One of the defining characteristics of Victorian architecture and design was the extensive use of rich and vibrant colours. These colours played a significant role in creating the lavish and elegant interiors that are still admired and emulated today.
While modern interior design often favours neutral and minimalistic colour palettes, there is a growing trend towards incorporating Victorian-era paint colours to add a touch of nostalgia and timeless beauty to contemporary spaces. Let's explore some popular Victorian-era paint colours and how they can be effectively used in modern interiors.
What colour paint did the Victorians use?
- The classic Victorian colour palette was dark and consisted of dark, rich, deep colours of maroon, red, burgundy, chestnut, dark green, brown, and blue. These colours were used to convey a sense of luxury and sophistication.
- To make your Victorian tones take centre stage, you can decide to go with a dark colour and pair it with contrasting elements such as white-painted woodwork, light fireplace tiles, and a light wood floor.
- You can pay homage to this feeling by using dark greens and blues, which are more likely to be to your taste than the deep chocolate browns used in many Victorian houses, which can sometimes give them a depressing feeling.
Learn the fundamentals
The Victorian period was characterised by dark colours, such as browns, maroons, deep reds, burgundy, chestnut, dark green, and blue. But if you think that this Victorian colour scheme could be too strong for a contemporary home, you can always combine it with colours that are milder.
If you want your version of the décor to have a more contemporary vibe, stick to the dark greens and blues or use a teal tint and accessorise with rich plum tones. Rather than using pastel tones, try using cream tones. Try colours like buttermilk, grey, and cream to opt for a more understated look. To achieve the look and feel of an actual bygone era, all it takes is the addition of one colour with a strong Victorian influence.
Use different colours
To achieve a genuine look, the furnishings and wall paint in a room should all be variations of the same colour. Above the dado rail, whether you use wallpaper or paint, you should choose a colour that is a few degrees lighter, and your woodwork should be lighter than that.
You could also try painting inexpensive kitchen cabinets in a colour that is a few shades darker than the colour of your kitchen walls to provide a new aesthetic while still adhering to the same standards.
To finish the look, spray-paint the cabinets before installing them (they'll require three or four coats), add brass handles, and wrap traditional dentil coving around the cabinet tops.
Victorian Paint Colours in more detail
- Burgundy was a favoured colour during the Victorian era, often associated with luxury and sophistication. It exudes warmth and creates a cozy ambiance. In modern interiors, deep burgundy can be used as an accent colour on a feature wall or in a study or library, adding depth and richness to the space.
- Royal blue was another prominent colour in Victorian design, representing richness and nobility. It was often used in grand halls and dining rooms.
- Emerald green was a popular colour in Victorian homes, symbolising nature and wealth. It was commonly used in wallpapers, curtains, and upholstery. In modern interiors, emerald green adds a touch of elegance and pairs well with brass or gold accents.
- Rich Gold was an essential colour in Victorian design, signifying luxury and grandeur. It was often seen in ornate details, mouldings, and gilded frames. It adds a sense of glamour and pairs beautifully with deep jewel tones or muted neutrals.
- Soft Pastels - while Victorian interiors were known for their bold and vibrant colours, lighter shades were also popular, especially in bedrooms and sitting areas. Colours like blush pink, pale lavender, and mint green were used to create a delicate and feminine atmosphere.
Which Victorian decor colours should I use for panelling?
If your period home does not have any original oak panelling, you can achieve a comparable look by installing imitation panelling made of MDF or pine, constructing cupboards or enclosed bookcases, and finishing off the look with period-style mouldings. For the best impact, paint the walls in a sombre dark grey, dark blue, or even an off-black colour.
When using Victorian-era paint colours in modern interiors, it's important to strike a balance between nostalgia and contemporary aesthetics. Incorporate these colours strategically as accent walls, furniture pieces, or accessories while keeping the overall colour scheme harmonious and cohesive.
Victorian-era paint colours offer a wealth of inspiration for modern interior design. These colours can add a sense of richness, elegance, and historical charm to contemporary spaces. By skillfully blending the old with the new, homeowners and designers can create unique interiors that pay homage to the past while embracing the present.
FAQs
What colour paint did the Victorians use? The classic Victorian colour palette was dark and consisted of dark, rich, deep colours of maroon, red, burgundy, chestnut, dark green, brown, and blue. These colours were used to convey a sense of luxury and sophistication.
