Dark Academia: Moody Maximalism

[@TheMaiah13]

I love that people now have a lot of personalities decorating their space...not the usual grey walls, pampas grass and Ikea furniture.

[@karadiberlino]

Exactly. I call it the „prison style“. 🤣

[@Kyrusisgone]

Im working on getting rid of my ikea furniture for more brown and antique furnature

[@karenkaren9526]

Meeeeeeeee too

[@RamonRodriguez-hq7vn]

​@@Kyrusisgone I bought my house 5 1/2 years ago. I am now starting home improvement projects. This is not the only Dark Academia channel, I came across accidentally. I was bound to run into it. 😊

[@Kyrusisgone]

@@RamonRodriguez-hq7vn swag! Bet it’ll look great

[@thedigitalrepository9121]

It's called a Gentlemen's Club. Besides a globe, consider an armillary sphere. It's funny that this has a name now. This has been my aesthetic for about 35 years. An old friend used to describe it as, "the waiting room at Oxford". To me, it was always just a hodgepodge of Tudor, Gothic, Victorian, Renaissance/Medieval, and Gothic Horror/Haunted Mansion. Kind of D&D meets Vampire the Masquerade meets Dracula/Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. For years I searched for sites dedicated to Gothic Revival interior design and instead I kept finding sites dedicated more to the Hot Topic Goth aesthetic and less to the Vampire story aesthetic. Then I started finding these Dark Academia playlists all over KZbin and they were filled with imagery of Gothic homes and libraries and rainy nights with crackling fireplaces and I was finally finding like-minded people... if only in playlists. It's great to see entire videos dedicated to explaining the "look"... though also a little sad that it seems to be trendy now and has just always been my unique look. At least people get it now. :^)

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Thank you for sharing! And for watching. I do feel like a lot of people appreciate the look now, but for many, a big commitment...so your style is still very unique!

[@williamerickson520]

I've seen armillary spheres all my life but never knew what they were called. Thanks for that. :)

[@aloysiusdevanderabercrombi470]

My God...i may have found my people. ❤ i am neo- Victorian, so I'm glad to learn that younger people are doing something similar.

[@karenthesheepgirl1909]

Believe it or not, my 25 year old mobile home has a library with fireplace. I painted it dark brown color, added some antiques, some taxidermy , velvet and cheetah pillows. a chandelier and a vintage looking Persian style rug. I love the way it turned out. Kind of gentlemen's club meets harry potter meets Sherlock. My kinda she shed. Enjoyed your video.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

That sounds awesome! Thank you for watching!!

[@antoniatarnaroutskaya6401]

Sounds great!

[@MarlaCole-u5w]

I’m researching so I can do this look in my mobile home I haven’t even purchased yet lol glad to see someone had the same idea 😎

[@jekku4688]

I think the whole covid/pandemic 'feeling out of control' thing is a key driver of this look. People want to hunker down and feel cozy and SAFE as they hide from the outside world. It's like a big dark hug!

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Yes!! Cozy safe space!

[@rajisharajagopal7355]

True

[@marenjeworowski9859]

That' s what I thought! Ever since 2020 the world has become darker and scarier. People want a castle/fortress to hide themselves in

[@katherinepereira9088]

I am a maximalist (and proud of it) and the Dark Academia decor is right up my alley.

[@madigodinez1247]

Not just books, but blueprint designs, land surveys, old anatomical drawings, etc. that fall under the sort of “educational” spectrum of dark academia. For magical twists, handwritten spell recipes, anatomy of mythical creatures, etc 😍 or macabe, skeletal sketches, cleaned bones/skulls as design pieces

[@madigodinez1247]

I think for a lot of us, dark academia is a way to let our inner child and imagination roam free while still feeling sophisticated and “age appropriate”

[@madigodinez1247]

Oh! Also vintage trunks/ briefcases/ school chair type of stuff works well too. I’ve seen the trucks stacked/glued together to make end tables and such

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Thanks for sharing!

[@themysteriousdomainmoviepalace]

I love this style. I've doing this all my life but it didn't have a name. Best atmosphere! I always thought of it as Gothic.

