I'm an artist at heart, performer and songwriter, and a lover of all things creatively & artistically beautiful. In this little corner of the internet, we talk about how to live an artistic lifestyle, fit with the tools, techniques, tips, and community. Get comfy and cozy.
BACK TO THE BLOG
Our fellow lovers of the mysterious, the antiquated, and the gothic: welcome.
If you’ve ever felt a warm murmur in your bones when wandering through the labyrinthine halls of an old library or love the smell of aged paper and aged woods, you’ve probably felt the inspiration from the academic background of what’s called the “dark academia” aesthetic.
You might want to bring that period dramatic set from historic universities right into your home, fit with the vintage chandeliers, dark walnut woods, gothic architecture, and Victorian essence. Heck, if you already have a Pinterest board filled with deep, muted tones of charcoal, you’ve probably been dreaming of this vibe far before you happened across this humble little blog post.
Here are *lucky number* 13 dark academia color palettes so you can dominate your interior with the visual allure of Cambridge with the atmosphere of exquisite architecture, somber colors, and romantic, artistic dreams.
Think of a combination of Harry Potter, Pretty Little Liars, and Dead Poets Society. It’s dark, it’s deep, and it’s introspective, a dedicated space for creatives to let loose without showing the outside what they’re thinking.
Much like cottagecore, dark academia showcases vintage nostalgia, but more in the Harry Potter-esque vibe rather than cottagecore’s Little Women. It includes things like:
Here’s a little bit more of what you’ll notice with dark academia interiors
Books, bookshelves, hand-drawn art, tapestries— all around dark academia appreciates architects and artists because it’s designed for a growing, collegiate version of them in the future.
While cottagecore’s nostalgic environment has a bright and airy essence to it, dark academia almost feels like you’re dwelling in a cave, needing to be away from the world so you can focus on what matters most: your art.
I always think of Aria’s character on Pretty Little Liars— her upscale outfits fit with plaid, reds, and pops of spunky colors in her hair. While it’s partly made to look like a university professor’s office, it’s also meant for university students who would rather sit in lectures all night than go out to parties.
If the interiors had a season, it would 100% be autumn, not only because of its reddish and orange color schemes but because of its beckoning towards the impending cold and darkness while being immersed in warm autumn hues.
But the university feel doesn’t just end there. In fact, dark academia isn’t just about any college major. It doesn’t necessarily glorify things like physical therapy or physics— it more leans toward liberal majors, like English, History, and the arts, which reflects in certain decor styles and influences.
I would never encourage taxidermy in an interior, as I don’t think sacrificing animals is an appropriate way of decorating a space– so I know some cool faux taxidermy artists who could bring this feeling to life beautifully, as that darker nature tone brings out the luxury goth elements of this visually stunning decor style.
Hope you got some inspiration from some of our color palettes. What parts of your home would you bring the dreamy, dreary, moody, mystical dark academia vibe into?
Paragraph
Paragraph
Creative lifestyle
Creative lifestyle
Creative lifestyle
Paragraph
I'm an artist at heart, performer and songwriter, and a lover of all things creatively & artistically beautiful. In this little corner of the internet, we talk about how to live an artistic lifestyle, fit with the tools, techniques, tips, and community. Get comfy and cozy.
BACK TO THE BLOG
I'll pass you little notes full of my latest musings, tips & fav creative tools for being your best artist.