Gothic Glory

Are you brave enough to update your home with a simple and dramatic gothic statement wall?

Long gone is the trend for minimalist, blank canvases with white and magnolia walls, as the trend for signature walls in eye-catching colours or bold wallpapers is still very much with us. And things are getting even bolder. 

No longer exclusively for emo teenage bedrooms, this winter sees more emphasis on a dark paint-palette of gothic hues. These colours add real drama and warmth to any room, but if you don’t feel that your room lends itself to having a whole wall dark, you could paint some of your furniture or accessories to incorporate these distinguished hues.

The palette combines four main colour bases: blues, greys, purples and blacks. Here are our favourite gothic paint picks:

Dark Blacks

You may think solid black over a whole wall could be a bit too much, but in the right room, a black wall can look truly stunning. We love the braveness of this dramatic look, which can suit either historic or contemporary spaces. Place a gold mirror or favourite picture on a black wall to create a real talking point. 

If you find a matt black too dark, try one with more of a gloss finish to give some light reflection and depth. Alternatively, if you feel adopting a black wall is just a bit too much, why not paint your cupboards, or give a wooden floor a coat of black?

True Blues

Although still very striking, blue offers a softer take on monochrome, using various tones to create the most beautiful shades. From royal blue to the darkest ink, team blues with metallic gold or silver. Add crisp white to ensure the room looks fresh and flashes of red to give it a nautical, almost beach-like feel. 

Deep cobalt blue can be used in any room in the house, so why not freshen up a tired kitchen by painting your cupboards? This works especially well on Shaker style units.

Blue walls also look beautiful with a natural wooden floor, which adds light and depth.

Heritage Greys 

There are many gorgeous variations of grey to choose from, from just a subtle hint of tone, to almost black – with whispers of blues, purples or browns. Grey is such an elegant and classic colour and can take a room anywhere from warm to cool – and everything in-between. 

An effective way to use grey for interiors, is to layer the colours from lighter shades to dark within one room, the variations beautifully complement each other. It’s best to stick to matt or sheen finishes to avoid your grey looking like metal – unless that’s the effect you’re going for!

Using dark colours makes a space feel cosy and relaxing, but you don’t want it to be dreary. To stop the room becoming too dark, add some brightness with a pop of colour in your cushions, rug, curtains or ornaments. Try a vivid mustard, turquoise, lime green or orange with dark greys for a bold, citrus statement, or go for soft shades of olive, heather and moss green for a more subtle colour-scheme.

Rich Purples

Purple is traditionally the colour of kings and queens, so use these gorgeous regal shades to fill your home with the essence of opulence and power.

Those who practice Feng Shui, believe purple is a colour of high vibrations, so must be used sparingly, but a little can stimulate and increase your wealth – I say if you like purple, it’s worth a try!

There are also some lovely dark options with a purple or burgundy base that are still distinguished, but with a slightly warmer feel. Off-set these dark colours with variation of neutrals and metallic silver. If you want to make a real, zesty statement, go for lime-green or yellow.