Capture the Endearing Nature of Victorian Cottage Charm

Mushroom cottage-core, soft goth, transitional, Japandi, Boho—new interior décor trends appear nearly daily. Unlike most trends, there is a reason why the classics are named such: they have never faded. One of those décor classics that have continuously captured the hearts and minds of homeowners for years is that of Victorian cottage charm.

In the United Kingdom, this remains a prevalent style for many as it's not just décor; it's their way of life. While you may not live in a quaint cottage nestled within the rolling hills of a small town, if you have always longed to capture that charm and essence, our suggestions and ideas may have you realize your Victorian cottage interior dreams.

What is Victorian Cottage Core?

Victorian cottage core is a design style originating from within the United Kingdom during the Victorian era, known for an abundance of patterns within wall coverings, textiles, and plush, comfortable furniture.

Colors and hues ranged from jewel tones with natural themes, florals in particular, absorbing a visitor into a rich, welcoming world. The mark of Victorian cottage charm melds the beauty of high ceilings, tiled terra cotta, or patterned floors with architrave moulding and cornices around entryways and windows.

Unlike the furniture many of us image for the Victorian period, which is generally large, heavy, ornately carved from mahogany and other dark wood pieces, Victorian cottage-core pieces featured much lighter themes. While the ostentatiousness of the Victorian period still influenced the cottage-core design, many Victorian cottage furniture pieces were painted in bright or pastel tones.

Many Victorian cottage furniture pieces are lighter, brighter, and decoratively painted and carved with fancy drawer pulls, scalloped joinery, or even elaborate wood-burnt scenes. 

More is More

Victorian cottage charm is not a style for those who prefer or enjoy a minimalist look. One of the first steps to capturing Victorian cottage charm in your home is generosity with your décor items.

For example, while already elegant and inviting within a living or sitting room, your Victorian tufted sofa can quickly embrace the cottage aesthetic with several additional décor items. Consider adding mismatched but well-loved sofa pillows of various sizes and shapes. Feel free to drape a gorgeous floral patterned quilt along the back of the sofa and a secondary blanket over the seating cushions.

The key to making the mismatched feel comforting and fitting is to choose a color theme and attempt to carry that theme from the room to the cushions and blankets.

Bring the Outside, Inside

If you have a green thumb, Victorian cottage décor will be your chance to shine. Even if you do not, there are many superb faux florals and plants made to look breathtakingly beautiful that you can choose to decorate a room with.

Choose verdant, leafy greens such as ferns, ivy, or florals that lean toward common more than rare. Zinnias, hydrangeas, roses, and phlox are perfect candidates to imbue a room with the essence of a wild cottage garden.

In addition to faux or real flowers, wildflowers, and greenery are also perfect for wall coverings and ceilings. If you are not a fan of wallpaper or coverings, as you like to keep a room refreshed by changing color themes or re-arranging items, an ideal solution is to seek out seasonal paintings, allowing you to switch out wall decorations at a whim without the effort of having to do significant redecorating.

Antique or Antique Reproduction Furniture

While painted, wood-burned, paneled, and scalloped furniture are hallmarks of Victorian and Victorian cottage furniture, to incorporate that feeling of an aged home, use furniture or reproductions that capture an equally aged essence. 

Wood such as mahogany, ebony, teak, and walnut were frequently used to build Victorian-era furniture within homes. Choose antiques or reproductions created from the same wood or stained to match their natural, deep brown shades. Add mahogany chairs with Chippendale influences or gorgeous chests and flourished writing desks.

Natural Materials

Seek out other décor items made from wood or wicker. Other natural materials that can help present that English cottage feel:

• Leather
• Bamboo
• Cork
• Cotton
• Seagrass
• Natural Stone
• Sisal
• Jute
• Rattan
• Linen

Touches of rustic elements, no matter how new or old your home may be, will help tell the story of a well-loved, well-lived, cottage-like home. Note, however, that if you fall in love with a piece not made from natural material or made to appear as such—there's no reason not to use it. Eclectic decorations were part of the charm of cottage homes in the Victorian era.

Romantic Lighting

The Victorian era saw everything from elaborate iron and crystal chandeliers and frosted glass wall sconces lit with candles to oil lamps. As a homeowner, this allows you to enjoy and play with a wide range of lighting ideas for your ideal Victorian cottage look.

Thanks to modern ingenuity and trends such as rustic, farmhouse, cottage-core, and the resurgence in antique styles, everything from Edwardian replicas to chandeliers that mimic candles, down to the convincing flicker of flame in an LED light bulb is available for you to choose.

If you have a room with floor or table lamps or plan to decorate them,  patterned or plain lampshades are ideal as a seamless way to add pockets of light and attention to a room. When choosing an LED bulb, select a color miming the firelight's ruddy glow for a cottage-cozy atmosphere.

A Victorian cottage home is an excellent means for one-of-a-kind interior decor for the homeowner who prefers a welcoming, charming atmosphere. If you seek the ultimate Victorian antique reproductions to make your English countryside cottage home ideas come true, we're here to help. Laurel Crown is proud to assist, from decorating ideas to the most exquisite, handmade antique reproductions.