5 Budget-Friendly Dark Academia Classroom Ideas for High School English Teachers

My dream has always been for my classroom to feel like an Oxford library of yesteryear—rain falling quietly outside, the quiet glow of lamplight, students busily annotating a text they love, bookshelves to the ceiling, the magic of literature in the air…

Unfortunately, the reality of most classrooms is that they are not at Oxford and the brick walls/neon desks/etc. leave something to be desired. Also, budgets are tight and it just might not make sense to totally redo a classroom you may not even be teaching in next year.

But here’s the good news: the dark academia aesthetic is about more than just looks! You can get all the vibes without breaking the bank or spending all your time on aesthetics. You can bring the aesthetic in with a strong reverence for ideas, curiosity, a scholarly atmosphere, and timeless stories.

Here are five ways to bring that feeling into your high school English classroom that don’t require a fancy makeover (or a new building…)

Related Post: How to Create a Light Academia-Inspired English Classroom (With Student Engagement at the Center)

1. Dark Academia Text Choices for the Classroom

Before you buy anything at all, take a look at what you’re teaching. Some of the most powerful dark academia elements come directly from your reading list. Gothic classics like Frankenstein and Jane Eyre, the eerie-ness and drama The Picture of Dorian Gray, or even modern selections like If We Were Villains or The Secret History let your students fall into dark academia.

Related Post: Brooding Brilliance: Teaching Dark Academia Without the Canon Overload

Poetry and dark academia are a match made in heaven. One of my favorite ways to lean into the dark beauty of literature is through the podcast Poetry Unbound. If you haven’t listened to Danez Smith’s “i’m going back to Minnesota where sadness makes sense,” start there. The episode is haunting and grounded, personal and philosophical. I found it really connected deeply with my students, especially towards the end of high school when they were thinking about moving away from their homes.

If you want to use this podcast, I have a Poetry Unbound Mini Unit that walks students through close reading, annotation, and creative response with a handful of poems that is easy to use flexibly in your classroom.

Related Post: The Easiest Way to Teach Poetry To High School Students (That They Will Actually Love)

2. Dark Academia Classroom Lighting Hacks

You may not be able to turn off the fluorescents and bring in floor lamps (though if you can, go for it!). But you can control the tone, color, and lighting of the room in small ways.

Try adding soft lighting visuals to your slide decks—old paper textures, candlelight GIFs, rainy day backgrounds. Swap in serif fonts, dim your screen brightness, and play some lo-fi classical music or stormy background sounds during writing time. Even subtle digital décor shifts like this can make your high school English classroom feel like an Oxford library on a budget.

3. Budget-Friendly Dark Academia Décor Ideas

The dark academia aesthetic thrives on carefully curated objects, intentional clutter, and a perfectly aligned color palette. Luckily, this means you don’t have to buy anything new. Raid your bookshelves at home. Scan estate sales for broken typewriters, or stack used books with interesting covers. Tape up quotes in your favorite moody font. Frame vintage-looking art prints or student work with literary themes.

Check out your local thrift store! I got so many actually good classroom books from thrift stores that made my library an amazing destination for my students. But you could also just get books that are the correct color or vibe for your space! They’re so cheap and it gives all those books a beautiful new purpose in life.

4. Make It a Shared Experience with Students

Your students can help create the atmosphere with you. Invite them into the aesthetic:

• Try a “Dark Academia Day” where students wear their best moody sweaters and boots.

• Launch a “Dead Poets Society” reading challenge—let students memorize and perform their favorite poems dramatically.

• Use an old-fashioned notebook for journaling or offer writing prompts on parchment-style paper.

• Add a “Word of the Day” board with SAT-level words that feel pulled from the halls of Oxford.

• Assign a fan fiction inspired creative project—I have a freebie here that does all the heavy lifting for you!

They’ll get into it more than you expect. There’s something that draws students in when you take literature seriously and make it feel like a secret club.

5. Dark Academia Posters That Actually Teach Something

If you’re going to put something on the walls, let it match your aesthetic and support your instruction. My Dark Academia Literary Elements Poster Set was designed for exactly that. Each poster defines a literary element your students actually need to know, using clean fonts, classic layout, and a quiet intensity that won’t clash with your vibe.

They're available in both color and black-and-white (because yes, I know the copier struggles). They look beautiful printed two-per-page, or as anchor visuals behind your teaching.

And if you want to try one out before committing to the full set, I’ve got a free sample poster showcasing symbolism you can grab here. It’s designed to be printed and used on its own—and it fits seamlessly into even the most minimalist classroom.

Final Thoughts: Creating a Dark Academia Aesthetic Without Breaking the Bank

Creating a dark academia classroom isn’t about spending money—it’s about building a space where curiosity feels sacred. Where your students know that books matter, that their thoughts matter, that language matters.

So whether you start with a single quote taped to your door or go full tweed-and-quill, you’re already on your way.

Want more inspiration? Check out my blog post on The Dystopian Novel Your Students Will Actually Finish: Why I Teach Red Rising for another high-engagement text that pairs beautifully with the dark academia aesthetic.

Let me know how you’re bringing the aesthetic to life in your classroom—I’d love to see what you create.

FAQ: Dark Academia Classrooms

What is the dark academia aesthetic in the classroom?
It’s a literary-inspired classroom design that values curiosity, critical thinking, and timeless texts, often featuring moody décor, gothic classics, and intentional teaching practices.

How do I make my classroom dark academia on a budget?
Focus on texts, décor you already own, thrifted books, free resources, and shared experiences with students. Small touches—like lighting and fonts—make a big difference.

Can I use dark academia themes in a homeschool classroom?
Absolutely. Many homeschool families use dark academia texts, décor, and projects like my Poetry Unbound Mini Unit revised specifically for homeschooling families to bring this scholarly aesthetic home.