How to create the Victorian look in your own home

With the hit ITV programme 'Victoria' back on our screens, plus the release of a new lavish film 'Victoria and Abdul' we expect to see many people enquiring about our traditional rugs as they seek to create a Victorian look in their own home.   

Often the biggest stars of these historical TV and film dramas are the locations and set designs which inspire people to recreate the Victorian style - however, fans of minimalist design should look away now! 

Thanks to the industrial revolution and mass production, the middle classes had the chance to emulate aristocratic homes for the first time - this meant filling every space in every room with accessories, furniture and fabrics -  the more you had the more wealth you had.  

The Victorians were an eclectic bunch and co-ordination was not a high priority. Excessive ornamentation, heavy upholstered furniture, patterned wallpapers and fabrics were prevalent in a range of styles from the gothic to the frivolous feminine rococo.  It was a time of Empire and so Indian and Oriental themes were also popular. 

But even for those who love Victoriana, this is probably too much and so where to start to get that touch of Victorian opulence?  On the floor, of course!  Rugs were often the centerpiece of the room and were also very highly patterned and the Victorians had a penchant for traditional and oriental designs.

Large rugs were common and they were laid to leave a border of polished floorboard around the room.  The Victorians were also very keen on runners and circular rugs, with the latter being used as a focus for an item of furniture such as a table.

FrithRugs isn home of traditional rugs which means you are sure to find something to suit your space and once you have found the perfect rug from our hundreds of designs, build up your Victorian space carefully.

Use heavily patterned wallpaper at least on one wall.  If you have the budget, invest in a Chesterfield sofa or at least one high backed chair. Furniture should be dark wood and a round or oval coffee table is also a key piece.  For those on a budget find a second-hand footstool - upholster it in a patterned fabric and find similar cushion covers.

In terms of accessories, damask or velvet lampshades in deep colours and a glass done bell to go over ornaments will add to the scheme. The finishing touch would be an item of faux taxidermy on the wall.