20 Enchanted Dark Academia Decor Ideas For A Moody Home

Discover in this post the best dark academia decor ideas.

The Dark Academia aesthetic has been really popular these last few years. It takes inspiration from classic literature, philosophy, and gothic architecture.

The Dark Academia aesthetic is based on the love for higher education. It romanticizes the will to learn, the thirst for knowledge, and the journey of self-discovery.

That’s why it is associated with activities, such as calligraphy, reading, journaling, or studying, and with places, such as museums, libraries and coffee shops.

Discover these 20 mystical dark academia decor ideas to transform your home.

This website contains affiliate links. This means that when you click on a product link and make a purchase within 24 hours, I earn a small commission at no extra cost for you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from your Amazon purchases when you click on my links. The money earned allows me to do what I love for a living. Thank you for your support!

Dark Academia Decor Ideas

Get inspired with these 20 moody dark academia decor ideas to adopt this style.

1 – What Is The Dark Academia Style?

A fireplace in a dark green living room.

Source: Instagram, ©houseofbizarium

The Dark Academia style takes inspiration from:

The 18^th and 19^th century;
classic literature, art, and music;
gothic architecture and art;
and philosophy.

The Dark Academia aesthetic is based on the love for knowledge and learning. It romanticizes higher education and studying.

The Dark Academia activities include reading, drawing, journaling, calligraphy, studying, and poetry writing. These intellectual pursuits take place in museums, libraries, and coffee shops.

2 – Color Palettes In A Dark Academia Home

A fireplace with plants and vintage furniture in a black living room.

Source: Instagram, ©itsonlytaken10years

The Dark Academia color palette is dark and cozy. It is made of moody and earthy shades, such as forest green, deep brown, or even charcoal.

Combine these dark shades with neutral tones, such as beige, white, and light gray, if you want a softer and more delicate look.

This softer color palette is perfect for a Light Academia home, the visually lighter counterpart of Dark Academia.

3 – Furniture In A Dark Academia Home

A living room filled with vintage furniture.

Source: Instagram, ©cestivon

The Dark Academia style is based on the 18^th and 19^th centuries. A Dark Academia home is filled with antique wooden furniture such as tables, nightstands, and cabinets.

These vintage and intricate pieces of furniture will give a charming and soulful look to your Dark Academia home.

Velvet furniture are also a must-have for your house. Invest in a velvet sofa or chairs for an elegant and traditional home.

4 – Lighting In A Dark Academia Home

Source: Instagram, ©thegreenrabbithouse

To create a cozy and moody atmosphere in your Dark Academia home, you need to invest in small lights, such as lamps and candles.

Select warm lighting for your lamps. And make sure to invest in vintage lamps, such as stained glass or fringe lamps. Purchase antique candle holders or candelabras to light your home with candles.

STAINED GLASS LAMP: SHOP HERE
FRINGE LAMP: SHOP HERE

5 – Walls In A Dark Academia Home

A bathroom with vintage floral wallpaper.

Source: Instagram, ©the.elm.house

I suggest painting your walls a dark color, such as black, brown, deep blue, or forest green. It will create a moody and mystical atmosphere in your Dark Academia home.

To give an elegant and traditional feel to your home, build wall molding.

You could also add a dark floral or damask wallpaper on the upper half of your wall and wall paneling on the lower half of your wall to create a cozy and sophisticated home.

Creating a gallery wall will bring a mysterious and moody touch to your Dark Academia home.

Hang vintage oil paintings in antique gold frames, antique mirrors, book pages, sketches, and scores to create a Dark Academia gallery wall.

FLORAL WALLPAPER: SHOP HERE

6 – Floors In A Dark Academia Home

A bedroom with vintage furniture and hardwood floor.

Source: Instagram, ©rachelrsimon

A hardwood floor is perfect for a Dark Academia home. It will bring a delicate and charming feel to your house.

