Our Favorite Moody Paint Colors

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It’s no secret that here at The Rural Legend, we love our dark, rich paint colors. Our home is filled with moody, dramatic shades that range from maroon to deep blue, and even the richest black-plum. For our most recent room makeover, we didn’t hold back on choosing the deepest, darkest green we could find! Unfortunately, this room is at my parents’ house, so we only get to enjoy our newest color obsession when we visit! That is, until we decide to add this color to our own home!

moody paint colors

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dark green wall

rug link

Meet Ripe Olive from Sherwin Williams

In our opinion, Ripe Olive is the most perfect shade of dark green. It doesn’t pull other tones like blue or gray; its pure green hue just pulls you into a cozy hug and makes you feel so warm! To make this room feel even more luxurious, we opted for a matte sheen, and the walls, doors, and trim give the illusion of velvet.

maroon color for guest room

See ALL of the paint colors in our home HERE!

Why Choose a Dark Moody Color for Your Space?

It might seem counterintuitive to choose dark paint colors for smaller spaces, but a rich, moody color can actually help a room feel larger! Moody colors offer drama and sophistication, but I know they can feel a bit intimidating. When we tried six samples of dark green paint in my parents’ guest room, my dad was adamant he didn’t want the room to feel “too dark.” Like many, he feared it would feel too closed in and small.

dark blue and white for dinning area

When the room was completely painted, my dad stepped back and said, “I never should have doubted you.” This single-windowed space feels anything but closed in—it feels open and grand!

retouch paint job

For more tips on how to make a small space feel larger, don’t miss this post!

moody paint colors

7 Moody Paint Colors to Add to Your Home Now

Since we get asked about our house colors all the time, I thought it’d be fun to share our favorite moody tones that we absolutely love and would choose again and again. With Dark Academia trending in home design, these rich, luxe paint colors will elevate any space and create a sophisticated vibe.

1. Darkroom – Sherwin Williams

Depending on the light, this deep plum tone can look black or brown. It feels warm and rich, like dark fall fruit, and it works so well in our cottage-inspired powder room!

dark brown color

shop our powder room

2. Nocturnal Gray – Benjamin Moore

This paint color is without a doubt the most asked about in our home. Nocturnal Gray is a chameleon color that changes from room to room. In our dining room, it reads deep blue-green, but in the right light, it looks more blue-gray. It feels bold without being too bright and pairs beautifully with antique brass!

blue gray for dinning area

shop our dining room

3. Dark Auburn – Sherwin Williams

The newest addition to our home, Dark Auburn, felt like a bold risk when we added it to our Parlour since we hadn’t tried a red tone before! This shade is the epitome of Dark Academia, and deep maroons like this have been trending in 2024. It’s warm and inviting and helps dark oak wood tones pop!

deep maroon

shop our parlour

4. Ocean Swell – Behr

Ocean Swell was the very first moody paint color we chose for our home. My husband selected it for his home office—a small basement room. The deep blue-green shade resembles dark water and pairs perfectly with rust and black tones.

olive green paint for office

shop the office

5. Blue 07 – LICK

This rich, deep blue pulls a little green and was a stunning addition to our main lounge area in the basement. While blue can feel cool, this moody shade creates a cozy atmosphere perfect for movie nights.

shop the basement lounge

6. Jasper – Sherwin Williams

Another favorite dark green is Jasper. It’s a bit lighter than Ripe Olive but is still a true green that doesn’t shift in different lighting. We used it in our small primary bathroom, and it looks incredible!

rest room for guest

shop the bathroom

7. Ripe Olive – Sherwin Williams

Our all-time favorite, Ripe Olive, is a rich, old English green that evokes the feeling of a European estate. It pairs beautifully with rust, salmon, and dusty blue, and we can’t wait to reveal how it transformed my parents’ guest room!

bedroom

fandelier link

What Paint Sheen Should I Choose With Dark Moody Colors?

Paint sheen is a personal preference, but I’m a huge fan of matte finishes for dark colors. Satin or eggshell can help bounce light, but with dark shades, I prefer the cozy, luxurious feel of a matte finish. Let mirrors and metallic accents add brightness to the space!

faucet area for guest

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xoxo, L