Looking to add a touch of old-world charm and intellect to your bathroom?
Dark academia design is the perfect way to create a space that feels both sophisticated and cozy.
Characterized by rich colors, vintage textures, and an emphasis on learning, dark academia style is ideal for bathrooms that double as private studies or reading nooks.
With the right touches, your washroom can become a moody, mysterious oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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Layer in Black and White
Black and white is a classic dark academia color combination.
For an elevated look, layer in different black and white patterns and textures throughout the bathroom.
Black and white checkered floor tiles establish an intellectual vibe, while a black clawfoot tub and white pedestal sink provide eye-catching contrast.
Hang black and white artwork or prints in vintage-style frames on the walls.
Opt for a black and white geometric or herringbone shower curtain and match your bathmats and towels to the color scheme.
A classic black armchair in the corner completes the scholarly style.
Feel free to incorporate other moody hues like deep greens or burnt oranges as accents for a more eclectic look.
Use Dramatic Wallpaper
Don’t be afraid to cover your walls in serious dark academia style with bold wallpaper prints.
Opt for reproductions of old library wallpapers, anatomical drawings, or antique maps to imbue your space with an old-world feel.
Florals and William Morris patterns also work beautifully.
For a cohesive look, wrap wallpaper around the entire bathroom from floor to ceiling.
Install crown molding and wainscoting topped with wall sconces for a sophisticated touch.
Pair dramatic wallpaper with marble or wood surfaces to balance the visual weight.
A black clawfoot tub positioned center stage against the wallpaper provides an eye-catching focal point.
Fill out the rest of the space with vintage furnishings like a standing armoire, wooden step stool, and vanity chair.
Add Antique Brass Fixtures
For a refined vintage bathroom, opt for antique brass fixtures in dark finishes.
Brass trim, taps, shower heads, and sconces add a touch of turn-of-the-century elegance.
Paint the walls a dark color like burgundy, forest green, or navy to allow the metallic fixtures to stand out.
Distressed woods, oriental rugs, Persian tiles, and accent art carry the old-fashioned mood.
For the vanity, choose a mirror framed in dark brass that matches the other metal elements.
Include academic touches like glass bottles, stacks of books, and decorative candles to complete the antique atmosphere.
With the right accents, you’ll feel transported back in time while enjoying the convenience of modern plumbing.
Install Cabinets and Shelves
What dark academia bathroom would be complete without bookshelves?
Make your space double as a study nook by installing rich wood cabinets, open shelving, and display cases.
Fill them with leather-bound books, curiosities in jars, and decorative objects that spark inspiration.
Neutral walls allow the warm wood tones to stand out.
For a cohesive look, opt for an antique wooden vanity and matching wood framed mirror.
Use glass cabinets to display vintage perfume bottles or ceramic wash basins.
Plush rugs and an upholstered bench supply comfort for settling in with a good read.
Add old-fashioned sconces and an ornamental chandelier for moody lighting.
With storage for books and beyond, your bathroom provides a peaceful retreat.
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Choose an Ornate Bathtub
Make the bathtub the crown jewel of your space by selecting an intricately carved, clawfoot or freestanding soaking tub.
Ornate tubs immediately convey old-world grandeur.
Place it centrally on a Persian rug or antique tile flooring.
Surround with candles, houseplants, and a wood side table stacked with books.
Include distressed leather furniture like a cozy lounge chair or tufted ottoman to encourage lounging.
For a soothing vibe, hang long velvet drapes around the tub area.
Opt for matte black or brass fixtures to match the tub’s old-fashioned silhouette.
Rich paint colors like burgundy or forest green work nicely, or layer in wood paneling.
Add vintage medicine cabinets, Roman numeral clocks, and candelabra sconces for finishing academia touches.
With a decorative tub as the focal point, you can easily escape into a relaxing literary oasis.
Create a Spa Atmosphere
For a dark academia bathroom with a self-care vibe, create a moody spa atmosphere.
Include a large freestanding tub surrounded by scented candles and greenery.
Hang sheer dark drapes around the tub for an intimate feel.
Adorn the walls with antique framed botanical prints and wood storage cabinets to hold bath accessories.
Opt for a window bench covered in pillows so you can lounge with a cup of tea.
A vintage vanity decorated with jars of lotions, soaps, and oils provides old-school charm.
To balance the femininity, incorporate earthy elements like rattan baskets, woven rugs, and muted paint colors like sage green.
With calming plants, soft lighting, and a place to read, your bathroom becomes a relaxing escape from academic life.
Add Statement Lighting
Make a bold style statement with dramatic lighting fixtures.
Search for unique vintage pieces like ornate candelabras, crystal chandeliers, and bronze sconces fitted with Edison bulbs.
Dark metal finishes and candlelight provide moody ambiance.
Paint the ceiling a darker color to add contrast.
Position the statement light fixture as the accent piece against a neutral wall or patterned paper.
Complement it with gold framed mirrors, brass hardware, marble surfaces, and luxe linens.
