HOW TO DECORATE DARK ACADEMIA STYLE - moody made easy! 🖤

hey hello! In today's video, we're doing a deep dive into the Dark Academia decorating style, with lots of easy tips on how to get this cozy dark look in your home! Be sure to check out my video about LIGHT ACADEMIA, too! • HOW TO DECORATE LIGHT ...
This moody style has been really growing in popularity, especially online, with the hashtag #darkacademia having over 5 billion views on TikTok alone at the time of publishing this video. It's also one of the most popular articles on my website right now (article linked below), so I figured now was a good time to make a video for you!
Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoy! And if there are any other styles you'd like a deep dive on, let me know in the comments!
📖 Prefer reading? Check out my blog post about decorating Dark Academia Style right here: poshpennies.com/how-to-decora...
❤️ Favorite Dark Academia products in my Amazon Store: amzn.to/44RZFUA - be sure to save this link since I update my favorites regularly!
🛍️ PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
Flameless flickering candles: shopstyle.it/l/b1mTo
Fire extinguisher spray: shopstyle.it/l/b1mR9
I make a small commission from sales through these links. Thanks for the support!!!😍
For more great DA videos, check out the following:
‪@suzieandersonhome‬ 's video: • HOW TO Decorate DARK A...
‪@SheHoldsDearly‬ 's video: • How to Use the NEW Dar...
‪@dantierandbalogh‬ 's video: • How to give your home:...
🎶 Music:
Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
POSH PENNIES ON THE INTERWEBZ !
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♥ Vivien

[@nathanharrielson7289]

I’m a guy and never thought about design once in my life until I saw this video, and this decor style spoke so loudly to me I’ve decided to actually get serious about decor

[@grettalemabouchou6779]

Way to go!

[@226justt3]

Yeahh 🎉

[@bals1036]

I think that interior decor really define a person

[@novamatter3432]

@@bals1036 Define, no. Represent, yes. I could write a paper as to why, however I won't lol.

[@Marc-craM97]

Welcome to the club 😁

[@nessavee2205]

I love that this style is both very masculine and feminine at the same time if done purposely. Classic, timeless, comforting, rich and beautiful.

[@MarqueWitts1987]

Oh please, this use to be typical tom(my) boy or bachelor pad homes. Women use to hate it...hence how man caves came about sith women reducing a man to a single room that he fashioned himself.

[@bneexotics2120]

Dude this is the style ive been looking for in my house. Like the other bloke said ive never thought about interior design in my life, but this video popped up on my feed and its exactly how i want my house to look. Cheers for the ideas 👍

[@gypsylizardqueen8572]

Just leave out LED lighting it’s so bad for humans and animals :(

[@ExLibris-Alys]

My absolute favourite style. I’ve been doing it for years (yes, I’m getting old) and will never tire of it. This was an excellent video, thank you.

[@sirenelectric143]

I just painted my room a dark green (What I wanted was a green that reminded me of ivy growing in the shadows). I first painted my room a light robins blue when I first moved into my house, that was over 4years ago. I was so nervous because it was a really big difference. I felt like I grew and changed so much emotionally since moving into the house. As I was painting it sort of hit me that painting the room really felt like i was transitioning from the person I was to stepping into who I really was now. I struggled a lot with my mental health for like 10years, thankfully I feel so much more aware and confident in who I am now. The blue for me felt like I was at that time pretending to be really light and cheerful, the dark green just felt more cozy, grounded and just really sure in my decisions as a person. All this to say, color in a room can really have an impact on emotions or reflect how you feel. Sometimes if you choose to make a change you may be pleasantly surprised to realize how much you have grown as a person 😊

[@LouciferFlump]

Good for you. I actually think blue rooms make for a blue mood. I’ve had blue in rooms before (sometimes light shades, other times dark) and they made me feel sad. Now my rooms are one aubergine, one dark green, one dark grey, one black&cream tiles, one jet black…and I feel so happy with all of them.

