Overflowing with eccentricity and brimming with indulgence, the Victorian era has been a major influence upon many interior designers over the years. Homeowners who love quirky ornaments, gothic patterns and heavily upholstered furniture are sure to find a Victorian theme would suit their abode perfectly.
Rich colours
In order to create the feeling of luxury in your home that was prevalent in most Victorian properties, you may want to pick out some deep, rich colours for your walls and furniture.
Think about opting for some ruby red shades or dark emerald greens, as these are most associated with 19th century interiors. As chemical processes were still being worked on during the era, the range of colours on offer was limited and lighter tones had not been developed yet. However, you’ll find darker choices are perfect for creating a warm yet striking ambience in any room.
Victorians were fans of varying paint effects, so for an extra-special look, why not have a go at faux marbling, stencilling and stippling surfaces or borders. Another idea is to stain any woodwood dark, or you could rip out your old skirting boards and replace them with new, deep ones.
New flooring
There’s no better way to make your home interior reminiscent of times gone past than by adding wooden fixtures and fittings. In particular, you should consider the material for your flooring and replacing your existing surface with engineered wood floors is a great way of embracing styles from between 1837 and 1901.
You’ll find engineered wood comes in lots of great styles and shades that are guaranteed to go with any major interior design changes you’ve made. It is hard, durable and can handle lots of foot traffic, while your friends are sure to be impressed by its rustic and natural qualities.
One of the biggest advantages of engineered wood flooring is that it is incredibly easy and cheap to fit, so you don’t have to worry about the installation process taking up too much of your time or resources. Once you’ve purchased the surface – which you can do online with UK Flooring Direct – you could cover it with a plush rug for a truly traditional style.
Excessive decoration
A Victorian-inspired home wouldn’t be complete without paintings scattered here and there or some bespoke ornaments placed on the mantel pieces of every room. And the more gothic these are, the better. Rooms too should be filled with furniture of all kinds, whether you manage to get your hands on an old arm chair, foot stools or chairs with button backs.
Being able to display lots of trinkets and treasures was a sign of opulence for Victorian householders and this should encourage you to scout out as many goodies as possible from your local flea markets or antique shops. Remember, in the 19th century, excess was symbolic of wealth, so don’t hold back! Stuffed animals and dried flowers are another way you could create a grand yet sinister vibe in your home.
This tendency to overdecorate among Victorians also extended to their lighting choices, with fussy lamps and patterned lamp shades a major feature of many houses during the period.