Dark Academia Meets Modern
Dark Academia room decor is all about layers, textures and deep moody colors. This decor style is centered on classical architecture and design, so you’ll find a lot of dark wood furniture, ideally with intricate details and carvings. Antique furniture mixed with dark, rich textiles—like velvet, leather, and wool all add a sense of both history and decadence to a space. All of these elements within Dark Academia build on a sense of moodiness and intellect, with a hint of mystery.
So how do we marry Dark Academia with Modern aspects? Here are a few steps on how to achieve this look:
SHOP OUR LKT FOR DARK ACADEMIA DECOR ITEMS
1. Go for a dark, moody color palette.
If you are feeling bold, paint the entire room, ceiling - trim - walls! Feeling reserved, keep the walls light and add in dark, rich colors.
A few of our favorite Dark and Moody Paint Colors -
SW - Iron Ore
SW - Hale Navy
BM - Midnight
SW - Tarragon
SW - Green Black
Sherwin Williams - Iron Ore Molding Photo Credit - Kelley Nan
Deep Green and Black make the perfect combo @ladyofthehome
2. Highlight materials and fixtures that have a patine.
Incorporate leather sofas or chairs to faded vintage rugs, copper and brass accents, and even crushed velvet upholstery.
Click the button below to view our favorite Amazon furniture finds.
Antique Brass Fixtures Source: Webber Coleman
Black powder room softened with gold accents.
Dark velvet chair.
Large antique gold mirror against a dark blue paint.
3. Add natural materials.
Stone, wood and concrete will help incorporate a sleek, modern feel to this old world style of decor.
Antique Console mixed with modern iron hairpin legs. Photo By: Allison Corona Photography
Black Stucco Fireplace hearth with painted black brick. Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy
Leather Chair and wood floating shelves. Photo By: Allison Corona Photography
4. Bring in the Natural Light.
Because the color palette is dark and heavy you want to bring as much natural light as you can into the room. Heavy velvet curtains are always a good idea, however don’t add blinds or shutters to the windows for this style. During the day, let the sun shine in!
Heavy velvet curtains opened to allow natural light to stream in.
Even a small room like a half bath can have a dark paint on the walls, allowing natural light to stream in helps the room feel larger.
Photo Source: @MayGreyInteriors
Our Favorite Velvet Drapes
These are a closest dupe that we have found to the West Elm Velvet drapes.
5. Embrace Maximalism, but in a controlled way.
Dark Academia is all about showing off the personal collections of antiques, but if we are adding in a modern flare, we need to keep it controlled and tidy. Add a dark built in to a room to proudly display those items. Fill your bookshelves with antique books - select antique books that have a pop of color.
This photo is a great example of the mix between Dark Academia and Modern - Dark Moody room with accents of a modern vibe such as the chair and lamp. Photo Credit: Renovation Husbands
Dark painted built ins with antique hardware and plenty of old world inspired decor items. Photo Credit: katemarkerinteriors
