What makes a house appear haunted?
It’s not just a hefty amount of Halloween decor, nor is this aesthetic exclusive to the holiday.
It is all about finding the right blend of architectural styles, thematic elements, and atmospheric features to achieve a mysterious vibe.
These 9 houses capture the haunted aesthetic to the fullest!
1. Gothic Manor
Someone once described the gothic style to me as ‘aggressive’, and to this day it’s the first thing I think of when seeing this kind of design in architecture, fashion, and art overall.
The gothic aesthetic is inherently a little haunted, which makes it the optimal choice for creating this atmosphere.
Everything is pointy, dramatic, and excessive.
Think stone walls, dark colors, pitched roofs, and exterior ornaments.
2. Victorian Design
Victorian homes are memorable for their complex rooflines, wraparound porches, and decorative trims.
Being the trademark design style of the 19th century, it bears a lot of historical significance as well as baggage.
An old Victorian home is the culprit of so many haunted house movies!
3. Medieval Revival
In the second half of the 19th century, we may encounter a revival of the Romanesque, Greek, and Medieval architectural styles.
The pointed, Gothic elements and the aged brick make for a top-notch haunted house vibe!
4. Uncanny Features
Odd shapes, a strange silhouette, and unconventional features make for the most outstandingly haunted house.
Houses that get wider towards the higher floors support the uncanny vibe because we subconsciously perceive them as inverted.
Mixing rustic stone and dark wood for the exterior works wonders too!
5. Colonial Style
Colonial houses are generally symmetrical and elegant in their design. Most of them have gable roofs and, much like Victorian homes, front porches supported by columns.
They bear important cultural significance and their general eerieness comes both from the old-fashioned design and their historical context.
6. Indoor Atmosphere
You can promote the haunted vibe of your house from the inside.
Light candles or soft lamps instead of any of the big lights. This will give your windows a warm and mysterious glow.
7. Outdoor Atmosphere
Now, there’s only so much you can do about the outdoor atmosphere aside from your house and garden design.
Gothic fence is always a good idea, as well as antique lanterns. A good seasonal trick is to keep the fallen leaves on the ground during autumn.
A tiny bit of that ‘no-one-lives-here’ aesthetic is great for the haunted house vibe.
8. Eerie Rustic
Natural and earthy design is characteristic of rustic homes, though there’s a very fine line between a cozy country home and a cabin in the woods!
Aged appeal and imperfect stone walls promote the haunted vibe.
9. Haunting Simplicity
It doesn’t all have to be about ornamental, gothic, and Victorian architecture when it comes to haunted house aesthetic.
There’s a haunting architectural style much closer to home. Brutalist design can make for some of the eeriest houses – with a modern twist.