Dark Colours in Home Décor
Colours play an important role in interior design and they have the capacity to enhance and set a mood for a room. However, a wrong choice of colour can also ruin the décor of a room. As a basic rule, light colours make the space look spacious, dark colours make a place look small and bright colours make a room appear cheerful. Having said that, dark colours can be used intelligently as they lend more depth and character to a place. Dark tones of black, blue or brown are considered to be extremely risky yet are sophisticated. In order to get the balance right, it is important to understand the proportions and places in which dark colours can be used. Colour doesn’t necessarily mean wall paint, colour can be in the form of furniture, accessories or even lights. A black wallpaper in a stark white room or a dark piece of furniture in the midst of neutral-toned seating can visually enhance the appearance of a room. If you look at the picture with the dark brown satin bedcover, it looks extremely sophisticated against a white paneled wall with a glass wardrobe in the background, because it is the only object in the room with a dark colour.
Dark colours can be used in wallpaper, sofas, bedcovers or accent pieces. They should be used in a smaller proportion or in the background so as not to take away from the décor. Dark fabric-based wallpaper can form a perfect backdrop for a white themed room and vice-versa. A dark leather paneled wardrobe or bed-back makes a room look sophisticated and also helps in sound insulation. A black pendant light instantly draws attention and looks elegant even when switched off. Curtains in dark hues add intimacy and warmth in a bedroom and also help to block sunlight. [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]International styles continue to inspire us and it is stimulating to blend and experiment with colours and textures that we are not used to. As a beginner, it is advisable to use darker colours in smaller proportions in order to gauge the effect it has on the space. A colour specialist can be your best friend when it comes to experimenting with new colours and can advise you on creating patterns and layers with dark colours.It is important to understand what exactly you are trying to highlight in a home. Darker colours should be used with subtle textures to avoid making things appear harsh. When used in smaller proportions, you can add a little bit of shimmer or gloss for eg – a black cushion with silver embroidery or crystals, dark metallic wallpaper, black glass wall art. Always try and create a balance between the dark and light colours in a room and make sure that the darker tones are not overpowering. Darker tones have the ability to look very dramatic under light, so ensure that adequate lighting is installed to highlight the colours.
Using dark shades in home décor As colour is the most emotional element in design, it is ideal to start by understanding how it works and how it can enhance your life. Along with adopting a decorating style, it is necessary to analyse a room’s decorating requirements together with the importance of tone and texture in design.
The first step is to understand and address proportions in a space. Colours are best used in unequal proportions as they compete for attention when used equally. To make it simple, one needs to know the basics – that your walls are likely to have the largest surface area of colour while the floor and ceiling have the 2nd largest proportion of colour. Next come the furniture finishes be it wood, paint, fabric or leather. And lastly the smallest proportion of colour would be the accent colour which could be cushions, rugs or art work. Colours are most effective when one understands the concept of neutrals. Neutrals are essentially natural looking colours which don’t have an obvious colour; and these can be used as bases for colour palettes. Generally dark neutrals can be brown, grey or even black and light neutrals can be beige, light grey or white. Neutrals are mostly colours linked to the natural environment and are non-intrusive. They don’t demand attention and are soothing even if used in a larger proportion.
Styling tip: Light and cool colours appear to recede and create space. Warm and dark colours appear to advance and create cosiness. Remember this simple tip to help you manipulate the sense of space in your room.
