How To Create The Perfect Moody Dark Academia Room

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What Is The Dark Academia Design Style?

Dark academia is a movement and a subculture that draws inspiration from the traditional academic disciplines of history, literature, and philosophy. It emphasizes a love of learning, knowledge, and intellectualism while simultaneously channeling a moody, gothic aesthetic, with definite Hogwarts undertones! And we’re going to have a good look at that aesthetic today in this post!

In recent years, the dark academia aesthetic has become incredibly popular on social media as a style that is mysterious, cozy and carefully curated.

With the surge of aesthetically pleasing Dark Academia rooms on social media like TikTok and Instagram, it’s no surprise that many people are yearning for a chance to channel their inner scholar and create the same dark, elegant look in their own homes. The popular trend is quickly becoming one of the most searched for hashtags in interiors: #DarkAcademia. 

What Are the Key Features of Dark Academia?

You may be thinking ok, that sounds great! But how do I decorate my room with a dark academia aesthetic?!

Crafting the perfect Dark Academia aesthetic necessitates curating and sourcing specific items, and there are several key components that contribute to creating the perfect Dark Academia vibe – we’ll look at all of those elements in this article!

1. Dark Colors and Deep Hues 

When people hear the words Dark Academia, the first image that comes to mind is probably a cozy room full of portraits in gilded frames and bookshelves stuffed with old dusty tomes, and the room is pretty much always painted in black. But black is not the only wall color used in Dark Academia style rooms! Many designers favor the intensity of dark greens, blues or deep reds over black.

Here are some paint colors that would work great in a Dark Academia room – I recommend checking these Dark Academia paint colors out if you’re not sure where to start:

That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with painting your Dark Academia room in black – it would look fabulous. But it’s good to know that black paint is not the only option if you’re trying to create this look.

Related: Everything you need to know about Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black

Regardless of which paint color you land on, for the perfect Dark Academia aesthetic you’ll want to embrace a shadowy atmosphere which will mean incorporating dark hues and deep tones into your palette. These hues help to create a more somber atmosphere which reflects the intellectualism behind Dark Academia’s core theme.

Can’t paint? It’s ok!

Don’t feel like the dark colors need to be limited to the walls alone. If you are in a rented accommodation, or maybe in a dorm, and you can’t paint the walls, try adding dark tones through your textiles instead.

Curtains, furniture, cushions and bedding are all great options for adding dark tones to your room and creating a cozy, Dark Academia-inspired atmosphere. You can also bring in dark colors through a rug. Velvet is an especially great option for your dark fabrics, and I recommend having at least one or two velvet pieces in a Dark Academia space – it will bring an extra layer of texture and warmth to your room. Dark leather is another great option.

Earthy tones such as browns and autumnal colors work very well through decor, vintage trinkets or even through a display of dried flowers. 

Personally – for the perfect cozy DA look, I’m partial to rooms and libraries that are paneled in rich gorgeous woods, but I realize not many people have the means to panel an entire room. Also, it might not fit in with the rest of your home’s design. If you can’t panel your walls with dark wood, try adding wood accents like a side table or a wood dresser! 

2. Bookshelves and Cabinets

Dark academia is more than just a design style – it’s a movement. Its name embodies a strong academic focus and an appreciation for knowledge, literature and history. As such, when decorating a Dark Academia space, the academic element should be clearly visible in the room. One obvious way to do this is through bookshelves, bookcases and cabinets.

When crafting a Dark Academia style room, the bookshelves will emphasize the academic element of the style. Floor to ceiling bookcases will make a huge impact on the overall feel of the room and can help create an atmosphere that evokes scholarly pursuits. If your bookcase reaches the ceiling and you can find an excuse to add a ladder to your bookcase, that’s a huge plus.

Bookcases of course can also be used to display more than just books – items like globes and other historical ‘artifacts’ can be peppered in amongst your books to give the room a more academic feel.

Here are some practical ways to use bookcases in a Dark Academia room:

1. Wall-to-Wall Library: Create a grand statement by covering an entire wall with floor-to-ceiling bookcases, showcasing your extensive collection of books and adding an intellectual atmosphere.
2. Cozy Reading Nook: Set up a bookcase in a corner to define a cozy reading nook. Add a comfortable armchair, soft lighting, and a side table to create the perfect spot for getting lost in literature.
3. Room Divider: Use tall bookcases as room dividers to section off different areas while maintaining an open and inviting feel. This works well in larger spaces or open-concept layouts.
4. Built-In Shelving: If you’re looking for a seamless look, consider built-in bookshelves that blend with the architecture of the room, creating a custom and cohesive appearance.
5. Mix with Decor: Incorporate decorative elements like vintage objects, framed art, and personal keepsakes alongside books to add layers of interest and personality.
6. Floating Shelves: Use floating shelves to create a minimalist yet impactful display. These work well in smaller spaces or as an addition to an existing bookcase setup.
7. Vertical Space Utilization: Optimize vertical space by adding wall-mounted bookcases above desks or along staircases. This maximizes storage without taking up valuable floor area.
8. Ladder Access: If you have tall bookcases, consider adding a rolling library ladder for an extra touch of old-world charm and accessibility to higher shelves.

Remember, bookcases in a Dark Academia room go beyond storage; they are a central element that showcases your love for knowledge, literature, and the intellectual spirit. Whether grand and imposing or understated and cozy, bookcases contribute to the immersive experience of this unique decorating style.

You can also incorporate cabinets with glass fronts, which are perfect for displaying your special collections, like vintage paperweights and antique inkwells, for example.

