5 Major Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Dark & Moody Bathroom

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A moody bathroom with a vanity with a carrara marble top and a gold faucet. Above the sink is a gold mirror with two black and gold sconces next to the mirror.

Mistake #1: Forgetting About Lighting
Mistake #2: Choosing the Wrong Paint Finish
Mistake #3: Overlooking Texture and Contrast
Mistake #4: Ignoring Small Details
Mistake #5: Choosing Wallpaper That Competes Instead of Complements

Dark bathrooms can be absolutely stunning if done intentionally—they are bold, dramatic, and have a way of stealing the spotlight. But pulling off the dark and moody look is not as simple as painting the walls a dark color and calling it a day. Some serious planning goes into creating a moody bathroom, but when done correctly and with these dark bathroom ideas, the results are SO worth it!

Whether you’re planning a full renovation or just want to add some moody touches to your space, these are the most common mistakes you need to avoid when creating a dark bathroom. From balancing lighting to choosing the right fixtures and even avoiding paint mishaps, I’m breaking it all down so you can confidently bring your vision to life.

Here are the 5 MOST common mistakes to avoid when designing your dream dark bathroom!

Mistake #1: Forgetting About Lighting

A bathroom designed with half the wall a dark green color and half the wall in a dark botanical William morris wallpaper.

Why it matters:
Dark walls naturally absorb light, which can leave your bathroom feeling a little cave-like if you don’t have the right lighting. To avoid an overly dark room, you can layer your lighting and make sure you have the right type of lightbulbs.

What to do instead:

Layer your lighting: Use a combination of vanity lights, sconces, and/or small accent lights where you can.
Go for warm-toned bulbs: I ALWAYS recommend using warm-toned bulbs (2700K–3000K) to help maintain a cozy vibe without sacrificing the amount of light you need in a space.

For Example:
In this bathroom, I used two sconces next to my mirror to provide even, flattering light in the vanity area. This allowed for the rest of the space to still have enough light while maintaining that moody vibe.

A dark green bathroom that shows a vanity with a gold sink, a gold mirror and two dainty black sconces on either side of the mirror. The room is dark and moody and has a dark botanical wallpaper lining the walls.

Mistake #2: Choosing the Wrong Paint Finish

Why it matters:
A glossy paint finish can reflect light awkwardly and highlight imperfections in a dark space.

Green painted bathroom in Sherwin Williams Ripe Olive.

What to do instead:

Instead of choosing a high gloss paint in a dark bathroom, opt for a matte or satin finish for a rich, smooth look.
Test swatches in your space to see how the paint looks throughout the day. I can’t stress enough how important getting at least 2-3 paint samples for your space is – it will save you SO much time and headache in the long run. Plus, you’ll feel completely confident with your color choice at the end of the project instead of just having to live with it.

My Favorite Paint Choices:
I considered using Jasper – SW 6216 and Basil – SW 6194 but ultimately went with Ripe Olive – SW 6209 for our space.

Four Sherwin William green paint colors samples on a wall.

Jasper – SW 6216 | Basil – SW 6194 | Ripe Olive – SW 6209

And if you need help selecting a pretty dark and moody green color, I have an entire post about the best dark green paint colors for a bathroom. In it, I list out gorgeous options that would look amazing in your new bathroom renovation.

RELATED POST: The Best Dark Green Paint Colors

Mistake #3: Overlooking Texture and Contrast

Why it matters:
An entire dark-painted room can feel flat and lifeless. That’s why it’s incredibly important to break it up with textures and contrast.

A really big misconception is that you JUST need a dark paint color to make a bathroom a “moody” space, but really it’s all of the little details that make the space feel complete.

A dark bathroom design with a warm oak vanity with a carrara marble top and a brass faucet. Above the sink is a gold mirror with two dainty sconces on either side. The walls have a green and white botanical inspired wallpaper.

Close up picture of the trim work in a dark and moody bathroom. The trim has a 3 inch pole wrap border around the room with thin 1 inch trim on top and bottom of it. The trim is painted a dark green paint color. Above the trim work is a botanical inspired wallpaper.

Wallpaper | Pole wrap trim

What to do instead:

Add wood accents to your walls like a detailed trim around your room or a board and batten half wall.
Add crown molding around the room to draw your eye up and give your room a truly designer-level finish.
Contrast with flooring: If you’re doing a full renovation, pick out flooring that contrasts with the walls. While you might be tempted to choose dark floors to match the walls, selecting flooring that has contrast can actually elevate the design and prevent it from feeling too heavy.

Pro Tip:
In this bathroom, we added a 3-inch pole wrap border around the room to add some much-needed warmth and character to the space. This added just the right amount of texture and contrast to the walls so they didn’t feel flat.

Close up in a moody bathroom of the green floral and botanical inspired William Morris wallpaper by Studio Mcgee.

Wallpaper | Pole wrap trim

Mistake #4: Ignoring Small Details

Why it matters:
The little things can elevate your bathroom from basic to beautiful. But often these are the details that are overlooked.

A dark and moody bathroom that shows an oak vanity with a brass sink, a gold mirror and two dainty black sconces on either side of the mirror. The room is dark and moody and has a dark botanical wallpaper lining the walls.

What to do instead:

Swap standard light fixtures for statement pieces in gold, antique brass, or satin nickel.
Layer in soft textiles like woven rugs and towels on a cute towel ring for a cozy touch.
Bring the space to life with fresh flowers, plants, or an olive tree where you can.

Decorating the room is half of the fun and will make all the difference in bringing your dark bathroom to life!

Close up of a brass faucet on a carrara marble sink vanity top in a dark and moody bathroom.

Close up of a black dainty sconce with a white lamp shade from Pottery Barn in a dark and moody bathroom.

Faucet | Sconces

Mistake #5: Choosing Wallpaper That Competes Instead of Complements

Why it matters:
Dark bathrooms look their best when the wallpaper adds to the mood, not fights against it. That’s why it is SO important to think about how your wallpaper will work with your paint, fixtures, and overall vibe when you are selecting it upfront.

Wallpaper

What to do instead:

Avoid busy patterns that can overwhelm a small space or clash with your other design elements.
Pick a theme or tone that enhances the drama—florals, metallics, or moody textures work beautifully.
Stick to wallpaper with a cohesive palette—choose one with 2-3 complementary colors or shades within the same tone for a polished, harmonious look.

My Choice:
In the Durham bathroom, I chose the Wandle Wallpaper by McGee & Co which is a part of their Morris & Co collection. This wallpaper has a dark botanical design that adds softness without overpowering the walls. It ties the whole look together and gives the room a unique character.

Wallpaper

With These Tips, Your Dark Bathroom Will Be Gorgeous

By avoiding these five common mistakes, you can create a dark and moody bathroom that feels purposeful and designer-worthy. Get the balance just right, and you’ll create a moody oasis that you’ll love – you’ve got this!