A new home decor style is about to receive a grand entrance. According to Pinterest’s global trend report, ‘castlecore’ is set to dominate in 2025, driven by the surge in searches for terms associated with ancient castles and medieval fashion. This trend might be fueled by TV audiences captivated by royal-themed shows like “Bridgerton” and “With Love, Meghan”. It could also stem from a shared yearning for comfort and security. Perhaps, we are simply tired of bland neutral spaces and crave the cozy fireplaces, busy sculleries, and mysterious bedchambers from cherished fairy tales. Luckily, you don’t need a pet dragon or a noble knight to incorporate the castlecore trend into your home.
Although castles differ by age and location, they commonly feature materials like stone and wood, architectural elements like arches, and ornate furnishings such as chandeliers and artistic tapestries. There are numerous ways to weave these essential elements into your home decor. Unlike the opulence of palaces or the elegance of chateaus, castles were traditionally more about safety than show. Instead of grand gardens, they were surrounded by murky moats. Instead of gilded gates, they had guarded drawbridges. While Camelot or Neuschwanstein might be the first inspirations, there are countless breathtaking castles worldwide to inspire your home design.
Soften the Look of Stone with Rugs and Tapestries
Castles are often constructed from stone due to its durability and strength. If you aim to recreate this look, remember that stones were typically quarried locally and varied in size. Opt for thick, rounded squares instead of thin rectangles. Highly-rated products like the L Artisan Cut Polymer Stone Panels from Home Depot offer an affordable way to achieve a castlecore look on your home’s exterior. For the stone appearance indoors, choose lighter options like the YU LI 3DH Peel and Stick Faux Stone Wall Panels from Amazon or create a unique textured look with a faux stone wall DIY.
Interior castle walls weren’t always exposed stone. It was common to plaster or whitewash over stones or cover them with wooden paneling. Hanging large tapestries adds beauty, insulation, and sound-dampening benefits. Heraldic tapestries often displayed coats of arms, crests, and family mottos, with floral and scenic designs also popular. Alternatively, hang woven throws depicting natural wonders like the Pure Country Weavers William Morris Tree of Life Tapestry.
Stone was also used on castle floors, but brick and hardwoods were just as common. If your home features these materials and you want to embrace the castle look, cover them with large rugs to add style and warmth. Consider intricate Persian designs or nature scenics for a more European aesthetic.
Pair Bold Colors with Stately Fixtures and Furniture
Incorporating the right architectural features is crucial for achieving the castlecore look in your home. If you have a fireplace, highlight the hearth with a large stone or wood mantle. In addition to roaring fires, castles historically used chandeliers, oil lamps, and torches for lighting. While these methods aren’t practical today, you can capture a similar ambiance with modern light fixtures and sconces. Create an ethereal effect by flanking a door or lining a hallway with GAKA’s Gothic Iron Wall Sconce Candle Holders. You could also install a large wagon-wheel-style fixture like the Seaside Village Black Farmhouse 6-Light Chandelier over your dining table and use Creative Hobbies Flicker Flame Light Bulbs for a flickering glow.
The castlecore trend is also making its way into bedrooms, where you can easily incorporate gothic and medieval-inspired elements. Create a romantic atmosphere with a stately canopy bed. If a new bed frame is beyond your budget, DIY an affordable canopy bed using a simple curtain rod trick. Opt for heavier fabrics instead of gauzy sheers.
To enhance coziness, consider color drenching your room in dark, moody hues. Although castlecore leans gothic, you don’t have to use black. Rich eggplant, deep scarlet, and woodland green work beautifully on walls or floors. Use large-scale furniture, like ornate armoires filled with linen and antique chests that double as seating, to add visual interest.
Add Period Accessories That Look Authentic
Swapping your siding for stone or carpet for hardwood may not fit every budget, but accessories can create a castle-like feel. From animal hide rugs to long velvet curtains, textiles are one of the easiest ways to achieve the castlecore look. Try hanging a pair of RYB Home Velvet Curtains from a Deco Essential Black Arrow Curtain Rod. Use long-pile throw blankets like the HORIMOTE Luxury Plush Faux Fur Blanket over a chunky chair or oversized sofa to complete the look. Linen, leather, and wool were also popular medieval fabrics, lending authenticity when used for tablecloths, pillow covers, or other small decorative elements.
Moreover, castles often had vast kitchens and dining halls that relied on hearth fires for cooking and heating. While you might not cook over an open fire, you can still capture a castlecore look in gathering spaces by creating DIY arches in doorways or installing a decorative range hood cover. Whether you prefer a round table for your knights or need a larger banquet-style table for the lords and ladies, opt for dark wood stains. Additionally, hang herbs to dry and incorporate copper and iron pots, stoneware bowls and plates, vintage wooden utensils, and unique pottery pieces for a fairytale look that’s still functional.
Add a Royal Look Outdoors with Landscaping and Hardscaping
Herb and vegetable gardens were often located just outside medieval castles’ kitchens. It’s a simple approach you can incorporate for a castlecore backyard makeover. Since castles focused more on defense than beauty, elaborate blooms requiring constant care and expensive statuary weren’t a priority. Adding a moat around your home might violate HOA rules, but you can enhance privacy and seclusion with trellises covered in vining plants. Installing a drawbridge is impractical, but a wrought iron gate could be feasible. If time and budget allow, create order with stone walls, raised beds, and outbuildings for equipment storage.
Consider other ways to achieve an old-money aesthetic in your backyard. Install imposing gas lanterns instead of ordinary solar lights. For bird baths or water features, choose neutral stone options over colorful or modern metal designs. Even add a pond to your garden for fish. Allowing mature trees to thrive enhances your home’s historic look and benefits the environment. Stick with a unified color palette, including natural materials like pebble walkways and greenery like boxwood hedges, to give your landscaping a commanding appearance.
