If you feel most at home in a library, like to romanticize your life with a playlist of classical music, can often be found scribbling in a journal, and go about your life with a general sense of mystery — there’s a good chance that you’d love a dark academia living room. 

The popular aesthetic takes its cues from storied academic institutions, with a slight gothic twist. Dark academia style heavily favors dark, earthy tones — think: the colors of old hardback books — and makes nods to classical references, with the occasional gilded touch or marble accent. But don’t mistake this style as dusty: The dark academia aesthetic can actually help you to create a space that looks both elevated and erudite, but far from old school.

Ready for some lessons on how to bring this dramatic style into your space? Allow Havenly lead designer Kelsey Fischer to school you on all things dark academia.

Dark Academia Living Room: Soft Modernism

Without a few key details — touches of florals and foliage, a sparkling chandelier, and long, soft drapes — this space by Ali Davis might lean utilitarian. But all together, the interior is sophisticated and dreamy, while still being a perfectly functional office space.

Dark Academia Living Room: Mid-Century Mix

Camila Battiato’s take on dark academia is Mad Men with a modern update. The mid-century-inspired furniture and wooden wall paneling gives this office a studied look, while a cowhide rug and white drapes soften its edges.

Dark Academia Living Room: Ultra Grayscale

This space by Kait Vish is designed for concentration, whether you’re studying or working. The room’s all-over gray — paired with a few touches of warm wood — make this room cocoon-like and modern; perfect for getting in the zone. 

Dark Academia Living Room: Natural Cool

The mixed patterns and natural elements — like sisal baskets and animal wall mounts — in this interior by Austin Frost lend it a bohemian feel. Its dark, neutral color palette makes a deliciously moody contrast.

Dark Academia Living Room: Contemporary Romantic 

The large abstract painting in this room by Camila Luisa Guglielmone makes a perfectly dramatic focal point — and its color scheme, evocative of Renaissance paintings, adds to the romanticism of this space. Deep blue walls, paired with slate-colored drapes, bring a sophisticated feel.

Dark Academia Living Room: Eclectic Farmhouse

Skip the white shiplap, and you can create a space that combines dark academia and modern farm house styles to great success. This interior by Michelle Escobar has an intimate feel, thanks to its all-over-black walls — but its wooden beamed ceiling gives it some warmth and a slight rustic vibe.

Dark Academia Living Room: Traditional Twist

If you want your space to feel moody — but not too dark — it’s time to introduce deep blue into your color scheme, as in this space by Tracy Rosenfeld. The floral patterned wallpaper and gilded mirro add to this space’s romantic feel, while a glass coffee table and vibrant velvet seating give it an energy boost.

Dark Academia Living Room: Narrow Path

It might feel counterintuitive to opt for dark walls in a narrow space, but here, Vye Moran shows that leaning into your home’s more “challenging” aspects can be the right choice. With simple, modern furnishings, the lounge area of this living room is cozy and sleek, while a sitting area in front of a bay window makes a bright contrast that helps the interior look more expansive.

Dark Academia Living Room: Blue Dreams

Here’s another case for navy blue walls. This interior by Camila Luisa Guglielmone is on the smaller side, but dark walls and floor-to-ceiling drapes make it look intentional and thoughtfully arranged. A few styling details, like a gallery wall and a modern chandelier, give it a playful edge.

Dark Academia Living Room: Color Theory

Ivanna Chapluk makes great use of color in this sophisticated space. Its largescale art, golden drapes, and abstract rug make it distinctly modern, but touches of warm woods and leather add a slight academic appeal. 

Dark Academia Living Room: Light and Dark

Consider this dark academia living room by Sandra Moura a masterclass in balance. Charcoal walls, drapes, and ceiling make the space feel like a secret hideaway — but a vivid, marigold Article sectional brings it to life. Lighter details, like a sideboard and two armchairs, keep the attention on this focal piece.

Dark Academia Living Room: Bright and Verdant

A large green velvet sectional by Interior Define centers this living room by Katherin De Turris — and the surrounding space plays up its lush, modern look. A collection of abstract art work plays up the color of this focal point, and gives the space a curated feel.

Dark Academia Living Room: Neutral Mix

This design by Adelaida Salamanca is especially suited to spaces that don’t get a ton of natural light — leaning into the moodiness of a space with a gray palette can result in a cozy yet elevated look. A touch of pattern, in the area rug and ottoman, make this space more energetic.

Dark Academia Living Room: Curated Calm

The abstract accent wall and artwork in this living room by Gabriela Padilla Perez lend it an artistic appeal. A cream-colored sofa, area rug, and coffee table almost melt into their surroundings, helping this interior stay balanced and sophisticated. 

Dark Academia Living Room: Modern Masterpiece

Sometimes, simple is best: That’s the case for this modern living room by Denise Fonseca. An expansive gray sectional and a black accent wall with a built-in fireplace are two distinct features that transform this space. A gold sputnik chandelier and a few pieces of modern art and decor round it out. 

Dark Academia Living Room: Library Science

The considerable shelving space in Toussaint Derby’s office design lends this room a more traditional dark academia feel. Pops of green, in the velvet sofa and wall color, evoke vintage library lamps, for a nod to the past that still keeps the room looking modern.

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