Styles

Victorian style in the interior

Victorian style in the interior

Victorian style in the interior is considered one of the most recognizable in the whole world. It is characterized by solid grace and classic luxury. There is no ridiculous combination of colors or extra flashy details. This style of English is restrained and royally rich. It immediately stands out against other interior styles with noble colors and the quality of the materials used. For such repairs, you can not use low-quality cheap materials of dirty colors. Otherwise, it will not be a classic English living room or bedroom, but a parody of them. It is in the Victorian style that the quality of the details is important. Even small savings, for example, on curtains or flooring can significantly worsen the overall picture. English interior is an expensive pleasure. This must be taken into account when preparing the repair estimate.

History of the appearance of style

You can already understand by name that the Victorian style originated in Great Britain when Queen Victoria ruled this country, i.e. in the 19th century. It was then that the heyday of the bourgeoisie and the industrial development of the British colonies were observed. England was one of the most developed and wealthy countries. This is exactly what Queen Victoria wanted to emphasize with the decoration of her residence first, and then of the houses of all the nobility. Minimalism at that time was considered a sign of poverty. In the history of the development of the Victorian style, 3 periods can be distinguished: early, middle and late. The early period is characterized by a mixture of classic and exotic styles. Rich people got the opportunity to travel around the world, buy luxury goods in other countries and decorate their own homes in every way. The middle period of the Victorian style is characterized by naturalism and the introduction of elements of high art in everyday life. The late period is a mixture of different styles and pronounced deconstructivism.

Victorian style interiorLamp on the table by the sofa Indoor tree by the window Interior with bay window Wood panels on the walls Mirror over the fireplace

Characteristics and distinctive features of the style

The main feature of the Victorian style is a combination of exotic and classic styles in the interior.

Large Victorian-style windows

It has many elongated stripes of various motley ornaments, arched, vertical and horizontal lines. The original ornament and bright exotic accents perfectly complement the English restraint of colors. The Victorian interior is characterized by the design of rooms in various styles: Gothic, Rococo, Baroque, etc. When describing the Victorian interior, it seems that its creators are afraid of empty space.Each centimeter of the room is filled with something: embroidery, an unusual figurine, an exotic plant or an old wardrobe. This style is generally characterized by an abundance of high-quality high-quality furniture made of expensive wood of noble breeds. And often it is decorated with gilding and precious stones. On a ceiling the stucco molding is most often present. The windows are made in the form of arches; multilayer curtains hang on them.

Photo frames on the wall Columns in the interior Globe by the window Bookcase along the wall Clock on a table by the window

Design Features

Victorian interior style is characterized by eclectic chaos. Next to the massive wooden furniture were adjacent fabrics with a rather exotic and even frivolous ornament. In this way, the owner of the house demonstrated not only his own financial reliability and stability, but also originality of thinking. If the house or apartment is made in Victorian style, then there is no place for fake paintings. Most paintings should be presented only in the original. Exceptions are reproductions of famous paintings whose originals are kept in museums. The Victorian style is characterized by the presence of a fireplace with a wide shelf, on which all kinds of figurines and vases are placed. The fireplace is usually made of granite and placed in the central part of the room. In the living room you can put the piano on bizarre curved legs.

Victorian-style décorDecorative fireplace in the living room Partition flower pot Candles on the fireplace Wood panels on the walls Murals on the ceiling

Color spectrum

When decorating Victorian-style living quarters, colors are chosen according to the contrast principle. Interior items should not merge with each other, even on a plain background, there should be a bright spot. But at the same time, the selection of the desired shades is made in the order of their location in the color palette. This approach allows you to create an interior as harmonious and holistic as possible. The color scheme, characteristic of the Victorian style, is largely due to the materials used to decorate the interior. This style promotes naturalness, so heavy wooden doors will not be painted in acidic shades,to cover the marble fireplace with red lacquer paint or change the shades of natural gemstones. The Victorian style is distinguished by an English sense of proportion, so the following colors are used to create it:

  • brick;
  • red brown;
  • lavender;
  • burgundy;
  • pale pink;
  • almond;
  • emerald;
  • yellow;
  • light beige, etc.