[@toosense]

Once you start standing up for yourself and valuing your own health and peace of mind over bad experiences and/or manipulative people your mental health issues will go away. ❤ Your room sounds awesome. 😊

[@joanvoss7512]

I painted my basement floor black and the whole experience changed my life as it's unfinished but led to more changes. I put up large black velvet material over the hideous cinder block walls and guttering. Best thing ever. Then I took a loveseat from an upstairs unused room and a couple of chairs from another. I purchased a couple of lamps and small tables from a thrift store to complete the project. This is no longer a crappy basement! I descend the stairs and do all my writing without any disturbances.

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

​@@LouciferFlump Blue definitely affects me in this way. I have blue in only one room in the house (minor accents) and a few gift figurines in the China cabinet that were gifted to me. I like to wear blue, but I don’t like to look at it much. Like you I like dark colours-the only light colored walls in the house are in the kitchen and halls (matches) and the same colour in a downstairs loo without a window looks dark. The rest are Potter’s Clay (bedrooms, as it is very restful, and office)-a sort of taupe grey-, a chocolate living room, and a deep salmon color in the dining room. I’d feel irritable in a blue room/house.

[@abbey428]

I moved into a home with the living area painted bile yellow. For years, I lived with it for lack of cash to change the color. I started feeling anxious in late 2021 from being in that awful colored room so much. I chose dark green as well. It goes beautifully with my dark oak woodwork! Such a cozy change! I'm not a fan of blue, either. I really want something different for my bedroom, maybe a deep teal instead of blue. Jewel tones are just gorgeous! Enjoy your relaxing green room!

[@sirbimsaranadirangaalmedaa403]

Dark Academia is one of my favourites, it gives me a vivid feeling of an elite lifestyle. Thank you for the video.

[@evelynmueller6523]

Love this look for a whisky cigar home lounge....on the bucket list for sure.

[@princesslithium]

Living rooms, sleeping rooms, libraries, etc. are easy enough. PLEASE do a follow up video including the difficult parts, that being kitchens and lavatories. I really can imagine how to include this "Dark Academia" esthetic to a shower for example.

[@Protected_1]

I’m looking for ideas for the same thing- renovating my entire house in dark academia style

[@noaaa7]

Dark tiles with bronze or aged gold faucets!

[@robertgarfield-ford2261]

Harry Potter films are good for DA bathroom inspiration.

[@Teverell]

@@noaaa7I came here to say exactly this!! Dark tiling and woodwork, antique style taps, brass, bronze or antique gold metal. If it's a powder room/cloakroom (i.e. just has a toilet and sink), maybe a wallpaper on the walls. Panelling. A framed print or something (in a traditional style rather than a modern piece of art). A nice mirror. Yes, I'm trying to gather ideas to redecorate the downstairs cloakroom in my house. :D

[@MrsPaulaTorres]

Thank you for naming our style 😍 after years of calling it gothic THIS makes perfect sense. Our home is painted mostly limousine black and charcoal locust gray but weo love a wall of guitars, book cases and bright gemstone paces and my gemstone specimens + the leather chesterfield. For years I literally Cried over having white walls in our initial rentals, now painting the house black feels so good. Dark is relaxing and accentuating the stuff we have and display while white is reflective and so cognitively exhausting. Especially in Miami where we always have blazing sun ☀️ too much light causes anger and psychosis. That’s why Starbucks Dark and darker feels so soy, cozy and nice.

[@jacquibrookes8257]

Agree, same here is Australia

[@DavidGonzalez-mc4ul]

The only video on this style I found to be informative, useful and engaging. Now I would be so pleased so watch something similar on LIGHT academia style! 🙏 There's almost nothing here on KZbin!

[@zeerobles4496]

Love, love, love this style of decor! Also love the way you presented this. 😊

[@cd2659]

You are spot on once again! You chose the most beautiful dark academia photos!

[@user-zy4ql7rs7h]

I just fell in love with that purple velvet sofa!!!! I need it!!!

[@Horselady65]

Beautiful! I live in a small home and have no room to do this in but I’m going to ask my husband and son to build me a library just for this decor and a room I can go to and relax and unwind. ❤

[@TheSlickmicks]

Dark Academia has always been my favorite style. Ever since I was a kid.

