11 Dark Moody Bedroom Tips: Create A Hotel-Style Bedroom

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Looking for some inspiration on how to create a dark and moody hotel-style bedroom?

Below, I’ll be sharing with you 11 decorating ideas to achieve this style. Some simple and subtle, some bold and daring…..it’s up to you how dark and moody you want to take your bedroom decor.

Does anyone else love visiting hotels and eyeing up their interior style?

I’m putting both my hands up to this one.

Actually, I would go as far as saying – if it’s not gorgeous, then I’m not going (dramatic stamp-foot moment…..if I was that kinda gal).

When decorating your home, finding interior inspiration is just a click away on your keyboard. But….finding the RIGHT style and vibe for your home is a whole other time-stealer!

Yes, you could go on to Pinterest and lose hours of your life down many rabbit holes. You could even click into every online store up to page 10,000 of Google but I’m sure I can help you find an easier way to get a hotel-vibe for your decor.

Therefore, any hotel visit I do – I will be sharing on Secret Home Designer. So, keep an eye out in the Hotel Inspiration section as I roll this new feature out. 

The problem I find with looking at interiors all day, every day, is that I LOVE IT ALL. But I think (for now anyway) my most favourite-favourite is dark, moody interiors (not just bedrooms). 

Do you love a dark and moody bedroom interior?

I love the atmosphere it creates. It’s like being wrapped in large protective arms, whilst taking you away from the bustle and craziness of the outside world.

It’s soothing to the soul…..for me at least.

Hotel Spotlight for this bedroom styling post is…… Dakota Glasgow Hotel.

I stayed in a classic room, which was beautiful. I have seen photos of their higher tariffed rooms and they all have a very similar style so any room will be stunning if you ever stay here. 

The whole hotel has been designed with dark muted colours and a hint of masculine vibe – which I loved. It had you almost peeking around each corner to see where the dark corridors were taking you next.

Do you want your bedroom to look cosier and moodier?

Let’s take some bedroom inspiration from this boutique hotel’s dramatic decor style.

Simply throwing around the words ‘boutique hotel style’ will never help you nail down exactly what you need to create this look. 

And this is where you may need to get out the brave pills as sometimes dark interiors will take you outside of your comfort zone….are you ready?

Here’s how to achieve a dark and moody bedroom look.

1. Paint Colours

Choose colours from mid to dark tones…..and paint all walls. 

And maybe even the ceiling?? 

Okay, I may have pushed you too far there but making a feature of your ceiling is starting to explode all over social media. To see different ideas for ceilings and get some inspiration, pop over to my ceiling inspiration board on Pinterest.

2. Trims And Skirting Boards (Most Dramatic!)

A really popular trend right now is to paint skirting boards and door trims in the same dark/moody colour as the walls. It does take your bedroom to another level if our brave enough to give it a try. 

If you want to see some ideas of how this trend looks in-situ, I’ve pulled together some inspiration on another of my Pinterest boards for painted trims and skirtings here. It will show you how others have taken this design detail and used it in many different ways.

And…… if you want to go further again (why stop at trims and skirtings) you could also paint the doors within the room. This would be super dramatic and an extra step to make the bedroom your own cosy and moody sanctuary. Matt finishes seem to work well and give such amazing depth.

3. Voluminous Curtains

The more fabric the better here. Take your curtains up to the ceiling as well as covering empty side-wall space.

As a result, you create a full curtain-wall once the curtains are closed and add another level to the atmosphere of the room, all whilst blocking out as much light as possible.

Also, matching your curtain fabric colour and wall colour also is another top tip for creating a timeless and moody bedroom style. Almost, like you are being cocooned in the warmth of the dark colour you choose.

4. Luxury Headboard

Now, I’m going to be completely blunt with you here. Headboards are not cheap. At least not the ones you see all over Instagram or Pinterest. 

These headboards are normally large, tall and sometimes oversized, and covers behind the side tables. Although stunning, be prepared to spend a pretty penny……or get the hammer and nails out if your up for a DIY project.

Headboards can be a statement piece of the room. So take your time to decide how you want yours to look and the materials that will suit the final style your aiming for.

For this hotels style – choose a fabric a few shades darker than your wall colour. You could also go with a leather and fabric mixed finish. This will keep your decor elegant and sophisticated.

5. Flooring Choices

Now, when creating a dark and moody style in a bedroom, think about every surface – walls, ceiling and flooring. So the next suggestion depends on how dark you want to take your bedroom. 

• Dark painted flooring
• Lighter carpet if you want to keep some lighter elements to the space
• Dark carpet (though be prepared to spend a lot of time hoovering)

It really depends on what your taste is. Decide if you like the feeling of carpet underfoot when waking up in the morning or if you like the coolness which floorboards give.