Bright tones in the interior in the Victorian style.Candles on the table Sofa by the window Beams on the ceiling Pictures between the windows Table and chairs by the fireplace

Materials and methods of decoration

All materials that are used to decorate the room should be as natural as possible. No plastic or synthetics, you can use wood, natural stones, silk, wool and metal. As a floor covering, natural parquet from expensive wood or high-quality tiles are used. Doors are selected only wooden, trimmed with brass. Walls can be decorated with fabric wallpaper, but it is better to choose oak panels that are suitable for the color scheme. But today, Victorian style does not require insanely expensive materials. Due to the global trend for the production of environmentally friendly materials, today you can find cheap building materials for decoration. But they must be of good quality, otherwise the interior will look ridiculous. Some of them can be bought in stores of well-known brands during sales.

Victorian style wallpaperFireplace in the dining room Multilevel ceiling in the interior Clock on the dresser Dark furniture in the kitchen Dolls on the fireplace

Walls

Walls are an indicator of stability and reliability in any home, so in rooms with a Victorian interior they should be made of high-quality, high-quality materials. If wood is used for wall decoration, then these should be facades made only of expensive species: bog oak, walnut, mahogany, etc. The interior, of course, turns gloomy and austere, but in the spirit of the era of the English Queen Victoria. The walls of the living room and bedroom can be decorated with textiles or expensive quality wallpaper with recognizable patterns. Often, half-blossomed buds of roses, small birds, juicy berries, neat prints or strict vertical stripes are depicted on such wallpapers.The English design allows you to combine textile wallpaper at the top of the wall and wood panels at the bottom. In the bathroom, it will be appropriate to decorate the walls with expensive classic tiles or engraved panels.

Bright Victorian style walls

Floor and ceiling

It is worth using parquet as the flooring, but today, in order to save money, you can use the expensive laminate “under the tree”. If you are repairing an old apartment with pre-revolutionary parquet, then you just need to restore the floor, loop the parquet and do not change it to laminate. The floor in the room should be dark noble color, as an exception, you can put on it a solid carpet made of natural wool. In the kitchen, for example, an expensive tile floor with ornaments or unusual patterns. The ceiling should be light or even white. It can be simply plastered, painted with white latex or acrylic paints and complemented with elegant historical stucco molding. If the budget allows, the ceiling can be decorated with expensive satin fabrics with a symmetrical ornament or light wallpaper for painting.

Victorian wood floor

Windows and doors

The Victorian style is characterized by elongated massive windows, but they can only be made in your own home. In a typical apartment you have to beat the existing window openings. Victorian frames should be wooden. If you do not want to leave the old windows, then you can put wooden double-glazed windows. They are more expensive than plastic, but they fit perfectly into this royal interior. To decorate windows, you need to use multilayer opaque massive curtains of brocade, velvet or silk. For a harmonious interior shades of curtains and upholstery can match. Curtains for Victorian style are best done on order to be decorated with elegant fringe or border around the edge. Doors in the Victorian style are made only of expensive high-quality wood with beautiful inlays.

Victorian-style floor-to-floor windows

Furniture selection

Victorian-style furniture is massive and solid.

Bright Victorian style furniture

It is made of quality wood of rare species, looks expensive and elegant. Such furniture has smooth bends of shapes and lines, no right angles or sharp contours. But you should not forget about the combination of different styles. A strict wooden bed in the tradition of the best aristocratic families will be perfectly combined with an oriental wrought-iron table. There is no canopy, canopy or curtains at the beds. The royal style does not tolerate sliding sofas or armchairs. These interior items should be made of wood, upholstered with expensive fabric and inlaid with natural stones. All furniture should be comfortable: high backs are welcome on chairs, and soft cushions on sofas. Storage cabinets should be made of expensive wood with transparent glass or stained glass inserts.