[@williamerickson520]

There is a variant called Darkest, or Gothic, Academia. I learned of this from an aesthetic wiki.

[@351528]

I was in Michael's the other day and I noticed a lot of their Halloween décor was along the lines of this aesthetic. There were things like potion bottles & old books, ravens, skulls decorated with dark roses etc. Basically things you might expect to see in a 19th century apothecary. It was quite beautiful actually.

[@gypsysnowwolf2313]

I saw that too when I went with my fiance. He also likes this aesthetic too.

[@williamerickson520]

My kind of aesthetic.

[@emmerinman1331]

You're thinking of Gentleman's Clubs. The stripclub industry has taken this term, but it originally referred to clubs in England where upper class men would go to--as you said--sit in leather chairs, drink, smoke cigars--and do business or network.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Ooooo.... ok well that is very interesting. Thank you!!

[@P46169]

I’ve just changed my bedroom from pink and white to dark forest green and grey , all four walls and skirting all painted green, I absolutely love it.

[@sandytaylor8482]

When I think of dark academia, I think of the setting of "The Raven." Poe's room. must definitely have been classic dark academia. Former English teacher here.

[@anette5934]

I have this style. Didn't even know it had a name until recently. The downside is that cleaning and dusting is a pain and takes forever.

[@toosense]

I’m Gen X, this has been my style for the last 30 years. ❤

[@dedhampster4730]

Dark academia doesnt have to be exactly black and dark colors. A lot of the example pics are overly lit with photography lights and wide open windows. For the walls, try parchment colors in warmer beige borderline yellow/gold or a warm white or a sage green. It will make dark wood furniture stand out and make your mood lighter on dark days.

[@antoniatarnaroutskaya6401]

Mine even works well with white walls. In fact I love how my black velvet couches look against them.

[@Kasino80]

The white walls are great as canvas for your furniture and paintings, which will stand out much more. ​@@antoniatarnaroutskaya6401

[@kittyperry]

Old red brick UK university vibes like the reading rooms in the Gothic or Tudor buildings that we do so well - I think is Dark Academia down to a tee.

[@elnosworld9893]

I actually like this look but I love other looks too so I’m kind of indecisive but I wanted to say what captured my attention was the most colored sofa that just grab me like nobody’s business and what you’re looking for in describing that room that is substantial and men are sitting around smoking cigars it’s not a cigar room it’s actually Gentlemens club so I think of Ralph Lauren because I know that he has had I don’t know if he still does a whole furniture line and accessories rugs and all of that that kind of brings you the same flavor which I just love and he’s even included plaids and there’s a lot of texture with the rose but yeah it’s very dark academia and it’s just very soothing to be and I would love a space like that But I think it would be a hidden gem away from the rest of the home which would be very light and very airy because I love that also so maybe I have like borderline personality disorder I don’t know

[@m.dinfinix2043]

Haha that's actually has nothing to do with personality disorder.. am kinda similar.. It's like you wanna have a place to zone out from the world, to run away and smth jus came to my mind now; the fifty shades of grey where he had his "room" hiden-away and had its own decore.. you can actually decorate one of your rooms with this dark style and am sure it will turn out great and you would love it.. go for it

[@helenaszmuness6783]

Gosh! I have wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling custom-made bookcases and some thousands of books on them with very little room for bric a brack. It used to be cream coloured, but now it is denim blue. I have to cull books regularly, otherwise, I run out of space for new ones. Some of them are old and very few that were published before the beginning of XX Century. Most are simply books that I love and that in some way formed me. From my bed I see the whole wall of books and feel contented. And yes, there is a Persian rug and moody lighting in my bedroom cum library. And pictures that I like, and photographs in silver frames. And although the room is not very dark, I think I can still call it dark academia. Just because it feels like it.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

This sounds like heaven!!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@anabelpascual7864]

Finally!! I've been searching for a video explaining this trend for weeks, thank you ♡

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Your very welcome!

[@georginaengland6280]

This is wonderful... can you please do a video on "light academia"... I think that's a thing?!??

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Thank you for watching! I think it is :) I will take a look into it!

