Flooring and Furniture

Trending: Dark wood flooring and furniture

As the desire for dark wood re-emerges, let's explore the trend that keeps coming back into style and discover how to dress a home with dark wood furniture.

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The wooden furniture trend is one which will never go out of style.


Lately, the interior world has seen a domination of dark wood furniture – a far cry from the light and rustic display of pale timbers which recently saw a sudden boom in popularity.


In this article, I'll share with you how best to introduce dark woods into the home – from furniture and flooring to complimentary colour schemes.

Do dark wood furniture


From rich mahogany shades to dark oak, warm walnut or the almost black tones of ebony, there are endless tints of dark wood to choose from when picking out pieces for your home.


Whether you want to create a cosy look or a slightly moody and cool atmosphere, dark wood has the potential to look elegant anywhere whilst offering character and an old-time charm to any room.


Keep your space streamlined with matching sets or the same shaded wood throughout the room. For example, a coordinated dark wood coffee table, sideboard and TV unit in the living room, will draw the eye, giving the room a seamless flow.


Or create a focal point with your furniture - a dark wood dining table and matching chairs would make an attractive centrepiece in any dining room.


Use dark wood to give your bedroom a luxurious look. Pair a dark wood wardrobe with a dark wood bedside table and bed frame to create a lavish retreat.


When it comes to incorporating dark wood into your space, there's no need to stick to matching pieces. Consider opting for a more unique approach by selecting items in different tones or embracing reclaimed wood. This way, you can infuse your space with a distinct rustic charm and create an eclectic vibe that truly stands out.

Mango Lounge Coffee Table with Drawer

Kea Coffee Table

Let dark walls dominate


Create a dramatic backdrop for your dark wood furniture by painting the walls in dark, saturated shades.


Make it moody with some deep blues, gloomy greens or shadowy greys and use matte paint rather than glossy options to keep it looking intense.


To add a touch of glamour, choose deep jewel-inspired tones, such as a stunning sapphire, striking emerald green or a rich ruby shade.


Pair with a few carefully chosen metallic accessories to lift the room if it looks a little too dark. Reflective elements, such as gold framed mirrors will help it look lighter and adds an air of extravagance.

Dark wood flooring


Dark hard wood flooring has always been a beautiful staple in any traditional home.


Reminiscent of old-style period properties, wooden flooring holds a nostalgic quality, which makes for a warm, homely feature.


There are so many fantastic options when it comes to wooden flooring.


From traditional dark oak floors to eye-catching herringbone style or the sleek and modern designs of parquet flooring.


As well as its durable qualities, hard wood floor is also massively versatile and goes with just about any colour scheme.


Match it with your moody and dark décor or create an elegant contrast with light walls and pale furniture.

Heartwood Laminate

Read our article, Engineered Wood Flooring Guide for more guidance.

Devon 2 Seater Sofa

Pair dark furniture with pale décor


If you're not a fan of dark décor, consider crafting a captivating contrast by opting for light-colored walls.


Let your dark furniture or flooring shine against a backdrop of whites, creams, or pale greys. To enhance this striking visual, coordinate with light-colored furnishings like curtains and rugs.


For an extra touch, introduce an accent item, perhaps a sofa, in light or pastel colours. This will not only complement the dark wood but also add a vivid visual interest to your space.


I'd suggest looking for a delicate grey, soft lilac, pale blue or blush pink.

Add texture


Break up a dark wooded room with some soft elements and plush furnishings, such as a shaggy rug and soft cushions.


Adding different textures will add depth and warm to the room, giving it an inviting and cosy appeal. 


Complement a dark oak dining table with beautifully upholstered chairs for an elegant look that’s both homely and stylish, or adorn a sofa with a chunky throw and cushions of different fabrics and prints for a quirky look.


Finish with a few homely accessories such as plants and handy wicker baskets.

Shoreditch 3 Seater

I hope thisarticle has given you some great tips for giving your home some love with dark wood.

Find more wooden trend inspiration on our Inspiration Hub.

Victoria Foster

Written by:

Stylist & Visual Merchandiser

at ScS

12th July 2023

Victoria is a stylist and merchandiser based at our in-house photo studio. Having been part of the ScS family since 2012, Victoria styles stunning home sets with the latest trends to showcase newly launched ScS products. With over 25 years of experience in styling and merchandising, she loves to keep an eye on the latest trends in the interior landscape. Victoria's favourite interior scheme is the Boho trend and loves to layer a mixture of different textures in her home. Her styling top tip is to always create a focal point in a room. Whether it’s a feature wall, a piece of artwork, or a bright patterned rug, having a focal point can help to drive the decisions on the rest of the rooms layout.