Marble floor in the living room Palm tree by the window The picture above the sofa Orchids on the coasters by the window Mirror in the living room

Lighting

Since the Victorian style is sometimes characterized by dark shades of colors, the lighting should be good. This interior is characterized by a classic type of lighting. The central element of the lighting is a huge ceiling chandelier with various inserts and patterns. Often it is made of crystal, but a lot depends on the color palette of the interior. For spot lighting of individual areas of the room, wall sconces or floor lamps are used. To better match the interior of the XIX century, you can use fabric lampshades, but in this case they should be in harmony with the upholstery and curtains in the room. Since the Victorian style refers to historical interiors, you can use lamps stylized as candlesticks in its design. For piquancy in the bedroom, you can use candelabra with real candles, but then you should definitely have a fire extinguisher at home.

Victorian-style lighting

Decor and accessories

Victorian style is rich in accessories.The walls of the room should be decorated with photographs or paintings (originals or status reproductions). Queen Victoria loved fresh flowers. During her reign, flower gardens and greenhouses were in almost every house of wealthy English, so this interior is characterized by an abundance of flowers: fresh flowers are in vases, and their images adorn fabric upholstery or wallpaper. All accessories that are used to decorate the premises must be expensive and status. Exceptions are only do-it-yourself crafts that make the interior as comfortable as possible. A special place in the Victorian style is porcelain. Porcelain figurines can be put on a mantelpiece, in a cupboard behind a mirror, or simply select separate shelves for them.

Victorian-style decorNiches in the wall Parquet on the floor Desk in the living room Dark curtains in a bright interior Mirrors on the sides of the fireplace

Room decoration features

Victorian style is ideal for spacious rooms with high ceilings. It is characterized by eclecticism and variegation of ornaments. Each room in a “purely English” house can be decorated in a separate individual style: Rococo, Baroque, Gothic, some ethnic style, etc. But inside the room itself, these styles should not be replete, it is better to adhere to one direction. The interiors of rooms are rich and luxurious, which indicates the wealth of the owner of the house. In the classic Victorian style, one of the rooms should be converted into a home library. In a typical standard apartment, it can be difficult to set aside an isolated room exclusively for reading books, so you can zone a living room or study, taking some part of the room under the library.

Victorian style rooms

Living room

Victorian living room emphasizes the rich decoration of the whole house. It is best to decorate it with expensive antiques or furniture according to your own designs. The main thing is that she imitate genuine antiques. The drawing room is the front room, designed to receive guests, so it has the right to be artsy and overly luxurious.This room is the business card of the owners, a testament to their well-being. The central element of the living room is considered a fireplace, which in today's conditions can be electric. Opposite him, you can put chairs with high backs. On the mantelpiece, you can put a variety of old trinkets and accessories, as well as photographs of relatives or watercolor miniatures. In addition to the armchairs in the living room should be a comfortable soft sofa with lots of pillows.

Victorian living roomLamps on the wall TV over the fireplace Green walls in the living room Ceiling patterns A table and sofas in front of the TV

Kitchen

The English-style kitchen is characterized by luxurious decoration and antique pieces of decor. All modern technical devices are hidden in functional niches. For this royal interior, only natural wood headsets are suitable. The flooring is parquet board, parquet or tile. The walls of the kitchen can be decorated with natural stone, tiles or wood panels. The apron of the kitchen set can be decorated with tiles to enhance performance. In the center of the kitchen you need to put a massive table made of natural wood with beautiful carved chairs, and hang a massive chandelier above them. This will once again emphasize the originality and grandeur of Victorian design. Photographs or reproductions of famous paintings are also recommended on kitchen walls.