Include academic notes through art prints, botanical drawings, wooden bath caddies, and a bookshelf nook.
With bold lighting as the focal point, your bathroom takes on an elegant yet intellectual air.
Incorporate Persian Tiles
For exotic old-world flair, adorn your bathroom with vibrant Persian tiles.
Available in traditional blue and white or multicolored motifs, Persian tiles add eye-catching detail.
Use them to decorate walls, the tub surround, or as a bold backsplash behind the sink.
Contrast with neutral white cabinetry and marble countertops to let the dazzling tiles pop.
Hang ornate brass mirrors and sconces to pick up on the colors.
Consider a Mediterranean blue and white color scheme with terra cotta vases and woven baskets.
Or opt for an eclectic look with mismatched Persian tiles, antique furnishings, and bronze hardware.
Fill the space with scented candles, fresh flowers and stacked books for an inviting look.
With bright tiles as your canvas, design a bathroom that feels worldly yet welcoming.
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Select Antique Furnishings
Search flea markets, antique stores, and second-hand shops to furnish your bathroom with authentic vintage pieces.
An antique wooden side table or console brings rustic warmth next to your tub.
Display collected books, candles, and decorative bottles atop the worn wood surface.
Choose a vintage vanity etched with ornate details for old-fashioned elegance.
Paint or reupholster a thrifted chair to use next to the vanity.
Opt for framed botanical prints and a standing armoire to add visual interest.
Look for pieces in good condition or refinish them yourself for a more polished look.
The imperfections and markings on antique finds add character and authenticity.
Mix in Persian rugs, velvet drapes, and brass light fixtures to complement the vintage furnishings.
With antiques as your building blocks, design a genuinely old-fashioned space.
Add Touches of Leather
Incorporate leather accents to bring in dark academia’s signature sophistication.
Leather-bound books are a must for any intellectual bathroom.
Display them in built-in bookshelves or stacked in a vintage luggage stand.
Select leather bath mats and cushions in rich hues like chocolate or chestnut.
Install leather wall panels behind the sink or vanity.
Choose leather handles for cabinets and leather upholstery for seating.
Hang a leather garment rack for robes and towels.
Opt for warm wood tones, antiqued mirrors, and green plants to offset the leather.
Incense, candles, and desk lamps reinforce the studious vibe.
With leather adding refinement, your bathroom gains an old-world gentleman’s club allure.
Incorporate Plaid Fabrics
Plaids in muted tones bring in cozy texture reminiscent of English countryside estates and Ivy League campuses.
Incorporate plaid on the shower curtain, window valance, bath mats and towels.
Select subdued color combos like navy and hunter green or rusty browns and grays.
Contrast the plaid patterns with antique wood vanities, marble surfaces, and brass fixtures.
Add vintage medical prints, apothecary jars, and academic still life art.
Place a tufted bench by the tub to hold books and provide comfortable seating.
Include Persian area rugs and abundant plants for an inviting look.
With plaid adding an intellectual edge, your bathroom gains old-world collegiate charm.
Display Natural Specimens
Give your space a cabinet of curiosities feel with displays of natural specimens and scientific ephemera.
Search for marine life taxidermy like starfish and seashells.
Frame insect collections behind glass for preservation.
Fill apothecary jars with interesting organic items like sand, shells, or dried flowers.
Book pages, sea charts, and plant clippings also make unique decorative objects.
Place your finds atop open wood shelving against neutral walls.
Include stacks of leather books, brass microscopes, terrariums, and vintage medical tools.
Opt for an antique wood vanity, oriental rug, and marble surfaces to offset your collections.
With oddities from nature, your dark academia bathroom becomes a whimsical place of scientific discovery.
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Add Moody Botanicals
No dark academia space is complete without abundant greenery.
Choose large statement plants like leafy ferns, palm trees, and trailing ivy for dramatic effect.
Cluster smaller potted plants on the window sill, vanity, and shelving.
Float flowers in apothecary jars and bottles for an academic still life.
Frame vintage botanical and scientific prints featuring foliage specimens.
Paint one wall an intense emerald green and adorn with art and your lush plant collection.
Opt for a Persian rug, claw foot tub, antique furnishings, and brass fixtures to finish the look.
With thriving botanicals, your bathroom gains an earthy vintage persona perfect for relaxing.
With an array of creative ways to infuse it with vintage character, the bathroom makes a wonderful setting for dark academia design.
Antique brass fixtures, dramatic wallpaper prints, plush Persian rugs, and shelves of leather-bound books reinforce the scholarly style.
For a personalized touch, display unique collections and lush foliage.
With the tips in this article, you can easily transform your bathroom into a calming, intellectual oasis with rich vintage appeal.
So embrace your love of learning by designing a dark academia bathroom that fuels your creativity and transports you to another time.
Just add stacks of books, flickering candlelight, and a few steamy soaks in a clawfoot tub, and you’ll never want to leave your vintage-inspired washroom.
