Dark Walls? Instantly Chic!



Interior Designers know that paint is one of the easiest ways to create instant impact in a room.  They also know that darker, deeper colors give a lot of look, for very little effort.  Trouble is, when people decorate their own homes, they are often too timid and safe in choosing their paint colors.


photo:plabcity.co.uk

There are commonly accepted misconceptions about dark walls.  That it will make the room look smaller.  That nothing will look good with them.  That they are...depressing.  Too dark...Ugly.  Do you realize that many of the rooms you love in magazines, decorated by professional interior designers, have darker walls that expand the room, make all of the furniture and fabrics look amazing, are cool or cozy, inviting, and...beautiful!

photo:nycinteriordesign.com



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 Here are two livingrooms of very different styles, but equally successful.  Both are painted in very dark gray or black.  White glows, leather looks rich and the texture is highlighted, and the woodwork in black looks traditional and fresh at the same time.


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When people are decorating their own home, they choose light neutrals thinking they will make their rooms look elegant and professionally decorated.  This often leaves their rooms looking bland and safe, and sometimes unfinnished.  Taupe, tan, cream, and other pale colors can be beautiful (stay tuned for a post on how to make the most of these colors!), but if you want drama, and that WOW factor in your rooms, consider colors that are a shade or two (or many) darker than your comfort zone.  The results are virtually guaranteed to instantly make your room something you love, even if the wall color is all you change.





photo:interiordesignstyles.com

Dark walls in a traditional setting look sophisticated and enveloping, while letting the table and art take center stage.




photo:housebeautiful.com

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Two livingrooms done in a deep purple.  Both have a glam sensibility, one with a more eclectic feel and the other more contemporary.  What would these rooms look like with white or taupe walls?  The dark paint gives the rooms focus and a point of view.  Pretty good for the cost of a can of paint!

photo:housebeautiful.com

photo:iseecubed.com


Bedrooms are a great room to start using darker colors because they are generally not the "public" rooms of a home.  The room on the left was designed by Mary McDonald, known for bold and glamorous looks.  You may have seen her on Bravo TV's Million Dollar Decorator!  The green bedroom was designed by Miles Redd, who uses color and pattern to amazing effect.  If you are looking for inspiration in bringing bold color into your home, these two masters' work are great for reference.



photo:carpettheworld.org

Any color kicked up a few notches can look fantastic.  Orange definitely isn't for everyone, but it is one of  my favorites.  I love how the deeper color really makes all of the bold patterns cohesive.  In a room that had timid walls, all these bold statements might look cluttered and confusing.  The bold walls say " this was meant to look this way!"

photo:.ur-homeinteriors.blogspot.com

And don't forget the bathroom.  This black high gloss bathroom looks so chic!  Anywhere in your home that you want to make a statement, dark walls may just be your jumping off point! 

Looking for a system to put it all into place?  http://www.designtheroomyoulove.com has all the tools you need to design the rooms of your dreams!  If you are ready to create a space you love coming home to, take the next step!  Log onto the website, enter your email, and you too, can learn to Design the Room You Love!


Tip of the Day: Using Something BIG in a Small Room

So many people have small rooms in their homes.  Did you know that these rooms can become your favorite room?  Interior Designers love small rooms, because they can be cozy and magical.  These same Designers also know the secrets to making these small rooms such special spaces.



photo: homepouch.com

If you use a BIG piece of furniture like a clock, mirror, or chair it can make the room!  It seems counter intuitive, that something big would make the room look smaller, but actually, big pieces can fool the eye into believing the space is larger than it is.  In this photo to the left, the room has a contemporary look that is clean and uncluttered.  The lanterns hanging from the ceiling are over scale, making the ceiling look higher.




photo: aclawrence.com

A big statement also adds drama and focus.   Filling a small room with bunches of small things all crammed in creates a look of confusion.  The eye doesn't know what to focus on, and the room can feel even more cramped and cluttered.  The mirrors in this room are huge, but add a ton of drama!  They stand in for art work on the wall, and even frame the space as art. 



If you have a small room in your home that you want to turn into a room you love try adding a big element.  This one change could change your whole room!