White walls are all the rage these days, but there will always be room for beautiful, dark, moody paint colors in my design playbook. Dark shades add a level of sophistication, luxury, and coziness to any room. They make a statement, but also have a relaxed vibe that makes you want to curl up with a good book and a glass of wine. Use a rich, dark color in your bedroom, dining room, living space, home office, or powder room to add drama and create rooms that impress! Here are the best moody paint colors to use for your next painting project.
1. Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green
Dark green paint colors are said to be relaxing, and give us a sense of being in nature, which is probably why they pair so beautifully with natural materials and wood tones. BM Narragansett Green is a gorgeous green with blue undertones, and is a popular moody shade for interior designers. Get a peel-and-stick sample sheet of Narragansett Green HERE.
Use this bold green throughout your room, on a single accent wall, or even on your kitchen cabinets to make a statement. While greens can work with any style, they are a great option for rooms with mid-century modern or bohemian styles. Another gorgeous dark green to consider is BM Salamander.
2.Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze
SW Urbane Bronze is one of my favorite colors for both interiors and exteriors, and was named Sherwin-Williams’ paint color of the year for 2021. It is a rich, dark paint color with warm undertones that can give your room a grounded and comfortable vibe. If you’re looking for an almost-black wall color to add drama to your room, Urbane Bronze is a great choice! For a similar look, but with a touch more rich brown to it, check out SW Black Fox. And, if you’d prefer something more neutral, and a bit darker, try SW Iron Ore. Get a peel-and-stick sample sheet of Urbane Bronze HERE.
3. Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Perhaps the most popular navy blue paint color of all time, BM Hale Navy is a true classic! Hale Navy is a subdued, and sophisticated dark blue with subtle green undertones that keep it from ever looking purple. This popular moody paint color looks as great on cabinetry as it does on walls. Best in rooms that get ample light, to allow the blue to shine through. If you need something slightly less dark or more saturated, some great alternatives are SW Naval or BM Old Navy. Get a peel-and-stick sample sheet of Hale Navy HERE.
4. Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green
If you’ve been searching for a dark, sage green, add SW Pewter Green to your list of colors to try. It has just the right amounts of green, blue, and silvery gray to create a moody, muted shade. When stylist Emily Henderson painted this beautiful color on her kitchen cabinets, Instagram went nuts! It’s a perfect moody paint color for both cabinetry and walls. Get a peel-and-stick sample sheet of Pewter Green HERE.
Check out my post on the Best Dark Green Paint Colors for more ideas.
5. Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal
When it comes to charcoal paint colors, BM Kendall Charcoal is at the top of every designer’s list. It’s just that good! Kendall Charcoal is a rich, pure gray, that looks fantastic with everything from natural wood, to brass, and crisp white trim. It’s not only beautiful on interior walls, but is a fabulous paint color for exteriors, built-ins, and kitchen cabinets. Get a peel-and-stick sample sheet of Kendall Charcoal HERE.
6. Sherwin-Williams Foggy Day
Looking for a luxurious, smoky, slate blue for your walls? SW Foggy Day might just be the one you’ve been searching for! Foggy Day is a serene gray-blue, and is stunning whether used in small doses or throughout an entire room for a moody look. Pair with crisp whites, blacks, and browns for a classic, timeless design. Get a peel-and-stick sample sheet of Foggy Day HERE.
Tips for Using Dark Paint Colors
Tip#1 – You should never choose a paint color from a picture! While you may think it’s the perfect color for your room (and you may be right), you absolutely must sample the paint color in your room first. Why? Because colors look different in different lighting conditions. I recommend buying peel-and-stick paint sample sheets from Samplize. View 2-3 potential paint colors in your room in a variety of lighting conditions, and then make your decision.
Tip #2 – Offset dark wall colors with lighter furnishings and accessories, and warm neutrals to keep things cozy. If everything in the room is dark, it can end up looking more like a cave than a well-designed space. Not only that, but our eyes love the contrast of dark and light, so creating that effect will add visual excitement to your space.
Tip #3 – I typically recommend using a satin paint sheen for a dark room, rather than a flat sheen. The subtle increase in shine will help bounce light around the room, and give the walls a more luxurious feel.
Tip #4 – If you want to use dark colors on your walls, it is best to bring in as much natural light as possible into the room, especially if you have a small space. Use mirrors to reflect natural or artificial light into the room if your space doesn’t get a lot of natural light from windows.
Dramatic paint colors and moody spaces can make a big statement in your home. These gorgeous, moody paint colors are designer-favorites because of their ability to transform a room and work with a wide variety of styles. Use them as a singular accent wall, or in the whole room, to create sophisticated, cozy rooms in your home. Save or pin this post so you’ll have a great list the next time you’re looking to transform your interior spaces with moody colors, and darker tones.
