Liam Cleverdon, interior expert, and director at Flooring King gives tips on how to achieve a gothic and whimsical inspired interior space, a style that’s gaining popularity thanks to the buzz of Wednesday season 2.
Liam Cleverdon, comments:
“We’re seeing the return of moodier interior aesthetics. With the return of Wednesday, we’ll see a major revival of Tim Burton-inspired interiors, as people look to bring the gothic charm of dark academia and whimsy gothic influences to their space. This trend is perfect for those who want to create a space full of character and a hint of drama, it’s all about embracing a darker take on interiors that still feels warm and inviting.”
What are Wednesday/Whimsy goth interiors
“Wednesday and whimsy-goth interiors blend dark romance with a touch of eccentric charm, creating a space that feels mysterious, yet warm and inviting.”
“Inspired heavily by Tim Burton’s signature style, these looks embrace theatrical charm, vintage influences, and richly layered, moody palettes. But, rather than leaning into horror, the aim here is to evoke a haunted fairytale feel to create an atmosphere that’s enchanting rather than eerie, which is where many can get the balance wrong.”
“These interiors are expressive and deeply personal, full of character and charm which makes them perfect for the colder months ahead, when we naturally gravitate towards cosy, cocooning spaces. There’s a strong sense of storytelling here too, whether it’s told by the trinkets displayed or the colour scheme chosen.”
Colour palette
“This trend is all about leaning into deep, enveloping tones like charcoal, plum, and emerald green. These jewel tones are all set to have their moment in interior trends throughout autumn and winter this year, and are perfect for creating instant atmosphere and a dramatic backdrop.”
“Typically, interiors follow the 60-30-10 rule (where 60% of the room is a dominant colour, 30% is a secondary colour, and 10% is an accent colour). However, this trend embraces a more relaxed approach. The aesthetic flourishes on a free-flowing mix of bold, clashing colours and patterns, allowing for a dynamic, eclectic look that doesn’t require strict rules to be followed.”
“Moody wallpaper is a great way to evoke gothic drama too, opt for patterns like stripes, deep florals, or damask in deep shades to instantly add a gothic feel. Painting a ceiling in a rich colour also works well, adding a cocooning feel to the space.”
The Best flooring types for a gothic-inspired look
Dark wood
“Dark or wood-effect flooring is a natural choice for creating a signature Tim Burton interior aesthetic, it’s moody and full of character. Whether you’re aiming for full gothic drama or a softer whimsy gothic aesthetic, flooring plays a vital role in setting the overall tone of the room.”
“Choose rustic engineered wood in finishes like aged oak or opt for Georgian-style parquet LVT in deep tones to evoke a sense of historic grandeur. These materials offer an authentic, timeworn charm that brings character into the space, all while having the benefits of high durability.”
“Dark wood flooring brings an unmistakable sense of atmosphere, offering the perfect visual anchor for interiors inspired by gothic or whimsy aesthetics. Its deep tones add both drama and warmth, echoing the timeless elegance of grand old manor houses.”
“Dark wood works well when used in living and bedroom spaces to lean into the gothic aesthetic, working well alongside rich layered textiles, moody colours, and warm lighting.”
Distressed or reclaimed wood-effect
“Opting for a distressed or reclaimed wood-effect floor is a great way to add depth, character, and a subtle timeworn and almost ‘haunted’ charm to your interiors, perfect for channelling both gothic and whimsical aesthetics. These finishes help to evoke a sense of history and storytelling, making them an ideal choice for spaces where you want to create warmth, mood, and atmosphere. Think cosy reading nooks, eclectic living rooms, or bedrooms. For an added layer of texture and richness, pair this with vintage-style rugs in deep tones like burgundy, forest green, or a midnight blue to create quiet drama.”
How to incorporate gothic aesthetics into modern interiors?
“If you’re looking to introduce a hint of gothic or whimsy into your home, it’s all about thoughtful and atmospheric touches. Rather than going all in, you can also focus on the smaller details that quietly hint at gothic charm, like tall candlesticks, a vintage mirror, or moody artwork displayed in a gold or brass frame. These are all great ways to incorporate the trend into your space without too much commitment, to keep the look feeling fresh, consider adding some subtle pops of colour like a deep lavender for a whimsical twist that still feels fresh and sophisticated.”
