square footage is limited. Going all over with one color can blur the edges of the room, so the eye can't focus on the dimensions of the room, making it feel larger.
3. BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO PAINT THE CEILING
Ceilings have long been ignored when it comes to color and pattern, often left in some light neutral tone so it just goes unnoticed. But ceiling decor ideas are finally getting some traction and we are realizing our fifth wall can really add to a room whether that's with paint or wallpaper. And again, it's a brilliant hack for making small rooms feel bigger.
4. USE A MATT FINISH ON THE WALLS TO DISGUISE IMPERFECTIONS
Dark hues and matte finishes go hand in hand. Going for matte paint softens the look, making moodier hues feel less imposing a more cocooning. Plus it's the perfect finish for all surfaces so you can blend features together so you can nail that seamless, all-over look that Abigail recommends experimenting with.
5. CHOOSE COLORS THAT FEEL CALMING
What is so tempting about darker hues is that that really cozy, cocooning effect they have, for such dramatic shades the spaces that they create are often so serene and calming. The trick for really upping that welcoming feel is to introduce plenty of warmer shades like dark beiges, terracotta tones, and again those browns we talked about earlier. This combination is a great bedroom color idea where you really want to emphasize coziness.
6. CHOOSE PAINTS WITH NATURAL PIGMENTS TO GIVE SOME DEPTH
'I recommend choosing colors from brands that make paints using natural pigments. They’re more expensive, but if you use cheaper synthetic paint, you don’t get undertones and the color just feels flat.' advises Abigail.
7. DO USE THE RIGHT SHADE OF BLACK
If you do want to experiment with black paint, whether then be with hallway paint ideas as seen here, or just adding a feature wall to a living room, just be very particular about the shades you go for and look very carefully a the undertones. A lot of black paints have a blue undertone which is great if you don't mind a slightly cooler color, but for a warmer, softer look, try and source blacks that have a brown undertone.