Middle Ages Revival: Castlecore Brings Medieval Era into the Present
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If you're strolling through Pinterest, searching for fashion, home decor, or outfit inspiration, you might stumble upon various medieval motifs. Pinterest's 2025 trend report suggests that's no coincidence. Medieval themes are making a comeback in a big way, especially among Gen Z and millennials.
"Medieval is having a major moment," the report states. In 2025, fashion enthusiasts will be sporting gothic ensembles, while home decorators will find inspiration in ancient castles. This resurgence is no small comeback.
The Middle Ages, spanning between 500 and 1500 in Europe, are often associated with the fall of the Roman Empire and a period of political instability. They're sometimes referred to as the Dark Ages. With tales of chivalry and adventure combined with the rise of the Catholic Church, it's not hard to see why the era continues to captivate us.
Modern culture has embraced the Middle Ages in various forms, from television shows like Game of Thrones and The Traitors, to an array of historical fiction novels. But you don't need an actual castle to join this trend–Kat Anderson, a professional seamstress, textile artist, and fashion historian, offers helpful tips for incorporating medieval-inspired designs into your home and wardrobe.
The Evolution of Castlecore
Castlecore is a playful take on medieval aesthetics, rather than an authentic recreation of the time period. It's all about warmth and coziness, with a subtle nod to the past through natural fibers. As Anderson explains, "The Middle Ages occupy a unique place in our imagination. Tales of knights and fair maidens, combined with wild adventures and idealized virtues, make it an attractive influence in today's uncertain times."
Castlecorealso pays homage to the Gothic-inspired design of the 1990s, bringing a touch of vintage counterculture to modern interior design.

Bringing Castlecore into Your Home
According to Anderson, there's no need for actual stone walls and moats to embrace this trend. Here are six easy ways to bring Castlecore into your humble abode:
1. Embrace Your Fireplace
With a fireplace, you've got the perfect setting for a medieval-inspired room. The hearth of the house was the hub of life during the Middle Ages. Paint the wall surrounding the fireplace with a bold accent color and create a cozy seating area around it. Decorate the mantle with antique accents, a gilded mirror, and a couple of vases.
2. Illuminate with Candles
In the Middle Ages, candles served as the only significant source of artificial light. If you don't have a fireplace, candles are the next best thing.
3. Experiment with Color

Despite common misconceptions, the Middle Ages were not all dull and monotonous. Natural dyes during this time produced a variety of colors. Embrace rich jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and amethyst to create depth in your home.
4. Opt for Natural Fibers
Synthetic fabrics were non-existent during the Middle Ages, so stick with natural materials like linen, wool, and silk or cotton drapes for an authentic look and feel.
5. Add a Gothic Touch
Include elements of gothic drama to infuse a dark, mysterious atmosphereto your home. Experiment with black accents, dark metals, and subtle skull or raven motifs.
6. Infuse Natural Scents
Artificial fragrances were absent during the Middle Ages. Instead, use lavender and sage plants to create a fresh, natural scent.
- Engaging in the realm of Pinterest, where one often seeks inspiration for fashion, home decor, or outfits, you might find yourself captivated by news of medieval motifs, as these themes are expected to be prevalent by 2025, according to Pinterest's trend report.
- In the year 2025, not only will fashion enthusiasts be spotted in gothic ensembles, reminiscent of medieval times, but home decorators will draw inspiration from ancient castles, following a trend that seems to be gaining traction among Gen Z and millennials.
- The resurgence of medieval-inspired decor trends in 2025 can be traced to the ironically named 'Castlecore' style, a playful modern interpretation of medieval aesthetics that embraces warmth, coziness, and a subtle nod to the past.
- Incorporating medieval-inspired designs into one's home doesn't require a castle or moat; one can achieve this trend by embracing a fireplace, experimenting with color, opting for natural fibers, adding a gothic touch, and infusing natural scents, as suggested by Kat Anderson, a professional seamstress and textile artist who specializes in medieval-inspired designs.
- The color palette for a Castlecore-inspired home could incorporate the a2ecf19af8db8a04d5e24e3d77bf9a60 hue, reminiscent of the rich jewel tones and natural dyes used during the Middle Ages, to create a captivating and historically influenced atmosphere.