The Mediaeval era or Middle ages is the time period between 1066 to 1485 AD. The era marks a revolution in the way homes were built and designed. During this period, castles and thicker walled brick houses with wooden windows were standard. In Europe, several castles and mansions still stand in their glory.
In terms of architecture and home decor, the Mediaeval theme is also known as the Gothic or Romanesque theme. Houses from that era are known for their grand structures and lavish decoration. Though we can not time travel to live in such homes, we can still create an illusion of that time in our houses. In fact, many villas in the modern day and times are built and decorated on similar themes and architecture.
If you too are inspired by the grandeur of the Mediaeval era and wish to create a similar ambiance in your home, here are some tips, tricks and ideas for Mediaeval-style decor in your modern home.
Things to Consider for Mediaeval Home Decor
Here we have listed some major elements to consider while opting for Mediaeval style decor for your modern home. However, before implementing any of these ideas, make sure to inform your landlord. Doing major changes in the house without the landlord’s permission may trouble tenants in claiming a security deposit from the landlord while leaving the house.
Walls
As mentioned above, the walls of Middle ages houses were thick and constructed from large stones. Therefore, to depict these walls, select an earthy natural color paint for your walls. Quartz grey, pebble grey or mallow white will be suitable for this purpose.
Along with this paint, use a Venetian plaster that provides walls with a texture of that time. Pairing up this plaster with the paint will create depth in the decoration.
Furniture
The furniture of the Middle ages was generally made of heavy wood with designs carved in between the furniture. This furniture was often dark or rustic in color. It is not necessary to select a heavy wooden bed to create a Medival style decor, you can choose a simple brown wood bed. Also, make sure to purchase a matching coffer or trunk to put along the bed.
If you are decorating on a budget, browse through these second-hand furniture stores in Dubai and other Emirates. Purchasing a used furniture piece from these shops can significantly impact your overall budget.
Accessories
Accessories are the main ingredient in any home decoration process. It is necessary to use matching accessories, or else the decor will end up being a mixture of themes. To avoid this situation, pay attention to all the accessories including hardware and lighting. For instance: to create a Mediaeval decoration you can use black iron faucets paired with marble sinks. Along with this, use fake candle lighting to complete the look. Whereas, for lighting in the room. Yellow ambience lights are also suggested to enhance the decor. Apart from the accessories, minor decorative items can also create signficnt impact on the overall decor.
Wall Hangings
The castles and residences in the Mediaeval ages were generally dark and little sunlight reached the inner side of the house. Therefore, to maintain the room’s temperature, different types of rugs and woven pieces were used as wall hanging.
You can either choose a Kashida art piece for the wall or traditional Arabic carpets. Apart from these, there is a huge variety of hand-woven art pieces and carpets including Iranian Kaleen, Mexican woollen rugs and Blackwork embroidery pieces.
Curtains
Drape-style curtains made from light fabric will match the Mediaeval-themed decor. You can either use a white voile or nylon net for the curtains. However, the temperature in UAE is high, and these curtains may enhance the external environment impact in the home. Hence, it is recommended to pair light fabric with a thick fabric curtain darker in color. You can browse through dubizzle for buying curtains online with convenience.
Lighting
There was no electricity back in the days, and people generally used oil lamps, candles and lanterns to light their houses. To depict that, you can use fancy lights that are shaped like a lantern or candle. Along with these wall lights, use a chandelier in the centre of the room this will not only increase light but also completes the Mediaeval look. Along with these, you can use ambience lighting to highlight the major areas of the house.
Tips and Ideas on Mediaeval Decor
Here are some more tips and tricks on creating a Mediaeval house style.
Chandlier is Must
No Mediaeval-themed decoration is complete without a chandelier. These chandeliers had candle stands and were raised high to illuminate the room. To hold candles, wooden or metallic chandeliers were generally used. However, at the end of the Middle ages, glasswork chandeliers were also used in houses. The purpose of these chandeliers was the same, but they were considered a symbol of prestige by the house owners.
If you are going for Mediaeval room decor, then a wooden or metallic chandelier with fewer light bulbs will be an ideal choice. However, for decorating a living room or a large hall, a glass work chandelier can be used. The glass chandelier is most suited with a wooden ceiling and heavy wooden furniture beneath it. If you are placing this chandelier in your dining room, a heavy wooden table will add to the decor. You can also use some tablescape decoration ideas to accompany the overall ambience.
Pay Attention to Wall Decors
Wall hangings and accessories are the make and break for Middle ages themed decor. While selecting the wall decor make sure that these decors are hand woven or at least depict a hand-woven art piece. Moreover, opt for the more bright color art pieces as they will contrast better with the earthy wall paint.
Trunks Can Add in the Look
Trunks were an essential part of the houses at that time. These were generally used as a closet or storage unit. It is not necessary to use a typical Mediaeval trunk, you can select any wooden trunk with a minimalistic design for your room. You can place a trunk anywhere in the room, but commonly it was placed with the bed.
Opt for Minimalist Art Pieces
It is suggested not to use furniture and other decorative items with excessive carved designs. This will aid in creating a clean, monochromatic and clutter-free appearance in the room. This also creates a visually calm ambience in the room.
These were all the ideas for Mediaeval-style decor. To implement these ideas you will need permission from the landlord, as it involves some major changes. If your landlord is not providing you with permission for these changes, browse through these apartments for rent in the UAE and move into a new home.
Stay tuned to dubzzle’s property blog for more amazing home decor tips.
