Whether you own a Victorian property or are simply keen to imbue your home with some vintage style, giving your bathroom a Victorian makeover is a great way to enhance the space. Read on for some top tips on creating just the right look.
Baths and showers
Baths and showers are the focal point of most bathrooms, so these are a good place to start. If you have enough space, freestanding deep bathtubs are typically the best choice for achieving an authentic Victorian look – particularly if you choose models with ornate feet and taps.
Should you have a shower, pick a large round showerhead to make it something of a feature. In terms of the shower enclosure itself, a tiled surface – particularly in black and white – is a simple way of creating a Victorian ambience while ensuring the area is easy to clean.
Sinks, toilets and taps
Next, you should decide on a new sink, toilet and taps. As with bathtubs, sinks should preferably be deep and with vintage-style bathroom taps. Choose something that has plenty of space for toiletries and decoration – such as flowers or framed photos either side – for a more complete Victorian feel.
In terms of toilets, models with high-level cisterns can often particularly look the part, while finishing touches like adding traditional-style pull flushes can help keep the room looking as Victorian as possible.
Storage
Whereas contemporary bathrooms tend to focus on providing virtually seamless storage that does not stand out, Victorian-style bathrooms take a different direction. Freestanding tables – such as those with wrought iron legs or ornately carved wood – are an excellent choice if you have the space.
As well as storing toiletries and grooming essentials, such as hairbrushes, on here, they can also assume a decorative role by providing a platform for lamps, flowers and pictures. Alternatively, you could choose carved cupboard, either freestanding or wall-mounted.
Floors and walls
One of the key traits of Victorian bathrooms is that they feature tiles on both the floor and walls. Black and white designs are particularly popular, but as long as you create a clean, polished look, there is scope to exercise some of your creative flair here – perhaps by injecting a little colour.
Indeed, if you would like to paint part of the room – such are where tiles are not necessary – this is also another opportunity to add a personal touch. However, white and cream are both perfect for creating more traditional vintage looks.
Heating
It is also worth considering your heating. Large iron radiators were common Victorian bathroom features, and today you can purchase some with excellent decorative flourishes, such as floral engravings. In terms of material and colour, copper can work just as well as iron, and can help achieve a warmer overall tone in the bathroom.
Furniture and finishing touches
When you have decided on all of the above, spend some time considering the finishing touches, as these can often make all the difference to the look and feel of the room. For example, antique-style chairs are fantastic accessories and can also add an air of comfort, while vintage pots and tubs for toiletries are also a lovely addition.
If you have photos or pictures you would like to place in the room, make sure you put them in old fashioned frames – this is a simple way to evoke the feeling of another era.