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11 Ideas How to Paint a Small Bedroom a Dark Color

Transform small bedroom with dark paint.
11 Ideas How to Paint a Small Bedroom a Dark Color
Tom Greenspan
Updated 
December 21, 2022

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Have you steered clear of adding dark color to your bedroom? Most small bedrooms have a carpet or a beautifully woven rug used for sweeping under falsehoods about dark colors in small bedrooms that interior designers have propagated. When the truth is, dark colors can make a profound difference to your small bedroom.

In this article, we will give you a fresh and revealing overview of how you can introduce dark colors to a small bedroom and create a stylish bedroom that feels just as big as if it were painted brilliant white.

Learn how to use dark colors to your advantage and much more such as:

  • Take a walk on the dark side.
  • How to paint dark colors without streaks.
  • Oceans apart.
  • The enigma of deep blue.

Let's take a deep dive into the subject of dark colors in a small bedroom.

How do you make a small room darker without losing the perception of dimensions?

You will need to figure out how dark you want your bedroom to be. Is it going to be a dark shade of brown, or will you be brave and controversial and go the whole hog to black?

Yes, you read it right, black. We will discuss how black walls in your bedroom can give the feeling of a large bedroom and still be a warm color to live with.

How do you paint dark colors on walls without streaks?

It's an age-old problem painting streak-free walls in dark colors, but, fortunately, some solutions will deliver a perfect paint finish providing the surface you are painting is in good condition and is flat.

Darker colors on walls tend to show flaws in the surface being painted more than lighter colors, so preparation of the surface to be painted is essential.

Here are some tips that will help you to paint a dark color onto a wall without streaks:

  • Only use good quality paint brushes and rollers. Give your roller a scrape to remove excess lint that may otherwise come off the roller and stick to the painted surface.
  • Prepare the surfaces that need to be painted. You may need to fill pinholes and indentations and sand peaks in the plasterwork to get a great result.
  • Use a brush to paint the outline, which is the area above the kickboards, against the ceiling, and the corners. Paint in one direction with smooth strokes of the brush.
  • Use quality paint that is the correct paint for coating surfaces to prevent problems with peeling paint at a later stage.
  • Use a good roller technique and don't load the wall with paint, it's best to add coats of paint than apply a layer of paint that is thick.
  • Make sure each coat of paint is perfectly dry, its time consuming, but you want the best finish possible. Painting over semi-dry paint will pull the paint off the wall leaving you to start the prep work again.
  • Sand between coats will give you a good key in the paint surface for the next coat and you can remove streak marks and anomalies that are showing on the wall.
  • Apply a final coat to finish the project and wait to dry thoroughly before commencing dressing the bedroom.

Let's get into it!

1. Take a walk on the dark side!

You may feel that you are taking a walk on the dark side, but you are actually showing the beauty of black in a bedroom. Did you ever think black could look handsome when painted on your bedroom walls?

Of course, the obligatory white ceiling needs to remain in place, and the white casement windows brighten the bedroom with ambient light, highlighting the bedroom's wood bedframe and cabinetry.

What color compliments black perfectly? Gray and the gray bed linen and gray rug add additional warmth to a bedroom that was oozing with warmth from its black walls.

If you take this audacious step and become a trendsetter, you will be stunned at the colors that complement black such as the silver bedside lamp. 

Perfect pendant lighting and lamp shades with an office theme fit snugly into the wonderful bedroom that can only be described as an ascending flory of a color that has been described as morose.

How to create this look?

It's about black and white, how easy does a color scheme become? The wood floor and wood bed frame play a major part in this design which elevates the bedroom from the dominant black, but equally a light tones carpet would have done the same.

Gray is the perfect combination in this bedroom and makes the room cohesive.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is an 8.

The expanse of black paint would have taken a lot of wall preparation to achieve this beautiful finish to the walls, the white ceiling is needed and the windows allow plenty of daylight without drapes.

The wood floor and other wood accents provide important contributions to the look of the bedroom.

2. Charcoal gray all of the way

Charcoal gray is an interesting color with its base color containing blue which gives a rich feel and saturation that many other dark paints struggle to achieve.

The light timber shiplap timber ceiling is a beautiful addition to the room making the small bedroom feel expensive when it's actually budget-friendly.

