7 Ways To Add Victorian Accents That Could Keep Your Space Stylish
Victorian style brings elegance and charm to modern homes with its rich details and ornate designs.
Adding Victorian touches doesn’t mean you need to completely overhaul your space even small accents can make a big difference.
These classic elements have stood the test of time because they add character, sophistication, and a touch of romance to any room.
1. Install Ornate Molding
Crown molding transforms plain walls into architectural masterpieces! These decorative trims were essential in Victorian homes, adding depth and character to otherwise flat surfaces.
If you’re feeling handy, lightweight polyurethane moldings are available at most home improvement stores and can be installed with minimal tools. For a more authentic look, wooden moldings offer traditional appeal but require more skill to install.
Don’t limit yourself to just the ceiling chair rails, picture rails, and decorative corner blocks all contribute to that distinctive Victorian vibe. Even adding molding to just one accent wall can dramatically elevate your space’s elegance factor without overwhelming the room.
2. Use Patterned Wallpaper
Bold patterns were the hallmark of Victorian interiors, with wallpaper being their canvas for artistic expression. Floral designs, damasks, and intricate geometrics adorned the walls of every fashionable Victorian home.
Modern versions offer easier application and removal, perfect for commitment-phobes or renters. Try applying patterned wallpaper to a single accent wall behind your bed or sofa for maximum impact with minimal effort.
The colors should complement your existing palette rich jewel tones for drama or softer pastels for a more subtle nod to the era. Wallpaper with metallic accents catches light beautifully, adding dimension and luxury to your space.
3. Add Vintage Light Fixtures
Lighting creates instant atmosphere, and nothing says Victorian quite like a crystal chandelier or ornate sconce. These statement pieces become the jewelry of your room, catching light and creating beautiful shadows.
Antique shops and flea markets are treasure troves for authentic fixtures, but reproduction pieces offer similar charm with modern wiring safety. Consider installing dimmer switches to control the ambiance Victorians loved the dramatic effect of gaslight’s warm glow.
Table lamps with colorful stained glass shades (think Tiffany-style) provide both functional light and artistic beauty. Even simply swapping out a boring pendant light for something with more personality can transform your space’s historical authenticity.
4. Place Antique Mirrors
Mirrors were prized possessions during the Victorian era, not just for their practical use but as status symbols. Their ornately carved frames often featured gilded details, showcasing the owner’s taste and wealth.
When hunting for your own Victorian-inspired mirror, look for ornate gold frames with intricate details. The glass itself might have a slight foxing (those charming age spots) for authenticity, or you can find new reproductions with clear reflections.
Try grouping smaller mirrors together for a gallery wall effect, or make a statement with one large piece above a fireplace or console table. Mirrors also brilliantly amplify light in your space a clever trick Victorian designers used to brighten rooms before electricity.
5. Incorporate Carved Furniture
Victorian furniture tells stories through its elaborate carvings and substantial presence. Dark woods like mahogany, walnut, and rosewood dominated this era, often featuring curved lines and detailed ornamentation.
You don’t need to fill your home with heavy antiques one statement piece like a carved headboard or ornate side table creates instant Victorian charm. Modern reproductions offer the look without the hefty price tag or potential fragility of true antiques.
When selecting carved pieces, look for cabriole legs, button tufting, and scroll details. These distinctive elements immediately signal Victorian influence. Mixing these ornate pieces with simpler modern furnishings creates an appealing balance that prevents your space from feeling like a museum.
6. Display Decorative Trims
Tassels, fringes, and braided trims were everywhere in Victorian homes from curtains to furniture to clothing. These decorative elements added movement, texture and a touch of luxury to everyday items.
Adding trimmed cushions to your sofa or fringed throws across your bed instantly introduces Victorian flair without major commitment. Curtains with decorative edging frame your windows with historical authenticity while still functioning perfectly in modern life. Hardware stores and fabric shops offer a variety of trims you can easily attach to existing items.
This DIY approach lets you control exactly how much Victorian influence enters your space. Even something as simple as a tasseled bookmark or trimmed lampshade brings that distinctive 19th-century decorative sensibility into your home.
7. Choose Rich Fabric Upholstery
Victorians adored sumptuous fabrics velvet, silk, brocade, and tapestry covered their furniture and windows. These rich textiles created an atmosphere of luxury and comfort during the height of industrial prosperity.
Reupholstering an entire sofa might be ambitious, but recovering a dining chair seat or adding a velvet ottoman introduces that plush Victorian texture beautifully. Look for fabrics with deep jewel tones or intricate patterns that catch the eye and invite touch. Layering is key to authentic Victorian style think embroidered cushions atop brocade chairs or silk throws draped over velvet sofas.
This luxurious approach to textiles creates depth and interest while maintaining that distinctive Victorian aesthetic of comfortable opulence. Even small fabric accents like velvet curtain tiebacks can introduce this classic elegance.