[@heatherinparis]

Until today I'd never heard of the light academia style but it looks every bit as beautiful as dark academia. Would you consider doing a similar video showcasing how to accomplish light academia? Everything in this video is so beautiful. Totally love Dark Academia.

[@Swan.princess]

Exactly like dark academia but in light colors, no?

[@vaderladyl]

I always knew about this style, which was just called scholastic or plain Academia or even called Old World aesthetic. The monikers dark or light are new, thanks to Instagram and social media. Academia or light Academia can be executed by doing the exact same thing and using the same colors and items as Dark but incorporating contrast with lighter items and using lighter wall colors or a combination of dark and light.

[@vaderladyl]

@@Swan.princessYes exactly the same.

[@rneustel388]

I would love to see a video on the light academia, too.

[@629Justme]

What I knew as decorating with earth tones in mind, is now dark academia. Ok. We tend to call things by different names just that I NEVER thought it as depressing or downing, just calming and peaceful. I bet that's why the color pallets are used in studious settings. IMHO, the white bright "active and energetic" palette is a bit too much for me. I want to take it easy sometimes and every room in a white palette is like taking speed all day. For me.😊

[@suzieandersonhome]

Hi Vivien! A very engaging and informative video. Thank you for linking to our video in your description as well. Lovely to find your channel xx Suzie

[@deadlynightshade1658]

I absolutely love dark academia! 🖤 It goes so well with my interest in poetry, art and history

[@paulidevoss7249]

This video is so timely! I’m just trying this look in my Study with a deep dark green and excited to see how it comes out. I love the Dark Academia look, and your video reminded of the beautiful book by Japanese author Jun'ichirō Tanizaki “In Praise of Shadows” a gorgeous reflection on Japanese aesthetics written in 1933. Thanks again for some great insights

[@carolinemurray7648]

Love the look of dark academia but don’t think it would be livable for me for too long but could live with light academia a lot longer - thank you!

[@juliefette4130]

I absolutely love this look! Just gorgeous, warm and cozy. All of the books, candles, etc are fabulous!

[@jamesweaver5068]

Building a two story “micro house” with a gothic feel, thank you for the video, it gave me to courage to go dark n cozy!🙏 thank you!!

[@luciparadise6781]

I'd love to have my bedroom redone in rich jewel tones and moody atmosphere. A faux fire place would be awesome to add as well. 😃

[@iselldreams]

I love the academic looks and Boho so I made my living room boho academia :) it looks great with ornate bookshelves and random old worldly things like an abacus. Patterns by Emma J. Shipley etc.. It ties the room together well. I haven't seen boho academia done by anyone yet I may have started a new look 😂

[@Swan.princess]

Yeah boho and academia are pretty far away from each other. Not Sure how you managed to combine them

[@Swan.princess]

I just hope you didn’t end up with very cheap looking academia 😂

[@iselldreams]

@@Swan.princess it's all good. I love it. my husband on the other hand hates it (he is a minimalist who believes everything should be grey. He calls it "Harry Potter on acid" Most people love it. I spent a lot of time in Venice and Africa it shows in the way I think of colour and art.

[@vaderladyl]

Actually true Boho is closer to Academia, as both are about mixing styles and decor or being eclectic, adding vintage stuff. New Boho is just one branch, made popular by Instagram, but not the only Boho or even the real thing. Boho is not neutral colors and everything rattan only.

[@KatSchlitz]

Love this, dark acedimia plus boho is indeed old Africa! I visit parts of Africa often and it completely fits this description, even without books in the less developed places. Africa has both gorgeous dark woods, dark spaces to lessen heat, and also lots of pattern, and it is gorgeous. @@iselldreams

[@sw3604]

I love this style. It's very similar to the industrial chic + art deco Ive chosen to go with. I'd love to see you do a video on art deco!

[@BrunoKalix]

I long for your videos, Viv! I find Dark Macadamia 😂 so interesting and rich. I’ve done a powder room in this style, but would be afraid to go all the way in my sitting room. Tell us more about Light Academia, please.

[@kathysimpson3249]

I always look forward to your videos! Love this one on dark Academia. The room with the giant tree mural adds incredible depth perspective (what intense commitment!🤩)

[@flyhunnies8922]

I've been doing this for a couple of years. Very funny that it's just catching on now. Kids who grew up on Harry Potter and obsessions with libraries are on the up and up!

[@luperodela9668]

This style would be great in a den/tv, dark n cozy! 😍

[@steves9905]

thx for pulling together my favorite style, although i always called it 'club'. I would have to have some color contrasts...the monochromatic look to me is claustrophobic and a little menacing. a bunch of darker colors, and natural wood, make me happy...4:01. I once lived in a house that had dark red walls in the liv and din rooms, with a lot of gold hanging and some crazy green chairs...it was super dramatic and welcoming.

[@shortsweettoo]

Absolutely loved your video. This is a style that keeps returning generation after generation. Thanks for your solid tips on achieving this look.

[@AJohnson0325]

House of Antique Hardware has the picture rails, hooks, and other things like doorknobs, hinges, etc in various styles including victorian. They also have the older push button style light switches for a more old fashioned look if you’re into that.

[@rosehill1595]

Oh picture rails, yes, please. Although they are difficult to impossible to use in smaller spaces or a skimpy corner. The devil is in the details - the proper hardware makes a huge difference. I came up with a hack for a narrow wall flanked by a closet and a door - picked up two decorative black wrought iron pieces at a thrift store that will work great to hang a few pictures from, in different heights. The second piece I will use to hang herbs to dry from my garden - again using different heights and both pretty ribbon or kitchen cord/colorful baking twine.

[@michelleokonda8947]

I've been falling in love with dark academia lately.. This video just helps me figure out how best to decorate my interior spaces

[@XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXXxXxxccx]

Omg! I Luv the Dark and I love subdued dark rooms…so peaceful

[@HeronCoyote1234]

3:39. The living room with the deep green sofa: 😮whoa, I’m in love!!! My jaw literally hit my chest!

[@LouciferFlump]

All these intensely coloured rooms look amazing. I’m tired of white rooms - they haunt me with their ghostly white-ness👻 I painted my living room entirely jet black a couple of years ago…walls, ceiling, woodwork, wooden frame windows…there’s so much depth to it and every piece of furniture, plant and ornament is set off wonderfully. There’s nothing more cosy🖤

[@sfdennis1]

7:47 THAT'S pretty much my dream living room. Gorgeous!

[@jasonbridges111]

You are absolutely amazing. You explain this so well. This style is what I have always loved and never new it even had a name. I am a guy who should have no authority what so ever in decor decision making. Now I know how to explain what I a want to someone.

[@PoshPennies]

design is for everyone ♥

[@utb15281]

"Dude, that rug really tied the room together." The Big Lebowski. Kidding. Great video. :)

[@Patrick-kt5mc]

What an intriguing concept! You really seem to have a lot of space to pull this style off effectively, especially with all the bookshelves. I'm trying to incorporate some elements of Dark Academia in my small house so this video is really an inspiration!

[@DimiArhontidis]

This was so inspirational! Just what I needed for my office inspiration! On to my dark macadamia adventure!

[@myles_smith]

Love, love, love the Dark Academia style!

[@merrimcarthur7198]

Holy Cow!!! Thank you for this breakdown. The idea of "dark academia" has only been crossing my radar lately....and now I find out that my home is saturated with it! Indeed, I've always decorated like this! The only thing I cannot do is paint the walls (rented apartment). I've always told myself that if ever I was to have a home/house of my own all the walls and ceilings would be dark, vibrant colours. Heck, even my sofa fits in! I bought it new 20 years ago...burgundy velvet damask. Now, it is vintage! Seriously, thank you for this video. Also, thank you for differentiating between Plaid and tartan. (also Canadian, from Scots grandparents...I take my tartans seriously). Again, thank you. 💖

[@HarmonyGraceElohim]

Thank you so much. I didn't know this style had a name. Such gorgeous images. I have always truly been so disturbed by white rooms and especially white ceilings. When the rest of the room might be beautifully done in color, a white ceiling makes the room look unfinished.