Victorian style kitchenWooden furniture in the interior Window wash Table island in the interior Steel fridge in the kitchen Shelves on the wall in the working area

Bedroom

In such bedchairs the royal persons and aristocrats rested. A comfortable bed made of expensive wood is suitable as a sleeping place. Moreover, it should be double, even if only one person lives in the apartment or house. Victorian style does not tolerate savings. Next to the bed you can put an antique chest and store in it any important little things or bedding. A large beautiful chandelier can be hung over the bed, but do not forget about bedside lamps, since the main task of the Victorian style is to make the person’s life in the house more comfortable.As for the walls, the ideal solution for the bedroom would be textile or silk wallpaper with hand-painted. To create a cozy and calm atmosphere, it is recommended to choose light warm shades, although, for example, the floor or furniture may be dark.

Victorian bedroom

The Victorian bedroom is a classic museum room.

Headlights Chest of drawers against the wall Decorative fireplace in the bedroom The lamp above the picture Lamps on the bedside tables

Cabinet

The cabinet should be in any Victorian-style home. To do this, you can choose a small room with a window. For the working area, it is appropriate to use both pastel and saturated colors. In the office there should be a solid table made of good wood and a chair with a high back. Furniture can have absolutely any shade: chocolate, mahogany, brick, etc. It can also be decorated with precious stones or gilding. For the decoration of walls, classic wooden panels are suitable, and for the floor - parquet or high-quality laminate. If necessary, you can throw an expensive carpet made of natural materials onto the floor. When it is not possible to allocate a whole room for the library, part of the study can play the role of a library corner with a massive bookcase, a small coffee table and a soft armchair.

Victorian cabinetLeather armchair by the table Picture over a decorative fireplace Map on the wall Bookcases along the wall A table in the middle of the office

Hallway / hallway

The entrance hall belongs to the front rooms of the house, so you should try very hard to design it. The corridor is the first thing that guests see. The task of Queen Victoria's style from the very first minutes to let them know that they are in a luxurious house with antiques. The interior of the hallway can even be slightly pretentious. Do not use modern materials in the decoration of the room.

Victorian Entrance Hall

All furniture should be made only of wood or metal. The walls are decorated with paintings in beautiful wooden frames and antique-style lamps. There can be no halogen or LED lamps or spotlights in a Victorian entrance hall. The interior of the room should resemble the old England of the XIX century. Of the characteristic elements of the Victorian style for the hallway, one can note:

  • large round mirror;
  • a coffee table on which stands a vase of flowers;
  • comfortable chair with a high back;
  • Umbrella stand.

Paintings on the stairs

Bathroom and toilet

The Victorian bathroom is particularly elegant and has English aristocracy. It should be as light as possible, although dark shades can be used for flooring. For walls, it is recommended to use tiles with oriental ornaments, heraldry or a Scottish cage. If the bathroom has a window, then it can be decorated with stained-glass windows. In order for the bathroom to comply with the general principles of the Victorian style, red and brown tones should be present in it.

Victorian bathroom

As for the bath itself, it is better to choose the "antique" model on curved copper legs. A classic Victorian bathroom should have a fireplace, but in an ordinary apartment it will be very difficult to do. For lighting, a classic ceiling large chandelier and a sconce in the form of candelabra are suitable. The toilet, as a rule, is issued in a separate section.

Mirror over the sink

Conclusion

Victorian style is suitable for country cottages and large apartments, but in miniature one-room apartments or studios it will be crowded. In small rooms, he is lost and loses his greatness, for them it is better to use other interior solutions. This is the aristocratic style of the royal people, so everyone who dares to use it should be ready for big expenses and long repairs. The Victorian style is characterized by grace, luxury and richness of the interior. Eclecticism makes it possible to experiment and use different materials. An important point: you need to correctly combine colors and use only high-quality materials. Exotic accessories and objects of painting will give real completeness to the interior. There should not be free space in a Victorian-style room: everything is occupied by any interior items.



Graduated from St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technology and Design. More than 100 completed design projects.


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