The rich and luxurious charm of dark wood

Walnut, mahogany, or cherry - dark wood is associated with historical interior design, having dominated home and office aesthetics as far back as the Victorian era. As is often with trends, dark wood is making a solid comeback!

Symbolising luxury, elegance, and charm, dark wood often creates a grounding and sophisticated feel, while adding heaps of character. It works beautifully in all kinds of spaces, from a cosy home office to a bustling living room or hallway, and the best part? You can introduce dark wood without breaking the bank or having to transform your whole space.

So, how can you add a stylish stamp on your space with some classic, one-off pieces, or go all in with full panelling or flooring? Read on to find out!

Why dark wood?

Decorating your home with darker wood tones has become increasingly popular choice in modern interiors, with its deep, warm tones bringing richness and personality to any space. These tones create a cosy, inviting atmosphere where you and your guests will naturally want to spend time.

Regardless of the aesthetic of your space, darker woods beautifully complement a rustic style, uplift a modern build, or even elevate a timeless art deco vibe, meaning it’s pretty easy to introduce the material and with little planning required.

Whether used as the main feature of the room or added in smaller, more subtle ways through decorative touches such as shelves or picture frames, dark wood gives a dramatic, eye-catching feel. And what’s great is that it’s a versatile wood, designed to add style and longevity to your home. It has that appealing, timeless quality, making it a good option for those who are environmentally conscious and like to invest in high-quality pieces to be loved for years to come.

Decorating with dark wood

Although deeper tone might feel slightly intimidating, dark wood is surprisingly easy to incorporate into your home décor. Depending on your aim, you can make a bold statement with a standout executive desk, such as Bisley’s classic MultiDesk, or even a full furniture collection, such as Rowan, our collection of gorgeous, wardrobes and sideboards that have been expertly designed with the whole family’s storage needs in mind.

Create a sophisticated ambience, balance warm wood tones with lighter elements, such as textured rugs and upholstery to avoid heaviness. Thanks to its versatility and regardless of your existing décor, dark wood complements a wide range of interior styles, adding character and personality with ease.

Dark wood has been around for centuries and is unlikely to go out of fashion any time soon. Incorporating it into your home doesn’t need to be overwhelming and it certainly isn’t a fad – it is an interiors staple that has endured and makes a solid statement, making the investment absolutely worth it!

Combining colour and dark wood

Of course, when dealing with a dark wood, one of the most important considerations is colour combination. Warm tones, such as Dijon, deep jewel tones such as Berry, or a timeless navy blue, like Prussian, will help in creating a warm feeling that cocoons you.

Dark wood also pairs beautifully with calming, timeless neutrals, such as our Natural Canvas, Palest Pink, or even Anthracite, making your room feel relaxed without compromising modernity. These shades complement your dark wood features creating a focal point for pieces that have a story to tell.

When planning your scheme, really think how you’d like to feel within the space. This will guide your colour choices – for a moody ambience, go for a deeper tone with low lighting from a table lamp. Or if your space has lots of bright, natural light, why not experiment with richer colours that complement your dark wood features without creating a cave-like feel?

Investing in few key pieces in complementary colours is a simple and effective way to elevate a dark wood aesthetic. Whether it's a statement desk, a sleek sideboard, or co-ordinated accessories, these additions will bring the whole look together and make your space feel effortlessly refined.