Victorian bedroom design

Victorian bedroom design

If you love romantic, feminine, over-the-top, exquisitely ornate décor with a vintage look, you may want to consider a Victorian theme for your bedroom. Luxurious furnishings and lavish fabrics come together for a style that is both chic and Gothic.

During the Victorian era, fashion and design was influenced by worldly travel and the treasures brought back from faraway places like the Orient, Africa and the Middle East. Oriental or Persian rugs, silk, lace and velvet fabrics, fine porcelain and exotic animal skins are a few examples of authentic Victorian era design elements.
Art and culture were also very fashionable during the Victorian era. Ornate frames on paintings and mirrors and intricate carvings on wood furniture and molding were common as the Art Nouveau movement encouraged a renewed interest and passion for art and attention to detail in the craftsmanship of decorative furnishings.
Does your home have Victorian architectural features?
If you happen to live in a historical, Victorian style home, your bedroom may already have some of the architectural features of a Victorian room, such as:

• Hardwood floors
• Crown molding around the ceiling and walls
• Bay Windows

If your bedroom doesn't have any of these architectural features, you may want to consider laminate flooring, which is easier and less expensive than installing hardwood floors. Crown molding can also be easily added. Adding the right window treatments will give your bedroom windows a Victorian look.
Another way to create a vintage Victorian atmosphere in your bedroom is by adding wallpaper with a floral or damask pattern.
Start a Victorian themed bedroom by adding the appropriate furnishings.
The following elements will help transform your bedroom into a Victorian style retreat;

• Bed- An elegant wrought iron or metal bedframe with intricate scrolls and decorative finials would be an excellent choice for a Victorian style room. You could also choose an intricately carved wood bed frame or go all out with a four-poster canopied bed.
• Furniture- Add a classy Victorian style chair or chaise lounge for dramatic flair. Nightstands, dressers, armoires, benches, vanity tables and storage chests should have dark stained finishes. Detailed carvings and crown moldings fit the style.
• Lighting- Table lamps should have a classic Victorian style fabric and fringe lampshade. Meyda Tiffany also makes fabric and fringe nightlights, a perfect accent for a Victorian style bedroom. If you have a wall sconce, you can add a stained glass Tiffany style shade. An elegant chandelier can be used as an overhead light.

Continue the look with Victorian textiles.
Victorian style fabrics are feminine, luxurious and timeless.

• Bedding- Look for traditional style quilts or bedspreads with floral or damask patterns. A chenille or candlewick style bedspread with fringed edges would also work. Add plenty of decorative pillows and a throw. If you have a canopy bed, you may want to consider having a canopy custom-made with the same floral pattern on the pillows or wallpaper.
• Window Treatments- This can be as simple as hanging lace curtains or you can add curtain panels with tiebacks and a fancy valence for a more dramatic look. Use a decorative curtain rod with ornamental finials.
• Area Rugs- Give your bedroom a classic, upscale look with a beautiful Oriental or Persian area rug.

Add the final touch with Victorian style décor.
The rule of thumb with most contemporary decorating styles is less is more. You can go ahead and toss this out when decorating a Victorian style bedroom.

• Walls- Place Victorian era reproduction art prints in ornate gold frames. You could also add an ornately framed mirror.
• Mirrored Vanity Tray- A must have accessory for your Victorian style vanity table is an elegant mirrored vanity tray with vintage style perfume bottles.
• Vases, Ceramics, Candleholders- Add vintage style vases and ceramics. Look for these items in thrift stores, yard sales or on Etsy. Gothic style candle holders add a romantic touch.
• Plants and Floral Arrangements- Add a traditional pedestal or column plant stand for an indoor potted fern. If you are terrible at keeping a plant alive, try a silk plant. Colorful silk floral arrangements with roses, chrysanthemums, pansies, lavender and other flowers could be used as a centerpiece or arranged in a basket for a wall display.

With a Victorian decorating theme, it's okay to add a few more accessories or indulge in lavish furnishings and décor. By its very nature, Victorian decorating is over-the-top and slightly excessive. It's all part of the appeal of this uniquely rich, artistic and indulgent design style.