The Slytherin common room at Hogwarts is truly inspiring and gorgeous. It is also large and features an immensely high ceiling and impressive architectural details. The replica may not work for every space, and if you have an average size room to work with, I would recommend getting a few big pieces to create an impression of a larger space.
The Slytherin room can also feel a bit cold and formal, so if you want a cozy and casual space, the Gryffindor common room might be your Hogwarts inspiration.
Walls
The Slytherin common room was depicted as a dark and foreboding area with gray stone walls decorated with beautiful 14th-century tapestries called the Hunt of the Unicorn (French: La Chasse à la licorne).
These tapestry designs are in the public domain, so there are vendors on Etsy and Ebay that sell reproductions. When shopping for these decorations, purchase the largest size and use them like a backdrop, hanging paintings and mirrors on top of them.
The tapestries used in the movie had desaturated colors, so they looked almost monochrome, fitting with other elements of the room and providing the perfect backdrop for the room decor. You can use grayscale wallpaper to simulate the stone wall and tapestries.
Wall Art and Decor
In addition to the tapestries, the Slytherin common room had mirrors hung on both sides of the fireplace, one above a desk, and the other above a buffet. They had carved black frames and were antiqued, with black spots on the surface of the mirror.
I antiqued a thrift store mirror for my Slytherin room, and if you find a vintage mirror in a dark heavy frame, you can DIY your own cool Slytherin mirror.
Large-scale gothic-style portraits in dark frames add to the Slytherin air. To create a piece of art inexpensively, I found cheap prints in thick frames and swapped the art for portraits custom printed from a copyright-free collection of classical paintings like the National Gallery of Art.
One unusual accessory in the Slytherin common room is a set of garlands that hung high on the wall, under the intricate stone molding. They added a bit of whimsy to this formal room. You can recreate the effect by using a thick garland and hanging it over a desk, mirror, or a set of paintings. Just make sure you use thicker greenery than I did.
Floor
If you have the opportunity to change the floors in your space, to recreate the Slytherin common room’s stone floors, use a large gray tile with a stone effect and thin grout lines installed in an offset pattern.
However, if changing the flooring is not in the books, you can get the traditional look of the room with an oriental rug that has a beige or gray base. The key is to choose a rug large enough to cover most of the room, keeping the space well-balanced and cohesive.
Fireplace
The central feature of the room is an impressive stone fireplace with a Slytherin crest and a skull on top. For those truly committed to the theme but lacking this important detail, these are some paler options for recreating the fireplace.
Windows
The Slytherin common room is in the dungeons and submerged. The windows are going out into Hogwarts lake, so the light that gets to its windows through the water has a dim and mysterious green glow, casting an eerily beautiful backdrop to the room. I have to wonder about the spell the windows were enchanted with so they don’t leak.
In addition to the rectangular main windows, there are beautiful round multi-pane windows above, which can be simulated by a multi-pane mirror reflecting light from an adjustable color LED bulb set to teal.
A semi-transparent blueish-green window drape on a black rod will complete the look.
Furniture
The furniture in the common room is comfortable despite being formal. When furnishing your Slythrin-inspired room, look for black or chocolate leather seating, carved wood pieces in dark colors, and traditional styles.
Seating Area
A true Slytherin common room replica should feature a chesterfield sofa in black leather with a coffee table, side tables, and throw pillows. Position the sofa in front of the fireplace and use the remaining furniture to fill the space up.
Desk
The two desks in the Slytherin common room are beautifully carved. One is set in the middle of the room and one is next to the fireplace. Choose desks with details and carvings finished in dark wood. Place some books and decorative accessories on top, such as an hourglass, a chess set, storage boxes, or educational materials to keep it looking authentic.
The best place to purchase a desk is at an estate sale or an auction. These are very heavy pieces, and if you arrange pickup and delivery, you can get the desk for a very low price. Below is an example of what you should look for in a desk.
Storage and Bookshelves
Large, intricately carved buffets, storage chests, and bookshelves add storage and a place to display decorative accessories. Look for dark wood stains and hang mirrors above the buffet for a more authentic look. Fill the bookshelves with books and interesting items and put accessories on buffets to express your Slytherin spirit.
This is an example of a buffet that would fit a Slytherin-themed room:
The Slytherin common room features a casual chess-playing area. Two large black leather chairs are placed on two sides of a table that holds a chess board. A large portrait painting is hung above.
Light Fixtures
There are three types of light fixtures in the Slytherin common room: a large brass chandelier above, table lamps, and a floor lamp. These brass lamps are made in the style of pre-electricity oil lamps. I am particularly fond of the green globe shade lamp placed on the desk.
It’s hard to replicate Slytherin lights using modern light fixtures, so check out your local antique stores for converted brass oil lamps in simple shapes, particularly so-called student lamps, with a separate oil container (like the floor lamp in the picture). Stay away from lamps that are overly ornate or have painted flowers.
The chandelier in the room is similar to other Hogwarts chandeliers. It features oil-style lamps with chimney glass shades set on a round wagon-wheel base. If you don’t have a Slytherin high ceiling, pay attention to the height of the chandelier. You should be able to walk underneath without hitting your head.
Accessories
It’s the accessories that truly bring the space to life, and Slytherin common room provides many opportunities to express our Slytherin spirit.
The sofas had green velvet throw pillows, which can be found in many stores. I like this option because it has contrasting piping.
The desk in the room has many accessories, including a brass scale, a carved trinket box, a carved vessel, and a game of go.
On the buffets and shelves, I saw intricate candle holders, horns, globes, and glass orbs.
Don’t underestimate the power of repurposing the items you already own. I found that the leather chair, green Mexican glass vase, and a silverplate pitcher worked great in my own room. The rest of the decor I found in home decor and antique stores, online auctions, and in various Harry Potter collections.
If you want to see more of my own Harry Potter themed room, read this article.
If you enjoyed this guide to creating a replica of the Slytherin common room, check out my article on sophisticated Slytherin accessories for more ideas: