Light vs. Dark Wallpaper: Which is Right for Your Space?

It’s hard to think of a more impactful design feature than wall coverings. The way you adorn your walls sets the tone for the entire space, and choosing between light and dark colors is one of the first and most important decisions you have to make. But it isn’t always an easy one.

In most rooms, the walls are by far the largest surface area. Darker wallpaper can make your space look sophisticated and moody. Lighter patterns can create an airy, open feel. But choosing between light vs. dark wallpaper isn’t just a matter of aesthetic preference. It’s also important to consider your practical needs for the space, your existing furnishings, and the amount of natural light you have to work with.

Benefits of Light Wallpaper

It Brightens Your Space

Lighter colors, especially neutrals and pastels, tend to reflect natural light coming from windows. This can help infuse a bright and positive vibe into your space. The lotus dusty blue floral wallpaper can brighten up your space while adding a fun and dynamic element to your interior design.

It’s a Versatile Choice

A light and airy design offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to the overall look and feel of your space. Light neutral wallpapers that feature whites, creams, and beiges can look great in a wide range of design styles, making it easy to swap out or rearrange décor without clashing.

It Creates a Calming Atmosphere

If your goal is to create a relaxing space in your home, then a lighter wallpaper can help provide a calm, spa-like ambiance. This is especially effective when choosing a wallpaper with a traditional, homey pattern such as the miniature roses porcelain blue floral wallpaper. 

It Can Make Your Space Feel Larger

Light wallpapers can look great in rooms of all sizes. But they’re especially appealing in smaller, more compact spaces. This is because light colors make a room feel more open, creating an illusion that the space is larger than it actually is.

Benefits of Dark Wallpaper

It’s Bold and Dramatic

If you want to make a statement with your interior design, a dark wallpaper may be just what you’re looking for. A rich, dark wallpaper with a dramatic or unique pattern such as the deco fan black and gold wallpaper instantly creates a striking look.

It Allows You To Create Contrast

Contrast is a powerful tool when it comes to adding dimension and intrigue to your home. Using a dark wallpaper and pairing it with contrasting décor items such as metallic light fixtures, greenery, and softer furniture is a great way to make your space feel more dynamic.

It Feels Cozy

While light colors make a room feel brighter and bigger, darker colors absorb light and make a space feel more intimate. Choosing a deep, rich-colored wallpaper with a traditional pattern like the floral lace deep sea wallpaper can help you create the perfect cozy atmosphere. 

It Can Help Highlight Other Décor

When used strategically, dark wallpaper can act as a luxurious backdrop for other décor you wish to highlight. For example, a neutral black wallpaper can be used to create a gallery wall to display your favorite paintings and photos. It can also be used to frame structural features like a fireplace or wood stove.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Between Light vs. Dark Wallpaper

The Size of Your Space

The size and shape of your room should be a consideration in every design choice you make. Light wallpaper creates the illusion of a larger, more open space, while darker wallpapers create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. 

If you’re working with a really small space, you may want to avoid darker wallpaper. But if you love a moody vibe, you can still opt for a darker wall covering and use other strategies to make your room feel bigger, including:

• Choosing a wallpaper with stripes (vertical stripes make your walls appear taller while horizontal stripes create the illusion of a wider room)
• Using large mirrors
• Maximizing natural light
• Keeping pathways clear
• Scaling down your furniture pieces
• Keeping your ceilings light

The Purpose of the Room

A common mistake people make when decorating is focusing too much on aesthetics and not enough on function. You want your home to be beautiful, but you also need to make sure it serves your purposes and works with your family’s lifestyle.

The way you plan to use your space is an important factor to consider when choosing wallpaper. For example, a kitchen or hobby room, where you need to really be able to see what you’re doing, may benefit from lighter, brighter wallpaper. Conversely, a family room where you gather with your family in the evenings to watch movies might be perfectly suited to darker colors and patterns.

Your Personal Taste

Do you love the moody atmosphere of a dimly lit lounge with velvet furniture, ornate drapery, and oil lamps or candles lining the walls? If so, you’re probably better served by opting for darker wallpaper and other décor. If, on the other hand, you want to infuse your space with soft neutrals, clean lines, sheer fabrics, and natural light, a lighter wallpaper is likely the right choice.

While some people have an ultra-distinct personal design style, most people like to create a space that has a combination light and dark colors and can accommodate a variety of different purposes and moods. 

You don’t have to choose between “light and airy” and “dark and moody.” Many wallpapers incorporate a combination of the two. For example, the floral bird toile black wallpaper features a light floral pattern over a black background, which allows you to combine light and dark colors in an unexpected and versatile way.

Your Other Décor

The furnishings, artwork, and décor items you currently have or want to welcome into your space can help you determine the ideal wallpaper. Equally important is the way in which you want to highlight these pieces. 

For example, a dark leather sofa and a traditional rug in a deep red color will really stand out and make a statement in a room with lighter flooring and wall coverings. But these same pieces may look understated and demure in a darker space. Similarly, white or cream furnishings will look soft against a light background like the nomalanga linen wallpaper by Forbes Masters, but much more striking against a dark one, like the diamonds black wallpaper.

Artificial and Natural Lighting

Lighting is a crucial element in any interior design. But always keep in mind that the lighting in your room reacts differently with different fabrics, furnishings, and finishes – including wallpaper. Ideally, you want to take a layered approach to lighting in order to give yourself more flexibility in the look and feel of your room throughout each day and over the course of the year.

Types of lighting you can layer into your space include:

• Task lighting
• Accent lighting
• Ambient lighting
• Pendants
• Wall sconces
• Chandeliers
• Lamp lighting
• Natural lighting

Some wallpapers are designed specifically to interact with light in unique and dynamic ways, such as the specialty gold parquet grasscloth wallpaper or the black and brown iridescent loose weave grasscloth wallpaper.

Create the Home of Your Dreams With Designer Wallpaper for Every Style

Whether you're looking to brighten up your space or embrace a darker hue, wallpaper can be an impactful and transformative design element in any room.

At Mitchel Black, we offer a truly diverse array of wallpapers. From classic, to modern, to coastal, to eclectic, we offer designs to help you express your personal style.

Schedule a consultation today to ask questions and get expert advice from an experienced design professional.