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.
Unspeakable acts were committed here. Coordinating pillows are available to match the curtains and bedding.
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.
A string from this attractively abandoned piano was used in a murder, so the piano is for decoration only.
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.
Luxe vintage red velvet upholstery nicely hides blood stains from the stabbing death of the mysterious chain-smoking French exchange student.
The Boardroom where faculty conspirators agree to cover up a heinous crime. Such a warm and inviting aesthetic!
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.
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.
The professor’s office hours were not so innocent. But the kilim pillow works well with the stamped leather chair.
Hidden attic room where the orphans were hidden. Good bones!
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.
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.
The location of incest between identical twins separated at birth by the cruel headmaster features vintage luggage.
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.
The Library ladder used in the faked suicide at the end of Chapter 9 would make a gorgeous plant shelf.
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.
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.
Records of torture were hidden here for generations. Watch us transform it into a romantic wine cellar in our TikTok series!
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.
The green burial ceremony goes very wrong in Chapter 13, but gloomy #emodecor glades are in fashion on IG.
Casting Couch for Dark Academia movie adaptation used as evidence in the legal case found for a song at an estate sale.
The sadistic racist professor in the sequel meets his victims here. Why would we want this as our living room?
Despite the racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, and psychopathy revealed in the Dark Academia literary genre, we keep romanticizing academic life.