Dave Bautista's controversial color scheme looks surprisingly warm in his living room

Love them or hate them, black walls have become a staple of contemporary interior design. Though dark paint has a bad reputation for making a room look heavy and minimizing light, these colors have another side: they have a grounding, warm, and cozy energy. They can add a bold, moody, and masculine je ne sais quoi to any space. 

Dave Bautista's dark living room embodies the positive qualities of these controversial shades. An Instagram post shows that his space features walls painted a matte charcoal color that almost appears light against his black leather sofa, a black and white photograph on the wall, and a deep black geometric rug. Rather than looking dreary, Bautista's dark living room has a warm aura.

To accomplish these effects, first, he carefully chose the perfect dark paint for his space. The deep charcoal shade allows for some contrast against the furnishings and creates a naturally inspired look, like stones at the bottom of a brook. Combined with the varied textures in the space, it makes the room feel like a warm hug.

'Color schemes incorporating black paint can be dramatic, moody, and even warm,' says San Francisco-based interior designer and architect Alexa d’Argence. She continues,'There’s something about the color that envelops you and feels very insular.'

Alexa d'Argencé

Alexa d'Argencé is a San Francisco Bay Area, CA-based residential and hospitality interior designer. Her goal as a designer is to create spaces that transport each person who enters them. She has a BS in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University.

Bautista further created warmth in the space by mixing several different textures, especially the leather couch. 'Adding leather to a room can make it look effortlessly sophisticated and stylish,' says Jennifer Ebert, Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. 'In Bautista's space, the shiny natural texture of the leather blends with the matte walls and plush carpet to create an air of warmth,' she continues.

Jennifer Ebert

Jen is the Editor (Digital) of Homes & Gardens. Before starting this position, she had completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School, as well as working across Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors as an interiors writer.

Though experts agree black rooms can look excellent when done right, the color has gained its divisive reputation for a reason. For those interested in replicating Bautista's scheme, Argencé warns of some cautions. 

'I would highly suggest pairing black with jewelry-like lighting and other metallics to add a light feeling against the dark of the paint. Stay away from red, pink, or anything too primary when using black unless you want to feel like you’re in a haunted house (no judgment if so),' she says.

'Go instead for neutrals or earth tones. I could see a dramatic wallpaper feeling great in a space with black walls.'

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With a coat of dark paint, a black leather sofa, and a geometric rug in a deep shade, you can easily recreate the look of Bautista's moody and masculine living room.

If you love dark color schemes, this look is the perfect one for incorporating it softly into any space.