One of the most effective ways you can use wood in your interior design is through darker woods. They stand out against the other elements in the room, whether light or dark. Wood looks natural, classic and smooth to give some texture to any part of your house. Whether you buy antique furniture or something new, using dark wood in your home takes some skill. You don’t want it to be overpowering or out of place and, equally, you don’t want the rest of the room to swallow it up. Use these techniques to get the balance right and use dark woods to enhance your interior design.
Avoid Too Much in Small Rooms
Dark woods like mahogany or oak can have a stunning effect, but they are often overpowering if you use them too much. In small rooms, it’s best to avoid using darker colours too much because they can make the space seem smaller. If you want to use dark wood in a small room, try to keep it to a minimum. Use more neutral, lighter shades in other parts of the room, with perhaps so bright hues, to balance things. For example, you might have a mahogany dresser but cream walls and bright accents in the other furniture.
Mix Different Wood Tones
If you have large pieces of furniture, it’s best to keep them matched in the same tone. But with darker shades, you might want to use some lighter colours to temper the starkness. If the darker wood is a bit too dominant, you can mix in some other tones to create a natural and rustic feel. For example, you may not want to have both dark wooden floors and dark antique furniture. You could end up not having enough light in the room. A lighter floor would cut the risk of the room feeling too dark and airless.
Tie in Dark Woods with Accent Colours
When you use dark woods, you can tie them into a room using matching accent colours. Rather than having lots of pieces of large furniture in the same stark tone, you can add small flashes here and there. For example, you might use a coffee table to match up with trims on your sofa and upholstered armchairs and the mantelpiece over the fireplace. You can also use accent colours, e.g. blue or green, to tie different woods together using cushions, vases and other accessories.
Matching Dark Wood in Lighter Rooms
Matching a piece of dark wooden furniture in a light room can be difficult because you don’t want it to stand out too much. To help tame it down and blend it in more with its surroundings, add some colour to the room. If you use brighter colours instead of just light and dark shades of neutral such as brown and cream, it creates a better balance. There will be less of a stark contrast and more of a mixture of different hues.
The use of dark wood in your home can be very effective if you do it correctly. You just need to consider how it’s going to tie in with the rest of the room.
