Throughout the centuries, Gothic design has manifested into different shapes and forms. You can entertain any of these by creating a unique gothic bedroom decor. Based on the particular era, new ideas came about that extended the art of Gothic to other styles.
Gothic Revival, Romantic Goth, and Victorian Gothic have individual traits that make them charming in their own sense. With different Gothic themes, many interesting ways to show your love of the true Gothic decor. Choose your favorite and create your own Gothic vibe.
The original Gothic architecture began during Medieval times in the 12th century and continued through the 16th century. Every characteristic had a purpose. For instance, the flying buttresses on the exterior of the building were not just ornate, majestic, pointed towers. This architectural feature provided support to the structure by transferring the force to the ground and spreading the weight of the walls more evenly.
Those little gargoyles may have been a good idea upon closer look also had a sensible purpose. The ugly monsters would catch rainwater that poured from the roof and then released through their mouths. Since churches favored the Gothic design, they said that the gargoyles would terrify the citizens and chase them into the building for service. Superstition and fear were prevalent during medieval times.
Table of Contents
- Gothic Bedroom Decor: Infused Victorian Era
- Gothic Bedroom Decor: Modern Gothic Revival
- Gothic Bedroom Decor: Chic with an Element of Spooky
- Gothic Bedroom Decor: Powerful Big Beds
- Gothic Bedroom Decor: Dark Color Themes with Decorative Items
- Your Gothic Bedroom Decor Project
The Victorian Gothic Era began in the 1740s. The Gothic Revival era was prominent from 1830 to 1860. A prime example of Gothic Revival architecture is the Westminster Palace in London. Towers that stretched to the sky with pointed arch windows with decorative crowns adorned castles and cathedrals in majestic glory. The largest surfaces would benefit from these towering objects and accents.
The dramatic look of Gothic toned down in the 1900s, but not before it appeared in the United States. We would first see a Gothic Revival style appearing on rural farmhouses with dripping fancy trim along with pointed gables. This trim gained the nickname “gingerbread” style and is still popular today. It held sweeping front porches with pillars of intricate detail, making the house appear inviting.
Accents of the Gothic bedroom design were common throughout the interior, with particular emphasis on the furnishings. Creating a Gothic theme in the master bedroom is a great way to preserve this unique time in history. Proud hand-carved moldings and motifs, together with dark colors, can provide a romantic and majestic look.
Gorgeous gothic bedroom ideas can help you avoid a macabre look. The uninformed may view gothic decor as dark and disturbing because of the gothic literature of the 18th century. Edgar Allan Poe used death and madness, which was categorized as gothic.
The once cold and damp castles that were crumbling from the 12th and 13th centuries made the perfect backdrop for mystery writers to create a scary scene. However, the gothic era also used natural light and gorgeous architecture.
Today’s gothic look pulls light colors and black accents, but it also uses dramatic dark blues and black walls to promote a mysterious beauty. If you have always thought that gothic home decor was too complex to tackle, check out the following ideas to accomplish the modern gothic style.
Gothic Bedroom Decor: Infused Victorian Era
Gothic fashion of architecture and home decor had a major impact in the Victorian age. Ideas evolved to use neutral and bright colors instead of the dark Middle Ages palette of black color and dark woods. Create a new Goth fashion with white walls and white bedding. Dark decorative details will create a Gothic bedroom decor.
Dark reds and forest green upholstery on highly ornate wooden furniture contrast the room’s polished white appearance. Use an elaborate gold and glass coffee table to tie in the Victorian style with the Gothic. Accent wall pieces can include ravens, crows, or black butterflies in gold metal frames and are perfect on a hard surface.
The outcome will be one of luxury, romance, and mystery without creating a bleak atmosphere.
Gothic Bedroom Decor: Modern Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival focuses on comfort and a pleasing atmosphere for raising children. The beauty of country living in rich pitched-roof cottages is a scaled-down version of the Victorian-era Gothic look. This style is a favorite for homeowners that enjoy comfort over elegance.
The primary color of brown, red, or yellow works for a small room. Pointed arched stained-glass windows are still prevalent in these private homes. The window treatments keep an air of distinction with triple-fold layers and silk material.
The landscape wall art of traditional or modern style brings a pleasing venue to gothic bedroom décor. Ornate furniture and motifs are still desirable but on a smaller scale. Hang ornate mirrors and use small Victorian table lamps to add a warm tone.
Gothic Bedroom Decor: Chic with an Element of Spooky
Using black paint as a wall color can be tricky to create a gothic décor setting. Without careful planning, your room can end up looking like a dungeon. The perfect way to introduce black as the main color in a fashionable way is to use different shades of black in patterned wallpaper in a chic style.