A gorgeous low-slung bed works wonder in a small bedroom, it takes away the perception of having a low ceiling and makes the bedroom feel spacious

The light-colored timber bed frame is a masterclass in complementing darker tones with the natural hues of the timber.

A white bedside table with some bulrush feathers is a tremendous accessory to this small bedroom. The textured rug is gorgeous and adds depth to the floor.

How to create this look?

It has to be charcoal gray all the way with natural tones of wood to brighten the bedroom, white sheets, and white and gray pillows with a gray bedspread are simple but at the same time luxurious in this tremendous small bedroom.

Add texture to the floor with a great light-toned rug.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is a 6.

The decor is simple and again relies on natural light to show the real beauty of the charcoal color. Removing drapes makes a room feel bigger so why not make your bedroom windows translucent if you are overlooked to maximize the light?

The timber ceiling will need a lightweight frame to be able to fit the timbers securely in the small bedroom.

3. Oceans apart

Most of you will be receptive to using blue in your bedroom but will you go all the way and use a deeper blue to create a dark atmosphere in the bedroom?

Note the minimal accessories to allow you to bath in the glory of this shade of blue. Blue is known to make you feel chilled out and has a positive effect on mood but did you imagine the glory of this small bedroom?

Quirky lamp shades work well in this bedroom, the bedroom feels shady and looks modern it is not oppressive even with the dark gray and brown bedding which you may have thought to be an odd combination.

It's surprising how many dark colors are versatile and forgiving in a small bedroom and will match with pretty much anything you use as an accent color.

How to create this look?

Select this dark blue and make sure you have good coverage through multiple coats to create the perfect color that has depth and richness.

Use wood tones if possible, dark colors in a small bedroom with wood tones are a marriage made in heaven.

The lampshades are glorious but any light tone lamp shade would look fantastic in this small bedroom providing its contemporary design.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is a 6.

It's another 6, only due to the comprehensive paint work that needs to be undertaken, the wall is stupendous but if it's not prepared correctly it could look like a disaster!

4. Gray dominance

Even with dark colors, there is no need to be apprehensive about painting the small bedroom all one color, breaking from tradition and the baseless notions of interior designers, and paint the ceiling the same color for a glorious consuming beautiful gray color.

If you have a wood floor be it laminate or naturally let the neutral tones shine through and be a part of this glorious look.

You will find this style of decor will make a small bedroom feel bigger than its actual dimensions, there is no delineation making the softness of the gray surrounding you with warmth and peaceful tone that has not been celebrated nearly enough due to the misconception of using this color in a small bedroom.

Light is an important consideration but if your natural light is insufficient then go with contemporary lighting solutions to illuminate the small bedroom.

How to create this look?

Choose a light smokey gray color to add some warmth to the small bedroom. Painting in all one color is a fantastic way of opening a bedroom's dimensions to create the illusion of a much bigger bedroom.

Wood tones are not essential but they lift the earthiness from the gray to elevate the color palette from fantastic to a superb small bedroom.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is a 5.

It's an easy process to paint the whole bedroom the same color, it saves time for cutting in multiple edges to achieve crisp lines.

However, like before dark color paints are less forging of anomalies in the paster work of the drywall so take time in preparation and sand between coats of paint for a flawless perfect finish.

5. The enigma of deep blue

Deep blue is a mysterious color, it evokes feelings of calm and serenity with a sense of wonderment about what may lie beyond the deep saturation of the color.

In a small bedroom, this shade of blue is sublime as an accent wall and can be paired with brilliant white as a major contrast tone or with deep reds and vibrant colors to make them pop in your small bedroom.

When mixed with the mahogany tones of the dark timber the mystery deepens as these dark tones compliment each other but also become forging of vibrant colors invading their space.

Dark blue tones are associated with relaxation and inspiration while being the perfect color to send you off into a deep sleep.

How to create this look?

Select a deep blue and be bold, it's going to work perfectly in your small bedroom with its spellbinding allure. Paint an accent wall in this deep color and witness the changes in your life, your temperament will alter with an inner peace dominating. Get creative, this color will inspire you always.

Introduce some vibrant colors for fun and to liven the dark tones of the mahogany and deep blue.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is a 5.

