I watched 6 aesthetically pleasing horror movies for interior design inspiration

Hardcore decor.

Contrary to what Pinterest believes, I don’t want my room to look like a cookie-cutter white picket fence from the Hamptons, or a grungy New York studio loft.

So I looked for decor inspiration where others may not have looked before: slasher films, psychological thrillers, and pure, supernatural gore-fests.

Maybe it’s the ambience that horror films rely on for suspense, or maybe it’s my flair for the dramatic. But hey, the genre as a whole has a grasp on the power of colour, character and detail that most romances or comedies would kill for.

So, here are six of the best scary flicks to watch when you’re looking to redo your pad, perfectly calculated to strike fear (and envy) in the hearts of anyone who dares to visit.

It’s time to be brave.

Suspiria (1977)

This is sort of a given, considering every room in this film is a new kind of mind-blowing delight. With candy coloured hotel lobbies, red brocade wallpaper and giant floral murals, Dario Argento’s Snow White-inspired production is fantastic inspiration for a home that doesn’t feel remotely like it exists in real life. 

Helter Skelter (2012)

The star of this Japanese thriller’s set design is every carefully curated inch of protagonist Ririko’s apartment. With a rich, dark colour scheme, an insane amount of glitzy knick-knacks and more than one self-portrait on display, the space perfectly encapsulates Ririko’s turbulent relationship with vanity, status and the aesthetics of fame. 

Dead Ringers (1988)

At first the home of these creepy twin gynaecologists seems like any other well-kempt, semi-sterile dwelling. But there’s something to be said about a set’s ability to reflect its occupants’ mental states – and ensuing mental declines. The blue-tinged set has also been likened by director David Cronenberg to an aquarium, which is inspiring if you’re a fan of the ocean and really messed up fish.

The Company of Wolves (1984)

While there’s plenty of fairy-tale-inspired sets in this film to model a lovely woodland cabin or spooky outdoor entertaining area after, there’s something particularly fanciful about the briefly-visited wedding tent. Canine bridesmaids aside, the use of flowing pink curtains, delicate lace and gilded furniture would lend a festive air to any space.

The Love Witch (2016)

The Love Witch is a film that goes ham on a colour scheme, and to great success. Greatly influenced by the bright hues and graphic style of tarot cards, the sets are campy but completely habitable. All you need to mimic Elaine’s decorative flair is some easily sourced pieces like velvet couches, suggestive artwork and a ceremonial pentagram rug.

Ginger Snaps (2000)

This film came as close as any to nailing the ultimate teen weird-girl bedroom. It helps that the dual protagonists live in a basement, but it’s the touches like disturbing photographs tacked to the walls, witchy candles and matching sets of surprisingly cheery bead curtains that make the emo-girl energies tangible.