The Dark Academia style is one of the most fascinating trends of recent years. Inspired by classical academia, Gothic literature and the atmosphere of historical libraries, it is based on enveloping environments, deep colours and authentic materials. In this article we will discover how to furnish following this trend, enhancing dark wood and choosing the best paints and finishes to achieve an elegant and coherent result.
What is the Dark Academia style and why is it so popular
Born as an aesthetic and cultural movement in the late 2010s and early 2020s, Dark Academia owes its spread to social platforms such as Tumblr, Pinterest and TikTok. Although it is a recent phenomenon, its roots lie in the past, with influences related to classicism, gothic and academic imagery.
Historical and literary references:
- Neoclassicism and Romanticism: the cult of knowledge, melancholic beauty and the exaltation of art and literature were central themes in the 19th century. Writers such as Byron, Mary Shelley, Goethe and Oscar Wilde embodied the ideal of the bohemian and tormented intellectual;
- Gothic and decadent movements: the fascination with Gothic architecture, darkness and mystery has its roots in the Victorian era, with authors such as Edgar Allan Poe and Baudelaire exploring the darker side of the human intellect;
- historical universities: the Dark Academia is deeply linked to the imagery of universities in the Anglo-Saxon world such as Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard, which evoke a sense of exclusivity, tradition and ancient wisdom;
- books such as J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter saga (and the related film series), because of the atmosphere of Hogwarts, with its libraries and halls. Or the trilogy of fantasy novels that began with Evelyn Waugh’s Deadly Education. Or feature films such as Dead Poets Society , Wonder Boys and Kill Your Darlings. But the key work for Dark Academia is considered to be the novel God of Illusions by US writer Donna Tartt, set in a small college in Vermont.
As mentioned at the beginning, it is thanks to social platforms that this imagery has spread. Initially on Tumblr and Pinterest, and later on Instagram and TikTok, it caught on especially during the lockdown due to the Covid pandemic, when a section of the younger population regained an interest in books and study, idealising an academic world that often no longer exists.
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Wood in the Dark Academia style
Wood is the absolute protagonist of this style: not only as a material, but as a symbol of solidity, warmth and cosiness.
The most suitable woods are those with dark tones such as walnut, mahogany and oak, capable of giving rooms depth and timeless charm.
Among the furnishing elements most in line with this aesthetic are solid wood furniture in vintage style such as:
- vintage desks, perhaps with carved details;
- tall bookcases filled with leather-bound books;
- chests, desks and furniture with secret drawers;
- velvet armchairs and sofas;
- boiseries, to give depth to the room.
One can opt for authentic period furniture, vintage pieces found in flea markets, but also for cheaper replicas with antique finishes.
Recommended products to maintain the natural beauty of wood: Rio Verde’s RO 3000 Natural Effect Finish, which protects and enhances wood, giving the material a silky feel.
The perfect colours for the Dark Academia style
Walls and furniture should recall a palette of deep tones:
- the aforementioned dark wood;
- important reds such as burgundy, burgundy and burgundy for a sense of decadent luxury;
- deep greens such as forest green and bottle green to evoke ancient libraries;
- cream or antique beige for a balanced contrast;
- browns such as walnut and mahogany for a warm, classic touch;
- black for a gothic and dramatic effect.
For those who do not want to paint the walls: damask wallpaper or dark wood panels can be used to give added depth.
Recommended products for painting furniture and accessories:
- Rio Verde’s Evolution water-based enamel has several ready-made colours that are perfect for the Dark Academia style, such as Laurel, Graphite, Cocoa and Linen.
This is a high-performance product that can be used both indoors and outdoors on a variety of surfaces: wood, metal, glass, wall, plastic and ceramic. With high coverage, it does not require primer and is stain and scratch resistant; - the Amarena colour of Rio Verde’s Vintage Prestige range of textured effect paints. These are also high-coverage and can be used on various materials: wood, metal, glass, walls, plastic and fabric;
- To add a touch of precious light, Golden Prestige, a metallic effect paint, can be used to create refined contrasts that stand out on dark surfaces.
How to furnish your home in the Dark Academia style: practical tips
Soft, warm lighting
Some ideas for room lighting:
- table lamps with fabric shades;
- brass candelabra;
- library lamps with brass base and green shade (great classic);
- wall sconce with movable arm for a gothic look;
- possibly also scented candles.
In general: avoid cold, modern lights. Aim for warm, soft light bulbs instead.
Heavy fabrics and classic patterns
It is advisable to choose materials that give a sense of warmth and sophistication.
For example:
- velvet or brocade curtains for a theatrical atmosphere;
- Persian or oriental carpets to give depth to the space;
- cushions with damask or Scottish patterns;
- woolen plaids and soft blankets, ideal for rainy days spent reading.
Decorations that evoke classical intellectualism
Details play a key role in the Dark Academia aesthetic.
Some ideas:
- paintings and prints of classical or romantic works of art (from Caravaggio to Rembrandt, Böcklin to Goya);
- hourglasses, terrestrial globes and old maps;
- plaster busts;
- old grandfather clocks;
- handwriting kits with inkwells, ink bottles and sealing wax;
- quotations on walls or slate blackboards;
- yellowed notebooks and leather notebooks;
- antique musical instruments (even if only as decorations);
- stacks of vintage books;
- old records (and of course a record player or, better still, a gramophone!);
- houseplants, especially ferns and ivy.
The variants: Light Academia and Chaotic Academia
Parallel to the Light Academia and Chaotic Academia styles, other currents developed almost immediately, with their own distinctive character.
The two main ones are:
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- the more optimistic Light Academia:
- light and natural colours such as beige, cream, warm white, taupe, light grey and sage green;
- bright materials: light woods such as ash and bleached oak, as well as linen, cotton and paper;
- vintage but light furnishings, including minimal furniture, often in light wood, with retro lines and without the Gothic opulence;
- in general a sunny and poetic atmosphere, reminiscent of spring mornings, sunlit libraries, studying in gardens or greenhouses
- ;
- the ‘rebellious cousin’ Chaotic Academia
- : spaces full of piled up books, scattered papers, art objects;
- desks filled with half-empty mugs, handwritten notes, polaroid photographs, collages;
- more contrasting colours: impulsive juxtapositions, mixing of warm and cold tones;
- traces of real and imperfect life: ink stains, lopsided shelves, mismatched chairs;
- lived-in, scratched, worn furniture.
- Raw wood or treated with matt finishes that leave the imperfection visible.
- the more optimistic Light Academia:
