I've always liked rooms that feel like they've been collected over time. A few favorite books, something interesting found while traveling, artwork that makes you stop and look twice, and maybe one slightly questionable creature tucked into the corner.
Not everything needs to match. Actually, I think it's more interesting when it doesn't.
And while I spend a lot of my time creating artwork inspired by medieval history, architecture, and folklore, I don't think you need to live in a stone castle or turn your living room into a Renaissance faire to enjoy it.
Although, if you have a castle, I would absolutely like to see it.
One of my favorite things about medieval-inspired art is how easily it can fit into an otherwise modern space. A detailed architectural print, a strange little dragon, or a botanical illustration can bring a bit of history and personality into a room without completely changing its style.
So, if you love old-world artwork but aren't quite sure how to incorporate it into your home, here are five ways I'd approach it.
1. Start With Black and White Medieval Wall Art
If you're not sure where to begin, black and white artwork is one of the easiest ways to introduce medieval style into a modern home.
You get all the wonderful details of historic architecture, dramatic landscapes, and traditional printmaking without introducing a lot of new colors into your space.
That's especially helpful if your home already has a color palette you like.
I'm particularly drawn to architectural pieces because they have a way of feeling timeless. A castle surrounded by mountains or an old stone tower can look right at home alongside modern furniture, wooden shelves, or a cozy reading chair.
For example, The Beacon Tower and Moonlit Mountain Keep have that old-world atmosphere without needing an entire room designed around them.
Where I'd put them:
- Above a writing desk or home office workspace
- Near a reading chair and a stack of well-loved books
- On a bedroom wall with simple bedding and warm lighting
- As part of a gallery wall that mixes different art styles
You can keep the frame simple and let the artwork do the talking.
Sometimes one mysterious-looking castle is all a room needs.
2. Add One Weird Little Creature
Medieval manuscripts are full of some truly wonderful nonsense.
Dragons with peculiar proportions, fantastical beasts, strange hybrids, and creatures that look like they wandered into the wrong illustration.
I love them.
One of my favorite things about medieval marginalia, the decorative illustrations found in the margins of manuscripts, is how playful it can be. We tend to imagine medieval artwork as very serious, but some of those artists clearly had a sense of humor.
And I think our homes could use a little more of that.
A colorful dragon print can be a perfect contrast to a more traditional room. It adds something unexpected without needing to dominate the entire space.
I especially like the idea of giving a little creature its own spot. Maybe it's hanging beside a bookshelf, tucked into a collection of smaller framed prints, or sitting on the wall near your favorite fantasy novels.
Try this:Â Pick one piece of artwork that makes you smile, even if it doesn't perfectly match the rest of the room.
The Marginalia Dragon artwork is a good example. The bright colors and wonderfully odd creatures add personality to a space without taking it too seriously.
Your decorating choices don't always need a deep explanation.
Sometimes you just want a dragon.
And I think that's a perfectly good reason.
3. Use Medieval Botanical Art to Tie Everything Together
Not all medieval-inspired art involves castles, knights, or mythical creatures.
Botanical illustrations are another wonderful way to bring historical influences into a modern space, especially if you prefer something a little more subtle.
Plants and flowers have appeared throughout historic decorative arts, manuscripts, textiles, and architectural ornament.
They're also incredibly easy to work into the things we already have in our homes.
Think about a shelf with a few books, a ceramic vase, a little greenery, and a framed botanical print. Nothing needs to feel particularly medieval on its own.
But together, those pieces create a sense of history and warmth.
My Scottish Thistle artwork is a good example of how botanical art can bridge different decorating styles.
It works with the natural textures and familiar objects you might already have around your house.
A few ways I'd style botanical artwork:
- Alongside pottery, stoneware, or wooden furniture
- Above a small table with a vase of fresh or dried flowers
- Mixed into a gallery wall with architectural or folklore artwork
- On a mantel surrounded by books and simple decorative objects
I particularly love pairing botanical prints with natural materials.
