Designer Trends: Dark Academia

Dark Academia evokes a sense of academic charm and timeless elegance. By blending old world sophistication with cozy thoughtful little details, this trend turns any home into a place of stylish nostalgia and deep reflection. Dark academia room decor is all about textures, layers, and deep moody colors. Antique furniture mixed with deep, rich textiles-velvet, wool, and leather-all add a sense of both decadence and history to a space.

Let’s take a look at how Shaw Builder & Multifamily can help you create your Dark Academia inspired space with floors that ooze a sense of intellect and moodiness with just a little hint of mystery.

Hardwood and Layered Rugs

The floor is the foundation, and the real magic happens when you layer it. Dark Academia loves its lavish textures, and nothing screams intellectual indulgence like a rich hardwood topped with a well-placed rug. Think deep burgundies, charcoal grays, and dark greens or blues—colors that practically whisper “studious” and “mysterious.” Did you know that Shaw can make you custom rugs using your favorite Builder & Multifamily styles?! Contact your local sales representative for more details. Check out style Nimbus from our premium Anderson Tuftex line for the perfect rug to create the look. To channel the vibe in hardwood, think deep, rich, saturated colors with character that look like they were pulled from an old historic building or library. See our Julian Hickory II OR Julian Maple II. No worries here, both feature our water resistant Duras Repel splash-proof technology!

Create the Vibe

Leather accents also tie in beautifully with this trend—think leather-bound books, leather chairs, and maybe even a fun leather-fringed rug!! Try stacking old leather-bound novels on a shelf with a magnifying glass on top, coupled with other vintage finds. (Sorry, there I go with Sherlock Holmes again!) Have you tried the COLOR DRENCHING trend?! For the ultimate pop of dramatic elegance, paint the walls AND ceiling in a den or bedroom in the same deep moody green or navy!

Think Antique

Dark Academia is all about embracing the past. Consider adding vintage-style encaustic tiles like our Sevilla-TG63H in color Cathedral Black-910 or Triana Carbon-950, which is perfect for creating a sense of history and elegance. It can be used on the floor or the wall and is oversized in a 13x13 for ease of installation. The intricate patterns in this collection will gain you bonus points for the time-worn look that adds a bit of “character.”

The Classics

For a saucy spin on your Dark Academia floors, consider embracing a classic herringbone or checkerboard pattern in black and white. It's playful yet sophisticated and makes a statement without being overbearing. Our Duet-TG75J/TG76J line has an amazing oversized black/white 24x24 and is available in either a polished or matte finish. Think of it like the equivalent of throwing on a well-tailored blazer over a casual tee—effortless, but undeniably cool.

The Mysterious Charm of Marble

For an even more upscale touch, bring marble into the mix. Marble floors, especially in dark tones like black or charcoal with defined veins, create a look that is both old-world and luxe. Our Midas Triangle in color Nero Marquina would be the perfect addition to achieve the look!  Think kitchen backsplash, fireplace surround, or even bathroom floors. It’s chic, timeless, and just the right amount of decadent.

Timeless Sophistication

Dark Academia is all about creating an environment that is comfortable, cozy, and feels like you're stepping into another era. A time when elegance and intellect ruled. Your floors and accent tiles are the unsung heroes, grounding the space with texture, warmth, and intrigue.

The Shaw Builder & Multifamily team is ready to help you design your timeless Dark Academia inspired space! So, join us in front of the cozy fireplace, with a good book (or in my case a good movie and a glass of wine), and channel your inner intellect. It’s Elementary, My Dear Designer!!