At the Dakota Glasgow Hotel, they have kept the flooring very luxurious with a thick carpet in a lighter colourway, which I feel gives the right balance of light and dark in this room. 

6. Symmetry

It really is very pleasing to the eye when a room is balanced. 

Here, you can see the trio of pictures that are perfectly aligned to the width of the headboard. The side tables, side lamps and cushions keep your eyes drawn to the main focus of any hotel room…the bed. 

Because, what is a hotel if the bed is not the most important feature.

7. Lighting Styles (The Easiest Step To Get Wrong And Miss Getting The Moody Part)

Dark, moody bedrooms thrive when you put the right lighting in the right places.

Accent lighting allows the light to illuminate a space or object and allows it to be a feature and drawing your focus towards it. The picture light (above) encourages you to ‘see’ the object rather than it just being there for decoration. 

Task lighting is also needed for practicality. Most of us will also use our bedrooms as a dressing room area, so the correct lighting is definitely needed. 

Ambient lighting will help to create the mood you want. Soft lighting is needed to create the perfect atmosphere for any moody bedroom. 

The side lamps above give the perfect amount of light whilst still keeping the room atmospheric. So, always keep in mind the scale of your lamps, for example – large, wide drum shades may give off too much light for the look you are trying to achieve.

8. Fabric Choices

Fabric textures are an important factor when trying to create a moody interior. Soft and luxurious looking fabrics are always winners no matter if it is hotel decor or your home.

You should layer fabrics to create a warm and welcoming room. Here at the Dakota Glasgow, leathers and soft wools feature heavily and are the finishing touches that pull the full room together.

9. Dark Finishes

From the mirror edging to the picture frames, choosing dark finishes is another way to add a timeless look to your home interior. 

I loved the long mirrors each side of the panelled section which housed the tv. The panelling was an unexpected feature which I will definitely be putting in my bag of tricks to use one day. 

I have always loved watching American house programmes where they use a lot of shiplap panelling for farmhouse style properties, but by painting it with dark tones it allows this style of wall finish to be used in a much more modern setting. 

Also, the wall lights above were just the right amount of light needed for that side of the room, whilst still retaining the atmosphere of the room.

10. Bedding

And, one of the most important parts of creating a hotel-style bedroom is bed linen.

Crisp and white……that’s it.

I have spoken to many people who have tried to create a dark and moody hotel-style bedroom and came away feeling like they have missed something and can’t quite get their styling right.

And more times than not it is the bedding detail that is wrong. Trying to keep your older bedding just won’t work if it isn’t plain, white and crisp. 

Although you are trying to create a dark and moody room, the white bedding is used in hotels to show luxury and it is also a perfect colour contrast to add more visual interest to keep your eyes bouncing around the room.

11. Finishing Touches

• Metallic Accents 

To add pops of detail that will stand out in a dark interior you could use metal finishes on handles, drawer knobs and electrical sockets. Depending on your personal taste you could choose between brass, chrome or brushed steel finishes. These details will add another layer of luxury to your bedroom decor.

• Cushions

Soft, plump and oversized will add the final detail to your bedding to ensure your bed is oozing luxury.

• Fragrances

Candles, room sprays, luxury hand washes and hand creams. All these details will help take your bedroom to the next level, taking it from a basic bedroom to somewhere you’ll crave to spend more time in.

Here are some dark and moody bedroom decor inspiration from Next Home to help you on your way.

Velvet is a beautiful fabric to choose if you want to create a soft and luxurious style to your bedroom. The stylish reflective feet, stunning detailed headboard and the upholstered side panels really makes this statement bed from Next Home stand out. Would this bed suit your style for creating a moody hotel-inspired bedroom?

Even though this cushion is another velvet choice, it is the texture that draws me to it. Quilted-style cushions, especially in this navy blue colour, should definitely be on your list of must haves.

This moody coloured candle is perfect for adding the finishing touches to your bedroom. Why not cluster a few different sizes and heights of candles together, this will create atmospheric lighting in your room, perfect for creating those relaxing vibes.

Does this tempt you to create hotel-inspired moody bedroom? (I’d love to know)

Below are some more photos from my stay including the bathroom, hallway and bar – showing that the moody interior style has been carried through the whole of the hotel. 

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I really wished I had taken more photos, but I was on a Christmas shopping trip weekend to make the most of the festive atmosphere, cocktail bars and lovely restaurants….hence why the photos are a tad blurry. I will not lie…..the cocktails MAY have started around lunchtime and taste-tested between each shop.

Last note….if you would like to visit a Show Home with me where I do a walk-through and share interior ideas and tips with you, then click this Show Home visit post.

Or, if you want more dark interior ideas, head over to my Dark Floral Wallpaper guide where show you lots of amazing inspirational images to help you decide which style of floral will suit your home. There may be some extra ideas that could help you with creating a dark bedroom style.

Take Care

Location – Dakota Glasgow Hotel

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