Wuthering Heights interiors: 8 ways to get the romantic gothic look at home
With Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi set to bring Wuthering Heights back to the big screen, our obsession with Emily Brontë’s most tempestuous tale is about to reach new heights.
But beyond the romance and on-screen chemistry, it’s the novel’s brooding interiors we can’t wait to clap eyes on.
Wild, weathered and unapologetically dramatic, the interiors of Wuthering Heights are as much a character as Heathcliff himself.
“The Wuthering Heights interior is defined by a moody, dark and dramatic aesthetic, with heavy materials reflecting the story’s drama, romance and intensity,” explains Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.
While earlier adaptations are heavily influenced by gothic elements, Melissa says the latest film focusses more on texture, natural materials, and a more emotional connection to the landscape, creating a modern take on the original version.
Chloe Dacosta, design manager at Blinds2go and Curtains2go agrees that the aesthetics in Emerald Fennell’s take on the book could provide some new inspiration in home decor.
“What’s so striking about this Wuthering Heights, is how the interiors are used to heighten emotion rather than chase historical accuracy,” she explains.
“Fennell leans into bold colour, dramatic lighting, and a sense of surrealism within the home, set starkly against the rugged, untamed landscapes outside.
“This contrast moves away from the traditional dark, moody minimalism often associated with the story and instead creates a rich, visually expressive world.
“One that can be translated into your own home effortlessly.”
For a contemporary take in your own interiors, designers advise focussing on the mood rather than the drama.
That means grounding spaces with earthy tones and natural materials, layering in texture through wood, stone and soft furnishings, and keeping the overall feel relaxed and liveable rather than overly theatrical.
Adopt a farmhouse aesthetic
Ponden Hall is widely considered the primary inspiration for the home in Wuthering Heights.
The historic stone-built farmhouse features exposed wooden beams, stone fireplaces, and weathered stonework.
For a more modern look in a 2026 home, Melissa recommends prioritising a warm and cosy atmosphere, to evoke the simplicity of the countryside.
“A modern farmhouse look uses natural materials such as wooden furniture and textiles such as cotton, and brass finishings,” she explains.
“A key characteristic of this style is that it should look well-lived-in, so look to embrace shabby chic style and vintage elements.”
If you like the sound of a modern farmhouse look, but don’t know where to start, Melissa says one way to incorporate this is through small wooden crates, which can be used as storage or simple decor.
“Picking the correct patterns is also essential if you want to nail the modern farmhouse style,” she continues.
“Some of the most popular patterns include floral and botanical-inspired pieces as well as checkered and striped patterns.
“These patterns can be incorporated into your home as feature wallpapers, but don’t neglect using them in your soft furnishings like cushions or bedspreads.”
Go for a dark and moody palette
A darker and moodier colour palette closely reflects the gothic undertones in Wuthering Heights, which sets out the emotional intensity of the story.
“The use of deep, saturated colours helps to convey the sense of drama and passion,” advises Melissa.
“In contemporary interiors, you can create a dark and moody atmosphere by embracing an abundance of different dark colours, rich textures and meshing them together.”
Shades such as black, dark green and burgundy work especially well.
“Other gemstone colours such as ruby red, emerald, and sapphire can be incorporated to reflect the romance at the heart of the story,” Melissa continues.
“All these colours can be complemented against materials like silk, velvet, and dark wood to add richness and depth to the decor.”
If you’re thinking of going to the dark side, Melissa has a word of warning, however.
“This style can easily get messy if not curated properly,” she explains.
“Therefore, to create a sense of cohesion in a dark environment, try adding hard finishes using wood and marble.
“These can help balance out the saturated colours.”
Low and atmospheric lighting
Lighting is one of the most important elements when trying to recreate the atmosphere seen in Wuthering Heights.
“Soft, warm lighting helps to create a sense of intimacy and mystery, while harsh overhead lights would detract from the overall effect,” Melissa explains.
