Castlecore Dreams: Transforming a Room into a Medieval Retreat
Okay, so picture this: I'm scrolling through Pinterest at 2 AM (as one does when they should definitely be sleeping), and I stumble upon this absolutely gorgeous room that looks like it belongs in a Scottish castle. Stone walls, heavy velvet curtains, candlelight everywhere. And I'm sitting there in my tiny apartment with its popcorn ceiling and that weird stain the landlord swears was there "before" – and I think, why not?
Three months and approximately seventeen trips to HomeGoods later, I'm basically living in my own budget-friendly medieval fantasy. Is my room perfect? Nope. Did I accidentally hot-glue my finger to a tapestry? You bet. But walking into my bedroom now feels like stepping through time, and honestly? It's the coziest space I've ever created.
If you've been bitten by the castlecore bug too (and let's be real, who hasn't dreamed of living in their own tower at least once?), let me share everything I've learned about creating that medieval retreat vibe without, you know, actually needing stone walls or a moat.
What Even Is Castlecore Anyway?
Before we dive into the how-to, let's talk about what we're actually going for here. Castlecore – which sounds like something I'd make up to sound trendy but is actually A Thing – is basically dark academia's moodier cousin who studied abroad in Scotland and never quite got over it.
Think: rich textures, deep colors, lots of wood and metal, candles everywhere (LED counts, fire safety first!), and that general vibe of "I could be writing poetry by candlelight or plotting to overthrow the kingdom." It's cozy meets dramatic, historical meets livable.
Start With Your Color Palette (AKA Embrace the Darkness)
First things first – we need to talk colors. And by colors, I mean… not many colors. The medieval castle aesthetic is all about those deep, moody tones that make you want to curl up with a leather-bound book and contemplate life.
My go-to palette includes:
- Deep burgundy (think wine-stained velvet)
- Forest green (the color of those tapestries in every castle tour)
- Rich browns (from chocolate to mahogany)
- Charcoal grey (because black can be a bit much)
- Touches of gold or brass (for that "treasury room" sparkle)
Now, here's where I messed up initially – I went ALL dark immediately and my room looked less "medieval retreat" and more "cave where sadness lives." Balance is key! I learned to layer in some cream-colored linens and natural wood tones to keep things from getting too dungeons-and-dragons-literal-dungeon.
The Tapestry Situation (Your Walls Need Drama)
Listen, nothing says "castle vibes" quite like a good tapestry. But actual medieval tapestries? Yeah, those cost more than my car. So here's what us peasants do instead:
I found this gorgeous tapestry on Society6 for like $40 – it's got this William Morris-inspired pattern that screams "medieval but make it accessible." Hung it behind my bed with some simple curtain clips from Target (the black metal ones, about $8). Instant headboard alternative that also hides that weird crack in the wall I've been meaning to fix for… three years now.
Pro tip: Etsy is absolutely swimming in affordable tapestry options. Search for "medieval tapestry," "Renaissance wall hanging," or even "boho tapestry" (some of those patterns are surprisingly castle-appropriate). Just grabbed another one last week from a seller called MedievalDesigns for my reading corner.
Let There Be (Moody) Light
Overhead lighting? In this economy? No thank you. Castles didn't have ceiling fans with built-in lights, and neither should your medieval retreat. Here's how I created that perfect atmospheric lighting without actual torches:
Candles everywhere – But like, the LED kind because I enjoy not burning down my apartment. I've got a mix from Amazon (those pillar candles with the remote? Game changer) scattered on every surface. My nightstand currently holds three "melted wax" LED candles that look so real, my mom tried to blow one out.
String lights, but make them classy – None of those college dorm fairy lights here. I found these Edison bulb string lights at World Market that give off the perfect warm, amber glow. Draped them around my window frame, and boom – instant medieval tavern vibes.
Actual lamps that don't ruin the vibe – Scored this incredible wrought iron table lamp at an estate sale ($15!) that looks like it could've held actual candles once upon a time. Pair it with a warm Edison bulb, and you're golden. Literally.
Textiles: More Is More Is More
If there's one thing medieval folks understood, it's that every surface needs fabric. Bare walls? Tapestry. Cold floor? Rug. Window? Heavy curtains. Bed? ALL THE LAYERS.
My bed situation is honestly ridiculous and I love it. Starting from the bottom:
- Regular sheets (boring but necessary)
- A wool blanket from Pendleton (splurge item but so worth it)
- This massive faux fur throw from HomeGoods ($40)
- Approximately 73 throw pillows in various shades of burgundy and gold
- And yes, I did buy bed curtains. IKEA has these canopy frames for like $20, and I hung some deep red velvet curtains from Joann Fabrics (with a 60% off coupon, obviously)
For the floor, layer rugs like your life depends on it. I've got a large jute rug as the base (natural fibers = medieval approved), topped with a smaller Persian-style rug I found at an estate sale, and then a sheepskin rug from IKEA next to the bed because cold morning feet are not very castle-princess of me.
