Decorating a Victorian home in an authentic style can really add a touch of elegance to an already beautiful home. Victorian interior design can even be used in more modern buildings, to add a touch of refined beauty without the potential issues, like poor insulation, damp and mould that can potentially come with a period home. Of course, the style looks most authentic in the context of a genuine Victorian house.
- Take Your Influence from a Mixture of Styles
There were many different styles influencing the décor of Victorian homes, including gothic revival, and oriental influences. Gothic styles were often used in the rooms that were, at the time, considered to be more masculine, such as the library and billiard rooms, while the more feminine rococo style was used in women’s bedrooms. Don’t be afraid to use a few different styles throughout your house, as this was typical in a Victorian home.
- Add Clutter
While the Georgian period was renowned for being simple and free of clutter, by the Victorian era this had changed dramatically. Rooms were often crowded with furniture as well as many decorative items. Rooms were filled with ornaments, including porcelain animals, stuffed bears, and dried flowers in the fireplace. Look for unique, hand-crafted items for an authentic feel.
- Consider Your Walls and Floor
Wallpaper in patterns such as flock and damask were popular in the Victorian era, and it was common to paper only the bottom part of the wall, from the skirting board to the dado rail. As well as wallpaper, different painting styles came into use during this time, including stencilling and faux marble. Colour schemes of a Victorian room would be deep, rich colours, and jewel tones including ruby reds and emerald greens. Purple and blue paints were not commonly available until towards the end of the Victorian era, so stay away from these.
Patterned carpets were a popular Victorian choice for flooring, often with dark polished floorboards visible at the edge of the room. Also popular were runners along hallways and stairs. Floor tiles are a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms, in marble or stone. New techniques such as lamination were developed during this era, so laminate flooring would also be a good choice for a Victorian home.
- Pick Period Furniture
Your choice of furniture is where your Victorian property can really come to life. Plump, overstuffed chairs and sofas were typical of the Victorian era. Crowd them into the room around the fireplace, which was the centrepiece of most rooms. Fireplaces were ornate, often made from wood or cast iron, and many ornaments would be displayed along the mantelpiece. For bathrooms, look for the classic claw-footed bath, a staple of the Victorian period.
The St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in Central London is a great example of Victorian architecture and style, which can help inspire your décor.
