The use of colours in interior design are an important factor in creating an atmosphere that is welcoming, comfortable and suits individual personality. When it comes to dark colours, many are sceptical of the appropriate use because it might seem that the shades will make the room look drab, gloomy or otherwise less appealing in general. Though it can seem like dark colours are not appropriate for home decor, in reality it can result in an amazing design around the home.

Contrasting Colours:

One of the most common methods of using dark colours in home interior decorating is through the use of contrast. Combining lights and dark shades can create interesting textures, fun designs and comparisons throughout the room that ultimately draw the eye to areas of interest.

The use of contrast begins with setting a light coloured base. The lighter colour is based applied to the room first because going from light to dark is much easier than trying to go from dark to light. This is particularly true when working with paint.

Add the darker contrasting colour afterward to draw the eyes or bring interest to certain areas. The contrast will automatically make the eyes notice it when looking around the room. This is true whether the dark colour is something as simple as pillows added to a light coloured couch or painting around the edges of the window in a darker shade than the rest of the room.

The use of contrast can work both ways: dark touches to mostly light rooms or light touches to mostly dark rooms. It is a matter of personal preference of how much dark and light to use.

Creating Feature Pieces:

Another option to use dark colours is the creation of feature pieces in the room. The feature piece is the centre design element and can range from something as basic as using a dark coloured television or even creating a feature piece with economy radiators.

The creation of feature pieces varies based on personal taste and preferences. In some cases, it might be something as simple as a painting of electric heaters in dark shades or it might even be putting together something interesting around the heater to create a fun item that does not necessarily look like the heater when it is complete.

By making a feature piece from something useful, the design takes on a dual purpose. It gives a contrast of dark colours to look amazing while also providing heat throughout the cold months of the year. Feature pieces are single items meant to draw the eyes, so when using a dark coloured item for the feature, it is best to keep the rest of the room lighter so that the eyes are automatically drawn to that feature item.

Dark colours do not necessarily mean the design must look and feel drab and gloomy. It can also mean that the room has fun contrasts, a piece to draw the eyes or an interesting look that makes the house feel lived in and comfortable. It is not necessary to avoid all dark shades when planning interior design; instead, implementing the colours with care can result in a better look than originally expected during the design planning process.