Instead of ceiling spotlights she suggests using a combination of table lamps, wall sconces, and candles at a lower level throughout the room.
“This layered approach mimics the candlelit interiors often seen in period dramas,” she explains.
“Warm bulbs are important, so stay away from anything that looks cool or bright.”
If you have fitted furniture like shelves or cabinets, subtle display lighting can also be used to highlight books, artwork, or personal objects.
“Sheer curtains are a great idea too, as they allow natural light to gently filter through during the day,” Melissa adds.
“This will help to create a dreamy atmosphere that elevates the love story aesthetic.”
Tell a story with texture
Embracing texture – from rough timber and aged stone to layered textiles and softly imperfect finishes – is one of the easiest ways to tap into the Wuthering Heights trend without it feeling costume-led.
“Plush fabrics, tactile finishes and a sense of weight in materials help create interiors that feel romantic and expressive,” explains Chloe.
“Drawing on heritage-inspired designs helps introduce depth and pattern without overwhelming the space, adding richness through fabric and finish rather than decoration.
“The result is a modern, personal interpretation of Brontë’s world, seen through Fennell’s unapologetically bold lens.”
Wuthering Heights-worthy window dressings
Windows act as the perfect anchor for the bold hues used in this most recent adaptation of Wuthering Heights, framing colour through curtains, blinds or layered fabrics allows these bold shades to feel intentional rather than overpowering.
“A rich, saturated choice of window dressings perfectly achieves this effect, drawing the eye and grounding the scheme,” explains Chloe.
“By concentrating colour around the window, the contrast becomes more impactful, adding drama and depth that could rival that of Wuthering Heights, whilst keeping the overall space feeling considered.”
Layering is also key to achieving Fennell’s aesthetic.
“Heavy curtains placed over lighter sheers not only induce depth and texture, but also allow you to control how light enters a room,” Chloe continues.
“Delicate voile curtains work well as the base layer, letting natural light in while maintaining privacy during the day.
“Heavier curtains can then be drawn in the evening to add warmth, block light, and create a more intimate, moody atmosphere akin to the foundational gothic style of Wuthering Heights.”
Add whispers of Victorian gothic
Adding subtle hints of Victorian gothic, through dark woods, antique finishes and softly dramatic details, brings depth and romance to Wuthering Heights-inspired interiors without overwhelming a modern home.
“A few subtle nods help anchor the look without turning the room into a set,” explains Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillarys,
“One or two pieces are plenty, for example a vintage portrait, a carved mirror or an antique‑style candlestick. Keep everything else modern so it feels curated rather than themed.”
Mix rugged textures with a few stylised, statement pieces
Mixing rugged, weathered textures with a few more stylised statement pieces strikes the perfect balance, echoing the raw romance of Wuthering Heights while keeping the look considered and contemporary.
“Doing this mirrors the tension between the book’s naturalism and the film’s heightened aesthetic,” explains Victoria.
She suggests combining weathered wood, iron and stone with something more sculptural like a dramatic lamp, a modern artwork or a standout chair.
“That contrast keeps the look grounded but current.”
Keep it timeless, not themed
To avoid taking the look too far, keep the palette edited and the styling intentional.
A few atmospheric touches go a long way, while too many dark or heavy elements can quickly tip the space into theatrical rather than inviting.
“The biggest mistake with any interior design inspired by film or literature is going too literal. You don’t want your home to feel like a movie set,” explains Ana Zuravliova, trends specialist at Blinds Direct.
“Instead, take the mood of Wuthering Heights, the romance, the drama, the connection to nature, and express it in a subtle way.”
That could mean adding natural elements like indoor plants, dried grasses or simple floral arrangements, rather than obvious period-style accessories.
“These touches bring in that wild moorland feeling without tipping the room into costume territory,” Ana adds.
Want more inspiration? Read: Heritage maximalism and 7 other interior trends set to dominate 2026 or 2016 interiors: the trends we should skip and those worth reviving
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