How to Create Coziness in a Dark Apartment: 5 Examples

Everyone loves bright interiors, but apartments in dark tones possess a special magical allure that's hard to compete with. We suggest embracing this and 'going dark' with our curated collection.

Dark Loft for a Young Family

This apartment is home to a young family with a small child, so it was important for the client to create a cozy and spacious environment. Since the client liked the loft style, designer Irina Bogatikova chose facing brick, decorative stucco 'like concrete', putty, and paint for finishing.

The color palette turned out in calm tones: dark brick, matte gray and blue shades. To prevent the setting from becoming too gloomy, the walls were painted white and bright yellow accents were added. This created a perfect interior for a small family that values comfort.

View the full project

Warm and Cozy 'Masculine' Interior

Working on this project, designer Anastasia Kovalchuk came up with several lifestyle scenarios for the interior. On one hand, this apartment is for a young single man who loves hosting guests; on the other hand, it's an ideal place for a family with children (when they appear with the client).

The young man asked the designer to decorate the interior in a dark color palette: gray and brown tones. But thanks to wood in the finishing and well-chosen lighting, the atmosphere turned out warm and intimate. Moreover, through large windows, plenty of natural light enters the apartment, making dark colors look harmonious.

View the full project

A Small Black Studio

Designer Alexandra Ermilova decorated this compact space for a young single man. The walls were spackled and coated with matte dark gray paint. To brighten the monochromatic palette, furniture and decor made from light wood were used.

To avoid the bedroom being too dark, it was surrounded by a glass partition that can be closed with light curtains if desired. Additionally, several lighting scenarios were planned for evening hours, making the setting especially cozy. Another successful example of how dark colors in finishing don't always look gloomy.

View the full project

Dark Apartment with Eastern Notes

The clients, a family with two children, requested designer Valeriya Belousova to incorporate Eastern motifs into the apartment's design. Therefore, the finishing was chosen in rich dark brown and black tones. To add some color from Eastern countries, vibrant decorative details with beautiful patterns were included.

By the way, dark colors don't have to be only gray or black shades. The bedroom was decorated in deep turquoise tones and complemented with dark burgundy details. Careful attention to color helped the designer achieve a pleasant atmosphere — here, one wants to live or come for tea.

View the full project

Modern Classic in Dark Tones

For a family with three children, designer Ekaterina Uglova decided to decorate the interior in calm tones — they promote relaxation. For the color palette, only a few colors were chosen: base gray, black, beige, and lemon-yellow. The last shade was added in moderation to the interior to prevent the setting from seeming too monochromatic and yet not overly bright. The result exceeded all expectations: the interior turned out unique and engaging.

View the full project