There are a variety of ways to incorporate Victorian decor into your modern home. You can embrace color and decorative woodwork, or choose soft, subdued tones. You can also include tapestries and gallery walls. If you’re decorating a smaller room, you can start by choosing a vintage piece.
Embrace color and decorative woodwork
The Victorian era was a time of color and contrast. Victorians often painted their walls rich shades of red, emerald, or dark brown. They viewed clashing colors as a form of dramatic art. Today, Victorians would probably prefer a lighter color palette, although they would still embrace colorful patterns. Dark wooden floors and furniture would pair perfectly with bold colors and designs. Victorians also liked rainbow-inspired color schemes.
When updating Victorian furniture, choose pieces that serve both as accent pieces and background pieces. Victorian furniture tends to be heavy and oversized. It’s not uncommon for pieces to be overstuffed or upholstered with heavy material.
Opt for soft, subdued tones
When deciding on the colors for your Victorian home, opt for soft, subdued tones. These colors are complementary to each other and harmonize well with the unpainted sections. Likewise, when decorating the exterior of your home, avoid using vibrant, bright colors as they will draw attention to themselves and detract from the overall effect. For example, instead of using a vibrant blue, choose a muted, mellow green. Also, look for complementary colors for your trim boards, doors, and shutters.
Use tapestries
Tapestries are one of the best ways to add a touch of Victorian style to any room. These decorative textiles were popular during the Victorian era, which spanned June 1837 to January 1901. This period was known for its golden age in art and was followed by the Edwardian period. They can also be used to add a sense of nature to a room.
Large tapestries provided vibrant color to a room and kept out draughts. They also served as a source of entertainment and food for thought. Although they were extremely expensive to produce, they served as a symbol of the owner’s wealth. Most were rolled up and moved from one room to another, making them an excellent way to show off the home. A famous example of a large tapestry is the Gobelins set from the Croome Court, which can be seen in New York today.
Add a gallery wall
If you’re a fan of the Victorian style, then you might want to consider adding a gallery wall to your home. While it might seem strange, incorporating art into your decor is a fantastic way to add Victorian flair to your space. Victorian homes were often adorned with ornate chandeliers, and one of the best ways to add one to your home is to incorporate it into the overall design. The key is to balance antiques and contemporary pieces, so a traditional chandelier works best when paired with more modern furniture and fixtures.
Before you hang art, make sure to take measurements. Ideally, each piece of art should be approximately three inches apart. This way, each piece of art will be able to breathe without being squashed or overwhelmed. You should also try to incorporate both horizontal and vertical pieces in your gallery wall.
Work with antique furniture
The Victorian style can be incorporated into your modern home in a variety of ways. For example, you can use layered wallpaper to create a Victorian-inspired look. Another way to add this look is to use floral fabrics on contemporary furniture. You can even use modern graphic prints on your drapes to emulate the look of a Victorian room. Another way to incorporate the Victorian style is to use a Victorian cabinet to house your antique porcelain collection.
During the Victorian era, a variety of styles were popular, from the gothic to the rococo. Incorporating these styles into your Victorian home is a great way to achieve a dramatic Victorian look. Victorian homes often featured ornate fireplaces.
Bring in natural curiosities
Victorian decor can be transformed with natural curiosities. You can use primitives and organic forms, such as French hay forks and cacti. These objects are free and add a touch of natural beauty to your home. A website called Natural Curiosities can help you find the right pieces to enhance your room.
Victorians were known to collect natural curiosities, and many Victorian homes were filled with them. You can incorporate them into your home by using elaborate pieces, such as leather gloves on stands, fossils in a glass box, or even a bottle of Galapagos sand. Some Victorians even incorporated a vampire cape or two!
