There are historians, and then there are history fans. My love of history is definitely not quite academic, but it does dominate my literature and media consumption, shape all of my tastes and interests, and form a lot of my aesthetic preferences. When it comes to living spaces and decorating, I tend to prefer homes with modern indoor plumbing. But as a young girl obsessed with historical fiction (and fantasy novels), I was completely enchanted by the idea of living in some kind of medieval revival museum-home. I wanted stained glass, pointed arches, candles and a fireplace to live out my princess in a tower aesthetic dreams.
When my parents were redoing my bedroom and asked what color scheme I wanted, I begged for a Lord of the Rings themed room. I didn’t get my fantasy bedroom, but luckily maximalist trends in modern decor mean that translating my medieval childhood taste into a slightly more grown-up vision is easier now than ever before. Here’s some tasteful middle ages themed bedroom inspiration for the real medieval history fan.
Medieval Windows
For the vast majority of people in Medieval Europe, glass would have been out of the question. Though are are beautiful examples of stained glass in Cathedrals, but regular people were not able to access glazed windows on a larger scale until the Tudor period. When glass was used, it was likely small panes divided by stone mullions for larger windows or lead cames in came glasswork. Today, it’s not likely you’ll encounter either type of window in a regular home. To recreate the look without reinstalling your windows, consider using faux wrought iron inserts or decals.
Privacy window decals are a very popular choice these days, especially for ground-floor spaces as they provide privacy from the outside while still allowing light in. There are also unlimited options for decal styles, with a ton of options for a medieval theme. Stained glass decals can be lovely and add a lot of colored light to your space, while came glasswork inspired decals can completely change the energy of your room at a very inexpensive price point.
The Iconic Four Poster Bed
There’s really nothing more romantic than sleeping in a gigantic, four poster bed, surrounded by embroidered valances and bed hangings fit for a princess. If you have already purchased a bed without remembering your childhood princess aspirations, there are a lot of DIY guides as well as four-poster bed conversion kits available online. Simply drape curtains, valances or tulle across the frame to create a beautifully cozy and regal bed.
Bed hangings of course served a purpose even in middle-class homes, they kept warmth in overnight, when fires were likely to be left unattended. With soaring heating costs these days, adding thicker bed hangings and using them as intended might not be a bad practical and aesthetic choice.
Though I’m partial to the medieval box bed, this one might be a bit harder to pull off in the modern day without some creative carpentry. Though it might feel a little claustrophobic for some, I think it’s a great option for shared bedrooms with a bit of privacy.
Tapestries and Textiles
I’ve written before on tapestries in historic spaces and their modern uses, but it’s worth repeating that for centuries, carpets and rugs were exclusively used as wall textiles. Using expensive, hand-woven textiles to be trod on underfoot was an extreme luxury. Adding woven textiles to your wall will immediately give off an old-world, european vibe. Avoid mandalas or printed cotton sheet “tapestries” and find some woven blankets or rugs. BelgianWallTapestry on Etsy has printed medieval motifs and classic art on woven blankets that will make your space beautiful as well as help to insulate it.
Reproductions of genuine medieval needlework like the Bayeaux Tapestry (technically embroidery, not tapestry) are widely available as well in smaller panels and are a great conversation piece, and maybe a good history lesson if you know what you’re looking at.
Floor Rushes (Without Getting Grass on Your Socks)
If you’ve read a lot of medieval historical fiction, you might have come across the term “floor rushes”. We know that medieval european floors were covered in reeds or dried grasses, called floor rushes, intended to protect the stone or wooden floors beneath, as well as insulate the room. The floor rushes themselves had a pleasant aroma, and were also often strewn with fragrant herbs that released scent as they were trod upon. While most rushes were actually woven tightly into mats, loose herbs and rush material called “thresh” would be constantly swept around by long gowns and movement. At the border of some rooms, there was a raised piece of flooring in the doorway to hold the thresh inside the room, and this is where the term “threshold” originates.
If you’d like to recreate the look, consider a large flatweave rug, which may actually quite closely resemble medieval woven floor mats.
Medieval Mood Lighting
Candles were an extremely important resource from ancient times, though the average medieval european candles were more likely to be made from tallow than wax. If, like me, you’re a dedicated hater of “the big light” and prefer smaller lamps and candlelight, this can work to your advantage in creating some middle ages energy.
Wrought iron wall candle sconces will add light and ambience. If you wanted to go a little bit anglo-saxon, these horn candle holders from etsy would be a beautiful addition.
Paint & Walls
Medieval interior walls were often plaster with some amount of wainscotting or tile on the bottom half of the wall. Plaster wasn’t always left plain white – designs could be painted directly onto the wall. Modern paint colors on drywall might not give the authentic look you’re going for, but experimenting with wainscotting and wallpaper that mimics the look of plaster wall paintings might better suit a modern room. If you’ve got the option, exposed joists or faux beams also create a very authentic medieval or tudor look, especially when decorated with hand-painted details.
Learning from history can provide a lot of inspiration for fun and creative ways to mix historical charm with modern comforts. There are plenty of ways to add a touch of the Middle Ages to your room without building your own castle. Even if you can’t go all out, little touches like woven textiles, wrought iron details, candles and unique wall treatments can create a cozy, old-world feel in your bedroom. Whether you’re a hardcore medieval historian or just love the look, hopefully these tips and pieces can help you transform your space into a tasteful nod to medieval times.
