Victorian Interiors

Victorian interiors feature beautiful colors, lots of ornate details, and skilled fakery to make the home a welcoming and beautiful place. The industrial revolution led to a revolution in interior decorating, and for the Victorians, high style was all about the appearance of luxury, whether real or imitation.

For today's homeowner, Victorian interior design styles may seem out of reach. However, you don't need a huge budget or a beautiful old house to utilize the principles of Victorian interior decorating in your own home; you simply need a little time and creativity.

Victorian style was inspired by the personal taste of Britain's Queen Victoria, who ruled the country from 1837 to 1901. The queen had strict morals and a love of the ornate that influenced fashion and interior design during the time of her reign.

In addition to the influence of Queen Victoria, the industrial revolution dramatically affected decorating in the 19th century. Goods were easier to produce, and for the first time, it became possible for the middle class to show off a sense of style. The industrial revolution also had the unintended effect of coating the exteriors of many homes in a thick layer of dirt, so Victorian interiors became more ornate to counteract the dingy exteriors of many homes.

Some of the basic elements of Victorian interior design include the following:

• Highlighting of rich, deep colors like burgundy, forest green, and mauve
• Emphasis on the ornate with gilding, use of fabric trims and lace, and sumptuous textures
• Focus on modesty in all things, such as skirts to hide the exposed legs of Victorian furniture
• Expert fakery involving paste jewels, gilding, and other faux finishing techniques

One lesson that can be learned from the Victorians is that you don't need a great deal of money to have elaborate style in your own home. You can take some cues from Victorian decorating to create beautiful interiors in your own home.

One of the easiest ways to bring Victorian style to your home is to embellish tastefully wherever possible. Don't settle for a simple throw pillow in a pretty color. Instead, make it special with beading, embroidery, or lace. For budget embellishments, scour the remnants bin at your fabric store. You can often find inexpensive trim pieces to bring Victorian style to simple items.

When most of us think of Victorian interiors, elaborate floral wallpaper or faux finishing techniques come to mind. To bring Victorian flair to your walls, look for good deals online. Many online wallpaper retailers offer affordable Victorian style wallpaper.

You can also add Victorian elegance by employing faux finishing techniques. Use gold paint to add a gilded feel to wall treatments, and be sure to try out techniques like faux bois.

Shopping flea markets and garage sales are another inexpensive way to add Victorian style to your home. You can sometimes find actual relics of the Victorian era at these places, and it's easy to embellish accents from other eras to give them a Victorian feel. For instance, a simple dining room chandelier can take on a Victorian feel with some pretty spray paint and the addition of bead and crystals.

Wicker furniture is a great way to provide seating in Victorian interiors. You'll find affordable wicker furniture at many flea markets, and a coat of spray paint will have it looking new again. Add some floral cushions, and you have fun Victorian style on a budget.

Victorian interiors are dramatic, and it's easy to add drama with some bargain fabric. Look for deals on velvets and brocades, and use these fabrics to create dramatic accents and draperies. Victorian curtains were often made of sumptuous velvet or silk and embellished with ribbons or embroidery. With a little time and careful shopping, you can mimic this look at an affordable price.

As with any interior decorating style, it's important to put your own stamp on your Victorian designs. If you love a particular color, don't worry about whether it was popular with the Victorians. The same goes for patterns and textures. Use the design elements you find beautiful. Victorian interior design is about using the things you love in elaborate and creative ways.

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