[@MartinWastlund]

I see the KZbin algorithm(s) have started to function well again (after, like, a decade). I've been delving more into architecture lately, and this sort of stuff is exactly what I want to see more of! :D

[@stephanieholderfield2475]

You Nailed IT!!! Wow! Stunning pictures examples. My favorite is the light academia style.

[@amydee9731]

YESSS!!! Thank you for giving me the name for what i have been creating in my head for my living room in my new home. I LOVE this style and your tips on putting it together.

[@alessandroferrari8281]

I await the 'LIGHT ACADEMIA' video! 😇

[@kateowens45]

I do too. Unfortunately the examples shown on KZbin involve lots of flowery chintz, Floods of thrifted junk no one uses, English roses everywhere and enough "romantic" kitsch to make you puke. Also, very few if any actual books.

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Love this. I am just doing a new home office in a new (to me) home. Great insights. Thank you.

[@KatSut1978]

Thank you for this. I’m creating a booth at an antique shop I manage. My inspiration is Dark Academia, Hygge and Cottagecore. This helps!!

[@billybob-dz6tu]

Great job ... lighting is huge to create the right ambiance in this style of room and it can't be understated. Vintage "colored stained-glass lamps" will make this type of room pop in the right way! However, they have to be scrutinized thoroughly before being placed in the space! Thank you for making this video! I should point out as well, that one can achieve this type of look with darker "natural" wood tones or by staining and do not have to go as dark as what is displayed in this video ... 5 to 15% lighter than what is displayed in this video is not a bad thing at all and will in my mind create a much more reasonable representation of Dark luxury.

[@jcriverside]

Loved this! Now, I'd like to see some spaces that are Dark Academia/Eclectic - professor married to an artist .. and they have cats & dogs on a permaculture farm.

[@stariadreamtea]

Yes!

[@olgadokou]

Glad you are back with another charming one, thank you ❤

[@alex9294]

Fun video, I have always loved this style, I didn't know it had a name. Great Job!

[@AntonioMagaia-Tri-Text]

Thank for this enlightening video. This is the decor I want for my study/man cave, just didn’t know what to call it. I used to say “opulent Italian classic” or “English gentlemen’s club style”. From now on, I’m following you.

[@Colleen-oc8tw]

Absolutely love your channel. Wish you posted much more frequently, I'm always looking forward to your next video.

[@SynchronicityScenario144]

I'm rolling on the floor with that Dark Macadamia bit. lol.

[@cocoaswann2095]

Thanks for this really great breakdown of the Dark Academia interior design style. This style really speaks to me, especially the mix of dark and light Academia. Beautiful!

[@martydar1]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I found your first video on types of sofas because I wanted the Chesterfield leather sofa and this video goes perfect with that. Thank you very much.

[@Magic_in_York]

What a fabulous video. Would love to see one on Light Academia - please do one soon!

[@luticino3094]

Love this!! ❤ This is just my style and you made a great video. I have just moved and super inspired to use both dark and light macadamias in different rooms.

[@NewJerseyRaver]

I have been imagining decorating my home just like this but never had the words to describe it!!!! Dark academia! Thank you so much!!!!!

[@aniruddhpatil2384]

Always loved this style ,new knew it had such a fan base and also that it has a term for it

[@LesterSuggs]

Wonderful video. Well researched, edited, and presented. You got your topic point across and I found pleasure in watching. Thank you so much for your time and thoughtfulness.

[@kimberlyrogers9953]

Thank you for this wonderful look at dark academia !

