If you love the look of a medieval interior but you’re not sure how to replicate it at home, or you live in a period property and want to decorate in a way that celebrates the history of the property, it can be tricky to get right.
It can be expensive to replicate the look of a medieval interior too – after all everything was handcrafted, made to measure and solid back then – so if you’re looking to do it on a budget, it’s important to balance out cost with the finished look. Here’s everything you need to know about this interior style that’s rooted in history, but with modern options.
Medieval lighting
Mention medieval lighting, and your first thought is probably traditional candlelight, chandeliers or stone hallways lit by burning torches. While real flame lighting looks incredible, modern lighting is way safer and more energy efficient. You can get the medieval lighting look in a more modern way with energy efficient LED candles and chandelier lights. This means you get the medieval ambiance without compromising on modern comforts.
Patterned window film
Windows play a huge part in defining the character of medieval interiors. However, intricate stained glass windows can be seriously expensive, tricky to maintain and – if you ever change your mind – an absolute pain to change back. To achieve this look without all of the above, window film is the perfect choice to get the look – especially our medieval window film collection. With harlequin, coat of arms, stained glass and traditional scenes there are designs that work with all types of property, or you can even create your own custom design.
Solid furniture
Back in medieval times, furniture was handmade, solid and pretty chunky. Luckily, you can still get this look in modern furniture as rustic, solid styles have been on trend for a while now. Go for pieces made out of natural wood with dark metal joins and solid shapes – even better if it’s been crafted by hand. There are also touches like wood carvings and chair shapes that can give a nudge towards medieval without it feeling like you live in a castle (unless that’s the look you’re going for).
Play with pattern and texture
No two medieval households were alike, thanks to the use of luxurious materials like linen, wool and silk. However, there were trends, usually defined by what royalty were doing at the time, but because of the lack of a mass market, things were a lot more individualised.
When implementing patterns and textures, you should look for handmade and patterned wall coverings, cushions and home accessories. Go for rich colours, fabrics that were available at the time (think sumptuous silks and linens) and a hand sewn feel for the medieval look.
Get the medieval interiors look
If medieval interiors is your thing, window film is a great place to start. You can be as creative as you want, without blowing your budget or having to commit long term. Get in touch with Purlfrost today to start transforming your home into a medieval haven.