Ever felt like your space could feel a little like an Edgar Allan Poe story, or mesmerized by the ethereal cottagecore interior design elements, but with a little darkness added to it?
Dark Romanticism just might be where you live— in a realm of love, passion, and depth, all wrapped up into one space. But what makes a room not just dark, not just romantic, but truly dark romantic?
What are the features of dark romantic in interior design?
Deep + rich colors and hues
Think burgundy, dark red, charcoal, and of course, various shades of enigmatic black, with accents of gold and ivories all around. While romantic might hint towards dusty roses, dark romantic errs more on the side of blacks.
Dark-stained woods and velvet and silk textiles
The tactile experience for your dark romantic room should feel equally inviting and moody. The softness of the silk and velvet isn’t like that of something light and plush; it’s more sleek, more sophisticated, and more dark and classic. When it comes to the woods, you’ll probably err more towards darker stained woods rather than light bamboo like you’d find in Japandi or something with lighter, more simplistic themes.
Moody, introspective, passionate feel
When it comes to designing a room, you have to nail down that feel before anything else, because it will drive every decision you make. Think about how you’d feel in a bright, boho room: cozy, creative, relaxed, maybe? In a dreamy, dark romantic room, the goal is to get you to feel like you want to get creative, but in a different way — in a darker, more introspective mood, inspired by romanticism and deep passion through a cup of tea, a soul-stirring book, or writing dark songs.
Cozy corners and altars
A vintage writing desk with a faux-feather quill and inkpot, or a window nook for cozy reading, dark romanticism is about finding those creative ways spots in a room to not just relax like you might in another designed space, but to lean into your darker side and let your thoughts go a little on the darker side. Sure, any room would benefit from a window nook for reading, but the difference is, in a dark romantic room, it’s designed so you can find the beauty in the blacks inside, using nature as your inspiration to then twist something into a little bit of a sick and twisted angle.
Ornate, magick, antique decor pieces
I’m not saying pictures with actual witches on them, but I’m saying decor that challenges that magickal, interdimensional element, like vintage candlesticks, mirrors, and ornate frames that you don’t see created with care nowadays.
These are the decor pieces are pieces you find in thrift stores that you know have a deeper story attached to them.
The most beautiful dark romantic pieces (by design category)
Furniture + decor
Lighting
Textiles
Flower Embroidery Cotton Linen Fabric by Yino Supplies
Linen lace pillowcase by Dejavu Linen
Hand Embroidery Floral Table Runner by Artesana Love
Related: Best Amazon curtains for cottagecore, whimsical + moody spaces
Wall art
Romeo and Juliet Lovers by A Mystical Mood
Moon Lover Vintage Poster by A Mystical Mood
Madame Butterfly by Masterwork Reimagined
Wall colors
Anchors Aweigh, Sherwin Williams, Grays Harbor, Sherwin Williams, Black Magic, Sherwin Williams
How to decorate your room with a dark romantic style
But before we go out and buy some things, it’s important you know how to arrange and purchase these items so they best fit your space!
Here are some tips on maximizing the products you get so they complement your space even more.
1. The 60/30/20 rule
When dabbling in the dark arts of room décor, balance is everything and with the 60/30/20 rule can be your wand to wield this magic. Picture your room as a canvas divided into percentages:
- 60% dominant color: This is your base layer, generally the wall color or large furniture pieces. Choose a hue that’s dark but not overpowering—think charcoal grey or a deep, velvety blue.
- 30% secondary color: Use this for medium-sized furniture or textiles, like a lush burgundy rug or teal velvet cushions.
- 20% accent color: These are the little flourishes that add the icing on the cake to your space. This could be a golden picture frame, or the silver candelabra holding your twilight-scented candles.
2. The odd number rule
There’s something pleasingly mystical about odd numbers with decor. Groups of 3 or 5 create a visual rhythm and intrigue— think of placing 3 antique books on a coffee table, or grouping decor on an altar or table in groups of odd numbers as opposed to even numbers.
As much as there’s lots of symmetry in interior design when it comes to grouping, odd numbers is key, creating a cohesive, curated, yet slightly whimsical look.
3. Marie Kondo-ing your space
Yes, even in a room filled with moody corners and elaborate accessories, Marie Kondo’s philosophy has its place.
I suggest everyone go through the entire, formal KonMari process, which has you hold each and every item in your home to your heart and ask yourself if it truly sparks joy.
I don’t think a home is truly complete without having gone through this process— as someone who’s gone through this myself, it completely changed everything about where we live!
Did this inspire you to create a dark romantic room for yourself? Or, perhaps a splash of dark here, a pinch of romantic over there, eh? Comment below what your favorite is— I would love to know!
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