One way to style your dark wood furniture is to contrast it with light colours. This doesn't have to be a stark black-and-white contrast, but making use of lighter-coloured neutrals is a good way to go. Warm neutrals such as soft greys, stone and beige variants will pair very nicely with dark wood.
Light colors go very well with dark flooring. Pale, cool blue walls work especially well in a dining room, if you're looking for a lively pop of color. Calming blue and blue gray shades can bring contrast to the dark wood to brighten your space.
My first tip for working with dark wood furniture is to use tones (paint, bedding, pillows, artwork, curtains, etc.) that compliment the wood tone – usually warm, neutral colors. In this design, I painted the walls BM Revere Pewter – a warm gray.
Dark wood floors in the kitchen can be very chic. Keep the overall effect elegant and light by balancing the dark floors with white cabinetry and walls, warm bronze metals and wood accents just a few shades lighter than the floors.
Play with Textures: Introduce different textures to add visual interest and depth to your bedroom. Consider using a variety of fabrics such as plush throws, textured rugs, and velvet pillows. These elements will help soften the look of the dark wood furniture while creating a cozy and inviting ambiance.
Lay a brightly patterned runner across a wood dresser or table. Opt for bold bedding or wall art in a bedroom outfitted with wood furniture. Table lamps, vases, and planters in a rainbow of colors can also help cheer up dark wood furniture.
Teak, walnut and mahogany have fallen back in favour. Is dark wood making a comeback? 'After many years of lighter-coloured, Scandinavian-inspired woods dominating home trends, darker, more traditional woods – like teak, walnut, and mahogany – have fallen back in favour,' says Etsy's trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson.
The only effective way to lighten the color of wood after it has been stripped of all surface coatings is to use a wood bleach. Sanding does help to lighten wood in many cases, but this only applies to surface soil or grime, and even then only if the discoloration has not penetrated very deeply.
Earthy tones on both the red and green part of the spectrum can work really well with both light and dark oak furniture. Greens like sage or olive help to create a calm feel, perfect for a living room or study.
Add Pops of Color
Even if the furniture in the room is dark, you can brighten things up with the addition of some vibrant colors. Add cheerful throw pillows in vivid hues like yellow and light blue to dark-colored sofas. A colorful area rug with a fun pattern will liven up a living space.
Dark wood tones have nearly been forgotten over the last decade as light wood tones took over homes. Dark wood exudes a rich look and feel and has many benefits over light wood tones. We're expecting dark wood tones to make a comeback as more traditional designs begin to pop back up.
An amazing thing about grey wall paint, the hue can change when paired with light or dark wooden flooring. Grey brings an elegant and timeless charm to any room, and since it leans more toward cool than warm hues, it goes with most wooden floor colors.
For light and dark shades of wood, you can choose beige, tan or ivory colors for both paint and decor. For paint as well as decor accents, green is a wonderful choice to complement wood furniture, particularly wood furniture in red, brown, or blonde hues.
Greens, grays, whites and beiges are no-brainers. Warmer colors, like orange, brown, rust and red, work too, but the deeper tones of these colors work best.
Darker Wood Tones
This may be a surprise to many, but we are expecting more dark wood tones to pop up in homes in 2023! Last year we saw a lot of DIY bleached furniture and light wood floors. This year, as dark and moody interiors are rising in popularity, we believe darker wood tones will also become more admired.
Is Dark Wood Furniture Out of Style? While recent trends have steered towards light and bright rooms, dark wood furniture still has its place in modern design. The key is to balance dark furniture with contrasting flooring, bright colors, and plenty of light fixtures to keep your room from feeling dark or crowded.
Pick a Warm Gray
“Warm grays are my go-to neutral to pair with rich brown furnishings," says designer Allison Knizek, who is particularly drawn to Benjamin Moore London Fog. "It's like a soft blanket of gray haze, but rather than having a black base, it possesses a subtle, warm undertone," she adds.
Whether you prefer light or dark furniture, there are a variety of options available to suit your tastes and enhance the appearance of your flooring and space. Some of the most popular colors for furnishing homes with dark wood floors include light shades such as white, light gray and light woods.
Along with mid-century-inspired curved furniture, the brown tones of this period are also poised to make a major comeback in 2023. This natural color—particularly its darker varieties—creates a sense of earthy stability, says Claire Druga, an interior designer based in New York City.
Brighten up a dark brown couch.
First, paint walls a pale neutral, then choose artwork, accessories, and accent furniture in lighter or colorful hues to balance the darkness of the furniture. Light gray walls, white trim, and cream-colored accents keep the couch from feeling too heavy.
Yes, You Can Mix and Match Wood Furniture.