How to Decorate in Light Academia Style

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Do you love the cozy, intellectual atmosphere of dark academia but find it too dark? Allow me to introduce you to its charming counterpart: light academia.

Today, we are going to explore light academia, the counterpart to the dark academia a style I previously covered.

So What Is Light Academia?

The light academia interior design style is a blend of vintage, rustic, and traditional design elements, inspired by the aesthetics of classical literature, art, and education.

It’s all about creating a cozy, lived-in feeling with neutral and natural elements, soft colors, and plenty of books.

The light academia aesthetic is known for incorporating design elements from the Victorian, Baroque, Renaissance, and other 18th-century European motifs. This aesthetic is often seen in historic buildings such as churches, libraries, castles, museums, and of course universities.

When you think about the architecture of the academia style in general, both light and dark academia styles typically feature high ceilings, long corridors, and mirrors, with a strong focus on books and scholastic elements.

Similarly to dark academia, the light academia style focuses on books and other scholastic features.

It also shares a lot of its defining qualities with other aesthetics like cottage core and most importantly a vintage aesthetic.

Most commonly in both styles, you’re going to find a strong presence of hardcover books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and novels. You will also see many academic and school-inspired touches, such as quill pens, ink, journals, vintage globes, and maps.

You’ll also find old-fashioned tools and equipment that you can place in any room, perhaps a violin or a grand piano. (if you have the room for it)

So as the name implies this style is influenced by school and school-like items from the past.

Check out this post on dark academia.

How to Decorate in Light Academia: TIPS & IDEAS FOR A COZY, SCHOLARLY SPACE

So you like this aesthetic? How do you get this look? How do you incorporate this look into your space?

Color Palette

Let’s start with the color palette.

We really want to have (you have probably guessed it by now), a neutral color palette.

So unlike dark academia, we want to avoid a heavy feeling with this look. We want to lighten things up when we’re talking about light academia.

The color palette used in light academia is soft muted and dreamy.

So think about bringing in faded or neutral tone like creams, beiges, and whites. At the same time, almost all shades of brown also work really well and are welcomed into this antique look of light academia.

If possible try to add in some touches of gold to accent some parts of your homes, it will really add a little bit of elegance to the space.

Although you are aiming for a neutral color palette for your light academia space, don’t shy away from using soft colors like pastels—specifically powder blue, baby pink, sage green, dusty rose, and pale yellow.

These pastel colors, when used in moderation in a light academia room, will really help give your space a cute and feminine touch.

Other neutrals like camel, taupe, tan, warm grays, and gold can also be found in light academia décor.

Of course, there are other colors you could select but pretty much just aim to keep the color palette as light as possible, not just in your wall color but also in the furniture and items that you include in your space.

Lighting

As with any style, lighting plays a crucial role in creating the desired atmosphere.

Natural Light

Another key element when you’re thinking about light academia is bringing in natural light into your space.

It’s key for this look, unlike our dark academia counterpart where we want a more moody and deep feeling in the space, we really want light academia to be light bright, and airy.

With light academia, during the day you should try to embrace natural light as much as possible by keeping your windows unobstructed to allow ample natural light to filter into your space.

This creates a sense of warmth and vitality which is characteristic of the light academia aesthetic.

You should also maximize your window exposure so you can try to position your furniture in a way that maximizes exposure to natural light during the daytime.

So when it comes to windows we want to keep the drapery super light, think of linens and cottons and keeping them open during the day.

You really want to make sure that you are allowing all of that natural light into your space.

Check out this post on dark academia.

Artificial Lighting

As the daylight transitions to evenings, you’ll be turning to your artificial lighting to maintain the atmosphere.

To achieve the balance, try to curate the style of your light fixtures.

I would say opt for light fixtures that have a traditional aesthetic, Victorian-inspired designs, and fixtures with vintage elements.

Think of stuff like a fancy chandelier or perhaps the use of candles, candelabras, or a gold lamp. So definitely a lot more of that vintage vibe traditional vibe.

Incorporate a mix of pendant lights, floor lamps, & table lamps and place them strategically throughout your space to ensure an even distribution of light and to provide layered illumination.

In terms of accent colors try to go for gold.

Candlelight gives off the best light at night, and you can also get LED candle tapers that flicker and turn on by remote, so that way, it is not super dangerous to use and you can get that lighting all the time without having to go out and buy more candles or having to risk your house burning down.