Spice up your bookshelves with some eye-catching sconces and further enhance that warm, cozy atmosphere! Plus, they’ll make it easier to read all those great books during the long winter nights.

Shop Dark Academia Style Sconces!

3. Antiques and Ornaments

Fill your rooms and walls with anything that piques your interest and, where possible, position them with similar items. Vintage trinkets fit very nicely with this style, particularly vases, a variety of candlesticks, ceramics and glassware. In a Dark Academia scheme, carefully curated collections are key. 

Keep reading, below I list the top 20 items you can bring into your space that will complete your Dark Academia look!

4. Dark Wood Furniture

Both texture and darkness are important factors in Dark Academia which means choosing dark woods, deep velvet sofas or aged leather wingback chairs. Also, you can never go wrong with a tufted leather chesterfield sofa in a Dark Academia room!

Always try to opt for darker woods such as walnut or mahogany (probably not a coincidence that these wood tones happen to be very on trend right now!). Remember that you can save money by sourcing reproduction items which are much more affordable. 

It’s important to remember that Dark Academia is all about creating an environment that inspires learning and intellectual exploration! To achieve this goal, items like comfortable reading chairs, ottomans and desks are great pieces to add in order to create an inviting space within your home.

5. Artwork

Artwork is one of the areas where you can be bold in a Dark Academia scheme. Adorn your walls with blueprints of buildings, astrological art prints, maps of the world or classical oil paintings. Remember that you can easily pick up prints, posters or artwork online for a fraction of the price of an antique piece and save yourself a small fortune.

For authentic Dark Academia aesthetic, consider framing them in chunky, ornate gold frames. This classical touch adds a touch of sophistication and elegance, perfectly complementing the overall vintage and intellectual vibe.

6. Dark Academia Patterns

Dark Academia often incorporates patterns that evoke a sense of history, elegance, and mystery. Some typical patterns that align with the Dark Academia aesthetic include:

1. Damask: This ornate and intricate pattern features elaborate motifs inspired by historical textiles. Damask patterns add a touch of vintage elegance to your space.
2. Floral Prints: While dark academia tends to lean toward darker colors, richly detailed floral prints in deep, moody shades can create a romantic and nostalgic atmosphere.
3. Houndstooth: This classic pattern, characterized by its distinctive broken checks, adds a touch of sophistication and old-world charm to your decor.
4. Toile: Often depicting pastoral scenes or historical vignettes, toile patterns are rich in detail and storytelling. They contribute to the intellectual and traditional vibe of Dark Academia.
5. Paisley: With its intricate teardrop-shaped motifs, paisley patterns bring a touch of bohemian elegance to the dark academia aesthetic.
6. Plaid: Traditional plaid patterns, especially in darker color schemes, add a cozy and rustic charm to your space, reminiscent of old-world academia.
7. Vintage Botanicals: Illustrations of botanical specimens, herbs, and flora in vintage-style prints contribute to the scholarly and intellectual vibe of Dark Academia.
8. Oriental Rugs: While not a traditional pattern, oriental and Persian rugs with intricate designs and rich color palettes can bring a touch of exotic elegance to your space.

When incorporating patterns, consider mixing and matching them to create a visually engaging and layered look. Choose patterns that resonate with the cozy and mysterious atmosphere of Dark Academia while adding depth and character to your decor.

TIP → I’d suggest tying in your rug color to your wall color!

Top 20 Items That Will Complete Your Dark Academia Look

1. Greek Busts
2. Candles and Candle Sticks (look for brass vintage ones at the thirft store!)
3. Vintage Flower Vases
4. Piano or bankers lamps
5. Vintage Alarm Clock
6. Vintage Radio
7. Gramophone or record player
8. Vintage Oil Portraits
9. Gold Frame Mirrors
10. Edison Lightbulbs
11. Dark Globes
12. Chess Set
13. Greek Columns
14. Quills
15. Insect Display Case
16. Antique Camera
17. Vintage Perfume Bottles
18. Crystal Decanters
19. Vintage Tea Set
20. Lanterns

Check out My Top Dark Academia picks!

And don’t forget to check out my favorite Dark Academia Products on my Amazon storefront!

Dark Academia Videos

For more ideas on what to fill your new TikTok-worthy Dark Academia space with, check out this video which has lots of great suggestions for Dark Academia room decor ideas:

And don’t forget to watch my video as well! It’s linked at the beginning of the article 🙂

Dark Academia Money Saving Styling Tips

Shop at thrift stores: The beauty of trying to achieve the Dark Academia aesthetic is that is it mostly comprised of “old-fashioned” vintage decor – think old typewriters instead of computers, film cameras instead of digital – but buying a ton of genuine antiques to fill an entire bookcase is not feasible for most people. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to decorate Dark Academia! You can source most genuine vintage items at a bargain if you dig around at thrift stores often enough.

Buy Reproduction Vintage: You can also purchase reproduction vintage items on Amazon – just add the word ‘vintage’ in front of whatever keyword you’re searching for, for example “vintage radio“, and you’ll find tons of affordable results.

Distress Things Yourself: Another top tip is to age or distress items yourself. Buying something new and roughing it up with a wire brush or staining it a deeper color will help to remove the ‘newness’ and can give your piece an interesting, aged appearance. For example: check out how Seeking Lavender Lane aged this pitcher!

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Creating the perfect Dark Academia aesthetic requires curating and sourcing specific items. From dark colors to velvet fabrics, there are many ways that you can create a cozy DA atmosphere in your home without breaking the bank.

With some creativity and ingenuity, you can use existing furniture, source second-hand pieces and artificially age new things to achieve this look with ease. Good luck and happy decorating!