Build A Victorian Bathroom Design

The Victorian era spans Queen Victoria's reign.

The industrial revolution, improved transportation routes, and the development of a global marketplace heavily influenced design in the Victorian era (1837 to 1901). Great economic growth led to a large number of homes being built. These newly affluent homeowners benefited from a wide variety of furniture and design choices, thanks to newly discovered methods of mass manufacture, worldwide trade, and a new railway system. When making designs for rooms, such as the bathroom, Victorian homeowners were able to create rooms which blended previous styles, using materials from across the globe.

Instructions

Victorian Bathroom Design Basics

1. Opt for paint which has been designed to reproduce Victorian colors.

Select your color scheme. For a traditional Victorian look, choose darker hues, such as forest green, ruby red, or black for your bathroom design. The use of paint color was limited in the 19th century due to a lack of technical know-how. For example, purple wasn't developed until mid-century. Victorians did, however, have an impressive repertoire of paint effects, using stencils, borders, and faux marbling to liven up their walls.

2. Cast iron, roll top bathtubs can often be found at reclaimation yards.

Choose your Victorian bathroom suite. While original, reclaimed pieces are available, many homeowners choose reproduction baths, toilets and sinks. Purchasing new can help reduce costs in the short and longer term. To invoke the Victorian feeling, opt for a cast iron, clawfoot, roll top bathtub. Think simply when selecting your toilets and sinks. For an authentic look, opt for a toilet pan and a high cistern connected by a slim, visible pipe.

3. Checkerboard tiling is associated with the Victorian period.

Painted oak floorboards and patterned tiles were both popular with the Victorians. To keep costs low while increasing durability, consider using laminate or vinyl floor tiles. These are warmer and softer on the feet.

Finishing Touches for Your Victorian Bathroom

4. A fireplace adds warmth to your Victorian bathroom.

Keep warm--Victorian style--with a traditional tile surround fireplace. Make it a feature of your bathroom by choosing a grand, marble fireplace. Alternatively, opt for a cast iron radiator, painted to match your palette.

5. Wooden shutters offer bathroom privacy.

Typically, Victorian homes have large, vertically sliding sash windows. Normally these would have four or six panels of glass. If your house already benefits from these, complete the look with full-length, wooden window shutters rather than curtains.

6. Replica and original bathroom fittings are available.

The fittings you choose when building your Victorian bathroom design will complete the Victorian look. During the 19th century, a number of materials were used for items such as taps and door handles. While brass fittings give a traditional, luxurious feel, many homeowners choose nickel-plated items for a sleeker look that fits in with more modern décor.