Victorian Style

You’ll recognize some of the features, even if you weren’t aware that they were Victorian.  Many of them are still in existence in houses today – multi coloured stonework, gargoyles, wrought iron decoration, ornamental spindles and dormer windows.

The classic Victorian interior design and décor is truly original and has a richness and elegance seen in many of the stately homes in Britain.  Colours were dramatic purples, rich greens, and materials such as damask and velvet with decorative fringes and tassels.  Dark woodwork and paneling combined with the rich flock wallpaper.

Some forward thinking Victorians adopted a white space interior to encourage light into the rooms but this was balanced with oversized paintings that had gilded frames and gold embellished curtaining.

Minimalist it certainly wasn’t – with combinations of patterns, colours and a very cluttered style with heavy wood furniture.

Victorian houses were very similar from the outside, and they were typically rows of connecting houses.  Personal outside space was minimal and the need for driveways hadn’t yet arisen as there were no cars at this time!

One common feature was plenty of chimneys as rooms were often heated by fireplaces.

The most obvious design feature from the outside of a Victorian residence would be the bay windows, often with window seats in them and their own separate roof attached to the front walls of the house.   These were developed to allow more light into the house to counter the dark design interiors.  Sash windows were common with the more affluent having stained glass on doors and upper window panes. 

Multi coloured brickwork was used to enhance the windows and doors.  Pattern and colour combinations outlined the frameworks and this was used to personalize houses in a terrace.

If you are considering renovating your Victorian home, there is a wealth of information available and many companies who offer second hand original items.  In recent years there has been a definite move towards restoring houses back to their origins following the previous minimalistic renovations which saw many of the features removed and skipped.  Many websites are available to track down certain items and it is also possible to buy new but Victorian styled items which have been made using traditional methods.