Damask or brush stroke images in a light shade of black can make a wall stand out in regal beauty. A dark color scheme is one of the best ways to form a spooky-chic gothic bedroom style. Dark leather furniture and a hanging black chandelier will set a mysterious look.
Visit antique stores and look for wooden ornate old furniture that has a unique style. This piece will make a wonderful display area for macabre pieces. Skulls, candle holders, and roses in deep reds. Wrought iron wall sconces along doorways will intensify the gothic feeling of your sleeping space.
Gothic Bedroom Decor: Powerful Big Beds
The bed is often a focal point all its own in bedroom gothic room decor. Using a king-sized four-poster bed or canopy bed is a common sight. Other renditions include a tall or dark ornate bed frame. Color tones of rich red, green, or blue add majestic beauty to quality bedding. A bed cover of white is not unusual to see with accessories of bold, bright throw pillows.
Live flowers of red roses in a ceramic vase of white color on a nightstand is a great idea for reproducing the gothic era. Oversized black furniture of leather will blend nicely with your bed.
Gothic Bedroom Decor: Dark Color Themes with Decorative Items
We can create a gothic interior design with just a few decorative items. Take light fixtures, for example. An overstated black wrought iron chandelier hung in the center of a bedroom or over a dining room table is an eye-catcher.
If you have a fireplace in the living room that is not in use, consider setting a ceramic gargoyle statue in front of the opening. Everyone will want to inspect this fine work of art. Line the mantel with black candles and hang a heavily ornate mirror above.
Adding just a few gothic items around the home will tie in your gothic feel. Wall hangings can make your room interesting when offering the history of the gothic era. Gothic Goth Mystical Creatures Print in a simple black frame will intrigue visitors and provide knowledge. A throw pillow of black cats or ravens used in the right way can also make a statement.
Your Gothic Bedroom Decor Project
If you are a big fan of Gothic architecture and interior decor, you will see the beauty of this time period. The first step in approaching gothic design is to select the gothic period that catches your interest. The next step is to choose your color palette.
Gothic Bedroom Decor: Colors
Black and white colors are a popular choice in today’s interior design. It’s simple to start with white wallpaper, black bedding, and other black furnishings for an inspired gothic look. Add the right colors of deep reds, forest green, and vibrant colors like blues to announce your confidence in gothic home decor. Want a stylish approach to light fixtures? Wayfair and Etsy have some great options.
The first thing I am reminded of when I think about Gothic bedroom decor? An American friend, now in Toronto, was the CEO of a multimedia design agency. One of his major clients was Disney, and he had also worked on digital projects for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Anyhow, his entire home had a Lord of the Ring theme with gargoyle accents and gothic-style chandeliers. Even his office chair was for a King. 😉 How creative you get and how much fun it is, is really up to you.
Gothic Bedroom Decor: Themes
Locate heavy furniture and work it into your bedroom. Bedrooms today are much smaller than the French and Italian castles of long ago. You may have to settle for one large ornate dresser or a full-sized bed, so all furnishings are proportionate to the room.
Not all gothic styles depend on dark themes. Wall and ceiling moldings are easy to install for a grand presentation. We can use lighter colors with the addition of fancy table lamps. Gold-plated ornate chandeliers will give a regal sense of beauty to vibrant colors.
If you have a large window that brings in tons of light, decide if you want to use sheers or go for a mightier presence with colorful, elaborate silk drapes. Create a focal point in your window treatment that delivers an elegant statement. Make sure there are plenty of fringes and the drapes are three-fold in width.
Depending on your desired mood, there are many ways to create your personal gothic bedroom. We can achieve romantic energy with a touch of haunting by using velveteen, veiled lace, and tufted leather. A true Goth might entertain the mystical and spiritual feel of deep purple walls and ornate black mirrors. The creepier, the better.
Gothic Bedroom Decor: Ornamental Gothic Accents
History lovers are more into the preservation of handmade furniture and the dramatic feel of the arts that were developed during this time. Stained-glass windows, sculptures, and paintings that perceive power, isolation, and confinement deliver a dark, but interesting, nature to this period.
Gothic design is a genre of eerie styles but can be much more than that. We all have a desire to encounter the mysterious and can feel at home if Gothic uses flavorful techniques and imagination. Unless you really want that ouija board for added effect.
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Karen Garton, Senior Writer
Experienced Writer with 20+ years. Demonstrated writing experience includes technical writing, magazines, story writing, and journalist projects. Karen has a powerful media and communication background with academic training from LaSalle University (architecture, interior design) and business college courses. She loves editing novels and contributed to a national art journal. See her detailed profile on Our Team page.