It's still a 5 for the same reasons as the previous image, make sure your walls are flawless before coating them with this tone of blue. Incidentally, light timber flaws would also look amazing with this color.

6. Sensual chocolate brown

It's not just black, gray, and blue that has the last say in a perfect dark tone for your bedroom, if you want to add richness and warmth to a bedroom then chocolate brown must be on your list to create a small bedroom that is going to sing and dance look at my glorious sensual tones!

Brown has been a popular accent for living rooms over the past couple of decades and has taken a mocha latte type of color which looks fine albeit a little noncommittal and wishy washy. If you want to achieve something outstanding then use a chocolate color accent wall.

You will need to be careful with accents but the other walls could be white and accents with natural timber tones or neutral color fabrics. Keep in mind chocolate is a rich color so cold tones like silver are not going to work with the color scheme but introduce a little gold and you have a marriage made in heaven.

How to create this look?

This one is easy, it's an accent wall in deep chocolate brown, and is it going to look tremendous on your wall in a small bedroom? You can bet your life it is going to make your bedroom look luscious and sensual.

Select accessories and contrasting colors carefully, if you are unsure there are plenty of free color wheels online and advice for you to make a perfect choice.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is a 3.

Painting accent walls is an easy task and one that can be done easily by a competent DIY enthusiast, but you will need to pay attention to the condition of the walls of the chocolate brown and repair any plasterwork in the drywall.

If you use 3 coats of paint sand in between the first and the second and then apply the final coat for a perfect finish.

7. The devil is in the detail

When using dark walls for the entire small bedroom or just painting an accent wall you will find the end result will be affected the most by the small details you have put into the small bedroom.

Ornate mirrors work well in this bedroom setting and the plum couch is majestic with its deep welcoming tones.

Keep in mind we are looking at the concept of the room which could be copied with its rich cherry reds and greens, a real cacophony of deep red colors against a dark background.

Only the bravest of interior designers would attempt this color scheme but in reality, it could be transferred to a small bedroom with great effect.

Picture this, a cream color ceiling with white surrounding walls and then this beautiful dark hue of the darkest earthiest brown available surrounded by the deep cherry tones and dark purple duvet cover.  Gold-colored lighting, what image does it conjure up for you?

How to create this look?

Find the darkest brown available and then make it darker by mixing black if necessary, its beauty is in its depth of color, not quite black not quite brown but the perfect color for cherry reds and deep purple.

The other walls are white to keep the depth of the color from being overwhelming, it's still a glorious bedroom.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is a 7.

Lots of coats of paint to achieve the depth of color needed but the result will be spectacular, you could add some vibrant colors to the bedroom to lift the overall spirit of the bedroom. 

8. Texture and patterns

It's ok dipping into the black paint to experiment a little but if you want to create a spectacular bedroom with black paint then think about textures that can throw shadows in corners to add some intrigue to the decor style.

Adding wood paneling to the base of a wall is a marvelous idea to introduce some texture into a small bedroom and if you have a 60s sideboard then paint it black and let's get into the theme of the bedroom.

Art deco-style lighting offers a tremendous contrast to the small bedroom but brings a complimenting style into the picture.

Any picture frame would work on this bedroom wall with a gold color surround and a black and white image, don't go for the psychedelics theme unless it's your vibe.

A light floor is essential, it's unlikely you will have tiles in your bedroom but you could whitewash floorboards or simply add a white rug for contrast.

How to create this look?

It's an eclectic look of different styles but it works, you can just stick with one style and create the bedroom from that point. The sideboard from the sixties or seventies should be easy to find online together with the accessories.

Wood paneling is available and simple to fix to the wall, so overall you can create this wonderful black wall in your small bedroom.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is a 7.

Let's leave this at 7, the bedroom needs some wood paneling that can be fixed directly to the wall if the wall is straight! If not make a frame to add the panel to and then fill in with a quadrant for a finished look.

Paint until you have a decent finish.

9. Dark wall in a contemporary bedroom

Should there be dramatic music playing in the background as you read this text, my goodness, horror of horrors someone has painted a dark charcoal accent wall!!

It's a beautiful addition to the contemporary small bedroom and it makes the bedroom look and feels as if it's from the 21st century as we shake off these misconceptions and now embrace dark colors for what they are, absolutely gorgeous and thought-provoking.

