The Curtain Colors HGTV's Nate Berkus Swears By For Rooms With Dark Walls

Dark walls can bring serious drama to a room, but without the right décor, they might make it feel more like a black hole than a cozy haven. You don't have to shy away from dark walls, but adding a few lighter touches is key to keeping the room balanced and inviting. If you're looking for curtain tips that even HGTV stars swear by, Nate Berkus offers some great advice for making this balance work. He suggests opting for ivory, off-white, or chalk colored curtains to lighten up the space.

Using pops of lighter tones is one of many simple tips for decorating with dark walls that can make a big impact. Muted curtains create a beautiful contrast with the darker surroundings, adding some essential lightness to the space. When paired thoughtfully, these elements create a room that feels refined and inviting rather than heavy and overwhelming. Nate's approach shows that decorating with dark colors doesn't mean sacrificing brightness — it's all about balance and using lighter details to let the wall shine.

In a video shared to TikTok, Nate Berkus explained how using light, solid curtains can create a stylish contrast. "I think it's just a pure move to do something solid and ivory or off-white, or bone, or chalk against a dark wall. That is my top advice," he said. He makes a clear note to use solid-colored upholstery in dark spaces, explaining that the contrast adds impact without overcrowding the room with patterns or bold colors, so the simplicity can speak for itself.

Nate Berkus' tips and tricks for brightening up a dark room go beyond choosing the right curtains. He also suggests layering different light sources, like sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps, throughout a room to emphasize the curtains' effect. Berkus expresses this point, saying, "There's something really beautiful about flooding the wall with light, on a dark wall." For anyone working in a darker space, this blend of lighting and pale, solid curtains creates a harmonious style that feels both cozy and open. Berkus' technique helps to make sure that even the moodiest room has a welcoming, layered glow.