Whether you already have a closet full of gothic clothes or simply enjoy the seductive ambiance that a gothic-inspired space can produce, it can be difficult to get the perfect balance of dark and light to establish your gothic hideaway.
Fortunately, it isn’t as difficult as you might think, and it can be made accessible on almost any budget.
What Is Gothic Decor?
The traditional gothic interior design style is distinguished by its refinement and mystique. It dates back to the Middle Ages when institutional themes influenced most styles of architecture of Christian churches and castles.
This home design style evolved over time and reappeared with a gothic counterculture during the Tudor and Victorian ages.
Most grand church structures in Europe were built in the Gothic style, but gothic architecture could also be found in universities, private mansions, and municipal buildings.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a prime illustration of gothic style, featuring common attributes such as pointed arches, carved doors, clustered pillars, and twisted ceiling trusses.
Gothic Bedroom Ideas
Here are some things to consider when bringing your gothic bedroom dreams to life.
Colour Palette
Gothic colours aren’t limited to black. Colour colours were abundant in this era’s aesthetic. Red, gold, purple, blue, grey, and green in moderate to dark tones are wonderful selections for a Gothic bedroom.
Rather than being a primary colour, black is a fantastic accent colour. Any use of black as a primary colour is permissible, although there is a risk of over-saturation of gloom.
When used as an accent hue, black adds a striking aspect to any design. Pick 2 secondary colours in addition to the main colour (use one as an accent colour). The varied shades of each colour can be employed to make it more appealing and add richness to your space design.
Black and white work great together when trying to create a gothic space. Don’t be afraid to add a splash of red to deepen the monochrome design.
Ornaments And Decorations
The key to creating an authentic gothic bedroom is to incorporate dark and moody ornaments and decorations. A staple of gothic decor is a lot of candles.
These can vary from large pillar candles dotted around the room to huge metal candelabras, or even candle sconces hung on the wall to create a creepy atmosphere.
Red candles stand out and look extra moody, but cream candles can create more of a laid-back and romantic gothic appearance.
Even though you’re creating a gothic space, it doesn’t necessarily mean it should be devoid of all life. Try incorporating some plants into your space to bring it to life.
Vines work well in dark-coloured rooms and for an added gothic touch, consider adding some red or black roses in ornate vases.
A mirror is a must-have gothic chic accent that would look stunning on any wall. For example, a black mirror with corresponding candle holders can definitely bring your gothic concept to life.
Ornate fittings in dark colours add a realistic goth vibe to an antique bedroom, whether they are hung on a dark or light wall.
Trinkets and ornaments can be used innovatively to pull the whole room together. Some ideas include glass domes packed with moss and other foliage, animal skulls, ornate mirrors, and mismatched picture frames.
If you’re on a small budget, you can pick up gothic-style antiques from charity shops and repaint them to suit the theme of your bedroom. The possibilities are endless!
Artwork
The next stage in constructing your gothic hideaway is to incorporate a bit of your own character into the mix via artwork.
Choose original artwork with gloomy themes or framed pictures in a spooky style. Even colourful masks and collages will serve to bring the space together.
Make sure to keep your colour palette in mind when selecting the correct artwork.
Nevertheless, if you want to go backwards and have discovered a gloomy, melancholy painting that you really must-have in the space, work with the colour tones present in the art.
Embroideries with gothic themes contribute greatly to any bedroom. They are a simple way to add luxury to a wall while establishing a central focus. Pick skull designs to provide mystique to your bedroom and to modify the space for added personality.
Mood Lighting
The greatest approach to produce a gothic ambiance in your bedroom is using low-intensity lighting. A dimmer-equipped chandelier, for instance, provides excellent lighting and establishes the atmosphere for gothic decors.
One option is to hang candles in candle sconce fixtures on the wall. This will give a cosy old-world feel to the room. Corrugated metal candle holders are ideal for a Victorian-style haunted bedroom.
In antique shops, you may find a range of candle holders to lend a romantic touch to your bedroom.
If used tastefully, fairy lights can also work well in a gothic setting. Try to get your hands on fairy lights that come with a colour change option and remotes, this gives you full control over the atmosphere, moody colour, and dimness of your space.
Fabrics
The Gothic design favours thick, heavy materials that should be considered while selecting curtains, bedding, and other decorative objects such as cushions or tablecloths.
