Dark furniture can be a good choice when you have a large, spacious room that feels too big to be comfortable. It helps shrink that room, making it more intimate and more inviting. If you have a small room, however, furniture in darker tones may appear to shrink it even more, so that it feels stifling or overcrowded.
Although it's true that dark wood has a heavier visual look, that mostly just means it's bolder and more imposing, not that it actually makes the space look smaller. The key is you have to do it right. If you have too much dark going on in a space, yes, it will make the room look smaller.
'After many years of lighter-coloured, Scandinavian-inspired woods dominating home trends, darker, more traditional woods – like teak, walnut, and mahogany – have fallen back in favour,' says Etsy's trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson.
Dark coloured sofas
And even without such stressful stains, they generally look less worn less easily than lighter shades. Darker colours also make a room look warmer and cosier than their cooler, lighter counterparts. Dark toned sofas can, however, make a room look, well, dark.
Darker colours can make a room feel smaller and more intimate. If you want to create an airy and open look in your bedroom, avoid using dark furniture if you're choosing between dark vs light bedroom furniture.
Greens, greys, whites and beiges are no-brainers. Warmer colours, like orange, brown, rust and red, work too, but the deeper tones of these colours work best.
Color: when we think about a spacious room, blonde wood often comes to mind. Floor color plays a major role in making your small space seem larger. We often recommend light colors to give the room an airy feel. For example, blonde, light brown, or whitewashed hardwood can make the room seem more open.
Grey is a neutral shade. Therefore, when you are choosing that large piece of furniture for your living room, you want it to be able to work with what you already have, as well as with future décor choices. An article from Houzz makes confirms this, saying, “It's the most neutral neutral.
Darker sofas are generally admired for their durability and the cosy feel they bring to the room. If you have pets, mischievous children, or love to indulge in a decadent wine whilst watching your favourite shows, a dark sofa would be the best option.
In general, lighter walls and darker sofas work best for smaller rooms. If your space is bigger or lit very well, go for darker walls and lighter furniture. Each space is individual to you, so if you're a fan of an all-over bright look, it's fine to do so, and likewise for a dark-on-dark interior palette.
Along with mid-century-inspired curved furniture, the brown tones of this period are also poised to make a major comeback in 2023. This natural color—particularly its darker varieties—creates a sense of earthy stability, says Claire Druga, an interior designer based in New York City.
If you want timeless furniture, go for a timeless color. Yes, a color! A blue, yellow, or black sofa will be a lot more timeless than the popular gray. The gray sofas of today are just the brown leather sofas of 10 years ago.
One of the main details that a furniture maker needs to consider is the type of wood they use. The type of wood can affect the style, value, and even the quality of the furniture! One of the most beautiful colors of wood is dark wood. Unfortunately, dark wood is considered to be a luxury.
'A light-toned sofa in neutral colors, such as beige, cream, light gray, or white, can create a sense of openness in any room. These soft hues reflect the natural and artificial light that enters the room, making the space look brighter, airier, and more spacious.
“Use a soft fluffy throw draped over one of the arms,” say Kai Price and Amanda Nelson. “We like to have one neatly folded and in a color that offsets the pillows and the sofa. Using layers of textiles like pillows and throws also helps you update the look throughout the seasons very easily.”
Even though we're officially emerging from the era of all-gray-everything, sofas that sport this versatile color will always remain a timeless staple. However, certain gray variants are nuanced neutrals with complex undertones.
Shades of Grey
Unsurprisingly, the most popular sofa colour in 2022 was the consistently fashionable grey. Grey is a versatile colour and can be used in almost any decor, whether it's an old textured tweed or ultra-modern velvet.
Light grey walls are a relaxed alternative to stark white and help make the room feel spacious and airy, whereas dark grey walls create a cocoon effect that's extra cosy during colder months. And if you're inclined to add a bit of drama to your décor, dark grey can do just that without being over the top.
After years of seeing all-gray-everything, it seems interior trends are officially shifting away from the palette that became a staple in the early 2000s. According to some experts, there isn't a moment too soon to say goodbye to gray. But, don't bust out the paintbrushes quite yet.
A gray couch is a classic choice for living room seating. Versatile and modern, gray upholstery, whether muted or deep charcoal, can harmonize with nearly any design style.
Lighter woods are part of a larger trend of incorporating natural tones and nature-inspired elements in the home.
Darker flooring will give your kitchen a dramatic and moody flair, especially when paired with lighter cabinets. Meanwhile, lighter flooring paired with darker cabinets will also add contrast, but the space will feel much brighter and open.
'Contrary to traditional thinking, dark paint allows the room to appear larger and taller than it may be. Dark colors add depth, visually enlarge the space, and make a great statement,' says Lichelle Silvestry.