Modern, Stylish Ways to Use Dark Wood at Home
Add some depth to your rooms with one of these contemporary ways to weave in dark timber
Amanda Pollard
6 August 2018
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Pale timber has been a staple in interiors for a while now, but darker alternatives are beginning to get a look-in. If you’re not sure how to use dark wood in your contemporary space, take a glance at these ideas to see how it can look chic, dramatic, elegant, or just plain beautiful in your home.
Contrast in the kitchen
Dark wood gives a quality feel to kitchen cabinets, adding depth and drama to a room. However, it’s important to consider the other elements in the space to ensure the room doesn’t feel dreary.
Here, the designers have contrasted deep brown units with glossy white surfaces elsewhere, as well as a row of gleaming copper pendants.
To tie in the large white island with the dark cabinets behind, they’ve positioned a dark wood breakfast bar at the end, doubling up the layers to make it super-chunky.
Dark wood gives a quality feel to kitchen cabinets, adding depth and drama to a room. However, it’s important to consider the other elements in the space to ensure the room doesn’t feel dreary.
Here, the designers have contrasted deep brown units with glossy white surfaces elsewhere, as well as a row of gleaming copper pendants.
To tie in the large white island with the dark cabinets behind, they’ve positioned a dark wood breakfast bar at the end, doubling up the layers to make it super-chunky.
Go lean
Team dark and light wood to add an interesting mix of shades to your room. If you’re keen to keep the look cohesive, go for a similar design for all your furniture pieces.
Here, mid-century-style chairs, tables, mirror and shelving are featured in both dark and paler wood, but the slim, tapered shapes ensure the look is harmonious.
Wondering which wood is best for furniture?
Team dark and light wood to add an interesting mix of shades to your room. If you’re keen to keep the look cohesive, go for a similar design for all your furniture pieces.
Here, mid-century-style chairs, tables, mirror and shelving are featured in both dark and paler wood, but the slim, tapered shapes ensure the look is harmonious.
Wondering which wood is best for furniture?
Add some drama
Dark wood doesn’t have to be limited to furniture – try it on your walls as well. Here, the designers have lined a bathroom with dark timber slats, giving a contemporary finish to the space.
If you’re going to do something similar in your own home, make sure you pay attention to lighting. Position downlights and pendants in front of the slats to lighten up the dark wood and make a feature of the dramatic pattern.
Dark wood doesn’t have to be limited to furniture – try it on your walls as well. Here, the designers have lined a bathroom with dark timber slats, giving a contemporary finish to the space.
If you’re going to do something similar in your own home, make sure you pay attention to lighting. Position downlights and pendants in front of the slats to lighten up the dark wood and make a feature of the dramatic pattern.
Show it off to the max
Make a feature of the attractive grains in a piece of wood by displaying your piece of furniture in a central position.
In this bathroom, the vanity unit takes centre stage, turning the wall-to-wall surface of rich woodgrain into the star of this otherwise minimal space.
Check out these gorgeous vanities and sinks from around the world
Make a feature of the attractive grains in a piece of wood by displaying your piece of furniture in a central position.
In this bathroom, the vanity unit takes centre stage, turning the wall-to-wall surface of rich woodgrain into the star of this otherwise minimal space.
Check out these gorgeous vanities and sinks from around the world
Partner with white
The best way to show off an elegant piece of dark wood furniture is by displaying it against a backdrop of white.
The bright walls and sofa in this living room are a blank canvas against which to showcase the dark wood chair, helping its elegant curves and ladder back to stand out beautifully.
The best way to show off an elegant piece of dark wood furniture is by displaying it against a backdrop of white.
The bright walls and sofa in this living room are a blank canvas against which to showcase the dark wood chair, helping its elegant curves and ladder back to stand out beautifully.
Pepper with bold colour
If you’re worried that a traditional piece of dark wood furniture won’t work in a contemporary space, take a look at this modern room.
The dining table and dark wooden chairs are unmistakably vintage, but the designers have brought it up to date with one easy trick – painting the other chairs bright blue.
The bold colour instantly turns the antique furniture into an eclectic addition that brings character to this urban warehouse.
See these paint colours that complement wood details
If you’re worried that a traditional piece of dark wood furniture won’t work in a contemporary space, take a look at this modern room.
The dining table and dark wooden chairs are unmistakably vintage, but the designers have brought it up to date with one easy trick – painting the other chairs bright blue.
The bold colour instantly turns the antique furniture into an eclectic addition that brings character to this urban warehouse.
See these paint colours that complement wood details
Work in the windows
Black- and grey-framed windows are popular in homes at the moment, bringing a smart, chic finish to a room. If you favour a softer material over aluminium, however, a dark wood frame could be a good compromise.
These patio doors complement the adjacent steel-framed windows, but with a warmer, more natural feel.
To link the two areas of glazing, the designers have positioned dark, bentwood dining chairs around a grey painted table.
Read more:
What to Choose: Light Wood or Dark Wood?
Tell us:
Are you a fan of dark wood? How have you used it in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Black- and grey-framed windows are popular in homes at the moment, bringing a smart, chic finish to a room. If you favour a softer material over aluminium, however, a dark wood frame could be a good compromise.
These patio doors complement the adjacent steel-framed windows, but with a warmer, more natural feel.
To link the two areas of glazing, the designers have positioned dark, bentwood dining chairs around a grey painted table.
Read more:
What to Choose: Light Wood or Dark Wood?
Tell us:
Are you a fan of dark wood? How have you used it in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
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Whilst I love the scandi look, I find it quite hard to live with. I'm having a white kitchen installed with Iroko (dark wood) worktop, combined with white sparkle composite worktop. I also hate the burgundy dark wood colour from the 70's, which scarred me for life, but love the rich tones of dark natural wood.
I personally love the darker timbers and lighter timbers mixed together. If done well they can create depth to a room.. Place a light timber tray on a dark buffet to tie back to a light timber coffee table.. I love helping our customers achieve a unique look that is not match match.
www.insideoutstyle.com.au
Roy Liddle. We have white walls and dark furniture that is a mixture of west Australian jarrah, some darker woods such as Chinese elm and also mahogany. We have dark wood doors and window frames as well so need the white walls to lift the rooms. We also have maple floors - a lighter wood which is a nice contrast. We enjoy the different types of wood with different colors and different grains. They are so interesting! We also use some Balinese wood carvings as decorative pieces in a different wood again and we have a gorgeous wood piano. They are all tied together with some middle eastern rugs and Moroccan inlaid side tables. Nothing modern, faddish, minimalistic or formulaic for us! The whole works well together and is indicative of our personalities, histories, travels and love of skilled trades and crafts. Love the dark woods contrasted with a warm white in the photos above.