The Victorian Gothic home decor style is a sub-genre of the larger Gothic Revival architecture movement that first emerged in England during the 19th Century.
A fusion of medieval styles and Romanticism, the Victorian Gothic design was heavily influenced by literature from that time period. It typically features dark or blackened colors mixed with light touches of gold, intricate woodwork designs on furniture pieces, detailed ceilings, and window tracery (ornamental stonework, typically at the top of a Gothic-style window).
When most people think of Victorian Gothic decor, they might imagine dark and spooky scenes inspired by horror movies and haunted houses. But while this type of decor can be used to create an eerie atmosphere, it doesn’t have to be scary to be gothic. In fact, there are many ways to incorporate the unique drama of Victorian Gothic style into your home without going overboard.
The History of Victorian Gothic Home Decor
Victorian Gothic first emerged as a distinct style in the early 1800s and remained popular until around the turn of the 20th century. It was during this time that many large, stately homes were built in England in the Victorian Gothic style, including some of today’s most famous tourist destinations such as Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle.
Victorian Gothic is heavily influenced by the Romantic movement which sought to revive medieval art and architecture. This led to a number of common themes and motifs in Victorian Gothic home decor, including dark or spooky scenes, romanticized images of medieval life and architecture, natural elements such as branches, vines, and leaves, fairies, elves, and other magical creatures, religious symbols such as crosses and angels.
What is the Definition of Victorian Decor?
Although Victorian Gothic has its roots in the Victorian style, what exactly is Victorian decor? The term can be used to describe a number of different design styles that were popular during the Victorian era.
There are many different elements that can be used to create Victorian decor. Some of the most common include wallpaper with ornate designs, tapestry wall hangings, Victorian furniture, chandeliers, and other light fixtures, floral arrangements, and carpets with intricate patterns.
Victorian decor can be used to create a variety of different looks. Some people may want to go for a more traditional look with lots of frills and lace. Others may prefer a more modern take on Victorian style, with clean lines and simple decorations. No matter what your preference, Victorian decor can help you create a beautiful and timeless space.
What is the Definition of Gothic Decor?
Gothic decor, meanwhile, is a popular style that’s heavily influenced by medieval art and architecture. This look typically features dark or blackened colors mixed with light touches of gold; intricate woodwork designs on furniture pieces; detailed ceilings; and window tracery (ornamental stonework).
Gothic decor is often used to create a spooky or haunted look in a room. It can be used in homes, businesses, and other spaces. Gothic decor is usually quite expensive, as it requires special furniture, artwork, and other items that are not commonly found in stores.
What is the definition of Victorian Gothic Decor?
Victorian Gothic Decor is a sub-genre of the larger Victorian era in architecture, design, and style. It typically features dark or blackened colors mixed with light touches of gold; intricate woodwork designs on furniture pieces and ornate decor accents.
I think the easiest way to think about Victorian Gothic Design is to think of the movie Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. A little bit of classic victorian mixed in with a bit of gothic drama.
However, one common misconception about Victorian Gothic decor is that it’s only meant for people who want to create a spooky or haunted house atmosphere. While this type of design can be used for those purposes, it doesn’t have to be dark and dreary all the time. In fact, there are many ways to incorporate light and cheerful elements into your Victorian Gothic home.
Queen Victoria herself was a big fan of the style, and many elements of Victorian Gothic were later adapted into the more widespread Art Nouveau movement.
Victorian Gothic in the New Era of Decor
While Victorian Gothic is not as popular as it once was, the style has seen a recent resurgence in popularity with a new generation of homeowners. This may be due to the fact that many elements of Victorian Gothic are highly adaptable and can be incorporated into a variety of different interior design styles.
For example, you can create a more subtle Victorian Gothic look by using light shades of pink and green mixed with antique furniture and accessories. Or go all-out with dark wood panels, velvet upholstery, candelabras, and heavy drapes for an authentic period feel.
Plus, there is a unique sense of drama to Victorian Gothic decor that is difficult to replicate with any other design style.
No matter how you choose to interpret it, Victorian Gothic is a great way to add some drama and intrigue to your home decor. By adding Victorian Gothic elements into your decorating scheme you can create a stunning setting for any room in the house that is both unique and inviting!