[@ohthankg-dforthebourgeoisi9800]

I love light academia. It’s more about “ the Classics” than mystery. Art literature architecture philosophy etc. lighter colors…. It’s a little harder to generate a mood with, I think …

[@AD-yk7mf]

During my Marie Condo phase 5 years ago I donated most of my books in an impulsive getting rid of everything moment that I now regret :( BUT it has cleared space for me to purchase the black bookcase (like yours) that I now really want and to spend time in used book stores collecting amazing books. Like looking for treasure haha :)

[@InteriorDesignHub]

I've too gone through those purge phases...and really wish I had held on to some things. I know the feeling. But like you...you get to curate with great finds. Vintage and or antique stores are my favorite place to go on a weekend!

[@ambrosedugas6959]

Thanks so much for this video! It's really helpful to see this style defined. I disagree that books are an essential focus. I think more broadly that musical instruments, liquors and bartending supplies, art supplies and other things to do with learning and hands on, timeless activities works to create that feel. Instead of bookshelves, other types of built ins and moulding can elevate the look and add depth. I get that it's a maximalist style, but I feel cautious about sourcing books purely as accessories because it can lack a feeling of genuine ness that personal interior designs need. Also I noticed that some people have an aversion to the texture of velvet.. I think any mix of textures will add richness and history to the space, including textures on walls such as mixing brick and wood paneling, ceiling details, different paint sheens and more. This video really got me thinking. Had no idea I was so passionate about this style!

[@EPICSOUNDTRAX]

I have plans to make my second living room in dark academia style. I am thinking of even using black colour for my wainscotting walls, bricks, and black chalkboard, coffered ceiling + electric fireplace.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Love it!! My office is all black on black!

[@Divinestyler22]

Please don't paint the bricks! You would never see brick painted in old studies libraries etc. It completely destroys it because it's irreversible and the beautiful dark bricks fit in perfectly with the aesthetic, so does any natural wood. Painting brick and wood accents is actually the complete opposite of what this calls for, and is permanently destroying a houses natural beauty and history.

[@22tew93]

Always love watching you. You make design feel so approachable.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Awe thank you so much!!

[@lululestat]

Maximalist all the way I love it ❤️❤️❤️

[@AD-yk7mf]

I'm going through your series again because my home is ever evolving and I love your inspiration ❤ Two things: bobcat taxidermy I think is what you were thinking and here in Washington state there's alot of people who would be all for this trend. Actually they are beautiful and i would love to see one up close so i get it. I would also love some vintage butterfly mounted art. That could fit in the same category

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Oooo love the vintage butterfly idea!!! Thank you for the continued support!! ☺️

[@vickynay9863]

I am watching this video, and you mentioned taxidermy pieces? Pheasants and foxes go well with the theme.

[@mindfulmaximalism]

Ania, I love your enthusiasm, and your maximalism videos have been wonderful and inspiring. I want to make Garden Maximalism big in 2023 and beyond! 🌺🌼🌸💐💮

[@InteriorDesignHub]

ooo I love this!! Thank you for the kind words!

[@roxannegordon6162]

I would like to have seen the camera stay on a scene or another scene longer. You can talk and show the photo at the same time. More of that please. My college speech teacher gave us a demerit every time we said 'um' or 'you know'. I have a library in my home office. The most often asked question from people who see it is: "Have you read all these books?" Yes I have. 😊

[@FelicityFlow-ug2eq]

I now realise i have always been a maxilist style person 😂❤🎉!!!! Thankyou !

[@juliahelland6488]

Thanks for sharing! I ❣️ Dark Academia!

[@Clintboyd]

Great video and channel. Blessings to you.

