The Traitors Castle: How to recreate the famous interiors

The second series of The Celebrity Traitors burst back onto our screens a few weeks ago and, like the rest of the nation, we couldn’t have been more excited for its return.

Gathering an average of 10 million viewers per episode, most of its audience have understandably been consumed by Richard’s infamous blunder, Ross Kemp’s hilarious paranoia and Maya’s rather huge (and fabulous) jacket. Meanwhile we’ve had our eye on something else… the incredible interiors.

Located deep in the Scottish Highlands, Ardross Castle (otherwise known as The Traitors Castle) is known for its stunning views, suspicious deaths and fabulous décor. But the good news is you don’t need to relocate to recreate the look in your own home. From jewel tones and eclectic accessories to dark woodwork, in this blog we’re talking through how to bring these dramatic interiors to life.

So, don your cloaks and let’s explore the castle.

The Breakfast Room

Now here’s a room you may not instantly recognise, and that’s because it doesn’t appear quite like this in our TV screens. This is the breakfast room, where contestants gather for their morning debrief and to discover which faithful met their untimely death the night before.

This is one of our favourite rooms - antique gold drapes and blush pink walls give this bay-window nook a luxurious feel, while the curved upholstered seating creates an inviting spot to take in the highland views.

But the real star of the show for us is the ornate wall and ceiling mouldings, otherwise known as wainscoting.

The style they’ve used in the castle fits the brief perfectly - it’s grand and traditional but doesn’t feel dated in the slightest. The ceiling moulding draws the eye upward, emphasising the sheer height of the room, paired with the magnificent chandelier it feels so perfectly elegant.  

We also love how the wainscoting on the wall mirrors the vibe of the ceiling. Rather than opting for simple moulding, they’ve gone one step further and added the gorgeous corner detail. You can recreate this look using our Cecilia Wall Panelling Kit or our Wainscoting - Corner Moulding.

The Library

Perhaps one of the most iconic rooms in the castle… The Library. Last week, the Traitors feigned tiredness here in an attempt to poison the Faithful with a fateful yawn. But there’s certainly nothing tired or boring about this space.

The rich blue bookshelves are clearly the real showstopper here, with decorative wall moulding used to add depth and character. You can recreate a similar effect at home by adding The Sofia Wall Panelling Kit to plain bookcases or wardrobe doors, then painting everything in the same shade for a seamless finish. Pair with a grand leather armchair, complete with button detailing and rolled arms, and you’ve got your own reading corner worthy of the castle.

The Bar

The Bar has a slightly different feel to some of the other rooms - it feels super boujee and is definitely a place designed with fun in mind. The jewel tones, eclectic accessories and plush seating feel reminiscent of 1920s glamour, setting the scene for a glorious cocktail hour.

Whilst this space may seem a little OTT for the average household, you don’t need a dedicated home bar to steal this look. A drinks corner in your dining room or a statement sideboard in the living room would be ideal.

For a contemporary twist, we’d add our paintable MDF ribbed wall panelling or fluted panels to the front of a bar or drinks cabinet, finished in metallic gold. To pull the look together, think colourful glassware, velvet upholstery and a few quirky accessories!

The Billiard Room

The Billiard Room. A room to chill, chat and conspire!

This room definitely has a moody, man-cave feel to it. The tartan wallpaper paired with the dark wood shaker panelling feels inherently Scottish, but that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t steal a few ideas.

In your own home, dark wood panelling works beautifully in an office, creating a rich, cosy space where you can settle in and focus. While the Billiard Room sticks to a consistent wood tone, mixing different finishes can give the look a softer feel.

Co-Founder of Panels By Sofia, Summa Costandi says:

“Treat your walls as the base layer of your room and choose darker wood tones such as oak or walnut to make the room feel warmer and more inviting. Rather than trying to match the tone of your wall to every wood feature in the space, think about mixing tones and materials as this will feel softer and much more natural.”

To bring the look home, browse our range of wood wall panelling, including oak veneer wall panelling, walnut wall panelling and black slatwall panels.

The Bedrooms

Aside from a couple of glimpses when the contestants are pondering the evening events, we barely get to see inside the castle bedrooms. So, we’ve taken a sneaky look ourselves, and we certainly weren’t disappointed.

The bedrooms are just as exquisite as the rest of the castle, with traditional décor continuing throughout. We spotted ‘The Oak Suite’ and instantly fell in love! Much like the Billiard Room, its dark wood panelling feels immediately inviting, while the ornate ceiling adds another layer of grandeur.

Co-Founder of Panels By Sofia, Summa Costandi says:

“Drenching your walls in wood veneer panelling is a beautiful way to add some character to your home, without it feeling inauthentic. There’s a real timelessness about decorating with natural materials such as wood, the grain makes a space feel more layered, refined and lived-in.”

Finish with a grand four-poster bed, soft bed throws and warm bedside lighting for a bedroom fit for royalty. If your space doesn’t quite stretch to a four-poster, a statement wooden bed frame will bring plenty of character, while neutral textiles let the panelling take centre stage.

Designing your very own castle

Hopefully you’re now full of castle-inspired ideas for your own home. Think about where these details could slot in seamlessly, and don’t worry if your home feels ‘too modern’, a touch of traditional character can work beautifully in a contemporary space.

Explore the Panels By Sofia wall panel collection to begin bringing your ideas to life.