Victorian style in the interior: history of origin

Modern interior design solutions are full of variety. The Victorian style stands out from the rest with its elegance, combining elements of Eastern exoticism with a classic and noble color palette. However, choosing it in the basic solution of the home furnishings, it is important to understand that such a design is not a cheap pleasure..

Beautiful Victorian interior design

Wood in the interior of an apartment in the Victorian style

Victorian style apartment interior

The history of the origin and spread of the Victorian style

Victorian design dates back to the second half of the 19th century in England. It combines the high cost and elegance of the era, comfort and its traditions. Queen Victoria is considered the founder of the style. It was during her reign that the bourgeoisie began to flourish, thanks to the development of English industry and the colonies under the rule of England. As a result, the English nobility received sufficient funds, which were spent on luxury goods, ennobling their homes. British subjects were given the opportunity to travel, thereby revealing the boundaries of interior solutions, in contact with the cultures of the East. This is how noble families acquired exotic items that were used as designer interior accessories, objects of art, household items..

As a result, the style became collective, including accessories of Chinese and Indian exotics, rococo, gothic. These elements complement the classic canons and eclecticism that represent the basis of the Victorian interior..

Victorian style in the interior of the room

Victorian room design

Distinctive features of a Victorian interior

Straight, vertical and arched lines, elongated stripes distinguish the English interior. The Victorian style stands out from the rest by its use of deconstruvism. This technique combines various interior solutions for the whole house, but a specific style for a separate room. So, for example, an office can be made in a classic English style, a dining room in a Gothic style, and a bedroom in a Rococo.

The materials used to decorate rooms are natural precious woods, expensive textiles, marble and other types of precious stones. All these elements emphasize the wealth and status of the home owner. None of the materials can be substituted for a more economical analogue. Despite the large number of details and richness, everything in the house is permeated with a sense of proportion. Every detail speaks for itself.

Beautiful Victorian interior design

Wood in the interior of the apartment in the Victorian style

Victorian style apartment interior

Distinctive features of the Victorian interior:

the presence of classic antiques;
all items are of high quality, high price and reliability;
combining several styles;
a large number of accessories (candlestick, figurines, paintings);
furniture made of natural wood of valuable species;
respectability;
separate interior design for each room;
the presence of a large library;
lace tulle and heavy curtains;
rooms are decorated with plants and flowers.

Victorian style in the interior of the room

Victorian room design

Features of the design of secular style

Floor covering used in Victorian interiors:

natural wooden parquet, the color of which should be in harmony with the wall decoration and the color scheme of the furniture;
carpet in red or burgundy, combined with the classic light brown range;
ceramic tiles with embossed patterns;
laminate with a parquet pattern or eye-catching inserts that match the overall mood of the room and the color background.

Ceilings are also given special attention. Often their height exceeds 3 meters, sometimes they have a dome-shaped shape. The ceiling is decorated with stucco or frieze. Paintings, wood beams or regular paint can also be applied. Wall decoration in secular room design involves exclusively fabric decoration or wallpaper. The drawing, in turn, is made in the form of even stripes, birds, or realistic colors, a volumetric relief ornament. Symmetry is the hallmark. Also, wood panels with various ornaments are used in the decoration of the walls. These inserts are located at a third of the height of the wall. An important wall attribute is paintings or portraits with family members..

One of the most striking elements of the Gothic style in Victorian interiors is the multicolored arched stained glass window..

Beautiful Victorian interior design

Wood in the interior of the apartment in the Victorian style

Victorian style apartment interior

The window design is in the form of tall arches with colored stained glass windows. The interior of the window is decorated with wooden eaves with heavy curtains. Curtains can be decorated with lambrequins, pleating and gathering. In offices and living rooms, fabrics are used for curtains:

silk;
Damascus;
velvet.

In the bedrooms, the following lightweight fabrics could be used:

muslin;
chintz;
cotton.

Secular interior colors

The Victorian style in the interior is made in traditional soft colors of pastel shades, green, pink, lilac, brown and burgundy. Solid furniture made of natural wood can be inlaid with precious stones or metals, and upholstered in red-brown colors. This makes the design more chic and expensive..

Victorian style in the interior of the room

Victorian room design

Victorian furniture

The British devoted furniture to one of the most important places in the house. By modern standards, the Victorian style is characterized by a large amount of furniture, a massive character. It was made exclusively from natural wood. The most commonly used were yew, mahogany and bog oak..

Furniture in secular design is quite diverse. Here you can see chairs with high carved backs and wide soft armchairs with curved legs. The upholstery is also full of variety. However, expensive, heavy fabrics, natural leather are used for this purpose. Leather inserts are especially appropriate on small sofas..

Beautiful Victorian interior design

Wood in the interior of the apartment in the Victorian style

Victorian style apartment interior

The cabinet is decorated with velvet and silk fabrics. When kids’ bedrooms and dining rooms can be decorated with floral print slipcovers.

The Victorian style in the interior includes such accessories and furniture solutions as a grandfather cuckoo clock, a massive sofa, a large dining table, porcelain shelves. However, in modern use, it is difficult to fit all these elements into a room without overloading it with furniture. Therefore, modern designers working with English design try not to overload it with furniture variations..

Fireplace as a must-have element of the English interior

The fireplace, during the reign of Queen Victoria of England, was an essential element of the house. None of the living quarters were complete without this attribute. The distinctive features of the fireplace of the English era are:

cast iron grate;
fireplace mantel made of natural stone such as marble.

The fireplace embodies peace and comfort in the home, providing a place to relax. Tile patterns are laid out on the sides of the fireplace. Today, this attribute can be performed as in a classic form, fulfilling its main function, or be electric, as a designer accessory..

Victorian style in the interior of the room

Victorian room design

Wood is the main element in the decoration of an English-style room

Wood inserts and panels are a must for a Victorian interior. In the classic version, these shelves occupied the entire wall. However, this approach is rarely used today..

When decorating walls, wood panels with various ornaments are often used. They are located 1/3 of the wall from the floor. On top of such panels, wallpaper with a symmetrical pattern is glued..

Massive wooden furniture, stairs, parquet – the distinctive features of the classic Victorian style in the interior.

Beautiful Victorian interior design

Wood in the interior of the apartment in the Victorian style

Victorian style apartment interior

Victorian lighting solutions

Thanks to the high ceilings, it became possible to use volumetric chandeliers made of brass or natural crystal with ornate patterns. They create soft and dim light that perfectly complements the overall design of the room. Chandeliers play the role of decorating the room and do not act as the main source of light. For this purpose, floor lamps and sconces, table lamps are used. Floor lamps have fabric lampshades, made in the general color scheme of the room.

Victorian interior decorations and accessories

Flowers are the main decoration of the house. Bouquets with fresh flowers are located in every room. During the reign of Queen Victoria, the garden and greenhouses gained great popularity. It has become an integral part of every home. In modern times, not everyone can afford their own flower garden. Therefore, flowerpots will perfectly fulfill this role. Flowers are also part of the decor of fabrics used in the interior of the house..

Victorian style in the interior of the room

Victorian room design

Other decorative elements include art and home crafts, as well as porcelain. In those days, porcelain was a collectible item and occupied display cases in living rooms. Satin stitch embroidery was also popular, which adorned the textile elements of the room..

The Victorian style assumes a large space, therefore, owners of a small area are better off refraining from such an interior solution. It looks most advantageous in country houses, creating an atmosphere of coziness, home warmth and tranquility. This style is very popular among connoisseurs of English traditions and romantic personalities..