Dark Academia Decor Trend Based on Actual Literary Themes
As the editor of a dark academic satire, I am often asked about the literary genre of Dark Academia, which features murder, rape, racism, professional backstabbing, corruption, theft, dead babies, outrageous backstories, and cheesy but scary pagan rituals.
Yes, School News Today does count as Dark Academia, even though our mascot is a mockingbird, not a crow or albatross. We have witches, betrayals, murder threats, and secret rooms galore at School News Today.
But the most frequent Dark Academia question I get is not about dark academic satire but the emerging decor trend that goes by the same name. Dark Academia Decor features deep velvet, dimly lit nooks, Gothic touches, and Pinteresty pleather-bound books no one will ever read.
Rarely are the photogenic books on the shelves of Dark Academic mood boards examples of the literary genre itself, which ranges from Donna Tart’s Secret History to Bunny by Mona Awad.
There is a disconnect between the upsetting literary themes of Dark Academic literature and the cozy warmth of Dark Academia Decor. Perhaps it rests on a misunderstanding on the part of non-readers.
The word dark in Dark Academia means sinister, scary, depressing, and wicked, not burgundy, plum, or forest green.
While there are many shopping primers on how to make the boring white box studio apartment in your dystopian graduate student housing tower look like a Hogwarts set, School News Today shows you how to bring the literary themes of Dark Academia into your home without any monetized links to Anthropologie accessories you cannot afford.
![Dark Academic Decor yellow silk bedroom with chair by the window and luxe bed](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Unspeakable-acts-were-committed-here.-Coordinating-pillows-available-to-match-the-curtains-and-bedding-1024x640.jpg)
Unspeakable acts were committed here. Coordinating pillows are available to match the curtains and bedding.
![Leatherbound books in an antique bookshelf illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Behind-one-of-these-attractively-displayed-books-is-the-severed-finger-that-solves-the-crime.-Since-no-one-reads-anymore-it-will-never-be-found-1024x640.jpg)
Behind one of these attractively displayed books is the severed finger that solves the crime. Since no one reads anymore, it will never be found.
![Abandoned room with gothic windows and piano illustrates Dark Academia](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Piano-string-used-in-the-murder-hidden-inside-this-shabby-chic-antique-1024x640.jpg)
A string from this attractively abandoned piano was used in a murder, so the piano is for decoration only.
![Dark Academia Decor stone alcove with velvet curtain](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Alcove-where-the-victim-hid-as-she-watched-atrocities-being-committed-is-the-perfect-spot-for-a-hideaway-home-office-for-use-in-the-next-worldwide-pandemic-1024x640.jpg)
The alcove where the victim hid as she watched atrocities being committed is the perfect spot for a hideaway home office for use in the next worldwide pandemic.
![Red velvet chair in a study Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Luxe-vintage-red-velvet-upholstery-nicely-hides-blood-stains-from-the-stabbing-death-of-the-exchange-student-1024x640.jpg)
Luxe vintage red velvet upholstery nicely hides blood stains from the stabbing death of the mysterious chain-smoking French exchange student.
![Luxurious estate library with red velvet chairs and leatherbound books oriental carpets illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Board-Room-where-conspirators-agree-to-cover-up-a-heinous-crime.-So-warm-and-inviting-1024x640.jpg)
The Boardroom where faculty conspirators agree to cover up a heinous crime. Such a warm and inviting aesthetic!
![Dark gloomy stone church altar with candles in goth style illustrating dark academia decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dark-Academia-Decor-1024x640.jpg)
The goth altar where the dead body is discovered partially decomposed. Strategically placed velvet curtains make it possible to create a flex space for privacy in your apartment, also good for hiding murder.
![Spooky room with destroyed billiard table with a hat on illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Hat-left-by-the-perp-at-the-scene-of-the-crime-later-used-as-evidence.-Solid-mahogany-pool-table-a-great-furniture-flip-project.-Felt-stained-with-the-victims-entrails-would-have-to-be-replaced-1024x640.jpg)
Hat left by the perp at the scene of the crime was later used as evidence. This solid mahogany pool table would make a great furniture flip project. Felt stained with the victim’s entrails would have to be replaced.
![Dark Academic Decor with velvet chair and books](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-professors-office-hours-were-not-so-innocent.-But-the-kilim-pillow-works-well-with-the-stamped-leather-chair-1024x640.jpg)
The professor’s office hours were not so innocent. But the kilim pillow works well with the stamped leather chair.
