If you’re anything like us, your TV viewing revolves entirely around Claudia Winkleman, her iconic knitwear, and the most delicious, deceitful game on television.
While the roundtables, cloak-and-dagger plotting, and faithful eliminations keep us completely hooked, as interior designers, we’re secretly tuning in for the breathtaking set design.
Filmed at the magnificent Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, The Traitors’ setting is a masterclass in grand, moody, heritage-inspired style. It masterfully blends cosy highland textures with dark drama, opulent velvet finishes, and gothic flair.
The best news? You don’t need a sprawling Scottish estate or a reality TV budget to bring this high-drama look into your home. Here is how to channel The Traitors’ signature castle core aesthetic in your own space—without banishing anyone from the room!
What Is The Traitors Interior Design Style?
At its core, the look of Ardross Castle leans into Highland Gothic Maximalism. It takes traditional Scottish design, like rich wood panelling, tartan accents, deep heritage hues, and grand stone fireplaces—and pairs it with plush, modern maximalist touches.
From the atmospheric dining room illuminated by glowing chandeliers to the cosy lounge areas packed with tufted leather armchairs and jewel-toned velvets, every corner feels rich and layered with storytelling.
It’s a design trend that bridges classic heritage and modern drama, proving that moody interiors don’t have to feel cold—they can be welcoming and luxurious.
Why Interior Designers Are Obsessed with the Look
1. The Power of “Colour Drenching” in Moody Tones
The castle walls are wrapped in deep forest greens, moody navy blues, rich damson plums, and velvety burgundies. While dark paints used to scare off homeowners, designers love them because they create an instant sense of cosy luxury.
Drenching a room—painting the walls, skirtings, and picture rails in the same deep hue—blurs the edges of the space, creating an intimate, sanctuary-like feel that works exceptionally well in living rooms, snugs, and dining areas.
2. Tactile, Layered Textures
The set excels at balancing soft and hard elements. Polished, dark wood panelling and heavy stone walls are softened with tactile textures:
- Plush velvets on deep armchairs and sofas.
- Warm wools and classic tartans layered over cushions and throws.
- Vintage leather that adds an instant patina of age and history.
Layering these contrasting fabrics prevents a dark room from feeling flat, giving it physical and visual warmth you just want to sink into.
3. Drama Through Layered Lighting
You won’t find flat, bright overhead spotlighting in Ardross Castle! The show’s lighting scheme relies entirely on ambient light sources. Low-slung chandeliers, warm wall sconces, brass table lamps, and flickering candlelight wash the walls in a golden glow, casting subtle shadows that heighten both the cosy atmosphere and the cinematic drama.
How to Get The Traitors Look in Your Own Home
Step 1: Pick an Anchor Hue & Go Bold
If you want to test the waters with moody colours, pick one rich shade to anchor your room. Forest green, deep plum, and deep oxblood red are perfect starting points.
If you aren’t ready to paint your entire living room dark, start small! Downstairs cloakrooms, home offices, or cosy bedrooms are fantastic spaces to experiment with rich, theatrical paint colours.
See how to re-create this look: A bold floral and jewel living room
Step 2: Layer Your Textiles
Bring in tactile accessories to soften the scheme. Swap out plain cotton cushion covers for rich velvet cushions, fold a wool tartan throw over the back of your sofa or bed, or introduce a soft, Persian-style patterned rug over your floorboards to ground the seating area.
Step 3: Curate a “Portrait Room” Gallery Wall
The dramatic portrait gallery in the show’s dining room is pure design inspiration. Recreate this at home by building a character-filled gallery wall.
Mix oil-style art prints, vintage mirrors, botanical sketches, and family photos. For maximum charm, hunt down mismatched ornate gold and dark wood frames from charity shops or antique fairs to give your wall an authentic, collected-over-time feel.
Step 4: Mix Warm Ambient Lighting
Ditch the main ceiling light and focus on lighting at eye level. Position warm-toned table lamps on sideboards and side tables, add a sleek brass floor lamp next to a reading chair, and use dimmable LED bulbs (aim for 2700K warm white) to create an inviting, cosy atmosphere come evening.
Step 5: Add Vintage Brass and Character Accessories
It’s the small styling details that bring the castle look to life. Scour second-hand markets or high-street decor edits for:
- Heavy brass candleholders and tapered candles.
- Stacks of vintage, leather-bound books.
- Metallic barware, glass decanters, and vintage trays.
- Potted indoor ferns and trailing greenery.
Ready to Bring a Touch of Drama to Your Home?
Transforming your home with bold colours and rich textures doesn’t have to feel daunting. Whether you want to try a moody feature wall or completely redesign your living space into a cosy retreat, our expert interior designers are here to make the process effortless!
