Moody Living Rooms Are Trending—Here’s How to Keep Yours From Going Gloomy

In a world where interior trends change quicker than the weather in Iceland, some styles inevitably rise to the top of the pile each season. Speaking of, Houzz just released its Summer Trends report, which shines some light on one particular vibe people are feeling right now: moody living rooms. According to the data, searches for “moody living room” have more than doubled compared to 2023. And The New York Times agrees—the publication recently spoke to decorators about how deep and moody hues can often achieve a calming effect in a living space. 

So how do you nail a perfectly chic moody living room without veering too far into doom and gloom? We’ve pulled together four examples of spaces that get the balance right to get your brain grooving.

Don’t Be Afraid to Go Monochrome

Here’s an idea: If you look around and only see white walls, consider splashing them with a rich color. Use this London home as a guide—the inky blue game room is a very direct contrast to the light and bright rooms throughout the rest of the house. Couches in the same color family push the moodiness even further, and a set of rail shelves allows the homeowners to tell a story through art and tchotchkes. 

Play Around With Plaster

Sometimes one (big) decision will fill your moody quota. The warm texture of the plaster walls in this L.A. home brings an innate intimacy to the space, while the furniture and decor lean on the darker side of earthy. Together there’s a perfect balance of lived-in and meditative—did you see that tree nestled into the end of the long, raw-edge bench? On that note, the seating’s wavy finish balances the angles of the rest of the room.

Channel the Charm of an Italian Summer

Sometimes daydreams can manifest themselves at home. Take couple Caitlin Cavagnolo and Tyler Randall’s Jersey City apartment as inspiration—the entire living room revolves around a single (massive) tapestry. To keep the drama high, all the powder blue doors have a little trompe l’oeil magic trick going on: A darker hue lines the interior of the molding to make them seem deeper than they really are. The space is small, and the hard work of layering texture and pattern pays off in moodiness.

Pair Limewash With an Unexpected Pop of Color

Artists Cristina Martinez and Al-baseer Holly went all in on dusty pink for their Seattle home’s living room walls. The combination of limewash texture and unexpected hues (dusty eggplant and deep sage green) achieve a dramatic effect only intensified by the art collection on the walls. The color palette pops in other places around the home (like the split-color staircase), showing how you can carry calm and moody vibes from room to room.

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