Resist light fabrics such as linen and instead opt for velvet or textured fabric, suede-like materials, or silky fabrics such as satin or organza.
Nevertheless, there are certain outliers. For instance, you may like a billowy or frilly curtain with a few manufactured tears or rips for a torn look that incorporates the Gothic style’s eerie side.
Blacks, as well as shades of red and purples, work best for the Gothic style, although other hues can work well as well. Colours that are rich and dark tend to work best.
There are numerous bedding combinations available, each of which includes bed sheets, a comforter, and ornamental cushions. Look for something that complements the colour palette of your space.
You may want to chop and change to make your own unique bedding, or you might just want to utilise your favourite fabrics to design a custom-made combination.
The same textiles used for the bedding can be used for the curtains, or you can choose a single colour from a theme you’ve used in the area.
Because structures, particularly castles, were draughty, heavy velvet curtains with tassel-fringed side skirts kept the bedrooms cosy and warm, even if it was freezing outside.
Dark Furniture
During the Gothic era, all bedroom furniture was built of real hardwood and was exceedingly heavy. Because oak is extremely durable, it was commonly chosen for the bed.
Metal was also commonly seen on interior doors, knobs, and headboards. Second-hand furniture shops are your best friend when it comes to designing a gothic bedroom. Large hardwood wardrobes and leather loveseats can easily be incorporated into a gothic space.
A side seating area will complement your bedroom furnishings in larger spaces. Try a chesterfield armchair or couch in dark leather as an element of your gloomy bedroom décor ideas. This grandiosity buttoned sitting furnishings would create a beautiful central focus in a gothic room.
A dark leather couch is not only functional, but it also has a concept and reflects your unique taste. Don’t forget to finish the look with some velvet or silk pillows.
The Gothic theme is enhanced by the use of antique, Victorian-style furniture. As an extra advantage, ancient furniture may only require cleaning rather than restoration, as knocks and dents can contribute to the sense of decay synonymous with the Gothic design.
Floors And Walls
The floors and walls are the two main areas in your room. The flooring in gothic style is always made of a hard material, such as marble or tile. Wood floors can also be used, and they should be stained darkly. Choose a weathered floor appearance with a salvaged wood floor to offer a unique charm.
Keep in mind that the darker the colours, the smaller your room might seem. If you really must have darker walls, include at least one brighter accent wall to open up the room. A monochrome style, such as various tones of grey or burgundy, might help to create a unified backdrop.
Rugs
Stone flooring in castles would transport some heat radiation from fires or absorb heat from the sun throughout the day, although they were still unsuitable for barefoot walking at night.
Cowhide rugs were frequently used. Aubusson rugs (deep sculpted wool) were developed in the 1300s. These moulded carpets can provide extra insulation for the floor. Pick rugs that complement the colour of your walls.
While you still can keep the floor bare in a contemporary gothic bedroom, you ought to cover it with a rug in a traditional gothic space.
This is because it was considered impolite to stroll in the bedroom barefoot at nighttime, particularly in the cold, thus large rugs with ornate patterns woven of wool were used to hide the ground.
Such rugs also contributed to the added warmth. If you reside in a warmer region, you don’t have to use a woollen rug to cover the floor of your antique bedroom. A Moroccan or Persian rug will work, as long as it matches the colour of your walls.
Architectural Features
Although not everyone resides in a castle or a Gothic mansion, there are other construction styles that complement Gothic furnishings since they contain many of the same design traits.
Even if your property isn’t in one of these styles, you can have the Gothic home you want. You can increase the Gothic realism of your bedroom by introducing a few things.
You may want to include curtains draped over doorways to create a faux-arched effect. You could also incorporate intricate tapestries that span entire walls to create a truly antique look. If your budget allows it, consider replacing a window in your bedroom with stained glass.
Final Thoughts
Gothic decor is all about being daring and intriguing. Decadent and very sensuous, a gothic bedroom evokes emotions that few other styles can match.
I’m Ida Oliveira, and now I want to impart my knowledge of all things interior design onto you. If you’re going through the same process of designing your house, I want to help.
So, I hope that you’ll find everything you need to know on my website. If I make the process even a little easier and more fun for you, Alexander and Pearl will have done its job.
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