[@og6920]

Love this!! Just followed you on Pinterest and signed up for your newsletter! You rock!! I love the Dark Macadamia aesthetic! 😛

[@kathyorourke9273]

I have a big dark bedroom with some antiques, French sofa and bookcases. I love it sooo much. Thanks

[@twrex-13]

I've been looking for design ideas to really take my office to the next level - moving beyond the "it looks presentable for work" and into the realm of statement piece. I had never heard about this style before when KZbin served it up to me. I had been thinking "super villain" vibes, and this fits perfectly into that niche. Now I just have to figure out how to incorporate a large multi-monitor setup into it

[@FineArt137]

I’m definitely going for a dark academia theme when I move to my new place.

[@mahnazmoubarak7240]

I have one room darker than any part of my house didnt want to go totally dark but after seeing your clip i really liked it so will try to achieve that look thank you 😊 🙏🙏❤❤

[@AKAScooter]

Thank you so much for defining the style I was looking for. I have been on a weeklong look for this after trying to match the style that was used in the dishonored games. This is it, almost to a tee. I want to also ad some Lovecraftian landscape art to the aesthetic too.

[@luzchapa6999]

So informative and such a vibe❤

[@amorepsyche808]

Love it so much!! Thank you for explaining it so well..I hate white walls and super minimalist decor that is so much in trend now

[@drokhep5760]

Very informative as I am trying to decorate my office in the Dark Academia; Great ideas! Love the Dk Academia look; It makes me focus on my writing:)

[@melraine919]

Whoa 😮well done 👏🏼 Brilliant 🤩 demo and info 👍🏼 Thank you from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@rsnj4501]

Your photos of dark academia are beautiful… love this video 🧡

[@mattstevens8776]

They’re all AI generated and filled with visual glitches. Would have liked to have seen genuine pictures…

[@windycity92]

So glad i came across this video!! Im redoing my studio to dark academia - great tips, thank you!

[@sue2611]

My heart fluttered when you showed the Light Academia image. Please do a video on that style.

[@bart7309]

Thank you for this lovely video. Everything light and bright is what the majority of people choose. I personally love the darker color scheme. It's personal. But we all know that if you want a small room look bigger, paint it darker.

[@here5D]

Oooo this is Soo me! I did t know it had a name other than moody & cozy! Thank you 👽💞✨

[@HeronCoyote1234]

Thank you! Wow, I love this style! But, I’m a (cozy) minimalist, and I’d lighten up the mood a bit. About 1/3 up from dark to light academia. Excellent video!

[@purnadhara108]

just looking at doing a dark feature wall and struggling with ideas - many thanks! Post more videos!

[@manosk1705]

I loved this video. It helped me identify exactly what I was looking for ❤

[@Mary-fl2eq]

Thanks so much. I absolutely love the look and you showed how I just might be able to pull it off. Great video

[@brandonbassett4988]

I loved this video! I want to build a home around the dark academia/goth style inside and out. Thank you!

[@emmaturner6353]

Excellent video the best I have seen to date on this subject, thank you!

[@versus023]

Love this style! trying to make a room in this style in our new home!

[@44alwaysrightjlp]

Loved this video !! Love your ease of speaking and delivery of your information. I am a first time watcher and now a dedicated fan. ( I am 80 and still impresssed LOL.)

[@user-tw4jq4jd5l]

Perfect! My compliments.

[@alloyd]

This has given me so much inspiration! Thank you!

[@gailmarcum550]

Sooooo much great information! Great voice, rhythm, and style in presentation.

[@debclay2945]

This is a great and helpful video , I love this style for a library or a formal lounge.

[@awnzotheman]

Basically the Bruce Wayne look.

[@Drainage_Eli]

I’m a guy who loves the dark room look with the nice leather chairs where I can have a cigar and play guitar and have some books behind me that I most likely won’t read. That was a fantastic video and you have a new subscriber.

[@melissajohnson430]

This was an extremely helpful video. I’m about to complete my husband’s study in Dark Academia. I got so many ideas from you.

[@90-minutebookvideo77]

There are so many great ideas in this video!

[@katebemb8900]

Love this video , I'm converted now , it's so cosy

[@ladyday9999]

Thank you so much for this video. It’s given me even more great ideas for my future library/office. Greetings from the eternal city🇮🇹.

[@Simon-d8n]

Yea. Love this style. Yes