Winter’s coming. There may be a while to go, but it’s coming for sure. Time to say bye-bye to light colours and pastels, and say hello to dark shades. There’s something about dark hues — solid and saturated, they can transform your spaces. Try using them on an accent wall and see why everyone’s crushing on these dark hues.
Navy Every third person in the world names blue as a favourite colour, but not many opt for this dark and sophisticated hue. Think of navy as a no-fail neutral; it anchors your accent wall, provides a stylish setting and sets off any colour — be it white, coral, red or rose — to perfection. It’s also extremely on-trend, as is close relative Indigo.
Charcoal Not everyone would choose to put black on their walls. But once they explore this shade — not exactly black, not quite grey — they are sure to love it. This shade complements a range of colours, from crisp white to pretty pink and bright tangerine. Make the accent wall shine brighter by accessorising with a stunning mirrored artefact.
Marsala This robust and wine-like red was chosen by Pantone as their Colour for 2015. The colour has full-bodied qualities that make it perfect for any kind of home. It looks good in small doses, but it looks even better when plastered over a wall. Pick out the colour in small pieces around the room and watch it take center stage.
Chocolate When your accent wall is coated with this delicious colour, it needs little else to make the room toasty. This dark shade of brown isn’t a regular on walls; it’s more commonly associated with furniture.
However, it makes a stunning backdrop for vibrant colours like coral or aqua and also teams up perfectly with sober hues such as silver.
Ochre There’s a reason why we love Mediterranean décor so much. And those old Goan bungalows. That reason is mustard, a warm yellow shade that when used right can transform your room.
Go a shade darker and paint your wall ochre — it’s unusual, works really well in Indian homes and can be dressed up or down. What else could you ask for?
Dark walls, in deep and saturated colours, can give any room an edge. Display a statement piece, show off a crystal chandelier or soften things up with muted furnishings. There’s a lot that you can do to give your home dramatic flair if you show off your dark side.