Victorian style is all about elegance and sophistication, and it can add something special to any home design. It is a design period that will be remembered as one of the most creative and innovative times in history. Although the period was fairly short, spanning from 1837-to 1901, its influence on art, music, literature, and science still pervades our culture today.
As home decorators and interior designers, we can draw inspiration from the period for some creative living room ideas that don’t look like they came out of grandma’s house! Here are ways to incorporate Victorian style into your living room design.
Take inspiration from Pinterest and Interior Sites
Pinterest and interior design sites are great resources for finding specific decorating ideas. If you want your living room to have a Victorian look, search Victorian living room on Pinterest or Google Images. When you see some pieces that appeal to you, save them and create an inspiration board with these images on it. Add other things that inspire you —photographs of antique items, flowers, fabrics — to create a comprehensive idea board.
Choose A Color Palette that Fits With Your Choice
Do a little research on interior design from different periods and locations and see how certain colors and styles work together. Start looking for pieces that will complement your color palette when you get around to shopping for them. For now, make notes about what colors you want, where they come from, and how many shades of each are present so you’ll be ready when it comes time to put everything together.
Invest in A Carpet
Carpets are a significant investment, so don’t take them lightly. Before purchasing a carpet, test out how it feels beneath your feet. Carpet makes sure you’re spending money on something that makes you feel good. The carpet should be soft and fuzzy underfoot. If you can stand on it without moving for 5 minutes, chances are good that the carpet will work for your space. Carpets from the Victorian era were frequently made of wool or silk; today they come in all sorts of materials, like Berber and jute, with varying degrees of thickness. The material you choose depends on what works best for your home. When placing it, it’s best to pick one focal point per room: That way, your eyes aren’t constantly drawn all over the place when trying to look at any given item around you.
Place Intricate Curtains
Curtains are one of your best options for filling a large space and covering an awkward window—especially if you’re not too fond of wallpaper. It’s easy to create curtains that give your living room or bedroom a unique look. Hang them on gold rods, or add trim to make them more formal. You can even use different materials like lace and satin if you have traditional elements in your home decor.
Add Appropriate Decor Like A Bookshelf
When you’re working with a Victorian-style design, it can be tempting to throw everything and anything at your living room walls — after all, several beautiful decorations mimic 19th-century decor. However, sometimes less is more. Be selective when decorating your living room; while you may have five antique clocks, only one or two should hang on your wall.
The same goes for other decorations like candles and figurines. A bookshelf made of fine wood not only adds character but also helps you keep your space clutter-free. You could even add a chandelier as a finishing touch to make your living room look fancy without having too many decorative pieces taking up space.
Focus on Ornaments and Sculptures to Create Additional Details
Artwork and ornaments may not be a focal point for your living room, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a purpose. These elements can help add character and charm to a space. Keep these tips in mind:
- Decorate around large paintings or mirrors instead of on top of them. It will give you more freedom to change art styles down the road.
- Use bookshelves creatively. They make great spots for display pieces without looking too cluttered and create additional storage space underneath.
- Consider small details like porcelain figurines, candlesticks, and trinkets that can add interest without taking up too much real estate on shelves or tables
Make Your Sofa Eye-Catching
Sofas during that era were often made with some of the most intricate patterns and designs. If you’re looking for a design that will attract attention, try looking for a Victorian-inspired piece at an antique shop or furniture store. Be sure to clean up any stains or damages before having it delivered; nothing will detract from a beautiful piece like an ugly tear or stain.
To make it look more appealing, add pillows and dress them up in velvet outdoor cushion covers — they will go perfect with your new furniture. Velvet fabric has always been associated with luxury and style. Thus, if you want to create a luxurious Victorian-themed living room, then making your sofa stand out is one of the best ways to do so.
It may seem difficult, but creating a design theme or look for your living room is not that hard. By using your imagination and putting these tips into action, you will be able to create a stunning Victorian look in no time at all. Now go out there and create something great.
