INTERIORS ARE IN FOR A WILD RIDE WITH THE WESTERN GOTHIC TREND. 

I spend many lovely hours reading home mag’s and scrolling interiors sites online (both for business and pleasure), and sometimes a new trend will catch me by surprise - as this one certainly did! But, after a deep dive into the origins of this striking new look, I must say I am a fan! In case you too are in the dark (literally in the dark, as you’ll see), let me introduce you to Western Gothic, which the good people at Pinterest have highlighted as an emerging trend for 2024.

Western Gothic is an amalgamation of two ongoing architectural and interior trends, namely Gothic style, and Western Americana. Both of these aesthetic styles are pretty dramatic, so when combined, this has created a trend for lovers of moody, dark, bold interiors (if you’re still happily living in pastel Scandi-land, maybe look away now).

The Western element should be pretty familiar to you – think long-horn cow’s antlers, well-worn leather chairs and sofas, fringing, cow-hide rugs – it’s a real nostalgic Americana vibe.

The Gothic element brings deep, dark hues such as inky black and deepest blues and browns.

Traditional Gothic architectural and interior elements such as pointed arches, stained-glass windows, flying buttresses and spires, with candelabras, skulls, ornate mirrors, hard flooring and intricate moldings combine with the Western elements – and impressively a superbly striking new interiors aesthetic is born!

Many emerging fashion and interior trends have deep roots in nostalgia – perhaps a yearning for simpler times when the world seemed less intense. One trend specialist has called it a kind of melancholic foreboding mixed with a sense of romance and whimsy. So, if you’re looking to inject a bit of western gothic drama into your own home, here are my best hints for where to start and which products to use:

Flooring

Dark carpet or floorboards are the perfect base for the moody Western Gothic aesthetic.

Floorboards

I am a massive fan of parquetry flooring, so my first option to achieve the Western Goth look at home would be the Grand Oak Herringbone in Black Opal. Or for a little more rustic Western-inspired appeal there is the Woodlands Hickory Heritage Collection in Stamford or Winchester. A laminate option would be the Willow in Deep Walnut.

Carpets

The Akita twist pile carpet in Collie or Mudi are a deliciously dark carpet option as is the Studio Style synthetic carpet range in Monument Black or Pearl Grey. Rising Splendour is a low-maintenance solution, and the Black Velvet hue is really striking.

Rugs

If you can’t have dark flooring or carpet, then a rug or two will help create the look. The eco-friendly Refold Vintage rug has dark and intricate design motifs – it’s perfect to capture the Western Gothic look. The Terrace runner is lighter but will still create the right vibe and the Chrome rug has some nice gothic-inspired motifs.

WINDOW FURNISHINGS

Keeping the light moody and dark is key to achieving the Western Gothic look. Sheer curtains will add the perfect touch of whimsy if they are in a dark hue like the Bali in Onyx or Storm. For a very gothic lace-like look the Veri-Shades® Autumn in Charcoal or Slate are perfect. In terms of blinds, you can’t get any moodier than a block out, so look to the Contemporary Block Out range in Iron or Summer Storm or for a transitional blind, The Transitional Plus in Gull is ideal. 

PAINT

Walls painted in dark, matte hues will add a major impact to your Western Gothic décor. Try Porter’s Paints Aniseed or Van Helsing.

I hope you enjoy Western Gothic as much as I do.