Shop Victorian Home Decor Products
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Counter Balance Victorian Pink & Green Art Glass Desk Lamp$321.00
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Duffner & Kimberly Stained Glass Viking Accent Lamp | 25″Product on sale$859.00
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Middleton Stained Glass Victorian Table Lamp | 24″HProduct on sale$629.00
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Shasta Trail Victorian Art Glass Table Lamp | 21″H$648.00
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Baroque | Victorian Tiffany Floral Stained Glass Standing Lamp | 61.5″ H$1,712.00
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La Belle Dame Sans Merci II | 53 x 66 | Medieval Woven Tapestry Decor$280.00
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The Accolade | 52 x 71 | Medieval Woven Wall Tapestry$310.00
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Gothic Medallion | 53 x 76 | Woven Tapestry Decor$310.00
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Religious Art Gothic Cross | 53 x 38 | Woven Hanging Tapestry$180.00
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Call To Arms | Medieval Tapestry Wall Hanging | 41″ x 33″$130.00
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Godspeed | 53 x 76 | Medieval Woven Tapestry Decor$310.00
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Epic | 69″ x 52″ | Woven Medieval Tapestry$280.00
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Bell Gothic Accent Lamp$337.00
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Dragonfly Rose | Victorian Art Glass Floor Lamp | 60″ H$1,041.00
Themes and Motifs of Victorian Gothic Home Decor
While there are no hard and fast rules for creating a Victorian Gothic home decor scheme, there are certain core design elements that will help to set the tone.
As mentioned earlier, the Victorians were heavily influenced by literature during the Gothic Revival period. This is reflected in the many common themes and motifs found in Victorian Gothic home decor. Some of these include:
– Dark or spooky scenes inspired by horror stories and ghost tales. Think Hollywood Glamour meets Dracula. This kind of decor is perfect for the bedroom or even the Den or games room.
– Romanticized images of medieval life and architecture. The ornate finishings that are popular with Victorian Gothic decor can create a stunning architectural presentation in a living room or dining room. Many of the traditional tapestry designs would fit perfectly in a Victorian Gothic home.
– Natural elements such as branches, vines, and leaves. These can be used to create a sense of nature and organicness in any room.
– Fairies, elves, and other magical creatures. Victorian Gothic decor often features images or motifs of mystical creatures in a way that is both playful and elegant.
– Religious symbols such as crosses and angels. These can be used to add a feeling of sanctity and reverence to any room.
Here are a few tips for achieving the Victorian Gothic look in your own home:
- Choose dark, rich colors like black, navy blue, and burgundy for your walls and furniture. You can also add some richness with gold details or metallic finishes.
- Incorporate ornate woodwork designs into your furniture pieces and accessories. This can be as simple as adding carved trim to a plain piece of furniture, or as elaborate as carving an entire piece from scratch.
- Add lots of decorative details, such as ceiling medallions, window tracery or intricate moldings.
- Think about using period-inspired, ornate lighting fixtures such as chandeliers, sconces, and candelabras.
- Consider using traditional fabrics like velvet, damask, and brocade in your window treatments and upholstery pieces.
- Don’t forget to add some drama with lush, tropical plants throughout your home.
- Start by painting your walls and trim black or another dark color. You can add light gold accents by using paint with a metallic finish or using accessories such as picture frames, lamps, or vases.
- If you have a fireplace, consider adding a mantelpiece in a Victorian Gothic style.
- Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different ideas! Victorian Gothic is a very versatile style that can be adapted to fit almost any taste or budget.
The trick is to have some fun with it. Yes, you can go all out and create a truly spooktacular home, or you can add some more subtle grandeur that still plays into the Victorian Gothic theme without turning your home into a haunted mansion.
Whichever route you choose, remember that the key to success is in the details. So take your time, and enjoy creating a one-of-a-kind home decor scheme that’s perfect for you!
So there you have it – a brief introduction to Victorian Gothic home decor and some tips for creating your own scheme. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of spooky fun to your space or want to go all out with a truly Victorian feel, there are plenty of options available to you. Have fun and happy decorating!