Traditionally, light-colored wall designs are most often used in living spaces, because such colors are associated with harmonious tranquility. Dark wallpaper in the interior of a living room or hall can only be used if it is used correctly, otherwise it can make the interior too gloomy. However, when using dark shades, you can create a mysterious and unusual atmosphere in the chosen room.
Using dark wallpaper
Typically, the color of the walls is selected based on the size of the room, the brightness of the lighting, the chosen style and furniture. According to the recommendations of designers, dark shades of walls are used only when combining different types and colors of coating. Positive results are possible provided that the gluing area is optimally selected and wallpaper shades that match each other.
The following effects can be used:
- A contrast method in which one wall is made dark (for example, behind the bed in the bedroom, behind the sofa in the living room, or the dining area in the dining room).
- Zoning a room with a darker wall (also used in small rooms).
- Shadow transition effect - used in a room that is too light or bright, where this technique would be useful.
- Application in the design of a room in a certain style, mainly classic types.
- Using one or two walls with dark wallpaper (oppositely located) you can visually stretch out the space of a small room.
- This technique allows you to have surfaces with higher protection from contamination, which is successfully done in non-residential premises (corridor, kitchen, etc.).
The result of this use of dark colors to cover the walls will be a strict and harmonious design of the room. With the correct combination of light and dark shades of wallpaper in compliance with the required proportions, you can emphasize or, conversely, hide some features of the room.
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On video: current fashionable wallpaper.
Tips for choosing a pattern
When choosing a design, the most important thing is the area of the room. If the room is very small (office, bedroom, nursery, kitchen), then avoid large drawings. Not only will they highlight the lack of lighting, but they will also visually reduce the space. Opt for an unobtrusive and small ornament - plant motifs and geometry will look good.
Great scope for imagination is only possible if the room is spacious enough and has one almost completely free wall. It can be decorated with wallpaper with bright patterns or large patterns. The remaining walls should be plain, light pastel shades. You can make the room fresher by decorating it with special rhinestones or glass pebbles that imitate precious stones. Just one strip of decorative elements is enough to make the design look impressive and attractive.
Combination options
A beautiful combination of wallpaper in several colors is the dream of the owner of any modern apartment who has started a renovation. There are several ways to combine:
- Simple - only 2 colors are used;
- complex combination - more than two tones or shades of color;
- non-standard combination - more than three colors.
The most common dark colors used in decorating rooms are black, shades of brown, blue, green and purple. Of course, designers do not recommend using black color on all surfaces, since the atmosphere of the room will become very gloomy and unpleasant. But for an accent on one wall, this color is quite suitable, especially in combination with light shades of other wallpaper.
Brown color for decoration can be used for the entire room, thanks to a wide range of shades and their combination on different walls. It is advisable to use smooth harmonious transitions between the colors of chocolate, coffee, beige and milky white.
For a classic interior, brown wallpaper with various gilded ornaments is suitable, which will add austerity and romance to the room.
The blue range can have both bright and dark tones, so you need to be careful when choosing this color. Blue wallpaper goes well with beige, sand and other warm colors, as well as white. At the same time, in the interior of the room it is strictly forbidden to use other bright colors that will interrupt attention.
The use of dark blue should be limited to a single wall; on the rest, use exclusively cool and light colors.
Green colors are used in natural and eco-friendly interiors in combination with wooden and plant elements and materials. To dilute the rather gloomy dark green interior, use blue, lilac, beige-yellow, and white colors in the form of textile decor (bedspreads, curtains).
Dark gray tones on the walls do not look very welcoming, so it is extremely necessary to use contrasting warm colors or bright effects (in red, yellow, orange, light green).
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Walls in purple tones look very original and bright, but in a cramped room this color needs to be diluted with lighter inserts or a selection of warm shades on other surfaces.
Universal rules for decorating walls with dark coatings:
- The darkest wall is usually located opposite the window.
- To decorate a dark room, dark-colored furniture and thick curtains are not used.
- Such walls are most often made when designing spacious rooms, so for the interior of a small room it is better not to use them or consult a design specialist.
