Designing a Gothic room takes thoughtful consideration and careful planning.
While the word "Goth" brings to mind spider webs, bats and ultraviolet band posters, these items are more suitable to represent Halloween than the traditional Gothic style. Gothic design is about aesthetic beauty and a deep respect for the classical. Drama and deep, lush colors give off an aura of mystery that surrounds the Gothic style. There are plenty of options to choose from when redesigning a room to illustrate Goth, but the more traditional style focuses on architectural features and layers of accessories. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Research all aspects of Gothic design thoroughly and pick your favorite elements. A variety of sources contribute to the Gothic style, including the 12th- to 16th-century abbeys and churches in France as well as the more dramatic Victorian-era Goth. Neo-Goth takes not only the lines and proportions but also the colors from the Victorian era and strips them to the bare minimum to preserve true aesthetic beauty.
2. Choose your wall color. While the Gothic color is stereotypically black, better choices include dark red, purple and deep blues. You can texture these shades to appear older to ensure a Neo-Goth style.
3. Emphasize the vertical axis of the room. Accessorize with floor-to-ceiling shelving or bookcases. Consider placing the curtain rods a foot above the windows to accentuate the architectural style. If your home does not have high ceilings or windows, you will need to make it feel like it does. This can be accomplished by adding items that draw the eye upward. A four-poster bed, columns or long window drapes work well. Paint the ceiling a lighter shade than the walls and use dark wood floors and area rugs to make the room appear taller.
4. Use floor-length drapes to add dimension to the room. Deep, rich colors help bring the room together by adding visual "weight." Heavier fabrics help to absorb the sound to make the space more intimate, while the vertical folds in the drapes emphasize vertical space.
5. Use wrought-iron accessories. Add drawer handles, window shutters and curtain rods. If you are designing a bedroom, the bed frame and mirror frame should also be wrought iron. Find candlesticks and light fixtures to match. You may choose to paint your accessories a flat or semigloss black to help create a contrast against the drapes.
6. Use indirect lighting to keep the room dim at all times. Single strands of one-color Christmas tree lights work well and help maintain a subtle and ambient atmosphere. Other popular light fixtures include candelabra, chandeliers, wall sconces and candles, when practical.
7. Choose wood furniture with carved accents. The more elaborate the furniture, the more traditional your room will feel. The furniture should look heavy and be well-placed. Choose upholstery, bedding, pillows and cushions in velvet, in deep purples and with embroidered cases. Gothic rooms require many pillows, so arrange them in a variety of sizes and shapes.
8. Use tapestries and stained-glass accents. Reproductions of medieval art or one large elaborate mirror can help complete the Gothic style. Stone effects and pewter dragons and gargoyles are also good choices. If you want to go the extra mile, consider using religious symbols, dried roses and incense.
Tags: Gothic style, aesthetic beauty, curtain rods, Gothic design, light fixtures, more traditional, work well
