Four Tips for Painting with Dark Colors

Don't discount the power of dark colors. In fact, there are plenty of ways to use bold shades to make your space seem incredibly inviting. Dark colors can, for example…

1) Frame Your Furniture

If your furniture is made up of neutral colors, dark, bold walls can create a mood that emphasizes the completeness of the room. By highlighting the contrasting tones in your furniture, darker colors will give the room a feeling of completeness.

2) Broaden Your Space

A common concern with dark colors is that they'll make the room seem smaller. In fact, dark colors recede, which will actually make the room look larger.

3) Be Easily Applied

Normally, dark colors require only two coats. Usually, a roller cover with a 3/8-inch nap is enough for a 4-foot stripe when completely loaded with paint. And if you're brushing, apply the paint with one stroke, back-brush, then move on. If you “over brush,” you'll just thin out the paint or produce drips.

4) Accent Your Whole Room

Maybe you're not ready to commit to an entire room of dark walls just yet. No problem – accent walls are all the rage these days, and perfect for splashes of the dark colors you might want to include in your palette.