Furniture: Heavy, Dark, and Slightly Intimidating
Okay, real talk – actual medieval furniture is heavy AF and expensive. But you can fake it pretty well with some strategic choices and maybe some wood stain.
That IKEA dresser everyone has? The HEMNES? Slap some dark walnut stain on that bad boy and swap out the knobs for some heavy brass pulls from Hobby Lobby. Suddenly it's giving "inherited from your mysterious aunt who lived in a castle" instead of "assembled while crying at 11 PM."
My pride and joy is this massive wooden bookshelf I found on Facebook Marketplace. The seller said it was "too dark and heavy" for their new modern aesthetic. Their loss, my medieval gain. $50 and some help from my very patient neighbor later, and I had the perfect castle library vibe going.
The Devil's in the Details (Or Maybe the Gargoyle's)
Here's where you can really have fun with the whole medieval thing without breaking the bank:
Books, books, books – Stack them everywhere. Old hardcovers from thrift stores, leather-bound journals from Barnes & Noble (they always have some in the clearance section), even just regular books with the dust jackets removed. My coffee table is literally just a trunk with a precarious stack of books that I swear I'm going to read someday.
Metal everything – Brass candlesticks from Goodwill, wrought iron bookends from that antique mall off Highway 9, even just some metal goblets from Party City's Renaissance faire section (yes, that's a thing). Currently drinking my morning coffee from a "chalice" and feeling very royal about it.
Natural elements – Dried flowers in dark vases, branches in tall containers, even just some pinecones in a wooden bowl. Nature = medieval approved, and it's literally free if you're willing to forage a bit.
Maps and artwork – Found some vintage map prints on Etsy for $5 each, printed them at Staples on that aged-looking paper, and put them in some dark frames from Dollar Tree. Instant "planning room in a medieval keep" vibes.
Creating Cozy Castle Corners
Not everyone can dedicate an entire room to their medieval fantasy (apartment life, am I right?), but you can definitely create little castle moments throughout your space.
My reading nook is basically just a corner with an old wingback chair I reupholstered in burgundy velvet (YouTube University taught me how), a small side table that's definitely seen better days but holds my stack of books and LED candles perfectly, and that tapestry I mentioned earlier hanging on the wall behind it. Add a faux fur throw and suddenly I'm lady of the manor taking my afternoon tea.
The bathroom was trickier, but even there – dark wood shelving from Target, some apothecary-style glass jars for cotton balls and whatnot, and a shower curtain in deep green velvet (yes, fabric shower curtains exist and they're magnificent with a liner).
When People Think You've Lost It
Fair warning: not everyone's going to get your medieval room transformation. My sister walked in and asked if I was "okay" and my landlord definitely gave me a look during the last inspection. But you know what? When I wake up in my castle cocoon of velvet and faux fur, surrounded by candlelight and feeling like I could pen a letter with a quill at any moment… I don't really care.
The best part about castlecore decorating is that it's inherently cozy. All those layers, textures, and warm lighting create this incredible atmosphere that just makes you want to hibernate. It's the opposite of those sterile, minimalist spaces that look great on Instagram but feel like living in a hospital.
Making It Work in Real Life
Now, let's be practical for a second. Living in a medieval-inspired space does come with some… considerations:
Dust. Oh my god, the dust. All those textiles and textures are basically dust magnets. I've made peace with weekly vacuuming and keeping a lint roller in every room.
The darkness can be a bit much during the day. I invested in some sheer curtains to layer under the heavy ones, so I can let in light without destroying the vibe completely.
Storage becomes interesting when everything needs to look period-appropriate. Decorative boxes and trunks are your friends. So many trunks.
Your Castle Awaits
Here's the thing about creating your own medieval retreat – it doesn't happen overnight (unless you're way more organized than me). My room has been evolving for months now, and I'm still finding little pieces to add. Last week it was a brass hand mirror from an estate sale. This week, I'm eyeing some gorgeous Gothic-style bookends on Etsy.
The beauty of castlecore is that it's all about creating a space that feels like an escape from our very modern, very bright, very plastic world. It's permission to be dramatic, to embrace the darkness (literally), and to surround yourself with things that feel like they have stories to tell.
So grab that velvet throw you've been eyeing, light some (LED) candles, and start planning your own medieval transformation. Your inner castle dweller will thank you. And if anyone asks why your room looks like a Gothic novel exploded in it, just tell them you're "exploring historical interior design trends." Sounds fancier than "I really like castles," doesn't it?
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go rearrange my book stack for the third time this week and pretend I'm a mysterious noble lady with many secrets and possibly a dragon. We all need our fantasies, right?