Another lighting option would be wall sconces.

These can be placed in many different areas in a home and can bring a unique flare to a space.

The last lighting option I would like to mention is an oil lamp. There are many different types that you can get, some even have floral designs that are A+.

Light academia Patterns & Fabrics

When it comes to capturing the quintessential academia vibe, certain patterns stand out as iconic symbols of this aesthetic.

Each pattern, from the timeless elegance of plaids and tartans to the classic charm of gingham and houndstooth, holds its own unique history and cultural significance.

Alongside these, argyle patterns add a tone of sophistication and dainty florals evoke a sense of romance and nostalgia.

Leather, flannel, cashmere, linen, crotchet, silk, tattersall, wool, lace, cable knit, argyle, and madras. Any of these patterns will work in a light academia scheme as well.

Just make sure to use them in a lighter color palette which will give it a soft bright and more romantic feel.

you could use vintage-inspired wallpaper with delicate designs or incorporate patterned textiles through throw pillows, curtains, area rugs, or beddings.

You can also add patterned accents through artwork and tapestries.

Just remember to keep the balance by not overwhelming the space with too many patterns and instead focus on creating a curated and sophisticated ambiance.

Materials, texture, and finishes

Light academia can evoke thoughts of summer and a carefree break away from school. While dark academia thrives in the colder gloomier months of cold studying.

You could keep this in mind when choosing your textures and materials and go for light, airy options versus the heavier more substantial materials typically seen in dark academia.

Not a hard rule obviously just something you could keep in mind.

Try opting for natural fabrics like linen, tweed, and wool to add a tactile quality to your space.

So nothing that is too heavy.

Generally speaking though, the most popular academic textures and materials are leather, velvet, wood, marble, metal finishes, and things with a worn or vintage finish.

Wood tones

Incorporating warm wood tones such as oak or walnut can bring a sense of timeless sophistication.

Your woods don’t necessarily have to be super light-toned.

You can use darker woods as they will contrast really nicely with the light paint and other light textures in your space.

So when you’re thinking about the furniture in your space, you also want to think of the wood tone that you’re using.

So think oaks, walnuts, and light-colored woods.

Walls

If you’re going for a traditional scholarly cultured look, you CAN’T have empty walls.

Paneling, moldings, & wainscoting

So first things first, add your molding, this brings architectural interest to any room.

Crown molding, chair molding & picture rails, picture frame molding, wainscoting, board & batten whichever you like best – pick one pick two do it.

Once you’ve got your molding up, some things you could hang are gilded mirrors.

Gilded mirrors evoke a sense of elegance and antiquity and they’re reminiscent of opulent old-world interiors. They reflect light creating a sense of brightness and airiness which really aligns with the desire for a light-filled environment associated with the light academia style.

Another detail that will really upgrade this look is to do wainscoting on your walls.

Now I do realize that this would be a bit of a commitment but if you really do want to embrace this look, this will get you there.

Wallpaper

Now if you are not willing to do wainscoting but paint seems too boring, you can always bring in wallpaper.

Wallpaper is a great way to bring in a light academia vibe

So you’ll want to think about something like elaborate floral patterns.

Think William Morris which will really really look stunning in a light academia space.

Paintings

You can also incorporate traditional oil portraits, they can add a sense of intellectual heritage and sophistication.

This type of artwork can create a focal point in a room inviting contemplation and reflection on the lives and ideas of individuals depicted.

Impressionist paintings have a strong emphasis on light color and mood.

The soft dreamy quality of an impressionist artwork contributes to the romanticized atmosphere associated with this design style.

Many impressionist paintings depict scenes of leisure, nature, or everyday life which can evoke a feeling of tranquility and nostalgia.

The next idea is to get some artwork and display it in a gold ornate frame.

When looking for artwork, look for florals, landscapes, or portraits. You can look at artists like Claude Monae, you can also look at artists from the Renaissance period or Neoclassical.

Any form of art that pays homage to the Renaissance era or other similar periods is an item that is worthy of being displayed in your light academia space.

The main goal here is to stray away from any artwork that has moody themes, or that is dark in color. You want to go for something that emits happiness or has a happy vibe to it.

Furniture

Okay, now the fun part, furniture!

The furniture you pick for your light academia room really helps set the vibe and antique furniture is where it’s at for this kind of style.

Antique and vintage pieces will infuse your space with a sense of history and authenticity.

Every light academia room really should have some kind of area dedicated to study. So get yourself a leather or velvet armchair and create a cozy reading nook for yourself where you can lose yourself in the world of literature, or scrolling on Instagram 😉.

Check out this post on dark academia.

Bookcase

When we are thinking of furniture for the space, I think one key element is the bookcase.

Of course, you’ll need somewhere to put your books, so bookshelves are a must.

Just like dark academia, light academia does embrace bookshelves as one of the most important items that you should be incorporating into your space.

Bookshelves are integral to the light academia aesthetic as they serve as a place to showcase knowledge and culture.

Sadly, you can’t impress anyone with your 10,00 digital E-books 🙁 so now is the time to bust out the vintage encyclopedia collection that nobody ever actually read.

Bookshelves in light academia often display a curated selection of books, vintage items, plants, and art pieces.

Of course, bookshelves are the perfect places to sprinkle in some personality, this is where you can add small sculptures or vintage globes and other typical academia style décor.

Vintage writing desk

The other piece you should incorporate in a light academia or any academic space light or dark is a vintage writing desk.

If you have the space for it, a vintage writing desk could also be one of your main centerpieces. Go for wooden desks with intricate details and plenty of storage drawers.

Now that is just a beautiful piece to add in and add a lot of visual interest to your space.

There are many other furniture pieces that you can incorporate to really give you that light academia space.

Think of items like; A lawyer’s cabinet, Apothecary cabinets, Desks with typewriters & type setting drawers, vintage books, and candle sticks will also help set that scene to make things feel frozen in time.

Plants

You can also bring in some additional texture through the use of plants and you can really bring in whichever plants you like best.

But if you need some ideas you could opt for classic choices like some potted English ivy, or a delicate fern.

Check out this post on dark academia.

Decorative touches and Accessories

What I appreciate about the light academia style is that it does have a maximalist vibe to it.

Some of the items that you want to bring in from a décor sense can be super fun and playful in this aesthetic.

So you want to think about bringing in trinkets that show your appreciation for the liberal arts.

So again books of course symbolize your love of knowledge and literature.

Think about things like globes and hourglasses, telescopes, journals, magnifying glasses, calligraphy tools, and just anything that will amplify that academia aesthetic.

Just like with dark academia, the accessories are the ones that are going to get you the look that you want.

It is important to keep in mind that depending on which accessories you choose you can dial the style up or down.

So if you’re going for a really strong academia vibe then you want to have a lot of old books, bonus if the books have light-colored dust jackets and covers so that they blend better with the light, warm color palette.

Then things like typewriters, handwritten letters, globes, maps, fountain pens, you know ancient calligraphy stuff.

Basically, you are looking for items that communicate knowledge, studying, and learning but with that vintage old-school look.

Another great feature item that you could bring into your space is something like a grandfather clock, golden candelabras, ceramic vases, or even items like dried flowers are a great addition to your space.

For a more dialed-back version of light academia, keep scholarly accessories to a minimum. Instead, consider adding a beautiful white marble bust, some cut crystal vases, and botanical prints or sketches.

Other accessories that can enhance this look include; gilded frames & mirrors (like we said before), vintage desk accessories like letter openers, inkwells, or antique stationary holders, bronze or brass figurines & statues, and candlesticks in vintage candle holders.

Something that is kind of fun and quirky could be bringing in a gramophone.

These are always beautiful additions to any space.

Check out this post on dark academia.

Decorative Touches

1. Accessories

• Scholastic References: Quill pens, ink, inkwells, journals, vintage globes, maps, violins, and grand pianos.
• Artistic Elements: Easels, canvases, paintbrushes, typewriters, stamps, and calligraphy tools.
• Trinkets: Globes, hourglasses, telescopes, journals, and magnifying glasses.

2. Vintage Decor

• Gilded Mirrors
• Marble Figurines and Intricate Tea Sets
• Antique Portraits
• vintage desk accessories like letter openers, inkwells, or antique stationary holders
• Flowers
• bronze or brass figurines & statues

I think the key to the light academia style is for the décor and accessories.

Bring in items that you are interested in.

So what’s interesting about the academia style is that you can bring in your own aesthetics from any form of education, and make it your own.

I think it’s a really beautiful and creative style that you can elaborate on and make it truly unique to yourself.

In general I would say though, air on the side of restraint with your academic accessories.

You don’t want to run the risk of overdoing it and then looking like you have decorated in a theme which at times can look a little cheesy and a little tacky.

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Budget-friendly ideas for Light Academia

Everything I mention here can be incorporated into any room in your house. I am not speaking of one room specifically when I mention items, so keep that in mind.

1.Greek columns

The first item is a Greek column, I like it because it’s an ode to dark academia because in dark academia it comes from the secret history and they love and study Greek.

It also brings in that light color palette, a bit of history and it can be used in many different spaces in your home.

You could use it in a corner of a room to display books, add some flowers, or you could also put it next to your bed, next to your couch, you could put one smaller one and one taller one to kind of break it up a bit and add a little something extra.

I love this item specifically, it’s so unique I mean how often do you go into someone’s home and see a Greek column there?

Check out this post on dark academia.

2.Paint your furniture

Another idea is to paint your already owned furniture in a lighter shade.

Opt for white, cream, beige, or pastel shades to help your space fit the new theme. This is something that is not going to be super costly, and it is going to make a big difference in your space.

3.Paneling

The next idea is paneling and this can cost you a bit more, it is not going to be too much though 😉.

So picture frame paneling and some chair rails are all great ways to transform a room and make it feel elegant.

4.Ornate headboard

Another idea would be to get an ornate headboard.

These are so pretty, this is something I’ve been on the lookout for and I will say since I’ve been looking I have seen a couple of gold ones on the Facebook marketplace but even if you found it in white, it would still go perfectly with this aesthetic.

To me, the ornate one is a statement in a bedroom and I think it’s so unique.

5.Figurines

The next idea is to get some figurines

6.tea sets

Another idea is to get tea sets, I always say this (but don’t ever get something if you don’t use it.)

I like floral tea sets or tea sets, in general, because you can display them and they look just very pretty when they are displayed, and not to mention you can also use them.

7.Artwork

The next idea is to get some artwork and display it in a gold ornate frame.

When looking for artwork look for florals, landscapes, and portraits, you can look at artists like Claude Monae, you can also at artists from the Renaissance period, or Neoclassical.

Another thing you can do is thrift a book and use the photos in the book as artwork.

8.Gold ornate mirrors

Since I’m talking about gold ornate you can also look for some gold ornate mirrors as well.

Just you know a mirror on an accent wall on top of a dresser over your bed over your nightstand, there are many different places that this can go to and this piece alone is such a great focal point in a space.

9.Display flowers

Another simple idea is to display fresh flowers or fake flowers.

I opt for fake especially because they are just very easy to maintain, but the plus side about getting real flowers is that you can actually dry them when you’re done and display them as well.

So again another two in one and you can keep them after they are dried.

My favorite one to display that dries out really beautifully is Baby’s Breathe and I think that one works really well in the light academia aesthetic.

10.Duvets

The next idea is to get a duvet or you know —a comforter whatever you have in your home and get it in a floral print, a ruffled duvet, many options would fit in with the light academia aesthetic and would really transform your room.

11.Curtains & Drapes

The next idea is to replace your curtains.

The first curtain pattern I wanted to mention is lace, specifically one that has a floral print in it. It would just give off a beautiful shadow design on your floor and give your space an ethereal feeling.

That also brings me to the next curtain which is a sheer curtain that does the same thing, it diffuses light beautifully throughout a space especially if you have low light in your home.

But if you don’t want to do curtains, there’s always the option to do drapes and if you’re going to go for that I would say go for floral print.

12.starching a bed sheet

The last idea on this list and that is very transformative, is starching a bed sheet onto your wall.

Go get a vintage floral bed sheet from your local thrift store and buy some liquid starch, then starch it on your wall like it is wallpaper.

It is removable, washable, and reusable as a bed sheet when you are done.

It is renter-friendly, it doesn’t ruin your walls, it leaves zero residue, and it is the most inexpensive way to get wallpaper.

If you enjoy the light academia style you’ll probably really enjoy the dark academia style as well, so jump over to that post next and check it out to get a similar but darker vibe of this look!

Check out this post on dark academia.