Victorian-era design traces its origins to the influence and aesthetic of Queen Victoria who reigned as monarch of the UK from the 1830s through the early 1900s. The age of the Victorian design style began with the end of the Industrial Revolution and lasted roughly during the aforementioned time period. The era was heavily influenced by the effects of the Industrial Revolution and increasing globalization, as well as the Neo-Gothic and Rococo styles. Technological innovations during the Industrial Revolution allowed for mass production of items for the household; the items were also cheaper and more available to families of the growing middle class. In addition, new methods for dyeing fabrics allowed for brighter colors, which became characteristic of the early Victorian period.
Victorian interiors were designed to demonstrate high status and good taste for guests in the home. People took pride in their homes at the time, especially since they were making more money in general and items were cheaper. The interiors of Victorian rooms have often been described as cluttered or busy because people would attempt to fill as much space as possible with some kind of decor. The style was known to blend several historical periods together, like Medieval, Gothic, and Rococo, which allowed for great variety and uniqueness between homes. Many people would also blend trendy styles and fabrics, as well as trinkets and art, from other parts of the world together.
Victorian Interior Architecture and Home Interiors
Victorian architecture interior rooms were heavily decorated with various wallpapers, designs, tapestries, art, flowers, trinkets, shelving, and more. Patterns that were especially popular at the time included plaids, stripes, florals, leaves, vines, etc. with unique patterns and vibrant color combinations. The early Victorian period featured mainly dark, rich, colors while the latter half of the age featured lighter shades and pastels. Interior rooms were not in style if they were bare or plain, as that was considered poor taste.
Furniture of the Victorian age was heavily ornamented and generally large with vibrant colors and curved shapes. Popular pieces included ottomans, buttoned and draped pieces, and intricate wood-carved works. Floors were most commonly wood with various elaborately decorated patterned rugs. Other room decor included potted plants and lamps with decorative glass coverings, as well as portraits and paintings. New photography technology allowed for family and individual portrait wall hangings to adorn rooms.
Victorian-era rooms were designed for particular functions and separateness. Men and women usually separated into different rooms after dinner parties or social gatherings. The most important room of the house was called the parlor, which was only used on Sundays and/or special social occasions. Social gatherings in the parlor may have involved the playing of instruments and games. The parlor was considered "maximalist" as it had the newest, most vibrant, and best decor in the entire house. When the room was not in use, the curtains were drawn over the windows in order to help preserve the items in the room. Parlors were typically located in the front of the house and were supposed to be the main display area of a family's wealth and taste.
Victorian people were great at recycling items within their homes. The decor and furnishings from parlors or guest-area rooms would be moved up to the bedrooms, and personal areas when the family wanted to freshen up the guest areas. When it came to etiquette, the people of the Victorian age had many rules for how to conduct themselves, especially in the parlor room. Young men who wanted to court a lady met in the parlor, with a chaperone, and could only speak of polite and appropriate subject matter. Guests in the parlor had social rules when it came to small talk, game playing, sitting, speaking, etc.
Victorian Bedroom Decor
The Victorian bedroom was traditionally much simpler in decor when compared with the parlor. Bedrooms typically had much older items and furnishings. They featured fireplaces for warmth, decorative rugs, and cast iron or brass beds. Common characteristics of master bedrooms included full-size beds, marble-topped furniture, wooden shelving, rich bedding, pillows, and tapestries. Hand-painted floral decor, canopy-style beds, and multitudes of pillows were common in girls' rooms with wooden desks and darker coloring more common in the boy's rooms. Overall, Victorian bedrooms were designed to be more comfortable when compared with other rooms in the house.
Victorian rooms were known for featuring tripartite style walls for their three distinctive sections. One key design element of the wall were interior friezes, which were decorative borders between the ceiling and the wallpaper. These friezes could vary greatly in design and measurement. The colors on the wall were usually the lightest under the frieze, then gradually got darker towards the floor. The lowest part of the wall was called the dado, which was darker in order to cover any scuff marks. Wooden panels could even be used for parts of the wall space. The space between the frieze and dado usually consisted of wallpaper or decorative painted designs.
Ideas and discoveries about disease transmission changed throughout the Victorian era, which led to developments within Victorian homes. Studies were released during the mid to later half of the era which advocated for fresh air, more space between people (especially when sleeping), fresh water, regulated climates, and better hygiene practices. These developments led to greater space and separation in Victorian homes, as well as better temperature regulation within rooms.
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