The Story Behind the "Western Gothic" Trend

February 6, 2024, 12:29 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Bring on the cowboy hats and dive into the rustic scene: In 2024, we’re decorating our homes in the “Western Gothic” style. Find out where this trend comes from and what defines it here.

Most people have an idea of the Wild West–but “Western Gothic” is a different story. Yet, this style is expected to be one of the most significant interior design trends of 2024, according to the annual Pinterest Report. It states that “Wild Wild West” is out, and the time for “Wild Wild Goth” has arrived. myHOMEBOOK explains how to incorporate the trend into your own home.

How to Bring the “Western Gothic” Trend into Your Home

The “Western Gothic” trend is a rather dark-looking interior style, with a significant part of its aesthetic being darker colors. These are combined with rustic, rugged accessories and furniture. The dark color palette comes from the Gothic style, while the rustic chic is from the Western style. Materials like faux leather or fur, lacquer, and fringe combine both styles. The following elements define the “Western Gothic” trend:

1. Dark Colors

Colors are crucial for setting the right mood and aesthetic in the “Western Gothic” trend. The main color is black, paired with relatively softer colors like gray, dark blue, forest green, or darker wood tones.

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2. The Right Materials

Materials and prints are also crucial for this interior trend–and they should obviously stay within the color palette. Faux leather or fur is just as much a part of it as fringed curtains or rugs and pillows with traditional Ikat patterns.

3. Natural Decor

An essential element of the “Western Gothic” trend is a faux cowhide rug. It gives the room a rustic look and perfectly reflects the Wild West. But jute rugs are also ideal, as is decor made from rustic wood. Besides the faux cowhide, a bull’s head or skull as wall decor brings rustic chic into the home. When it comes to decorative elements, you should lean more toward the Wild West than Gothic to avoid it becoming too playful.

Also interesting: How to Style the “Cowboy-Core” Trend at Home

4. Cacti

Another important element in “Western Gothic” decor is cacti. They are symbolic of the Wild West–and perfectly complement the look when combined with rustic decor and dark colors.

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What’s Behind the Pinterest Trend

Pinterest is a kind of visual search engine, reportedly used by more than 480 million users each month. Based on billions of searches, it predicts future trends, including the “Western Gothic” interior style.

According to Pinterest, the interior trend combines the styles of “Vintage Americana” and “Gothic Chic.” Interest in this area has grown tremendously. The term “Western bedding” has increased by 310 percent, “country room ideas” by 125 percent, and “Western Gothic” by 145 percent.

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This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.