Designing Dark and Moody Interiors
By Alexis Wagman


Dark and moody interior design embraces deep tones and rich textures to craft spaces that exude intrigue and sophistication. Hotels, bars, and other hospitality venues are leaning into trends like Dark Academia, Dark Cottagecore, and Gothic Style, using shadowy palettes of charcoal, deep browns, and jewel tones paired with tactile fabrics. Luxurious textures—such as plush velvets and rustic, nubby linens—add depth and character, while sustainable textile choices ensure your design remains eco-friendly without sacrificing style or intent.
Find textile inspiration below with sustainable palettes inspired by popular dark and moody interior design trends:
1. Dark Academia


What started as a viral TikTok aesthetic has quickly infiltrated the interior design space. The Dark Academia design trend blends intellectual sophistication with moody, vintage-inspired aesthetics. It’s characterized by dark color palettes featuring deep browns, blacks with brown and metallic accents , and forest greens. Rich textures such as leather, wood, and brass help create a scholarly atmosphere made to house vintage books and antique furniture.
2. Gothic Style


Gothic Style embraces drama and dark elegance. This style tends to lean more maximalist, with deep color palettes that feature black, burgundy, purples, golds, and ornate details in furniture and décor. Together, these elements create a moody, atmospheric vibe complete with vintage furniture, heavy drapes, and a sense of mystery that’s both bold and timeless.
3. Dark Cottagecore


This style is a bit more niche. Like Cottagecore, it brings a cozy, rustic charm with a moodier twist. It blends soft, earthy tones like deep greens and browns with vintage florals, wooden accents, and soft, textured fabrics. The result is a warm, lived-in space that feels both comforting and a little mysterious, like a cottage nestled in the woods.
If you’re looking to save some time curating fabrics for your project, our Design Services team is here to help. All you have to do is complete our three-minute form with your thoughts, inspiration, and challenges, along with your project criteria (color, pattern, function, budget) and our Design experts hand-curate palettes to fit your project needs.
About the Author
Alexis Wagman is the Content Marketing Specialist at Carnegie. Passionate about what connects all of us, she seeks to leverage creative Marketing and design to communicate real stories.