Wood, linen, pottery, and aged-looking frames all complement the traditional feeling of the artwork without making a space look overly themed.
It's a quieter way to introduce the medieval aesthetic, and sometimes that's exactly what a room needs.
4. Create a Gallery Wall That Tells a Story
This might be my favorite approach because it gives you permission to mix things that wouldn't normally go together.
Rather than choosing artwork solely because the colors match, try grouping pieces that share a common story.
For example, you could build a small gallery wall around medieval folklore.
Imagine a Sea Serpent, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Beast of Lake Winnebago displayed together.
Individually, each piece is a little glimpse into a legend.
Together, they become your own miniature folklore collection.
That's what I love about collecting art. A wall can tell people something about what interests you before you've even said a word.
Maybe you're fascinated by old castles. Maybe you love cryptids, mythology, or medieval manuscripts. Maybe you've always had a soft spot for dragons.
Your walls are a wonderful place to show that.
Here's how I'd start a folklore-inspired gallery wall:
- Choose a theme or story that interests you.
- Select three to five pieces that connect to that theme.
- Mix different artwork sizes to keep the arrangement interesting.
- Lay the arrangement out on the floor before hanging anything.
- Leave a little breathing room between pieces.
You can use matching frames for a more unified look or mix frame styles for something that feels collected over time.
Personally, I like a little variety.
The goal isn't necessarily to create a perfectly coordinated gallery wall. It's to create one that feels like yours.
5. Let One Piece of Art Be the Whole Point
Here's something I think gets overlooked when decorating.
You don't need to fill every wall.
Really.
Sometimes a single piece of artwork has more impact when you give it space to stand on its own.
An original print of a dramatic mountain castle, an architectural study, or a piece inspired by the windows of the Sagrada FamÃlia can become the focal point of a room without needing anything else around it.
This works particularly well above a desk, a narrow console table, or a favorite piece of furniture.
Instead of surrounding the artwork with lots of competing decorations, try leaving the area fairly simple.
Maybe add a small lamp, a few books, or a vase.
Then let the artwork be the interesting part.
I think this approach is especially nice for original printmaking because it gives you a chance to appreciate the little details.
The linework. The textures. The marks that show how the image was created.
Those are the things I love looking at when I make art, and I want people to be able to enjoy them in their own homes, too.
You don't need an entire collection to create a meaningful space.
Sometimes all it takes is finding one piece that feels right.
My suggestion? The Sagrada or the Moonlit Mountain Keep- they can make a statement.
The Secret to Medieval-Inspired Decor? Don't Overthink It.
I think there's a misconception that enjoying medieval art means you have to embrace an entire decorating aesthetic.
Dark walls, heavy furniture, tapestries everywhere, and perhaps a suit of armor standing in the corner.
And while I certainly wouldn't object to a suit of armor, that's not the only way to enjoy this kind of art.
You can love the history and craftsmanship of medieval artwork while still having a bright, modern living room.
You can hang a dragon beside a botanical print.
You can mix an architectural linocut with family photographs.
You can create a cozy reading nook inspired by your favorite fantasy novels without changing everything else in the room.
That's one of the things I hope to accomplish with Modern Medieval Press. I want to make artwork inspired by older traditions that feels completely at home in the spaces we live in today.
Art shouldn't have to sit behind museum glass to be appreciated.
It should be something you get to live with.
Start With Something You Love
If you're thinking about adding medieval-inspired artwork to your home, my advice is simple.
Start with one piece you genuinely love.
Don't worry too much about whether it fits a particular decorating style or whether someone else would have chosen it.
Maybe it's a castle that reminds you of a favorite story. A botanical illustration that feels familiar. Or a slightly ridiculous dragon that makes you happy every time you walk past it.
Those are the things that make a home interesting.
I like rooms that feel collected instead of perfectly matched. A little history, a little weirdness, and something you actually want to stop and look at.
And if that happens to include a medieval sea monster, even better.
Explore the Medieval-Inspired Art Collection
Rachel
Modern Medieval Press