By Sukriti Wahi Interiors 02.12.2025

From Tumblr to TikTok, This Moody Aesthetic Will Dominate Interiors in 2026

The best part? This one is timeless.

The year was 2015. The medium? Tumblr (ah, good times). The aesthetic hitting mood boards all over the site? ‘Dark Academia’.

Brimming with classical libraries, candlelit studies and shots of Gothic-inspired campuses, it’s unsurprising that, with its timeless look and cosy appeal, the trend remained a quiet cult favourite before exploding on TikTok around 2020 – right when many of us were scrolling in search of nostalgia, comfort, and escapism (check, check and check).

And unlike many of the microtrends that take off on TikTok, this one actually has the chops to stand the test of time. For everything there is to know about the Dark Academia aesthetic, read on.

What is the Dark Academia aesthetic about?

Fusing inspiration from Gothic architecture with 19th-century European literature – plus a touch of preppy American collegiate style – the Dark Academia aesthetic came about through the romanticisation of the boarding school and university lifestyle.

Envision the hallowed grounds of heritage campuses such as Oxford University (which, incidentally, was the setting for the dark academia fantasy TV and book series, A Discovery of Witches), where ‘old money’ and classical learning became synonymous with the mysterious sheen that’s come to define the look.

What makes the Dark Academia trend so appealing?

In short? It’s timeless.

It’s a classic look that recalls a bygone era. And when applied to our space, it offers something of a nostalgic reprieve – even an antithesis – from our buzzing, technology-dependant modern lives (because a smartphone does look out of place, no?).

How to Bring the Dark Academia aesthetic into your home

Want to bring the Dark Academia look into your home? Read on for our top five tips to take the look from colour palette to candlestick holders.

Lean into a moody, rich colour palette

This aesthetic is synonymous with mystery, quiet studiousness, and depth, so the colour palette needs to echo exactly that. No saturated brights or sorbet shades around these parts!

Interior styling content creator Nicholas James Langley of @houseofbizarium recommends keeping it moody with deeper, autumnal hues.

“Embrace deep shades of burgundy, forest green, navy, and black. These colours evoke the classic, moody atmosphere of old libraries and study rooms,” he says.

Mix sumptuous textures with vintage-inspired furniture

Like the colour palette, textures are rich and varied, layered to evoke an ‘old money’ quality (which can also be achieved on a budget!).

When it comes to furniture, go for dark-stained wooden furniture in oak, walnut or mahogany, while leaning into plush velvets, wool, and leather for your upholstery and fabrics. This combination will create depth and decadence, which is exactly what we’re after.

Behold: books, books, books

It simply wouldn’t be the Dark Academia aesthetic if books didn’t have a starring role in the space. Easily the most memorable ‘symbol’ of the trend, books – especially hard-backed classical literature in a library-esque setting – should feature prominently somewhere, whether it’s the coffee table, a feature shelf, or a cosy reading nook.

Opt for ambient lighting

Dim, gold and soft: this is the brief. The lighting should feel inviting, cosy, and primed to sit in peace and introspect or read in a total escape from the outside world.

To achieve this, swap out any bright overhead lighting for antique-style lamps, chandeliers and wall sconces, and opt for warm-toned bulbs across the board, which will add a soft contrast to the dark, moody tones in the colour palette.

And then, the ultimate finishing touch for your lighting: candles.

Interiors content creator Sarah Parker of @saraparkerdesign says “tapered candles in brass candlestick holders” are the perfect way to achieve that distinctly Dark Academia quality. And her other top tip?

“Light your candles and let them get drippy. It tells a story, and it’s just a vibe,” she says.

Think ‘collected’ over ‘curated’

While considered elegant and refined, Dark Academia’s true je ne sais quoi comes from its aura of mystery, where objects tell stories, and there’s more than meets the eye.

So, don’t be afraid to lean into ‘decorative clutter’– stacking books haphazardly, placing candlesticks in asymmetrical arrangements or pinning aged maps to the wall – and opting for vintage or thrifted items to give it a greater air of timelessness and history.