I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that moody, dark paint colors are absolutely everywhere right now. We all remember the early 2000s accent wall, but today, designers are going bolder than ever with wall-to-wall color that exudes so much sophistication and nuance.

If you’ve been following our reno journey of The Austin Tudor over on YouTube you know I could talk about paint colors at length. And while I personally like creating a mood within the white and off-white realm, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a more dramatic hue when I see one.

To embrace the moody winter season, I rounded up the most deliciously dark interiors with all the best paint colors to get the look. It’s time to take a walk on the dark side, friends.

Design by Light & Dwell, Photo by Amy Bartlam

(L) Design by Moore House, Photo by Erin McGinn | (R) Design by Heidi Caillier, Photo by Haris Kenjar

Design by Anne McDonald, Photo by Canary Grey

Design by HAUS LOVE, Photo by Linda Pordon

(L) Design by Light & Dwell, Photo by Amy Bartlam | (R) Design by Moore House, Photo by Erin McGinn

THE BEST DARK PAINT COLORS

Black and Charcoal

We’re kicking off with the absolute boldest of the bunch. These shades are not for the faint of heart, but dang do they deliver some serious drama. Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball continues to be a designer favorite (as seen in the Moore House bedroom image above), but if you want to take things a step further, I’d recommend Black Jack by Benjamin Moore in a heartbeat.

TRY THESE SHADES

Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball

Black Jack by Benjamin Moore

Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore

Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore

Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams

Black Lead by Dunn Edwards

Design by Jean Stoffer, Photo by Stoffer Photography Interiors

Design by Light & Dwell, Photo by Amy Bartlam

(L) Design by Moore House, Photo by Erin Little | (R) Design by Yond Interiors, Photo by Erin Little

Design by Ashley Montgomery Design, Photo by Lauren Miller

THE BEST DARK PAINT COLORS

Chocolate Brown

We recently covered the resurgence of brown in everything from flooring to upholstery to wall color. It’s the neutral everyone wants to get their hands on, and not without good reason. Chocolate brown is the perfect dark color for that cozy vibe, and it mixes and matches with just about everything. Personally, I’m considering Townsend Harbor Brown by Benjamin Moore for The Austin Tudor and find myself so drawn to its burgundy-like undertones.

TRY THESE SHADES

Townsend Harbor Brown by Benjamin Moore

London Clay by Farrow & Ball

Mississippi Mud by Benjamin Moore

Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams

Tanner’s Brown by Farrow & Ball

Coffee Date by Clare

Morning Coffee by Benjamin Moore

Design by Billy Cotton, Photo by Stephen Johnson

Design by Billy Cotton, Photo by Stephen Johnson

Design by Thomas O’Brien and Dan Fink

Design by Park & Oak

THE BEST DARK PAINT COLORS

Olive and Sage

There are so many different variations of green, but I’m really feeling shades of muted olive at the moment. In particular, Gloucester Sage by Benjamin Moore has caught my full attention. When applied wall-to-wall, I think olive acts like a neutral, yet delivers that moody drama we’re all craving these days.

TRY THESE SHADES

Gloucester Sage by Benjamin Moore

Southern Vine by Benjamin Moore

DKC-26 by Donald Kaufman

Treron by Farrow & Ball

Design by Becca Interiors, Photo by Rikki Snyder

(L) Design by HAUS LOVE | (R) Design by Ashley Montgomery Design, Photo by Lauren Miller

Design by Banner Day Interiors, Photo by Christopher Stark

Design by Jake Arnold, Photo by Michael P. H. Clifford

THE BEST DARK PAINT COLORS

Deep Blue

If you’re going to make a statement, why hold back? These shades of blue-meets-green are for anyone looking to create a mood. You can’t go wrong with Gale Force by Sherwin-Williams or Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. They’re both deep, dark blues that really anchor a space, and look incredible next to a wide variety of wood tones.

TRY THESE SHADES

Gale Force by Sherwin-Williams

Goodnight Moon by Clare Paint

Aqua Via by the Paint and Paper Library

Homburg Gray by Sherwin-Williams

Newburg Green by Benjamin Moore

Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball

Design by Jake Arnold, Photo by Michael P. H. Clifford

(L + R) Design by Heidi Caillier Design, Photo by Haris Kenjar

THE BEST DARK PAINT COLORS

Berry and Plum

This category of dark paint colors might feel like an outlier, but I promise you that purple interiors are the next big thing. For a super dark and moody look, Camelot by Benjamin Moore is a winner, while Muskoka Dusk by Benjamin Moore also gives a moody vibe without the full commitment.

TRY THESE SHADES

Camelot by Benjamin Moore

Expressive Plum by Sherwin-Williams

Muskoka Dusk by Benjamin Moore

Brinjal by Farrow & Ball

Plum Brandy with Paint & Paper Library

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For more design content, check out these posts:

• Contrast Trim: Subtle and Statement Looks
• How to Style Cafe Curtains
• The New Look of Tiled Bathtubs and Sinks
• Spaces Making Carpet Cool Again
• The Best Fall Colors for Your Home

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Now you can find our shop of resources, templates and custom branding and web design work over at IDCO Studio—leaving The Identité Collective as a permanent resource for our beloved design community.