Unlike neutral and pastel shades, dark colors have come into fashion relatively recently, but they have already gained many fans. An interior with dark walls looks stylish and dramatic, but only if all the rules for working with this palette are followed. Novate.ru tells what mistakes should be avoided in order to arrange a really beautiful apartment.
Mistake 1: Low light
The first thing to think about when planning a dark interior is lighting. If there is one ceiling lamp hanging in the room, then the room will look very gloomy and uncomfortable, and beautiful dark tones will lose their zest and only visually reduce the space. In addition, a dark background blends well with bright accents, but this stylish contrast can only emphasize high-quality and diverse lighting.
What to do: First, get rid of heavy curtains or close them only at nightfall, because a dark interior needs a lot of natural light. It is bad if the windows face the north side, in which case the main emphasis will need to be placed on artificial lighting. Think over several lighting scenarios: visually divide the room into zones and provide for each of them its own light sources. A lamp on the desktop, a floor lamp near the sofa, wall and ceiling lamps - you will have to illuminate almost every corner in the room so that the atmosphere turns out to be harmonious and not gloomy.
Mistake 2: Lack of glossy surfaces
Glossy surfaces are capable of reflecting light and visually making a room look larger, which is especially true for dark rooms that always look smaller than they really are. Another nuance is associated with the fact that shiny details make the interior in dark colors more solemn. Accordingly, if they are absent, then the situation will become boring, it will lose its zest, which was not emphasized in any way.
What to do: Chrome and glass elements, as well as glossy surfaces are great partners for dark walls. Due to the fact that they will reflect the rays and double the amount of light, it will be possible to enhance and emphasize the depth of the shade. Also, do not forget that gloss itself looks festive, so your interior will be successful a priori.
Mistake 3: brute force with dark colors
When we talk about a dark interior, we do not mean that the entire apartment from floor to ceiling should be black or burgundy. With such colors, you need to be as careful as possible. Due to the fact that the dark palette is quite rich, it can quickly get bored, as a result of which you will be uncomfortable in your own apartment.
What to do: Match companion colors to the selected dark shades. Be sure to pay attention to the successful combinations with light and bright colors. To get as harmonious as possible, paint the walls dark, dilute them with neutral furniture and complement them with colorful textiles or decor. But you do not need to use all the colors of the rainbow - remember that the selected shades should be perfectly combined with each other.
Mistake 4: The geometric features of the room are not taken into account
Unlike light shades, which always visually enlarge the space, no matter how designers use them, dark ones are more cunning and devious. If you do not carefully study the properties of the dark palette before renovation, you can involuntarily emphasize and enhance the flaws in the layout of the room.
What to do: Alternatively, paint the ceiling dark. In this case, it will become almost bottomless, like the night sky. But this technique can be used only if its height does not exceed 2.5 meters. If the room is small and the ceiling is high, black color can turn the room into a kind of "well". Of course, it will also be visually bottomless, but it will make the space narrow and cause discomfort.
Mistake 5: Boring furniture
Dark color is a wonderful background that draws attention to various interior items and attracts the eye. However, if the furniture is initially simple and discreet, it will turn the whole room into a boring and faceless space, and dark walls will lose all their aesthetics, instead of exposing objects in a favorable light.
What to do: We do not recommend buying in the store the most colorful and bright furniture in the boho or kitsch style, especially if it does not suit your taste preferences. Choose a style that suits your spirit, for example, loft, minimalism, Scandinavian, eco, and select the most interesting interior items in this context. For example, a leather sofa will look great in a loft apartment, and a vintage cabinet or a table with carved legs fits perfectly into the Scandinavian interior.
Mistake 6: Incorrectly matching companion colors
Dark colors are very stylish and go well with a lot of shades. However, absolutely any decor and furniture cannot be selected. Items should be "friends" with each other. Even the most beautiful background will become awkward and unattractive if the environment consists of various things that do not fit together.
What to do: When choosing furniture, decor and finishing materials, it is very important to pay attention to the fact that they are in friendly shades. If you are unable to identify such tones on your own, "ask" for help and the color wheel. Take note that colors that are next to each other, as well as opposite in warmth, are best combined.
Error 7: Missing decor
As we said, a dark palette works great with vibrant colors. So why not take advantage of this? In the absence of catchy decor, the interior turns into a gloomy and impersonal space. It is unlikely that you dream of just such an outcome.
What to do: This tandem is successful for one simple reason: a dark background brings bright decor to the fore and favorably sets it off. If you also take care of good lighting, you will be able to design a really dramatic and deep interior, from which it is impossible to take your eyes off. Therefore, be sure to hang posters in flashy frames on dark walls, shelves with indoor flowers in colorful pots, bright paintings and other decor that will fit well into the available space.
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