Cloak Your Interiors in Darkness

Despite being the proud curator of a massive collection of Pinterest boards filled with stunningly bold, moody interiors, I’m absolutely terrified to try and pull off the look IRL because I fear my space will feel like a chic, perfectly Feng shui-ed morgue. While accidentally curating a doom-and-gloom atmosphere is definitely possible with these emo shades, don’t dodge the deep hues! They won’t necessarily keep your space from feeling playful and inviting (or however you want it to!). I spoke with Kelly Neely from Neely Interiors and Tina Montemayor, principal designer and founder of Tina Montemayor Design for advice on how to curate a moody interior that won’t suck the life out of a room.

Curate Colors with Care

These seemingly serious color palettes encompass a swath of shades from black to forest green, dark blues, and milky browns like Pantone’s Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse. When applied correctly, they can create the coziness of a cave without any of the solemnity. To accomplish this feat, Montemayor recommends focusing on the undertones of your color choice. "Overly oppressive moods often stem from cooler grays or black tones lacking warmth—they can feel flat or harsh, much like how overcast skies can affect our emotions during seasonal changes," she explains. "By leaning into colors with warm undertones, you create a moody ambiance that feels inviting, not heavy."

Additionally, Neely suggests using the darker version of a bright color. While she says browns and grays are great candidates, dark greens, dark blues and mauve pinks are also suitable options for "interiors that don’t feel too dark or oppressive."

Use Light to Manipulate the Mood

That stormy sky blue that brings all the drama to your living room does its best work in a space with appropriate lighting. "It’s all about layering," Montemayor says of the importance of properly illuminating moody interiors. "Uplights along walls or corners add depth and drama, while spotlights highlight artwork or architectural features, drawing the eye to focal points. Task lighting in strategic places keeps the space practical without compromising the mood."

In the living room, this could look like a table lamp lighting up a corner or a set of LED wall lights casting geometric shadows to add more depth and aesthetic appeal to the moody paint color.

"In spaces like powder rooms, a single light by the mirror can achieve the perfect balance: enough illumination for reapplying makeup while preserving a sultry ambiance," Montemayor adds. "The key is to mix light sources and temperatures to create a dynamic, inviting atmosphere."

Both designers agree that a dimmer is the key to fully optimizing a moody aesthetic. "Pro tip: make sure a fixture is dimmable and has dimmable bulbs before dimming," Neely says. "Dimming ability applies to both overhead and lamp lighting. LED bulbs have come a long way and it's important to use a warmer bulb instead of a brighter blue toned bulb."

Rely on Your Furniture, Fixtures and Accents