How do you mix modern and Victorian décor? ›
Victorian-era homes can be a tad bit dark sometimes. Adding modern furniture with neutral/lighter color palettes, or even glass to add a more contemporary vibe, can be an effective way to update the space and bring some levity to a heavy interior.
What was a popular color in the Victorian era? ›
Following mauveine's introduction in 1858, purple became a wildly popular fashion trend. Women ordered dresses, parasols, handbags – even stockings and corsets in the colour du jour.
What are the best Victorian paint colors? ›
Darker & highly saturated colors are some of the most popular and most traditional with Victorian-style homes. Traditionally quite dark, olives, browns, greens, dark reds and maroon were all quite common.
What were the Victorian paint trends? ›
Contrast and variety were truly the hallmarks of Victorian style. Period décor brought together multiple rich, intense shades, often from opposite sides of the color wheel. Reds were paired with greens, golds with purples, and gilded molding and accents gave everything the luster of wealth.
Why were Victorian interiors so dark? ›
Plus, before the advent of color-fast materials and disposable Ikea furniture, Victorian homes could be dark places–people used heavy curtains to protect their rugs and furniture from being bleached by the sun. And is there anything creepier than a shadowy, musty house with peeling wallpaper?
How to make a modern home look Victorian? ›
Or, nix simple window treatments and opt for heavy drapes instead. Other ways to bring in a bit of Victorian dramatic flair include sticking to fine art instead of modern prints (the more ornate the frames, the better) and bringing in plenty of jewel tones and other dark and intense hues.
What is the modern Victorian decorating style? ›
Modern Victorian is an interior design scheme that combines the best elements of the Victorian era – aka the time period British Queen Victoria reigned (1837-1901) – and the modern era (which loosely encompasses the early 1900s to present day).
What did Victorian interiors look like? ›
“Internally, tiled floors—either black and white, terra-cotta, or patterns—characterize the entrance, high-proportion rooms have large fireplaces. It was a time when floral or patterned wallpapers, heavier curtains, carpets, and rugs were introduced. Colours were often rich and dark: reds, greens, blues, and browns.”
What color did Victorians paint their ceilings? ›
The traditional Victorian colour palette was dark and consisted of dark, rich and deep shades of maroon, red, burgundy, chestnut, dark green, brown and blues. Maybe this sounds a bit dramatic for your tastes but you can mix this possibly overwhelming colour palette with lighter shades in the following way.
The color — Scheele's Green, named for the Swedish chemist who invented it in 1778 — was everywhere in Victorian England, from the walls of Buckingham Palace to the factories where child laborers painted the leaves of fake foliage.
Is teal a Victorian color? ›
Secondary colors in Victorian interior design complement the primary palette with a slightly softer, yet still vibrant, range of hues. Gold and mustard yellows, teal, and peaco*ck blues, along with terracotta and rich browns, enrich the interior's color scheme, adding layers and complexity.
What were the traditional Victorian interior colors? ›
During the Victorian era, traditional palettes were made up of darker colours. A typical Victorian interior might include deep red shades like maroon and burgundy, while chestnut brown and moody dark grey were also common. Dark green, deep chocolate browns and dark blue were also design staples of the Victorian era.
How many colors should a Victorian house have? ›
Frequently, they select three or four paint colors – one for the siding or wall surface, a contrasting one for the trim, and an additional color or two for interesting architectural features such as shutters and doors. A unique front door look often is achieved by its having its own unique color treatment.
What were the traditional colors for Victorian homes? ›
The traditional Victorian colour palette was dark and consisted of dark, rich and deep shades of maroon, red, burgundy, chestnut, dark green, brown and blues.
What were the colors of the Victorian dye? ›
The Victorian era saw the rise of a multitude of bright colors in fashion. The first synthetic aniline dye to become widely used was mauve, thanks to chemist William Perkin. It was soon followed by a range of other vibrant colors, including greens, purples, magentas, yellows, blues, and pinks.
What color is Victorian theme? ›
Emphasize the deeper, richer colors of the Victorian palette, such as burgundy, navy, and dark green, and pair them with luxurious textures like velvet and wool for warmth and depth.
What colors were used in Victorian kitchens? ›
Modern Victorian Kitchen Colour Palette
The traditional Victorian palette consists of warm, inviting hues and tones such as burgundy, forest green, and navy blue. You will create a classic and authentic feel to your Victorian kitchen when paired with lighter, brighter colours such as cream, light blue, or pastel pink.
