The Victorian era was a golden age for the home. Thanks to the rise of the middle class, rooms such as the kitchen were no longer the domain of housemaids and cooks. Instead, they became an integral part of a family’s living space – somewhere both functional and welcoming, where people enjoyed spending time together.
As a result, beautiful kitchen décor became popular during the nineteenth century. Many of its style influences can still be seen today, so if you love the notion of a traditional kitchen that is the heart of the home, read on. We’ll be sharing our top three interior design ideas to help you create your own Victorian inspired kitchen.
1. Stick to natural materials
The Victorian period might have been the age of industrial innovation, but inside the home, natural materials were still the resources of choice. Unsurprisingly, wooden furniture was the most popular – and unlike some of today’s mass-produced pieces, it was definitely built to last.
To create your own Victorian-inspired kitchen, stick to quality items made from traditional hardwood such as oak or acacia. The handcrafted items in our Florence range are inspired by the classic Victorian home, and feature elements like stain and heat resistant tops, solid wood construction and classic lines.
For a homely kitchen look evocative of the era, explore our Florence range in the colours dove grey, sage green and truffle. Or if you’d prefer to put a more modern twist on your kitchen, create a contemporary Victoriana feel with striking navy blue or a crisp white finish.
Alternatively, our brand new vintage-inspired Queensbury collection could be just what you’re looking for. Designs swap modern minimalism for intricate details, like tarnished silver handles, grooved oak tops and elegantly turned legs that ooze Victorian charm.
2. Go maximalist
Minimalism has been one of the biggest interior design trends over the last ten years or so. But while the sleek, bare look appears stylish in certain contexts, it’s not something that feels at home in a Victorian inspired kitchen!
Trinkets, keepsakes and ornaments were extremely popular in the Victorian age. People kept their treasures in display cabinets or on their mantlepiece to show them off to guests, as items that had no other purpose besides looking beautiful were considered a sign of good taste.
Although true nineteenth century homes may seem a bit cluttered to us today, you can still be inspired by the Victorians’ love of maximalism while putting your own modern spin on the trend. Our Florence display cabinet is a beautiful way to showcase some of your prized possessions, whether it’s a stunning crockery set, your favourite family cook books or something made by your children.
Short on space but still want to find somewhere special for your treasures? Our Florence corner display cabinet is designed to fit into those empty corners and awkward-to-fill spaces, whatever the shape and size of your kitchen.
3. Add a work bench
As many wealthy Victorians ate in a separate dining room, the heart of the kitchen was focused around a large central work bench where food would be prepared.
To mimic this look, structure your kitchen around a central workspace. Opt for an extendable truffle dining table and pair it with matching truffle dining benches or high back truffle dining chairs for mealtimes. Or, better yet, our Florence kitchen island makes the perfect centrepiece for your Victorian inspired kitchen.
Available in five colours, our kitchen islands feature wipe-clean wooden surfaces, large cupboards, pull-out shelves and utensil drawers. There’s space for everything you’ll need close at hand – making this the perfect one-stop-shop for all your kitchen equipment and supplies.
Complete the look with our matching Florence kitchen bar stools. Ergonomically designed with a dipped seat, they will transform your work bench into a breakfast bar, making it the perfect place for working from home, evening catch-ups and spending time with your family while cooking.
Finally, keep your work area well-lit by hanging bright ceiling lights above, sticking to materials such as wrought iron for a traditional look.
Build your kitchen with furniture.co.uk
At furniture.co.uk, we’ve worked hard to replicate the gold standard for Victorian furniture – all while embracing our own timeless style.
Our hand-crafted wooden pieces are designed with everyday life in mind. Their wipe-clean surfaces and tough lacquered legs mean these items are built to withstand wear and tear, ideal for high-traffic areas such as a busy family kitchen.
Got a question about our furniture or need help placing an order? Get in touch with our customer support team on 01989 763343 or by emailing [email protected] today. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
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