Gothic Themed Bedrooms

One popular bedroom theme is the gothic style. It's not just young people who appreciate this theme - you don't need to be a pale-faced young goth to appreciate the dark sensuality or historical appeal of a gothic bedroom, be it traditional medieval or more of the fantastic style. Why should the goths have all the fun!

Decorating is a very personal thing, no-one can make decisions for you, so on this page I'll just suggest a couple of decor ideas you might like to consider when designing your resting place.

Skeleton Hand Sand Filled
Hourglass Display

Colours

Black

When most people think about "gothic" one word usually comes to mind: black. Black can play a useful part in a bedroom, but use with care.

Remember that black absorbs heat, so an all black room can become very uncomfortable on a warm summer night. In addition, a dark room isn't the best place for dressing to look one's best - after buying all the latest fashions, it would be a shame not to be able to take best advantage of them because the bedroom is so dark!

Black can be used very effectively as a splash or contrast detail, just be careful about overdoing it.

Red

Another very effective colour when used in moderation is red. A deep red can be exciting, playful and sensual. It can suggest the red lips of a kiss - perhaps those of a vampire?

Grey

Don't forget boring old grey - or gray for my American friends. Castle walls were made of stone, so a stone grey is appropriate. You can also buy wallpaper which resembles stonework.

Furniture

Medieval gothic decor tended towards simple materials (wood, iron) and ornate decoration. Intricate candle holders and four poster beds with richly coloured hangings were an example.

A useful style of furniture for the gothic bedroom is the chest. Gothic style storage cabinets and armoires can add character to a room whilst also being practical. One possibility is to take an existing cabinet and apply gothic motifs where appropriate.

Accessories

Accessories can really bring a bedroom to life (if that's appropriate for a gothic fan...). They also have the big advantage of being relatively easy to change if and when your tastes change.

Possibilities to consider include wall-mounted gargoyles, heraldic emblems, candlesticks (be very careful with candles and always extinguish them safely), artificial spider webs, side tables, etc.

Mirrors can be very effective. They are highly practical and if styled appropriately can give the impression of a castle window. They also make excellent places for mounting skulls, plastic spiders, etc!

Don't forget the old standbys: wall hangings, posters and artwork. These are the easiest of all accessories to change and can help to keep the room design fresh.

Hopefully this page has given you a few design ideas. A big advantage of gothic decorating is that it doesn't have to be perfect - I bet Dracula never hired an interior designer for his castle dungeon!

One final suggestion: don't overdo it. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the huge variety of gothic additions at the store. If you cram too much of it in then it can end up just becoming a mess. Whether you mix and match or buy a set, be selective and pick furniture, acessories and designs that complement each other.

Good luck with your project and remember: even goths are allowed to enjoy themselves occasionally!

Here Be Dreams Home - Bedroom - More - Themes - Goth / Gothic

All original material Copyright © Trevor Mendham 2003-2008. See home page for contact details.
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