How to Decorate a Victorian Living Room: Tips and Examples
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901. It was said to be the age of imitation and reproduction. Every style from Gothic to rococo was revived during these years and most of the times, more than one style influenced a sole piece.
Thus, when we say Victorian living room, it essentially refers to something that is taken from this era. A Victorian living room is a formal yet busy room. During the early times, this kind of living room setup was used to show off a family’s finest pieces and collection.
Below are some tips on how to create a Victorian living room from ehow.com.
1) Do not be afraid to use bright colors for your Victorian living room. Colors such as purple, mauve, bottle-green and red are just some of the favorites for Victorian designs.
2) For furniture, opt for pieces that are upholstered in velvet, brocade, needlepoint and/or crewel-embroidered fabrics, and add toss pillows. Exposed wood is typical on the upholstered furnishings; examples would be carved feet and legs, arm rests, and wood trim along the upper backs of chairs and sofas.
3) Use a variety of occasional tables - carved, bamboo, faux bamboo, marble-topped, spindled - near the seating. Set traditional-style lamps, especially porcelain ginger-jar types, atop the tables, with crocheted doilies underneath.
4) Drape the windows with elaborate treatments including swags, valances and tiebacks. Trim the draperies (as well as pillows and upholstery in the room) with fringes, tassels, cords and braid.
5) Hang ancestral portraits, botanical pictures and mirrors on the walls. You may also hang Victorian-style plates or platters (such as Blue Willow and other transfer designs), candle sconces, old family photos (possibly in oval frames) and mirrors in elaborate gold or carved-wood frames.
6) Embellish the room with tall baseboard moldings and stacked crown moldings. Place a wallpaper border with a scroll, shell or faux-relief motif near the crown molding.
7) Accessorize the room with a wood-case grandfather clock, a tiered “whatnot” shelf and a fern stand. On tabletops, set out period-style collectibles (silver or brass candleholders, china dishes and glass paperweights).
8) Place a patterned area rug, with a leaf or scroll design or an Oriental pattern, over the wall-to-wall carpet or hard-surface flooring in the room.
10 BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLES OF VICTORIAN LIVING ROOM
Below, you can find 10 examples of Victorian-inspired living room that you can use as inspiration if you intend to get the same look for your living room. ]Most of these rooms are not strictly Victorian style but are rather modern with some hints of Victorian style on them.