[@blackhagalaz]

I love this look! I have started collecting antique furniture and now that all our broken down Ikea furniture is vanishing it starts to look so good! Thrift stores are great places To find special pieces, old paj ting, frames etc. Recently I found a pretty coop old copper carving for like 10 bucks. I do paint my own anatomical art and make sculptures so they go on the wall, but I also got some of those really cool pieces by the artist Lauren Marx. Those are a bit morbid and beautifully done naturalistic pieces. Also always good for dark academia are Plants. Tons of plants! Especially exotic ones like Orchids. All kinds of terrariums and old bird cages also work really well, especially if you like to go the "dark botanist/zoologist" route. A must I think for every dark academia space is a cabinet of curiosities filled with little nicknacks, no matter how small. You can display rare books and drawings, exotic vases, shells and corals, sculls and specimens and taxidermies (I prefer fake or ethically sourced/second hand), or just flault out odd objects. Another thing I'd really like to purchase one day is some Tiffany lamps. Some of those old pieces are so luxurious and colorful. Maybe I come by one one day :D

[@geraldsmith7240]

Beautiful, And Brilliant!🌹🧶🪨⌛️🕰🕯🖼🔱🔆🌀🗜

[@reneecarter6702]

Oh my dream house 🤎💚🖤

[@michelleguthrie7237]

All that green velvet! 😍🥰😘

[@BelindaTN]

I grew up way back when, with dark wood paneled walls, trim and furniture. And I did not like it. Always wanted a light and airy kind of space. But now I am finding that ai am drawn to the darker and cozy vibe that I am seeing. I keep asking myself why that is. And I think the secret to making a darker color pallet cozy and attractive is the lighting. The lighting makes all the difference. Dark colors just soaks up lighting. Unlike light colors that reflect lighting. So I think finding the correct kind of lighting for the darker colors makes the difference for me.

[@dgr4277]

wow, i adore this style

[@gabimala3644]

Thanks from Germany for the Information, now i have a name for my style. My Kitchen Cabinets i have painted in a dark green, my bedroom is in a dark blue with honey colored wood and my sittingroom is going to be burgundy red with pink Sofas and i love old Paintings and books. I like to watch your channel.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

That sounds awesome!!! Thank you for watching

[@TheMaiah13]

We would love to see it!

[@m.dinfinix2043]

I second that

[@TheDowntownHermit-xj6rq]

Marble is good, Also granite, sandstone. Textiles velvet, silk, wool, heavy natural fabrics. Learher, Horse hair (Usually antique upholstery). Layered lightning desk lamps, reading floor lamps, wall sconces. Hour glasses, astrolabs, antique telescope near a window, book stands, floor to ceiling book shelves with a ladder for bonus points. Interesting things hanging from the ceilings. Ceilings are terribly neglected. I could go on and on.

[@maevaasare9015]

Oooo I loved this aesthetic... 🤔

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

I'm doing dark green in my bedroom, as its soothing

[@kerynl.sanchez9891]

Love your channel, thank you for the ideas, I’m redecorating my space and want nothing white and plain! Seems like every house in LA has that white everything vibe or minimalist look, I’d like the opposite for a change.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Your very welcome! Thank you for watching! 😊💛

[@abbeygallepersonal]

I'm dying to go and arrange all of your books by size and color

[@InteriorDesignHub]

There in alphabetical order 😁👍

[@lorettacollins4788]

A good book for a dark academia style would be a big, thesaurus opened up to the page of synonyms for "embrace."

[@flowerpower3618]

There is also light academia for those that can’t stand feeling closed in and become depressed from lack of light.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Video idea perhaps 😊

[@Pinkguming]

This is my first video bcuz this dark academia is right up my alley!! I like your videos and I am excited to subscribe! So happy I found you!! ☺️💖😊

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Awe thank you so much! Love hearing that! I have a bunch of videos on Maximalism that you might find enjoyable. Check out the playlist :)

[@jennyh8392]

Oh gosh I just watched one of your other videos and I am now hooked!

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Awe thank you so much! I love hearing stuff like this.

[@aceoffice776]

Nice job Ma'am.

[@Karenseiley]

Lol I remember dark academia when it was popular on the tumbler lol 😆 🤣 😂 it was WILD

[@kirsteneasdale5707]

OMG I had no idea that our naturally evolved decorating style was now ‘a thing’ lol! I hate it when stuff I love becomes fashionable lol!

