Gothic Bedroom Decorating Ideas for Girls
A Gothic-themed girl's bedroom doesn't have to be black and scary-looking, an idea sometimes thought by wary parents of young girls interested in this look. It doesn't have to feel secretive and restricting. Instead, it can be richly colored, multi-textured and alluring. And though it may not always be brightly lit, it can softly glow and still express that Gothic feel. When decorating a girl's Gothic-themed bedroom, consider colors, furniture, accessories and lighting.
Colors
Use black as an "accent" color in a Gothic-themed girl's bedroom instead of the main color. Consider rich shades of red, purple, burgundy, blue and gray on the walls via either paint or wallpaper. If she insists on using black, encourage its use on one wall only. Because black absorbs heat, a black bedroom can get too warm in the summer and is difficult to light properly. If the she will be doing homework in this room, she'll want more light than an all-black room will provide. Deep red and velvety purples provide the same dark richness as black without presenting the lighting and heat-retention problems. Also, remember that castle walls are not black but gray, or stone-colored. Wallpaper resembling stonework is an option. Whatever you choose for the walls, take paint chips or wallpaper samples with you when you shop for the Gothic bedroom's accessories.
Furniture
A four-poster bed, an ornate chest of drawers, a dark wood armoire and a desk with a high-backed wooden or upholstered chair are examples of Gothic-themed bedroom furniture. Look for dark wood like mahogany and for iron detailing. A large chest at the foot of the bed and an oversized floor-length mirror with an ornate frame made from a dark wood or weathered "gold" are also options. Think baroque style; think medieval and castle. Think historical, not scary.
Accessories
Bedroom accessories allow you to bring a Gothic theme to life. They are also easy to swap out for something else when her tastes change as she gets older. Choose intricate items with rich colors and/or textures. Look for accessories made from gold, silver or bronze. Find dark wood, stone, wrought iron, brocades and even netting. Use candelabras, gilded picture frames, velvet pillows with gold tassels, velvet curtains, wall-mounted gargoyles, fake spider webs, tapestry wall hangings and artwork featuring castles, saints, skulls and fairies. Use iron-looking curtain rods with scrolled ends, and lamps with fleur de lis finials. Use a dark-colored area rug to bring the Gothic look to the floor. Don't be overzealous, however. Too many accessories can make any themed bedroom look like a tacky mess.
Lighting
Don't be afraid to use bright lightening in a Gothic-themed bedroom. Make it less obtrusive by setting floor and table lamps throughout the room with three-way light bulbs. This way, when she's not reading, writing or getting dressed, the room can be softly lit. You can also soften a lamp's light by hanging fake cobwebs from the shade. It's easy to buy this near Halloween. Be sure to keep the web away from the light bulb, however. A chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room is a dramatic way to add light and make it very Gothic. Sconces--a popular lightening method in castles--can also be used in Gothic-themed girl's rooms to show off the colorful walls, and of course, to add light.
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