Victorian Flooring Style Ideas

Victorian flooring has made quite a mark in the home decor space. Since its inception over 150 years ago, it has shown itself to be the epitome of luxury and can still influence modern interior decoration, whether it's flooring, furniture or drapes. Victorian homes are known for their sophisticated designs and we highlight some Victorian flooring style ideas and tips for adding them to your home. 

What Is the Victorian Design Style?

Victorian design originated in the United Kingdom in the Victorian era, which was dominated by Queen Victoria's reign between 1837 and 1901. It is popular for its abundance of patterns in textiles and walls, colorful tiles, huge plants and use of jewel tones to signify wealth and social ranking. The economic prosperity in England during the Victorian period was the major factor in the Victorian industrial design style. 

Mass production during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century was responsible for the inflow of cash for the middle class and for the availability of affordable decor that would have been more expensive and taken longer to produce. Compared to other designs, these mass-produced decor items were not subtle and felt overpowering. Victorian interior designs became popular because they allowed people to express their interests while also using patterns from Northern Africa, Asia and other continents. 

Popular Victorian Style Flooring for Homes

Victorian-style flooring comes in several options. Here are some of the Victorian flooring ideas you can pick from:

Rugs

In the Victorian era, rugs had a functional purpose to warm floors and retain heat. They were also a design statement, with complex patterns and colors. Today, even though we have modern heating capabilities, homeowners use area rugs of different sizes to make their space look warmer and more inviting. A few strategically placed, vibrantly colored area rugs can add a distinct Victorian feel to any space in your home.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors were one of the most popular flooring options in the Victorian era. They made the home look sophisticated while keeping its unique character. The elites used high-priced options like mahogany, while others settled for stained pine to get the expensive look that real mahogany offers. 

Many Victorian houses still have oak and mahogany, and thanks to hardwood's durability, some homes still have their original floors. If you're looking to create a Victorian flooring design, hardwood is one of the best options.

Tile

Tile is another popular Victorian flooring design. Victorian homeowners used tiles to create unique patterns in the floor, most often in rooms like entryways, bathrooms and kitchens. For example, a popular Victorian floor tile idea uses mosaic tiles to form patterns like flowers or other geometric shapes. Victorian kitchens and entryways often used ceramic black and white tiles in the form of a checkerboard.

Laminate

Laminate mimics several flooring options in the market, including hardwood and tiles. The advantage of hardwood floors is that they resist moisture, fading and stains while being budget-friendly. Also, because it can mimic other flooring options, it can be placed in just about any room.

Luxury Vinyl

Luxury vinyl has the unique ability to mimic the look of hardwood floors or tile with the durability of laminate floors. It has many color options that mimic standard hardwood flooring options like oak. Just like laminate flooring, you can use this Victorian-style flooring in your bathroom, living room or kitchen. 

Tips for Incorporating Victorian Style in Your Home

Incorporating Victorian style in your home takes some skill. Let's walk you through some tips you can use:

Go for Rich Colors

Rich colors could range from heavy gold-browns to deep purples. People in the Victorian era were never afraid of using colors, as it was a symbol of wealth and prosperity. If you have white colored walls and want to experiment with the old-fashioned look, then you might need to get creative. 

Furthermore, don't be afraid of color coordination. A rich color in one room can guide your choice of artwork and other furniture. If you have an open plan house, something that was not common in Victorian times, you can also experiment by using bold colors to distinguish the different parts of your household, including the sitting area, kitchen and dining room. 

Use Victorian Flooring

In the Victorian era, the floor was more than what you stepped on — it was a way to emphasize the design features of the rest of the room. Thankfully, flooring options like luxury vinyl flooring and laminate are able to emulate the Victorian style at a lower price point. They are also low maintenance and long-lasting, and as an added advantage, can be manufactured to replicate the colors, patterns and style of your favorite Victorian flooring. 

Try Luxurious Drapes

Victorian interior decor often featured heavily draped curtains. The best way to position a curtain is to hang it near the ceiling and allow it to extend all the way to the floor. You can do this even if your windows are not so big to give the illusion of taller ceilings. 

If you're decorating a bedroom and prefer a less heavy, luxurious style, you can still achieve this with cotton and muslin in lighter tones.

Choose Stained Glass

Ornate glazing was a Victorian style that was popular in the later years and continued to spread in the early 20th century. If you have the budget, replace your window glazing with casement windows with clear glazing in the lower section and patterned stained glass at the top to add that Victorian feel to your home. 

It's also worth noting that stained glass looks great in sash windows. If your budget cannot afford a complete set of new windows, you can change your front door to one with a small section of patterned glass. 

Don't Forget Wood

Wood is one of the best ways to make a statement in a Victorian home. With wood, more is always better. Wooden wall panels in your hallways or corridors, for example, can capture the style from 150 years ago. 

Shop Flooring for a Victorian-Style Home at Carpet & Tile Mart

Are you looking to incorporate the Victorian style into your home? At Carpet & Tile Mart, we have a variety of Victorian flooring that can give your home the desired look. We have a wide range of flooring options, including rugs, Victorian floor tiles, laminate, hardwood and vinyl. 

We are passionate about helping homeowners get the best deals conveniently. So, whether you live in New Jersey, Delaware or Pennsylvania, we can help you find the best flooring. Find a location near you to get started today.