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Love this comment! 😀 I've been there, thought I created something so unique and then it's everywhere

[@luvmalynn]

I couldn’t agree more! 😕

[@toosense]

Me too because now others are competing in buying the antiques and art work and it’s driving up the price! 😢

[@amberknemett1165]

Thanks very much. You've given me a lot of food for thought..as I begin to redecorate my studio. Love and peace to you 💕 from Ontario Canada

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Awe thank you for the kind words!! I'm glad that you enjoyed the video 😊

[@archiearcturus7378]

The Bombay Company had all the antique reproduction dark mahogany furniture and accessories to pull off this look and they fell out of fashion and the company tanked.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

I remember that company. To bad they didn't Pivot with the times.

[@kerrytakashi12]

I used to love Bombay company. They had great stores filled with their stuff top to bottom. It is really hard to find some of their nicer furniture pieces for sale second hand. It indicates to me that everyone who bought from them are still using those pieces.

[@_shundo_1407]

Yes my entire collection of medical encyclopedia miniatures that are bound in red leather lol love and read them lol do frequent the very sustainable marshals, and stores alike which can get you so many blank leather bound journals which for $3-&5 can definitely get you a collection over time lol but so hard to stay in one design space lol now the steam punk video of design is giving me life lol and like go full out lol 😆

[@fraurosenthal2958]

My Ding room is somewhat dark academia with an antique gallery wall, brass candlesticks and a chandelier

[@InteriorDesignHub]

ooo sounds awesome!!!

[@traceygartrell3419]

Thank you for your inspiration

[@InteriorDesignHub]

You are so welcome!

[@geraldsmith7240]

You Are The Best, After Myself.🎥

[@robertg.arbuckle6838]

First thing I do is paint a bunch of paintings, and while I do I have several of my friends paintings that I hang where I will have mine. I steal people's techniques too. When I look at a friend's painting for three months I find out how they did it. Mine are always different..

[@FemaleVillageElder]

Plants! Mirrors!

[@shellohween]

Great video! This is exactly our overall style. I just uploaded a Halloween home tour of our “enchanted cabin” our main living room definitely fits this decor theme. 🖤✨🖤

[@rautainenmuija6978]

Can you do a video about gothic interior?😍😍

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Ooo yes on my list!!

[@JesstheEmpress]

Thank you!

[@InteriorDesignHub]

You're welcome!

[@fraurosenthal2958]

Can you so the old Hollywood glam Design Style?

[@InteriorDesignHub]

I have this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6S2gGl5hZmghas It's a little old... I might need to do a new one 😁

[@grinningdarling]

Also, would you consider design interior that can accommodate various interior deisgns in one house, just different designs in each rooms

[@InteriorDesignHub]

The most important part of design is to do what you love.

[@annaolsson2591]

Is there something like bright academia look? Asking for my aunt

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Yes check out this video on Light Academia 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4POhaxprah1nKs

[@eileenirvin3010]

Just subscribed....I'm Canadian too....could tell by the way you say "about"...lol.... looking forward to catching up on all your videos....what part of Canada are you from....I'm in Ontario.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Lol...always the tell I'm in southern Ontario :) Thank you for the sub! And for watching!

[@lonnekehonders7502]

Love this 🥰

[@druidriley3163]

Love the look, but alas, I live in a 1930s sunny bright shabby chic cottage. No real way to turn one into an antechamber at Oxford without it looking odd and out of place in the rest of the cottage. Will have to go with a a Light Academia vibe in a room.

[@annfinke5365]

I have been looking at a number of vids for DA and while there is nothing wrong with this video, I feel like everyone is using the same photos to describe the aesthetic. I don't live in a Harry Potter house and I am only looking for decorating tips for Halloween and I think by now, I've got the jist of what I need to do. Would be nice to see someone actually doing this for Halloween (a party, gathering, whatever). I have enough tarnished brass, books with gold leaf on the bindings, and 'natural' curios/decor items to set up my house. Doesn't have to be for year round.

[@matthewthomasjames]

Is Light Academia Academia a thing? I have all the decor of Dark Academia except for the white walls which I prefer to keep the living room from being too dark.

[@InteriorDesignHub]

I did a video on light Academia! You'll probably love it!

