“Dark academia” refers to a visual style that is meant to be both moody and atmospheric. The emphasis here is on an old fashioned look, not dissimilar to a kind of old fashioned study or tea room.

The reason that this particular interior design trend is considered “dark” is that it also plays on the mystery element that comes with this kind of study. Most people are aware of classic whodunit films where a detective gathers all the suspects in a room, paintings that seem to have eyes that follow people across the room and hidden passages activated by candles, books or playing a certain note on a rickety piano. This is reflected in the old fashioned furniture choices such as vintage record players, typewriters, busts of significant historical figures or imposing looking armchairs.