![Spooky abandoned attic with fallen apart bed illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Hidden-attic-room-where-the-orphans-were-hidden.-Good-bones-1024x640.jpg)
Hidden attic room where the orphans were hidden. Good bones!
![Stone building with wood door built into a hillside with grass roof illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Caretaker-reveals-his-history-of-terrible-abuse-in-this-charming-eco-friendly-dwelling-1024x640.jpg)
The elusive caretaker finally reveals his history of terrible abuse in this charming hovel in the forest behind the campus. Would make a wonderful eco guest cottage.
![Colonial oven and fireplaces illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Good-for-burning-bloody-rags-from-murder-scene-or-baking-artisanal-sourdough-bread.-Lots-of-options-for-rustic-tableau-1024x640.jpg)
This charming built-in oven was used for burning bloody rags from the murder scene. Also works for baking artisanal sourdough bread. Lots of options for rustic holiday tableaux.
![Dark gothic bedroom with velvet bedcoverings and suitcases illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Location-of-incest-between-identical-twins-separated-at-birth-features-vintage-luggage-1024x640.jpg)
The location of incest between identical twins separated at birth by the cruel headmaster features vintage luggage.
![Dark Academic Garden Decor Stone crypt underground root cellar](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Where-bones-were-found-in-Chapter-Six.-Would-make-a-great-root-cellar-for-eco-friendly-food-presevation-1024x640.jpg)
This is where the bones were found in the climatic scene in Chapter Six. Would make a great root cellar for environmentally-friendly food preservation.
![Antique library with wooden library ladder illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Library-ladder-used-in-faked-suicide-would-make-a-great-plant-shelf-1024x640.jpg)
The Library ladder used in the faked suicide at the end of Chapter 9 would make a gorgeous plant shelf.
![stone crypt in a graveyard with spooky trees and snow illustrates dark academia decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dark-Academia-Decor-1-1024x640.jpg)
The murderer hid out here for days while the police hunted for him. He ended up eating the remains of one of his victims. The crypt is right on trend as a garden focal point to really bring your landscape design together.
![Stone spiral staircase lit with romantic candles illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-young-professor-was-thrown-down-these-stairs-to-her-death.-The-warm-lighting-is-perfect-for-selfies-1024x640.jpg)
The young professor was thrown down these stairs to her death. The warm lighting is perfect for selfies though you might want to look into your local building codes for spiral staircases.
![ancient basement with arched brick walls illustrates Dark Academia](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Records-of-torture-hidden-here.-Would-make-a-great-wine-cellar-1024x640.jpg)
Records of torture were hidden here for generations. Watch us transform it into a romantic wine cellar in our TikTok series!
![Library with ancient leatherbound books and a shadowy figure illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Book-nook-where-the-murderer-is-briefly-spotted-in-Chapter-Three-can-be-reconstructed-with-Ikea-Billy-bookcases-1024x640.jpg)
The book nook where the murderer is briefly spotted in Chapter Three right before he garrotes his young victim can be reconstructed with inexpensive Ikea Billy bookcases.
![misty green pathway in a forest illustrates Dark Academia](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-green-burial-ceremony-goes-very-wrong-in-Chapter-13-but-gloomy-glades-make-great-sites-for-IG-photoshoots-1024x640.jpg)
The green burial ceremony goes very wrong in Chapter 13, but gloomy #emodecor glades are in fashion on IG.
![Yellow silk victorian chaise lounge with oriental carpet illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Casting-Couch-for-Dark-Academia-movie-adaptation-used-as-evidence-in-legal-case-found-in-an-estate-sale-1024x640.jpg)
Casting Couch for Dark Academia movie adaptation used as evidence in the legal case found for a song at an estate sale.
![Luxurious living room with deep red silk couches and marble fireplace flanked by bookcases of antique leather books in the style of Dark Academia Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-sadistic-racist-professor-in-the-sequel-meets-his-victims-here.-Why-would-we-want-this-is-our-living-room-1024x640.jpg)
The sadistic racist professor in the sequel meets his victims here. Why would we want this as our living room?
![Tableau with copper pot, ancient leather book, herbs, feather pen illustrates Dark Academic Decor](https://schoolnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Despite-the-racism-sexism-homophobia-classism-and-psychopathy-revealed-in-the-Dark-Academia-literary-genre-we-keep-romanticizing-the-academic-life-1024x640.jpg)
Despite the racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, and psychopathy revealed in the Dark Academia literary genre, we keep romanticizing academic life.