[@InteriorDesignHub]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4POhaxprah1nKs

[@matthewthomasjames]

@@InteriorDesignHub Thank you. I need to scour your channel more thoroughly. In the meantime I have managed to find something called Romantic Academia, but the color palette used is too bright for my taste.

[@ioan_jivan]

It's so cozy I want to hide from the world and scheme my plan for 2 hours.

[@apt221bbakerst]

The words you were looking for is "gentlemen club", " English gentleman library " or "smoking lounge".

[@williamerickson520]

I got the books and the color scheme (sort of) just on a budget. Is discount dark academia a thing?

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Try thrift stores and vintage shops. You can for sure do dark academia on a budget...but will require some searching..mmwhich I think is the fun part!!

[@papatinpan]

if you are wanting to do a little crafting, you can buy several cheap items & combine into one piece and paint it to your pallete, I do this all the time. "Oh hey the top of this side desk is wonderful, but the base is bluh & over here is a table with beautiful legs but base & table top is gawdy....."

[@IrizarryRegenerativeFarm]

Black bear rug 😈

[@pammoody3891]

Wonderful pics, less words please. Thank you for listening

[@InteriorDesignHub]

No.

[@m.dinfinix2043]

Wtf!!

[@Jason_not_dead_Todd]

My grandma sent me this video

[@ALangston35]

my style to a T

[@sarayoung3371]

❤

[@BrunoKalix]

LOVED this video. I am thoroughly enjoying your content. Well done! I would just like to challenge you to stop saying “like”. (Count how many times you say it.) It is a useless filler word. Otherwise, keep up the good job!

[@InteriorDesignHub]

Thank you. And noted... 😁

[@geraldsmith7240]

Rugs/Old East India

[@matthewspoon9671]

Gentleman's club

[@mps9649]

"I have many leatherbound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany"

[@justlanchen]

I noticed a lot of your photos are black on black interiors and I must tell you, dark academia wasn’t intended to be black on black. The aesthetic is based on the interior design from the book “The secret history by Donna Tartt” I actually made a video on this to explain better. I blame big companies like architectural digest, Hgtv and more, who keep posting videos / blogs with black on black rooms saying it’s dark academia which continues to circulate the wrong information. Anyways, I know you didn’t ask but I just wanted to let you know because I realize a lot of people don’t know and I’m trying to be the person that saves the bare bones of this aesthetic before it’s lost to the abyss of the internet

[@Hili24pur]

Looks interesting but Having Dead Animals sucks , not cool

[@artofnikolettafarkas]

I've doing this all my life but it didn't have a name.

[@realafricanvideos]

Don't think it includes dark walls etc. This has been a misinterpreted from the original.

[@nskilives]

A stuffed quail

[@laurasix730]

Jaguar

[@layladee1013]

I didn’t know there was a name for my taste in design. While I did complete my tertiary education, my Palestinian roots are the reason for my style- not “hog warts”. It’s not a trend, it’s my person preference especially living and traveling Palestine, Egypt and Greece- Jordan not so much of an influence on my style I must say.

[@jessicapinto3817]

Everytime you say Acadamia *grabs a macadamia nut

[@InteriorDesignHub]

🤣

[@MrsBeeHaven]

I disagree this got started on Pinterest years ago I’ve got an old board over there on it

[@AJohnson0325]

I think a lot of the trendy interior decorating styles are too cluttered and look like the person is trying too hard. I think it’s odd that my style has a name now.

[@marshamunger6004]

This isn't a 'trend'.

[@unistudent4002]

It’s an ✨ aesthetic ✨.

[@lino1555]

It is so unpleasant to the eye

[@vaslav030547]

Style is not designed (like a Harry Potter theme). Style you either have or you don't. This lass has some concept ( that is possibly school orientated) but what is the point of all those books? How many of them have you actually read? Looking knowledgeable and being knowledgeable are two totally different things. If a guest takes a book from the shelf that they know about and ask your opinion??? You might be aesthetically artistic, but you are going to look stupid. (Trash the books idea, unless you are Oscar Wilde),

[@sej9231]

To much talking. Boring