Place traditional rugs in your house, such as oriental rugs, for a sophisticated and warm touch.

7 – Accessories In A Dark Academia Home

A living room filled with vintage decorative items.

Source: Instagram, ©the_cozy_house_on_a_hill

In your living room and bedroom, place vintage decorative accessories, such as:

Classical sculptures;
gold mirrors;
oil paintings in antique gold frames;
floor-to-ceiling curtains in rich fabrics;
oriental rugs;
scented candles;
patterned vases;
and fringe lamps.

I suggest creating a library room in your Dark Academia home. Build arched bookshelves and place an antique wooden desk. The shelves should be filled with antique and new books.

Place an antique lamp and velvet chairs to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. You could add more antique items, such as an antique clock, a typewriter or an inkwell.

Your bedding and curtains should be rich and heavy. Invest in high-quality fabrics, such as silk, velvet, or wool. Make sure to layer your bedding to create a deep and charming bedroom.

8 – Greenery In A Dark Academia Home

A black living room with oil paintings and candles.

Source: Instagram, ©emeliesorling

To add a lively and charming feel to your Dark Academia home, place some indoor plants. Put trailing ivy or ferns in antique planters and hang them in your living room.

I suggest picking dark planters, such as black, brown, forest green, or deep blue.

Fill your patterned vases with intricate floral arrangements for spring and summer, and dried stems for fall and winter.

9 – Personal Touches In A Dark Academia Home

A bedroom with a gallery wall on a blue wall.

Source: Instagram, ©charitybeginsat

Adding personal touches to your Dark Academia home will give a soulful and elegant touch to it. You could hang handwritten letters or sketches on your gallery wall or simply on your wall.

Family pictures are a must-have. Hang them in intricate antique frames. You could also display family heirlooms as decorative items on your open shelves.

Make sure to display your own or favorite art or music by hanging paintings and sketches or displaying records and instruments.

10 – Seasonal Decorations In A Dark Academia Home

A bedroom with vintage furniture and Christmas decor.

Like any interior design style, you absolutely need to add seasonal touches into your Dark Academia home.

In spring, display wooden Easter figurines, tulips or daffodils in patterned vases, and Easter eggs in a rustic bird nest.
In summer, display seashells, hydrangeas or dahlias in patterned vases, and hang stained glass suncatchers.
In fall, display carved pumpkins, dried stems and fall leaves in patterned vases, and oil paintings depicting fall landscapes.
In winter, display Christmas figurines, holly and pine cones in patterned vases, and oil paintings depicting winter landscapes.

When creating a seasonal decoration, make sure you keep the moodiness and mystical atmosphere of your Dark Academia home.

FAQS

How Do I Implement The Dark Academia Aesthetic In A Small Space?

Start by selecting a dark and moody color palette with brown, black, deep blue or green shades. Then, invest in antique wooden furniture.

Lastly, add vintage decorative items such as books, mirrors, paintings, and vases. Create a cozy atmosphere with a warm lighting coming from small lights.

And don’t forget to layer textures, especially for your bedding, to add warmth to your home.

What Is The Best Color Palette For My Dark Academia Home?

It’s a dark and moody color palette made of black, brown, and deep blue or green shades.

Is The Dark Academia Style Suitable For My Modern Home?

Yes, of course! You can blend the Dark Academia style with the Modern style. Select a dark color palette but incorporate modern elements, such as lamps, rugs, or vases, with your vintage accessories.

Conclusion

With these 20 enchanted Dark Academia decor ideas, you will now be able to implement the Dark Academia style for your home!

Start by selecting a dark and moody color palette made of brown, black, deep green or blue shades. Then, invest in antique wooden furniture, such as cabinets, tables, and velvet chairs.

Incorporate vintage decorative items, such as gold mirrors, stained glass lamps, patterned vases, oriental rugs, and scented candles.

Don’t forget to add warm lighting to create a cozy and warm ambiance in your home!

More Dark Academia Inspiration