The positive and negative aspects of dark paint
If you've been on Pinterest lately, you know that dark walls are in. Kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms.
It’s a daring, dramatic interior design decision and it can definitely pay off.
Deeper hues, while warm and cosy, can have the unwanted effect of making a room feel small or cave-like. They also heat up quickly in the sun and the sunlight can cause fast fading.
They’re pretty unforgiving when it comes to imperfections, meaning you’re going to see every mark and chip, and can be difficult to touch up or paint over if you eventually decide you want to lighten up again.
Of course, there are plenty of positives to embracing bold hues in your home, and you shouldn’t let the negatives scare you away completely.
It’s only paint, after all, so at the end of the day it’s a pretty low-risk move that you can always go back on. And there are ways to prevent the problems listed above.
Size doesn’t matter
Don’t let the size of a room stop you from using rich, bold colours. Deep colours blur the edges of walls, creating an illusion of an endless and expansive room. Stick to dark colours on the walls and lighter furnishings and linens to balance the room.
Add accents for dimension
Colour often tricks the eyes to make the room look larger. Whether it’s a painted chair or a throw pillow, place a few bright-coloured accents in a dark room. This redirects the focus to the forefront, allowing the walls to disappear, acting simply as a backdrop.
Don’t forget the trim
When using a dark colour on walls with a low ceiling, paint the trim the same colour as the walls. This hides the trim and makes the wall appear taller. Place a mirror against the wall to add an illusion of depth.
Start small
Dark colours can be a pop of colour or act as a deep neutral depending on your home’s lighting. If you’re intimidated by colour, start small. Small rooms painted in these dark tones create a small jewel box in your home.
Information obtained from Country Living.
