Goth is about the beauty of mystery and the unseen.
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep." Keep these words from Robert Frost and a few strains of "Moonlight Sonata" in mind when you think of Gothic decor. "Goth" isn't about bats, spiderwebs and blacklight band posters--that's Halloween. Gothic design is all about drama, mystery, deep, lush colors, aesthetic beauty and a healthy respect for all things classical. It's not about "evil;" it's about medieval. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Research Gothic design and decide which elements you like. Gothic influence comes from many sources, from the twelfth to sixteenth century abbeys and churches of France, to the more consciously dramatic Gothic revivals of the Victorian area to the neo-goth (also known as "executive goth") styles that take the general lines, proportions and colors of the Victorian revival era and refine them to the bare essence.
2. Choose a wall color that you like but go with one in a very subdued and slightly darker shade than you might for another decorating style. Very intense shades textured to appear older are typical for neo-goth. Dark red, purple and deep blues and violets are all classic Gothic wall colors; whatever you do, don't paint your walls black.
3. Emphasize the room's vertical aspect with floor-to-ceiling shelving or bookcases and place curtains rods high above the actual height of the windows. Gothic is a very architectural style, so if your home doesn't have high ceilings or tall windows, you'll need to trick the eye into thinking it has. Anything that draws the eye upward is good--four-poster beds, columns and window dressings can contribute to this effect. You can use a little forced perspective to make the room look taller by using dark wood floors or a dark rug and a ceiling in a lighter shade than the walls.
4. Use heavy, rich, floor-length drapes to add dimension and bring the room together. Theatrical-style drapes made of heavy material do several things. They add some visual "weight" to the room, their folds create vertical lines to emphasize vertical space and they absorb sound to make the surroundings more intimate.
5. Incorporate wrought-iron details. This includes drawer pulls, curtain rods, window shutters, bed frame, mirror frames, candlesticks and light fixtures. Paint them flat or semi-gloss black. The hard wrought-iron will create a lot of dynamic contrast against the heavy drapes and use of hanging fabric that typifies the Gothic style.
6. Keep the room somewhat dim at all times and use indirect accent lighting. All sources of electric light should be subtle and ambient. Strands of mono-color Christmas tree lights work well for this purpose. Accessorize with chandeliers, candelabras and wall sconces. Use candles wherever safe and practical.
7. Choose furniture made of wood with carved accents--the more elaborate, the better. Gothic furniture should look heavy, substantial and purposefully placed. Use velvets and figured brocades for upholstery, bedding, cushions and pillows.
8. Utilize medieval-style tapestries. Add reproductions of medieval art in heavy gilded frames if that suits your particular style of Gothic or one large, elaborate mirror.
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