After seeing this bedroom can you now revert to off-white or cream, maybe a hint of brown, what have you been missing all of these years when these colors have been available but only a few adventurous ones understood the concept and style.

Light tones seem more established in the small bedroom and the white walls have an extra zing that makes the room feel clean and fresh.

Yes, the room is disheveled but look at all the colors in the bedroom from light tones to green prints hanging on the wall, it's a masterpiece of artwork that deserves credit and should be emulated all over the country.

How to create this look?

It's an easy one to create in a contemporary home, it's just about selecting a dark charcoal color for your bedroom and applying the paint. The rest is accessories and fun ideas like adding green prints to a dark wall, which work fantastically well.

Keep the walls and floors light for the best effect.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest level to achieve, these bedroom shelves is a 2.

Finally, anyone can achieve a decor idea with the right shade of charcoal paint. The walls in contemporary homes should be pretty good and free from flaws so it's about applying ample coats of paint to get the correct finish. It's still advisable to sand between coats when the paint has dried.

10. Bamboo meets dark blue-green small bedroom wall

Introducing dark colors to your bedroom is not as challenging as you may think and the thought process is easy, you can add dark color or a somewhat washed-out color that traditionally has been acceptable.

Acceptable is a word and theory that you should ditch, why should you ever have any color that is acceptable for your decor, go for perfection every time.

Achieving perfection can be a long road in many cases but with some inspiration for your decor for your small bedroom, the road to perfection is considerably shorter. This dark blue-green wall is the epitome of contemporary decor and its deep hues radiate stability and relaxation and tranquility.

If you can achieve stability, relaxation, and tranquility in your bedroom then you have found the goose that laid the golden egg, and to be honest this color is going to give you all three of those elements.

The color is offset with neutral tones from the bamboo bedroom furniture and complemented by the bedding, this should be an accent wall in most bedrooms twitch the other walls being painted a light tone if not white.

How to create this look?

Select a blue-green tone,a dark teal color if you can find one. Then paint an accent wall in your bedroom, it's an easy decor style and makes your small bedroom look wonderful and inviting.

A bamboo or light timber bed frame will look wonderful with this color. Add a rug with light tones and your look is complete.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest level to achieve these bedroom shelves is a 2.

It's still an easy decor to simulate in your small bedroom, hence the 2. It's painting again and you should be well versed with the story of using dark walls, so sand between coats until you apply the finishing coat.

11. Finding inspiration for dark colors in your small bedroom

How do you find inspirational images for dark walls in small bedrooms? Many images online are mock-ups of what you could achieve, so how can I know what it's really like?

A great place for inspiration for a small bedroom is to look at hotels, if a hotel has a dark bedroom wall you know it has a lot of cash spent on coming up with a design that is going to be in use for many years and moreover, the guest will love it and want to return.

Often local hotels will have rooms that are inspirational, you could treat yourself to a night away from home and experience the feeling firsthand.

Do hotels always get it right? No, they quite often get it wrong, and that is why they try a couple of rooms to judge the guest's reaction before rolling out the design to the other guest rooms.

This bedroom has a dark mahogany headboard stretching across the room. With chocolate brown above to contrast the two browns, it was never going to look controversial and will always be appealing.

How to create this look?

Using a headboard across a small bedroom is a trick of the trade and distracts your gaze from the bedroom's dimensions. You can achieve the same with simple plywood that has been painted and fitted precisely.

Use chocolate brown above the headboard for the perfect contrast, and then accessorize the small bedroom.

How easy is this look to achieve? Working on a simple scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest level to achieve, these bedroom shelves is a 7.

The complexity has risen due to the introduction of an extended headboard, it's not a difficult process, and your timber merchant will chop the plywood to your dimensions for you.

Follow the same tips for painting found in this article, and remember that quality brushes and rollers will make a huge difference to your paint's finish.

Will you use dark paint in your small bedroom?

You may have been shocked at just how great black paint can look in a bedroom and how easy it is to contrast with vibrant colors.

Black paint may be a step too far for you. Explore with the deep tones of charcoal for a great look that will work well in your small bedroom.

The color palette is vast and dark greens make a fantastic bedroom, chocolate brown is not as adventurous, but you can make a spectacular small bedroom with this color.