Ask Joshua: Balancing Dark Colors with Chic Shelf Accessories

Hey Joshua,

So, here's the deal. I've been living in my house for over 10 years now, and I've realized it's time to spruce up my living room. On the left side of the fireplace, there are these built-in shelves that the home builders installed over 20 years ago. Honestly, they're looking pretty outdated and don't match the vibe I'm going for.

I've been thinking of transforming the space into something moody and chic, with those deep, jewelry-like colors. I'm considering painting the built-in shelves black to set the mood, but I'm stuck on how to style them without turning the whole room into a dark cave, you know? How can I deck out these all-black shelves without making the room feel overly dark?

Any tips or advice would be awesome!

Thanks a bunch!

Kate - Nashville, Tennessee

Modern electric style living room with black built-in shelves with light color and metallic accessories. It was designed by Joshua Jones, JJones Design Co.

Hi Kate,

Thanks for reaching out about styling the black built-in shelves. I'm thrilled about the direction you're taking with your living room as I love using dark and dramatic colors to create a mood! I totally get your concern about avoiding an overly dark feel in the space. Here are some suggestions:

1. Steer clear of dark-colored accessories to prevent the area from feeling heavier.

2. Opt for light-colored and metallic-tone accessories to add brightness and make them stand out. Check out the 3D rendering above from my previous design work to see how they can complement your living room without darkening it.

3. If your living room gets good natural light during the day, consider bright green-leaved plants to inject some vibrant color.

4. Noticed your walls flanking the built-in shelves—consider artworks in black & white or jewelry-tone colors on both sides. It'll balance the darkness of the shelves and add visual interest.

If you need help finding the right accessories or artworks or want further guidance to complete your living room project, feel free to explore our virtual interior design services here. Best of luck with your living room makeover!

Warmly,

Joshua

Have an interior design related question? You can ask Joshua here.