Saying goodbye to my moody dark academia office.

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Sarah Youthed

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November 8, 2024

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I can’t believe it’s finally happening—I’m saying goodbye to my beloved moody, dark academia office. As I sit here surrounded by half-packed boxes and empty shelves, it’s starting to hit me just how much this space has meant to me. This office has been more than just four walls; it’s been my sanctuary, my creative hub, and a place where I could be 100% myself. This is where I poured my heart into my work, lost myself in books, and let my creativity run free. It may sound dramatic, but to me, this room is more than just a physical space—it represents growth, independence, and finally having a space that was fully mine.

To give you some background, having a space of my own has been a long-time dream come true. I come from a background where money was tight, debt was constant, and “personal space” wasn’t exactly a given. When I first gained a taste of independence, it meant renting a place that was far from my dream setup—outdated, cramped, and not quite “me.” Then, I moved in with my mum and shared bunk beds with my four-year-old. It wasn’t until I moved in with Scott that everything started to shift.

Having an office space for the first time was a milestone. It wasn’t just a place to work; it became my haven for makeup, clothes, books, and more—a little world that was entirely mine. I poured my quirks and personality into this room, filling it with things I loved and letting it reflect who I was becoming. And now, saying goodbye feels bittersweet. Even though I’ll have a new space that’s all my own, it’s still hard to say goodbye.

So, here’s a little ode to my moody, dark academia office, where I’ve spent countless hours. Below, I’ve listed some of my favorite items that made this space special. I’ll try to link as much as I can, and just so you know, some may be affiliate links.

My Favorite Items from My Dark Academia Office

When I first set up this office in the spare bedroom, a dark academia office vibe wasn’t what I initially planned. But as the room evolved over time, so did the decor. I wanted a space that felt like a blend of nature and academia with a moody edge. Think skulls, butterflies, books—elements that captured my love for a vintage, mysterious aesthetic. The standout piece of the room? My Monochrome Palm Leaf Wallpaper.

Dark Academia Office Wallpaper

Let me tell you about this wallpaper. The monochromatic banana leaf pattern from ilovewallpaper.com has been the showstopper of the room. Every time I post a picture of my office, people ask where it’s from. Initially, I wasn’t going for a dark academia office look at all; I was actually leaning toward pink, gold, and bright accents! (Throwback to those early days—I can hardly believe it myself.) Picture below.

But as I started adding quirky and moody elements that felt more true to me, the entire vibe of the room shifted. Now, this wallpaper has become a defining feature that I’ve come to adore. It’s versatile enough to work in either style—bright and airy or dark and moody—and I’m obsessed with how it can do both.

[Here’s the link to the Wallpaper if you’re curious!]

Dark Wood Home Office Corner Desk & My Desk Setup

Having this corner desk has been lovely. The corner desk was a game-changer for my workflow. It’s given me so much space to set up my laptop on one side, my Mac on the other, and then a whole other side of the desk to draw on my Ipad. I have an area for where I’d attach my arm tripod to record my digital sketches and designs. For anyone who needs a space for multiple projects (or just has a lot of stuff out when working), I can’t recommend a corner desk enough. The extra surface area makes it easy to stay organized and creative all at once.

When I’m designing I love having this space to make mood boards and draw on my Ipad while having my laptop open. If you have multiple books, sketchbooks and things out when your working then I can’t recommend a corner desk enough to give you that extra space.

Home Office Shelves: My Dark Academia Decor

My favorite part of my office is my shelves, which I get to take with me. These shelves became a visual extension of my personality, filled with quirky, nature-inspired, dark decor that added character and mood to the room. I curated them with unique items I’d found online and in shops, from vintage skulls to framed butterflies and plants. For those of you who want to explore similar decor, here’s my Amazon home list with some of the pieces I’ve loved and a few I’ve had my eye on. I’ve also highlighted some independent, alternative decor brands in this post if you want to support smaller creators.

Here is my amazon home list for some things I have and something I had my eye on.

Growing Into the Space

This office didn’t come together overnight. It took time to figure out how I wanted it to look and feel, and even now, if we weren’t moving, I’d still be tweaking it—adding some large bookcases, maybe a cozy reading nook. Spaces, I believe, should grow and evolve with us, and that’s exactly what this office did.

Creating this space also influenced my work, my website, and my creative style. Being a designer, I’m naturally drawn to aesthetics, and this room became the visual foundation for my projects. It was more than an office; it was a physical representation of my creative journey.

Advice for Setting Up Your Own Dark Academia Office

If you’re setting up your first home office, here’s my biggest piece of advice: let it evolve naturally. Take your time, add pieces that speak to you, and don’t rush it. Your taste will shift, and that’s okay! Pinterest boards are great for inspiration, but don’t feel pressured to have it all figured out from the start. I added decor as I went, letting go of items that no longer fit the vibe. This approach made my office a true reflection of me, and it can do the same for you.

What’s Next? Am I Keeping the Moody Dark Academia Office Vibe?

So, what does the future hold for my new office? Honestly, I have no idea. The thought is both exciting and daunting. My biggest debate is whether to leave the wallpaper behind or repurchase it for the new space. But like I said before, I’ll let the space grow over time and see where it takes me. This house will start as a blank canvas, and we’ll settle in before making big changes. (Even though, let’s be real, I’m already itching to dive right in.)

This room has been more than just a workspace—it’s been a mirror of my journey, my struggles, and my growth. As I close this chapter and pack up these memories, I look forward to what the next space will bring. Here’s to new beginnings and creating another unique, quirky haven that feels like home.

Thank you for joining me on this little tour of my moody, dark academia home office. I hope you’ve found a spark of inspiration here, whether you’re setting up a new space or just adding personality to an existing one.