Victorian interior design is a great option if you want a cozy feel in your home. Here are some tips to help you get that old-time feeling in your living space
Victorian interior designs are especially effective in older farm houses. The exterior of the house features colorful paints with contrasting trim and lots of “gingerbread” trim. Interior designs feature lots of lace, ruffles and filigree trims. In the Victorian era, people enjoyed overstuffed furniture and plush surroundings.
Victorian design is named for England’s Queen Victoria, who reigned through most of the 19th century, an era in which England prospered thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Thanks to the growth of technology and factories, people were finally able to afford life’s little luxuries.
While today, many people think of Victorian design as overly fussy, you can still enjoy Victorian elements in your home. For example, try installing wallpaper in light pastel colors with a floral design. You might want to pull up your wall-to-wall carpeting and refinish your hard wood floors. To add warmth, add a colorful Victorian throw rug or big ruffled curtains.
One easy way to add Victorian touches is to use paper items. Find some Victorian style valentines or silhouettes and frame them in a round, wooden frame. Get a Victorian style photo album to display pictures of your loved ones.
The Victorian era emphasized wood, especially darker finishes. Think about adding some wood accessories, especially those with scrollwork or other carvings. Victorian furniture has extra touches, such as claw feet, carved embellishments or red velvet upholstery. Just one or two pieces can give your home a Victorian look without going overboard.
Some people think Victorian design looks too cluttered and frilly. You may prefer to use a country Victorian theme instead. Combine the Victorian frills with plain country-style pieces for a pleasing, comfortable that even the most macho guys will like.
Overall, Victorian design should convey a peaceful feeling. Think of your grandmother’s house, with its white lace doilies and flowers everywhere. If you have some of her pieces, you can easily incorporate them into your home design. If you don’t, you can easily get authentic Victorian items from antique shops and rummage sales. If they have scratches, it’s no problem, small blemishes add authenticity and charm. You are not creating a museum, you are designing your home.
These are just a few ideas for you. You can find plenty more in the many home design magazines, many specifically for older homes. Also try looking at home restoration and history websites for other suggestions.
Victorian design allows you to relive the good old days but still keep modern conveniences. Try adding a small Victorian touch to your home today and see how pleasant it is to remember days gone by.