Step aside, light Scandi interiors – darker, traditional woods are making a comeback
Word on the street is that darker woods have once again fallen in the public's favour
Step aside, light Scandi interiors – we're welcoming the return of darker woods that have long been a staple in vintage and modern Victorian-esque home decor trends.
You and I know all too well that lighter-coloured Scandivanian-inspired woods have been dominating home trends, seen in abundance within neutral living room ideas, neutral bathroom ideas, and more.
Surprisingly, however, word on the street is that darker, more traditional woods—like teak, walnut, and mahogany—have fallen back in the public's favour.
Dark wood interior trend
According to Etsy's 2023 Home Decor Trends Guide, dark wood is making a strong comeback, so if you're especially into vintage living room ideas and modern Victorian interior themes, this one's for you.
In fact, they also revealed that every 15 seconds, someone searches for handmade or vintage furniture on Etsy.
'On Etsy, there has been a 337% increase in searches for walnut desks and accessories and a 28% increase in searches for brown seating or furniture,' confirms Dayna Isom Johnson, trend expert at Etsy.
Dayna Isom Johnson is the trend expert for Etsy and a judge on the NBC primetime series ‘Making It’. As part of her role at Etsy, Dayna is responsible for keeping her finger on the pulse of the hottest trends on the market. She is in constant pursuit of new and unique finds on Etsy in an effort to unearth the latest and greatest designs, up-and-coming Etsy shops, and sellers with exciting stories.
'Meanwhile, we've observed a 24% decrease in searches for Scandinavian decor, a 14% decrease in searches for raw or light wood, and a 29% decrease in searches for beige decor on Etsy (so long, sad beige), indicating these styles might be on the way out.'
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
And to be fair, we've also been a little bored of beige, constantly scouring for new paint trends to tell us what the new neutral to know about is, so seeing the return of dark wood is a pretty exciting change.
Dayna adds, 'Darker woods create a sense of warmth and cosiness into a space, while also providing a touch of character and sophistication to a room. Another reason why darker woods are popular? Their timeless quality. Just ask our 2023 Collections Curator, Martha Stewart, who recently shared that 'brown furniture is alive and well' and that 'what’s old is new again.'
Our suggestions of what to buy to bring dark wood into your home
If you're looking for an easy way to bring the darker wood to your home without fully committing just yet, this sweet handmade table accessory will work just the charm.
How to source and style dark wood interiors
In an interview with Ideal Home, BBC's Interior Design Masters winner, Monika Charchula shared her love for vintage and modern Victorian interiors.
Her top tip for sourcing dark, vintage interiors are internet marketplaces (for example, sellers on eBay like betterthannewofficial), as well as car boot sales in the summer. 'It's also really important to check quality. It's important to be cautious, to ask questions, and check the piece underneath and at the back.'
When styling dark wood in a vintage-inspired space, Monika Charchula stresses the importance of having a balance between old and new. 'As much as antique furniture and decor is amazing and it will never go out of style, it's important to mix it with something new and mix it with something current,' she advises.
Tala Fustok, designer and founder of Tala Fustok Studio agrees saying, 'When styling dark wood furniture, it's important to think about contrasts. Light hues and colourful accents can cheer up a somewhat dated dark wood aesthetic and bring a contemporary edge.'
'Cohesion is also a significant factor – introducing multiple dark wood pieces, sourced from travels or perhaps passed down generations, cements the direction being channelled and adds an elevated richness to the space that now appears considered and purposeful,' adds Tala Fustok.
This is because 'darker woods are typically considered much more decadent and richer if we think about the origins of where they are sourced' says Athina Bluff, lead designer for Topology. 'So make sure that if you're using dark woods that they are sympathetic to their surroundings,' she adds.
This darker wood is the perfect way to spruce up any living space and give it a more sophisticated, curated edge. We'll be looking forward to seeing how interior stylists and the public alike continue to style it throughout the year.
Jullia is Ideal Home’s Junior Writer and the Ideal Home Certified Expert in Training on Vacuums, having spent over 60 hours testing different models. She’s always loved all things homes and interiors, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Nottingham where her love for writing blossomed following her internship at ArchDaily. Now focused on home tech and cleaning, Jullia works on writing features and explainers to help people make the most of their home appliance investments, putting the newest launches through their paces. When she isn’t writing, she loves exploring the city, coffee shop hopping, and losing hours to a cosy game or book.
-
Aldi has made baubles of its most iconic Specialbuys - here’s how to get your hands on a box
The perfect festive homage for Aldi fans
By Kezia Reynolds
-
8 unusual uses for a lawn mower – because they're for so much more than just cutting grass
Because there's nothing we love more than a multitasking garden tool
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Pool noodles are the unexpected festive trend sweeping social media as the easiest way to create a show-stopping Christmas floral display
This decorating trend will turn your pool noodle into a beautiful festive creation
By Kezia Reynolds