
08/14/2025
This or That: Dark Academia vs Light Academia
Dark Academia
Think Gothic arches, mahogany & ebony millwork, leather club chairs, rich patina and books that feel
layered with candlelight and scholarly shadows. Everything leans into Victorian weight and old-world
charm.
Light Academia
Picture Greek Revival details, light oak and pine, natural light, beeswax, and polished touches. A softer, Neo‑Classical aesthetic with plaster busts, wool-upholstered chairs, and a sense of airy symmetry.
Both draw on history and scholarship, evoking timeless interiors rooted in learning and storytelling. Choose
your tone or blend both for a genuinely personal touch.
Which side is your shelf on? 📚