Victorian
Victorian
Interior Style History, Key Elements & Color Palette
Today we step into the opulent world of Victorian interior design, full of rich, jewel-toned palettes and intricate details! Before we get into it, take a look at some inspiration images below.
A Brief History
Victorian interior design refers to the decorative style that quickly became popular during the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom, from 1837 to 1901.
The Victorian Era was notorious for its fascination with opulence, an eclectic mix of historical influences, and the use of lavish craftsmanship and detailing.
Part of this eager adoption of the ornate and eclectic style that is Victorian was due to the Industrial Revolution, which brought newfound wealth and access to mass-produced goods for the growing middle class.
Following the style’s popularity peak in the late 19th century, there was a decline in popularity during the early 20th century, partially due new design movements such as Arts Nouveau and the modernist movement which focused on clean lines and minimalism.
During the late 20th century, Victorian design was no longer replicated in its entirety but was nonetheless appreciated for its aesthetic value and used alongside other styles to create unique, personalized interiors.
The rise of the "shabby chic" trend in the 1990s, for example, saw a resurgence of Victorian-inspired furniture and decor, though often with a more distressed, casual look.
Today, Victorian interior design continues to hold niche appeal, particularly among enthusiasts of historical design, vintage decor, and heritage restoration!
Key Elements
Stylistic Influences
While Victorian design shares some stylistic elements with Gothic interior design (as we explored in last week’s post—click here to read it), it’s actually a blend of various stylistic influences, including Rococo, Gothic, and Renaissance.
Rococo: Characterized by its light, ornate, and whimsical style, featuring intricate asymmetrical patterns, soft pastel colors, and elegant, curving forms that evoke a sense of playful luxury and refinement.
Gothic: Defined by its dramatic and atmospheric style, featuring pointed arches, intricate stonework, and dark, rich colors that evoke a sense of grandeur and medieval mystery.
Renaissance: Characterized by its symmetry, classical elements, and refined elegance, with a focus on balanced proportions, decorative frescoes, and the use of luxurious materials that reflect the revival of Greco-Roman ideals.
Physical Elements
Furniture was typically ornate, heavy and elaborately carved, with a focus on craftsmanship. Popular materials included dark woods like mahogany and walnut. Upholstery was typically plush, featuring rich fabrics such as velvet and brocade.
Decorative objects such as vases, porcelain figurines, clocks, and framed artwork were an important element of Victorian design. Walls were usually adorned with paintings, tapestries, and mirrors, while mantelpieces and shelves were full of collectibles and trinkets!
Windows were commonly dressed with heavy curtains and layered with lace sheers underneath for both decorative and practical purposes.
Lighting included fancy chandeliers, wall sconces, and table lamps. During the Victorian Era, the introduction of gas lighting allowed for more elaborate lighting fixtures, often made of brass or bronze, and featuring decorative glass shades.
Floors were typically covered with patterned carpets and rugs, which added warmth and comfort to the space. Wooden floors were also common, often stained dark to match the dark wood furniture.
Color Palette
Victorian interiors favored deep colors that exude luxury and warmth such as deep reds and burgundies, dark greens, golds, earthy browns, muted blues and purples, and creams.
Below I’ve curated a Victorian color palette using Sherwin-Williams paint colors - check it out!
The Sherwin-Williams color names from this palette are as follows:
French Roast (SW 6069)
Luxurious Red (SW 6314)
Rock Garden (SW 6195)
Sconce Gold (SW 6398)
Inviting Ivory (SW 6372)
Hopefully you enjoyed learning a bit about the history, key elements, and example color palette of Victorian interior design! Feel free to comment below if you have a style in mind that you’d like for me to cover next.