Dark academia is an internet aesthetic inspired by old universities, literature and art. At home, it shows up as books, candles, dark colours and a room that's allowed to feel a bit full and nostalgic rather than tight and minimalist.
Dims Studio's own figures: Candlesticks are one of the items that keep popping up in dark academia interiors: more than 1,000 items sold from November 2025 to October 2026, with half costing under 170 DKK. The items have an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars across 42 customer reviews.
Contents
- What exactly is dark academia?
- Where does dark academia come from?
- Colours and mood in dark academia
- Books and the desk: the heart of the style
- Candlelight and autumn: the mood that ties it all together
- How to go for dark academia without buying new furniture
- Light academia and the criticism of the style
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
You've probably come across the term on TikTok, Instagram or Pinterest: pictures of old libraries, candles on a desk and someone in a tweed jacket with a stack of paperbacks under their arm. Dark academia isn't just a fashion trend; it's a whole mood that can also move into your living room or office.
In this guide, we look at where the style comes from, which colours and elements recur, and how you can work with it without having to go out and buy new furniture.
What exactly is dark academia?
Dark academia is an aesthetic movement and subculture that revolves around higher education, art and literature, or an idealised version of them. The focus is on traditional clothing, interiors and activities from older educational settings: writing, poetry, antique art, classic literature and classic Greek and neo-Gothic architecture.
The style became especially popular among teenagers and young people in the late 2010s and early 2020s, not least during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, Weekendavisen described the subculture as a Gothic aesthetic mixed with a touch of British boarding school style. A typical look consists of vintage knitwear and tweed, long woollen scarves and old paperbacks, and the same feeling can be brought into a home: a little heavy, a little literary and with plenty of room for the analogue.
Where does dark academia come from?
The trend emerged on Tumblr around 2014 and 2015, where users shared pictures of old universities, libraries and literary quotes. One of the early sources of inspiration was Donna Tartt's 1992 novel The Secret History, a campus novel about a murder at a university that set a mood of secrecy and intellectual allure.
The aesthetic really took hold on Instagram and Pinterest around 2017, and it grew even more popular in the early 2020s, partly because it spread to TikTok. Along the way, older classics have become a firm part of the style's universe, including Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, which is often mentioned alongside stacks of old books and dark interiors.
Colours and mood in dark academia
The palette is taken from the style's clothing: black, white, beige, brown tones, dark green and occasionally navy. Add to that tweed and knitwear, pictures of Gothic architecture, candles, dark wooden furniture and rooms that are allowed to feel dense and full rather than airy. The style has been described as maximalist, nostalgic and distinctly analogue, with autumn imagery often recurring as a mood-setter.
| Element | How to get it at home |
|---|---|
| Black, white and beige | Use the colours as a base in textiles, frames and book spines |
| Brown tones and dark green | Add cushions, throws or a single dark wall |
| Navy as an accent | Use it sparingly, for example in a single plaid blanket |
| Tweed and knitwear | Lay a wool or knitted throw over a chair |
| Gothic architecture | Hang up a print or picture of old buildings |
| Candles and dark wooden furniture | Let the furniture you already have stand out, and add candlesticks |
Books and the desk: the heart of the style
Books and libraries play a big part in dark academia, and activities like writing and poetry naturally belong too. This means books are welcome to be on show rather than tucked away: stack them in tall towers on the floor, lay them flat on a shelf, or use them as a base for other things on the table.
The desk is an obvious place to gather the mood. A candlestick gives just the right light to read or write by, and a pencil holder keeps pens and pencils in order, so the desk looks used without being messy. If you want to style the rest of your workspace, you can find more ideas in the article on setting up the perfect workspace. Feel free to hang a classic motif above the desk, for example referencing one of the literary classics the style draws on.
See our selection of pencil holders, if your desk needs a gathering point for loose writing bits and pieces.
Candlelight and autumn: the mood that ties it all together
Candles and autumn imagery are some of the most recognisable elements of dark academia. Several candlesticks gathered in a group on a table or shelving unit instantly bring more warmth and depth than a single candle alone. If you want good tips for working with candles in the home in general, you can read more in the article on creating cosiness with candles.
Dried branches in a vase are another easy trick that fits nicely into the nostalgic, slightly subdued mood. You can find specific tips in the guide on styling dried flowers in the vase. Lay a throw over a chair in the room, so there's also something soft to grab hold of once the light is lit and the books have been brought out.
Tip: Combine a dark throw with a few candlesticks in a group. See our selection of green throws, if you're missing one in just the right deep shade.
How to go for dark academia without buying new furniture
You don't need to replace your furnishings to bring the mood home. Instead, go by these steps:
- Choose a dark base colour in your textiles, for example in brown, green or black shades, so the sofa, cushions and blankets work together.
- Gather the books you already have into stacks or on a shelf, so they become part of the room's look rather than being hidden away in a bookcase.
- Add brass and candles. A black metal candlestick gives a calm, dark look, while a brass clover jar adds a touch of warmth without breaking the palette.
- Let the room feel a little full, but keep it under control. Dark academia is maximalist, not messy, so make sure everything still has its fixed place.
Find more metal candlesticks if you want to gather a whole group on the table.
See metal candlesticksLight academia and the criticism of the style
Dark academia has a lighter sister called light academia, which uses lighter and softer images and colours and focuses more on optimism than on the heavy and nostalgic. If the dark palette feels a bit much, light academia can be a way into the same universe with a calmer expression.
The style has also been criticised, and it's worth mentioning briefly and neutrally. The criticism includes eurocentrism and a lack of diversity, that the style can seem elitist, and that it sometimes glamorises an unhealthy lifestyle with sleep deprivation and overwork. Others have pointed out, on the other hand, that the clothes for the style can easily and cheaply be found in charity shops, which makes the aesthetic more accessible than it might initially appear.
Frequently asked questions
What is dark academia?
Dark academia is an internet-based aesthetic and subculture that revolves around higher education, literature and art, with a focus on traditional clothing, interiors and an old-fashioned university atmosphere.
Where does dark academia come from?
The style emerged on Tumblr around 2014 and 2015, gained a foothold on Instagram and Pinterest around 2017, and really took off in the early 2020s, partly during the COVID-19 pandemic and via TikTok.
Which colours belong to dark academia?
The palette is black, white, beige, brown tones, dark green and occasionally navy blue, often combined with tweed, knitwear and dark wooden furniture.
How do you decorate in the dark academia style?
Gather books visibly, use dark textiles, light candles in candlesticks, and feel free to add brass, a throw and dried branches in a vase.
What's the difference between dark academia and light academia?
Dark academia uses dark, heavy colours and a nostalgic, maximalist mood, while light academia is lighter, softer and more optimistic in both colours and imagery.
Can you get the dark academia look without buying new furniture?
Yes, it's mostly about gathering what you already have under a dark base colour and adding books, lit candles and a few brass details.
Summary
Dark academia is about mood more than specific furniture: books, lit candles, dark colours and a room that's allowed to feel a bit full and lived-in. With a couple of candlesticks, a stack of books and a few chosen details, you can bring the university atmosphere home without it clashing with an otherwise colourful home.
Read also
- How to style a shelf with personality
- Brass in interiors: Timeless and elegant
- Home office: How to set up the perfect workspace
- Dried flowers in a vase: how to style them
- Kitsch: what is it, and how do you use it?
- Memphis design: colours, shapes and how to use it
- Pop art in interiors: how to use the style
Build on the dark mood
Dinna has hand-picked a small selection that can complement a dark academia interior without taking over. Take a look at the candlesticks and find the ones that suit your room.
See all candlesticks