The Traitors has done more than keep viewers glued to their screens. Filmed in the magnificent Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, the show has inspired a genuine craving for interiors that feel dramatic yet deeply inviting. There is something undeniably compelling about The Traitors interior design style. It blends the grandeur of a bygone era with the comfort of modern living, creating spaces that are rich in texture and full of character. Moody colour palettes, warm candlelit glows, and layered details that tell a story. It is the kind of aesthetic that invites you to slow down and lose yourself in the atmosphere.
Why This Look Has Captured Everyone’s Attention
Image source: BBC
After years of bright white walls and minimalist interiors, people are rediscovering the pleasure of depth, texture, and personality. The interiors of Ardross Castle are full of rich walnut, velvet, aged brass, and shadows that invite candlelight. This look resonates because it feels genuinely lived in rather than curated for a photograph. It is not about perfection or polish. It is about warmth, atmosphere, and the sense that a space has a story to tell.
Even if your home is not a castle in the Highlands, you can absolutely capture the same feeling with a few considered choices.
How to Create Your Own Version of The Traitors Style
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I was asked by Country Living to share my advice on achieving The Traitors style at home:
Start with colour. Deep green, navy, and charcoal walls make a room instantly feel grounded. Pair them with walnut or oak shelving for a library-inspired look. If you are nervous about going dark, try painting just one wall or the inside of a bookcase for a subtle nod to the trend.
Texture is where the magic happens. Velvet cushions, a knitted throw, or a patterned rug add depth and softness. Mix in accessories like brass lighting, old books, or even a chess set if you are feeling dramatic. The trick is to make it feel curated rather than cluttered.
Samantha-Jane Agbontaen · Interior Designer & Founder of House Designer
Image credit: House Designer
This resurgence of dark, dramatic interiors marks a clear shift away from minimalism and towards something bolder and more expressive. Whether you live in a city flat or a period cottage, the Traitors-inspired look demonstrates that moody can also be deeply welcoming.
Lighting is the element that makes or breaks this style. Swapping bright ceiling lights for softer wall lamps or a statement chandelier changes the character of a room entirely. Candlelight, real or electric, is particularly effective at creating the castle-inspired warmth the look is built on. Read the full Country Living feature here.
Making Dark Interiors Feel Warm, Not Gloomy
Image source: BBC
People often worry that darker tones will make a space feel small or cold. When layered thoughtfully, the opposite tends to be true. Deep colours create intimacy and wrap a room in warmth rather than diminishing it. The key is contrast. A linen curtain, a woven rug, a touch of greenery, or a pale ceiling all prevent a dark scheme from feeling heavy, and they give the eye somewhere to rest.
If you love the look but prefer a more contemporary edge, blending darker tones with cleaner lines and modern furniture works beautifully. It brings the dramatic quality of the style into everyday living without the overtly historical references.
The Timeless Appeal of Character and Comfort
Image source: BBC
What makes The Traitors interior design style so compelling is its storytelling quality. Every piece looks as though it has a past. There is history, character, and a sense of depth that cookie-cutter interiors simply cannot replicate.
Creating a home with this quality does not require a collection of antiques or a significant budget. It means choosing pieces that feel meaningful rather than merely functional. A deep armchair. A vintage lamp. A gallery wall of art collected gradually over time. These are the kinds of decisions that transform a room into a space that feels both dramatic and deeply personal.
If you would like help bringing this aesthetic into your own home, our interior design packages cover everything from colour and material direction to full layout planning. You can also book a free consultation to discuss your project with our team.
About the author
Founder & Interior Designer
Samantha-Jane is an interior designer and founder of House Designer. Bringing over 16 years of design experience to the studio. Having studied Interior Design and worked across high-end residential projects, she has built a professional home design studio that covers interiors, gardens and exteriors. She has also been featured in House Beautiful, Ideal Home, Country Living, Martha Stewart Magazine and other publications.