- It is not recommended to use dark colors on the wall opposite the bed, in a children's room, or as a background for pictures or a TV, so as not to distract attention.
- Dark colors are not used in the play area of the children's room or the area intended for relaxation.
- When combining shades, you should ensure that they match the chosen style. For example, for eco-style a brown-green color scheme is used, for a classic style - burgundy-brown, most modern interiors involve the use of only light colors.
Decorating a dark room
The design of a dark room requires compliance with some rules, the implementation of which will help to avoid mistakes and create a harmonious stop:
- When decorating a room in dark colors, you need to consider the possibility of additional lighting in the form of lamps, allowing you to evenly lighten the entire space.
- For a poorly lit living room, when decorating, either warm colors (red, orange, cream shades) are used to help create a friendly atmosphere, or cold colors (blue, green, light blue) are used to use it as a relaxation area.
- A ceiling made in darker colors visually lowers the height of the room, which has a negative mental effect, while a lighter one, on the contrary, allows you to increase the height.
- But a dark or even black floor will help visually enlarge the room.
Dark wallpaper in different rooms
Let's consider what options exist for using dark wall coverings in functionally different rooms of the apartment.
Related article: Tips for decorating a small room with photo wallpaper - how to “pull apart” the walls
Living room
Using such wallpaper in the living room will give the room a special magnetism and chic, but only if you add a few light accents. The optimal ratio is considered to be 2 parts dark or medium shades with 1 part light. For example, the floors and furniture are made dark, the walls are medium, and the ceiling and decor are light colors.
The original interior, wallpaper and dark furniture will help add comfort and elegance to the living room.
A combination of natural and artificial lighting is important in this room; it is necessary to have spotlights, a large chandelier at the top and several sconces to illuminate the necessary areas.
Bedroom
Designers consider the bedroom to be the ideal room for using dark wall decoration because:
- this background is ideal for other interior elements;
- the combination of dark shades gives the room a feeling of luxury, emphasizing its advantages;
- black color can highlight various design ideas.
Light curtains and bright decorative elements (pillows, silk bed linen, etc.) will look good against a dark background. Wallpaper with ornaments will add volume and air to the room.
Kitchen
Only practical, washable wallpaper would be appropriate here, and a dark color would be suitable when decorating a kitchen in high-tech or Scandinavian styles. Such an interior requires natural wood furniture and stylish rustic accessories. Bright colors of decorative elements and a large number of lamps will be a wonderful addition to this. (How to choose the perfect chandelier for the kitchen?)
Thus, by decorating the interior of his apartment or one of the rooms with a dark wall covering, the owner can show unconventional views, show imagination and use his creative inclinations to create coziness and comfort in the room.
Dark colors in the interior (2 videos)
Non-standard solutions (40 photos)
Choice of colors and shades
Obviously, the color of wallpaper in a dark room must be light. Beware of pure white/gray colors! This way the room will not be filled with light, but rather will look gray and dull. Give preference to the following shades:
- Ivory
- Vanilla
- Light beige
- Cream shade
- Milky shade
Pastel shades will look good: soft blue, crumpled, pistachio, light pink, light green. For example, light green or blue will look advantageous in the kitchen; the corridor can be decorated in warmer tones, such as lemon. Don't be afraid to experiment! You can choose an accent wall and decorate it in brighter colors, the main thing is not to overdo it. It is not necessary to buy plain wallpaper, but we will talk about this in more detail below.
If the room is dark due to an unfortunate location of the house, a peculiar layout, or a poor view from the window (for example, trees block the penetration of sunlight), then the following design rule should be followed: there should be enough artificial light in a dark space. There should be a maximum of lighting fixtures: chandeliers, table lamps, floor lamps, additional lighting (set along the cornice, cabinets, installed along the perimeter of the suspended ceiling). Properly selected wallpaper will help set off artificial lighting. Rich and deep golden, yellow, lemon wallpaper will look good.
Beware of too bright saturated colors! Orange is the color of sun and joy, but with insufficient lighting it will look too gloomy, cloudy and dreary, putting the inhabitants of the house in a bad mood. The same goes for blue, purple, green.
In a dark room, light wallpaper and bright colors look cozier
