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

The Dune actor's space makes use of a divisive color to create a warm, moody, and bold look – and it's made us rethink this hue

dave bautista on a green background
(Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images)

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 dargence
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
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.'


Shop the Edit

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.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.