How to Style Dark Wood Furniture in Your Living Room

Dark wood furniture can offer a classic look and rich tones to your living room, adding touches of elegance and warmth. 

How to Make Dark Wood Furniture Look Modern

However, styling dark wood in a way that complements your overall interior design without overwhelming it can be a creative challenge, particularly in contemporary spaces. 

Some may feel that darker woods look outdated or too weighty, but they’re having a resurgence! Whether you prefer a traditional, modern, or eclectic aesthetic, understanding the art of combining colours, textures, and accessories will empower you to create a stunning modern living room that exudes charm and sophistication.

Here’s how you can style dark wood like a pro in your home.

Dark Wood Living Room Ideas 

First, consider what your key dark wood elements are. Maybe you have an antique sideboard you’ve inherited, but aren’t sure how to style in your current space. Or, maybe you’re thinking about incorporating a new striking piece that puts dark wood at the forefront of your design. Good ways to bring dark wood tones into your living room include through: 

• Coffee tables
• Matching side tables 
• Sideboards 
• Bookshelves
• Storage cabinets

Dark wood coffee tables are ideal for adding warmth and timeless sophistication to a living room, no matter the style. Embracing darker pieces in the centre of your space instantly draws the eye and helps set the tone for the space. 

Similarly, larger pieces like sideboards, bookcases or cabinets are ideal places to start when utilising dark wood in your living room. These can act as your anchors, providing a great initial reference for which to base the rest of the room around. 

Choose the Right Colour Palette

When working with dark wood furniture, neutral backdrops are great for preventing the room from feeling too dark and cramped. Opt for neutral wall colours like beige, light grey, or soft cream to create a balanced backdrop for dark furniture.

You can then bring in personality through accessories with pops of colour. Introduce accent colours through throw pillows, curtains, rugs, and other decorative items. Rich jewel tones like deep blue, emerald green, or burgundy can complement the dark wood beautifully.

What Colours Go With Dark Wood Furniture? 

For walls, consider light colours, pastels and neutrals: 

• Warm white
• Cream
• Beige
• Muted blues 
• Light, earthy greens

If you’re thinking about the colours of textiles, upholstery and accents, consider: 

• Deep blue
• Emerald green 
• Rich burgundy 
• Burnt orange 
• Golden yellow 
• Rust
• Blush pink

Create Contrast with Light & Dark

Bring some lighter touches to your space to balance out the dark wood furniture and create some lovely contrasts and visual interest. Make good use of lighter-coloured upholstery for sofas and chairs, as well as other textiles like rugs or cushions. 

As deeper-coloured wood tends to make a room feel a bit darker, it is also beneficial to bring in elements that draw light into the room. Add mirrors, glass coffee tables and metallic decorations to introduce reflective surfaces, which can boost the sense of light in the room.

Mix Different Wood Tones 

Combining different wood elements can be a great way to ensure your space feels cohesive and intentional. Pair your dark wood sideboard with lighter side tables within the same tonal family for a classic look that isn’t overly matchy or otherwise disconnected. 

Tying wood pieces together like this will ground darker, more striking woods and help incorporate them into modern living rooms. 

Mix Various Textures & Finishes

Dark wood furniture is smooth, sleek and solid, so bring some further contrast to your space by complementing it with soft textures like plush rugs, fluffy throws, and soft curtains.

You can also incorporate natural materials like jute, rattan, or woven baskets. These textures complement dark wood beautifully and add a touch of earthiness to the space. Combining different textures like this will help prevent the space from feeling too heavy or old-fashioned, giving you an effortlessly contemporary feel.

Utilise Proper Lighting

When working with lots of darker furniture, you need to ensure that you get the lighting spot on to avoid it looking too dark and gloomy – something that’s especially true if you also have dark wood flooring, panelling or beams. Avoid harsh, bright lights; instead, opt for warm, soft lighting to create a cosy ambience.

Use glowy accent lighting, such as table lamps or floor lamps, to highlight specific areas and provide focused illumination and a beautifully layered atmosphere.

Get Creative With Art & Decor

Use your art and decor choices to add more colour and visual interest to the space. Choose artwork or wall decor with vibrant colours that match your accent hues. A colourful painting or an art print can add life and dimension to the room.

Decorate with carefully chosen items like vases, sculptures, or pottery. Group items in odd numbers and varying dimensions to create visual interest. Using pieces with different heights and shapes adds texture and prevents things from feeling too flat or one-note, which can sometimes seem the case when styling dark wood. 

Think About Furniture Arrangement

Arrange the furniture in a way that promotes conversation. Ensure there's enough space between pieces to allow for easy movement and flow within the room.

Place an area rug under the furniture arrangement to anchor the space. Ensure the rug's colour complements both the furniture and the overall colour scheme.

Embrace Retro Influences 

Adding a touch of vintage or retro vibes can work nicely even in modern and contemporary living rooms, as it's another great way to enhance the cosiness and personality of the space. 

Mid-century modern style furniture often embraces dark woods, making it a fantastic aesthetic to consider when styling dark wood in your home. MCM or even art deco designs are lovely sources of inspiration for nailing the dark wood look. 

By combining these elements thoughtfully, you can create a living room that showcases your dark wood furniture while maintaining a stylish, modern feel. Want to incorporate the look into your interiors? Take a look at our range of dark wood cabinets for more inspiration.