If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt instant drama and mystique, it could be the appeal of dark furniture. Similar to the magnetic pull of dark walls, and decor, furniture can add drama to a room and make the inhabitants feel mysterious, sexy, and sleek. Many love dark furniture because it commands attention in a room, and little decor is needed around it. If you’re trying to change or create a space that is dramatic and compelling, look at these tips for using dark furniture.

Center of attention: Let’s face it, a dark piece of furniture can sit all by itself in a room and provide all the drama you need. When paired up with other furniture, area rugs and wall art, your space will instantly feel like you’ve stepped into a new and dramatic world. Consider using lighter textiles around your dark furniture to balance the room. If too many dark items are in a room it will feel heavy and weighted, and inhabitants will feel uneasy in your space.

Space and light: Believe it or not dark furniture commands light and space around it. Similarly to the previous tip, dark furniture needs to have ample light to soak up its beauty and mystique. If you use dark furniture, use the minimal amount of pieces to serve your function and the space of the room. Too many pieces will look over cluttered and uninviting.

Don’t forget comfort: Comfort should still be at the forefront of your mind when choosing furniture. The look and appeal of dark furniture is captivating, but how comfortable it looks AND feels is important. Often times we spend more time making the furniture appeal visually and forget that your comfort and your guests should come first. Take your time when choosing furniture to test it out and then choose the dark colors that your love.

Dark doesn’t have to be black: For many homes, the thought of black furniture is too stark and is not appealing for them. Dark furniture doesn’t have to be black. Consider using dark neutrals such as grays, browns, and blues. If you prefer lighter colors to counterbalance the dark, mix and match furniture pieces to bring the balance that you crave. Depending on your space, conversation areas can pair dark furniture with light accessories to differentiate between separate areas for visual and conversational ease.

Your home can use dark furniture to add drama and dimension to a space instantly. Depending on your decorative style, decide how if you want your finishes surrounding your furniture to compliment or contrast your dark furniture. If you choose similar wall coloring to the furniture, the furniture will seem to disappear, and lighter contrasting walls will make the furniture stand out. Every home and style is different, and you choose what resonates with your style. Whichever your choice, dark furniture will bring a mysterious ambiance that you didn’t realize was missing.