Dark Walls and Ceiling

[honestasever]

I’m tempted
Interested to hear thoughts and opinions, especially from those who have dared.

(I did post in correct topic but no replies)

I don't like it, but lots do. You can always repaint.

I painted my north facing bedroom a dark purple colour and I love it.
Was tempted to do the ceiling too, decided against it and instead painted the ceiling a chalk white which compliments the purple perfectly and isn't too bright like white would be.

I definitely want to paint the ceiling dark too.
I’m a bit nervous but it’s only paint!

I love it in period houses with big rooms and tall ceilings, I think a room like that can take the dramatic-ness of one deep colour, especially with large bay windows. If it’s a small room, low ceilings, small window or in a new build, I just don’t think it suits it.

It’s only paint though, if you don’t like it you can always repaint it (though going from dark to light is a faff!!!)

@Isitfridayyetsophie
It is a period property with high ceilings and a few beams (not loads) A large room with Inglenook fireplace. The windows are small though and it’s a dark room. Tbh, light paint still wouldn’t make it a light room so I’m tempted to go dark and moody. We only really use the room in the evenings.

We've gone dark in two bathrooms. Both get quite a lot of natural light but I thought a room you don't spend a lot of time in was a safe room to experiment in. I think the ceiling being the same colour is much more calming than the contrast of a white ceiling.

I've just done it in my bedroom with a deep pink. High ceilings, at first I thought omg what have I done but now I like it, especially at night with the side light on. Feels so cosy. I'll probably regret it in the summer.

I actually think a dark room can suit a dark colour, a dark room done white or light sometimes just looks a bit gloomy, like you’ve tried to make it light and airy but it’s not worked. I love the big windows because I think it makes a good contrast, but the fireplace and beams sounds lovely and atmospheric, like it could suit a dark academia theme. From what you’ve said I think a dark colour would work- what colour were you thinking?

I’m looking at F&B ‘Wine Dark’

We have wooden floors and wooden doors/window frames, so no paint needed for woodwork. Loads of dimmable down lights and 2 large free standing lamps

The various sofas and chairs would work with it and I would replace hearth rug, lamp shades and cushions etc to ‘lift it’

There is a thing on the Dulux App where you can view the room painted any colour . Have you tried that?

No I haven’t. Thanks for that

I want to cheerlead and tell you to go for it, but only because I love the idea and am too scared to try!

Maybe start with the walls, and live with it for at least a month before deciding on the ceiling; long enough to get through a full period cycle and see whether it’s a mad pms urge. Dark walls are a dramatic difference and you could find them too oppressive. Or you might love them but find something else throws off the balance of the room and you’ll spot that more easily if you’re not focused on whether the ceiling was a mistake.

Everyone says you can just paint over it, but it would take 4-5 coats and ceiling painting is hard on the arms and neck.

@MrsForgetalot

It’s the whole look I’m interested in. I’m not sure I would like the dark walls and light ceiling anyway. We have loads of downlighters in the ceiling so I was hoping for a starry look against the dark. We have 2 switches so can either have them all on/off or just the corners lit up.
Fortunately the ceiling is divided into 3 sections by 2 large beams so at least the areas can be divided up and we don’t have to paint the entire ceiling in one go!
maybe I should try just one section first to see what we think

The rest of the house is all fairly neutral colours which looks great with the beams and wooden floor. We have plants and pictures to add colour.

I just fancy this room to be completely different.

I have done it in two rooms and love both. Our bedroom is a dark blue all over and I was so nervous doing it but our decorator said be brave and I'm so glad I held my nerve. It is really moody and relaxing. I've brightened it up with pale bedding and we have a dusky pink headband that goes really well with the blue.

Our downstairs bathroom is a dark green (F&B green smoke) to be honest we painted the ceiling too as cutting in was proving a faff with such a dark colour but I actually really love the colour drenched look. Again, you can use accessories and the lighting to brighten up things.

I think sometimes, with a dark room it is better to fully lean into it. I agree that painting it a light colour can often make a naturally dark room a bit dingy. It is only paint, if you hate it you can change it but I love ours and think the rooms have personality.

There was a thread on here about someone with a period property they were trying to sell (in Yorkshire, I think, with a small garden). Their lounge had green walls and ceiling. I think it looked good. Hopefully you can find the thread or someone can point you in the right direction.
I saw give it a go. You can always paint over it if you hate it.

Dark walls can be beautiful in a dark room. Personally I find a dark ceiling oppressive but the beams would break it up which might prevent that. Trying it out is the only way to know but if you then want to go lighter it will take lots of coats.

I have a dark red room and the (beamed) ceiling has always annoyed me because I gave in to DH and it is painted a lighter colour. I really wanted it a metallic gold (and may do it soon)
I also have a completely colour drenched dark blue room, which looks and feels cosy and moody. It has some red rugs and furniture, and a number of large paintings and bookshelves.
I am now planning to redecorate a bedroom in dark green and black!

Sounds like an absolutely perfect room for the dark treatment! We have a cottage with lots of beams, inglenooks and small windows, and colour drenching in dark colours has absolutely transformed several of the rooms from a bit sad and dingy into rooms you never want to leave. Definitely, definitely do the ceilings as well.