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Small Space Gallery: Deep, Dark Wall Colors for Bedrooms

Last week we took a look at small space bedrooms that successfully went with white walls and saw that as a design decision it works, no doubt. But, certainly one size does not fit all when it comes to decor and we found some examples from Small Cool 2009 where the entrants went with deeper, darker, more unusual choices to make their "boudoirs" memorable. Click for more of each home through the links below:
 
 

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Bedroom, inspiration, Reader's Rooms, small, bedrooms, gallery, small spaces

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Comments (15)

I recently painted my bedroom in Dunn Edwards Chocolate Chunk.....I hung chocolate black-out curtains, and have dark-ish wood vintage tables and lamps with dark wood bases....even my i-pod dock/alarm is dark wood

I've never had such a cool bedroom.....it's so cozy and nice to chill out in.....perfect backdrop for reading before bed.

At night it all fades into one dark blur.....I love it!

And during the day it looks smooth and velvety, dark...but not as gloomy as I thought it might be.

I also just did one wall in a bathroom glossy jet black
another great move.....it's very dramatic

I'm loving dark paint these days!

posted by marcspice on May 15th 2009 at 8:49pm
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I'm loving dark paint, too -- I painted my hallway and office/foyer a deep, dark purple; I thought it might be too dark and gloomy, but I think it turned out rich and royal. It's also visible from the living room, where it contrasts beautifully with the apple green I chose for that room.

As for the bedroom, it's a rich, sexy wine red. Looks like a bold lipstick red during the day, and more of a sultry wine red at night. Fab!

posted by jplee on May 15th 2009 at 9:33pm
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I can't say that I like black in the bedroom. Somehow it makes me think of a dirty vampire movie... Blood red can do this too, but in a more Interview with the Vampire style (and I doubt any woman minds an undead Brad Pitt) Either that or something that would be Al Pacino's bedroom in The Devil's Advocate if he had one...

I do find that a dark bedroom, while very dramatic, can actually liven up a room with less than ideal lighting. White just looks poorly lit, whereas darker colors look rich.

posted by Nolann on May 15th 2009 at 10:52pm
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I don't think I could ever get a good night's sleep in a bedroom painted a dark colour. Also, I'm very uncomfortable with having a wall full of shelves behind my bed. Aesthetically speaking, it looks quite good.

posted by D or me on May 16th 2009 at 2:55am
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Great styled small bed rooms!

http://brownbunnybyiris.blogspot.com

posted by brownbunnybyiris on May 16th 2009 at 3:11am
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I'd like only ONE dark wall in a colour that isn't very dark, like a deep fuschia or blue.

NO shelves behind me (deathly afraid of things falling on my head) and nothing that looks like a funeral home (first pic)

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com

posted by FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com on May 16th 2009 at 6:01am
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It occurs to me that this would be a fabulous way to distinguish the sleeping area from the living area in a studio, especially if (as in one of the examples above) the bed is sheltered from the rest of the space by shelving or some kind of room divider. The dark area would disappear in the evening if it's lights were out, and the feeling of privacy would be enhanced.

I think a lot of dark bedrooms (and studies) are very elegant, and if I had an extra room I might do that in it. For now, I like my much lighter room just fine, though.

posted by SherryBinNH on May 16th 2009 at 10:46am
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perfect time for this post just decided to paint one bedroom in our wall a dark almost black looking navy blue, I wasn't so sure but so far i'm loving it and hubby is too. I was scared at first to go with a dark color but i agree that sometimes dark colors make a bedroom feel cozier and gives it a little drama.

posted by Puddin POP on May 16th 2009 at 12:56pm
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My bedroom is painted a nice dark turquoise. It's the darkest colour I've ever painted, and I love it to death. During the day with the window light it looks classy, at night when it's soft lamps lighting it beckons for sleep. Turquoise walls, soft white furniture, and black & white bedding and curtains. A few rugs with black/red/white stripes, and two red throw pillows, boom! :) Drama.

posted by SputnikSpak on May 17th 2009 at 7:32am
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I figure if you are going to take the time to paint a wall, you may as well choose a color that really stands out. These are all really good.....but the black is my favorite.

posted by baileyb on May 18th 2009 at 4:20pm
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Oh, yes yes yes. I love black bedrooms.

posted by Lisa (Montreal) on May 24th 2009 at 8:44pm
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I've found since I've pained my bedroom a darker color ( from off white to denim like blue) I sleep better, and I like my bedroom more. I like to keep my sheets white though it looks so nice and crisp against the blue and the dark wood finish on my head board.

posted by absOsteele on May 24th 2009 at 11:23pm
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I live in a studio and I've been trying to find ways to update my space so my bed has it's own place. There is a little nook whereas I can use the wall as a headboard that I was thinking of painting/wallpapering with a nice dark pewter gray. Really wanted light sheets to go with it tho...any ideas on where the white and black (3rd pic) and all white textured (4th pic) sheets came from?

Anyone else update their studio this way?

posted by alisaan on May 25th 2009 at 1:03pm
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The first pic...with the black walls...does anyone know where I can find the acrylic sconces that are above the bed? I have tried every search I can think of...and still come up empty handied.

posted by birkinbabe on May 25th 2009 at 2:40pm
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As a decorator, I am more willing to take risks with my own apartment in terms of color and furnishings. Most of my clients tend to be afraid of doing dark colors. We have lots of light in my bedroom so I decided to go with a dark gray (Benjamin Moore Whale Gray #2134-40). I've attached a photo of my bedroom....

http://www.cheekyliving.com/projects/brooklyn-loft/master-bedroom--3

Karen
www.cheekyliving.com

posted by cheekyliving on July 25th 2009 at 6:38am
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