Kitchen Planning: How to Give Your Kitchen Some Victorian Character
Give a subtle nod to your home’s heritage with these Victorian-inspired décor ideas
Laura Wheat
20 September 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced in a handsome Edwardian semi on top of a hill.
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced... More
As Victorian kitchens would have been primitive at best, there’s little left of this particular space in our modern homes. When paying tribute to the era, it’s best to keep the overall concept contemporary, to avoid ending up with a dodgy theme park rendering of ‘what a Victorian kitchen would have looked like’. Incorporating details inspired by the period – such as panelling, encaustic tiles and heritage colours – will allow you to create an original scheme that meshes with the rest of your Victorian home. Read on for 10 ideas to consider when planning a Victorian-style cook space.
Fit a false chimney
For a touch of Downton Abbey appeal without the stately manor, try this clever trick for adding grandeur to your kitchen. Create a faux chimney breast above a range cooker, tile into the recess and use the space above to hide an extractor fan.
For a touch of Downton Abbey appeal without the stately manor, try this clever trick for adding grandeur to your kitchen. Create a faux chimney breast above a range cooker, tile into the recess and use the space above to hide an extractor fan.
Channel Underground inspiration
Metro tiles might be dubbed a modern trend, but the Victorians were big fans of practical tiles, as evidenced by the London Underground. For a vintage vibe that suits period décor, swap classic white for darker tiles and use as a simple splashback.
Check out 8 of the best kitchen extensions on Victorian homes
Metro tiles might be dubbed a modern trend, but the Victorians were big fans of practical tiles, as evidenced by the London Underground. For a vintage vibe that suits period décor, swap classic white for darker tiles and use as a simple splashback.
Check out 8 of the best kitchen extensions on Victorian homes
Get in sink
For a classic country look that works just as well today as it did in a Victorian scullery, install a Belfast sink. Porcelain is a hard-working yet elegant material and the deep, wide shape makes this style of sink ideal for scrubbing baking trays and large pans.
For a classic country look that works just as well today as it did in a Victorian scullery, install a Belfast sink. Porcelain is a hard-working yet elegant material and the deep, wide shape makes this style of sink ideal for scrubbing baking trays and large pans.
Mix in an antique
Bring a sense of history to a contemporary kitchen by incorporating antique furniture. Wall-mounted cabinets from the early 20th century are easy to come by at car-boot sales or in junk shops. Choose a piece that works with your existing set-up for added cupboard space with bags of character.
Bring a sense of history to a contemporary kitchen by incorporating antique furniture. Wall-mounted cabinets from the early 20th century are easy to come by at car-boot sales or in junk shops. Choose a piece that works with your existing set-up for added cupboard space with bags of character.
Highlight heritage paints
Much of the atmosphere and feel of a kitchen is down to light and shade. If your room is south-facing or has plenty of windows, dark, heritage-inspired colours can create ambience. This elegant Shaker-style kitchen is painted in deepest green, which works perfectly with warm wood and brass accessories. For a similar colour, try Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green.
Much of the atmosphere and feel of a kitchen is down to light and shade. If your room is south-facing or has plenty of windows, dark, heritage-inspired colours can create ambience. This elegant Shaker-style kitchen is painted in deepest green, which works perfectly with warm wood and brass accessories. For a similar colour, try Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green.
Give your kitchen heart
Nothing grounds a country kitchen like a robust Aga or Rayburn-style range cooker. Available in every colour imaginable, these aesthetically traditional cookers add character and heart to a home with their continual comforting warmth.
Discover 10 style rules for the ultimate country kitchen
Nothing grounds a country kitchen like a robust Aga or Rayburn-style range cooker. Available in every colour imaginable, these aesthetically traditional cookers add character and heart to a home with their continual comforting warmth.
Discover 10 style rules for the ultimate country kitchen
Work in some panelling
Tongue and groove is one of those easy décor additions that works with any era of home – none more so than Victorian. If panelling a whole wall isn’t practical for your kitchen, consider whether you could accommodate banquette seating with a tongue and groove back like this.
Tongue and groove is one of those easy décor additions that works with any era of home – none more so than Victorian. If panelling a whole wall isn’t practical for your kitchen, consider whether you could accommodate banquette seating with a tongue and groove back like this.
Hit the roof
Old homes often have wonderfully high ceilings, and if this is the case in your kitchen, contemplate commissioning bespoke cabinets that will show off the scale of the room. These wall cupboards are extra-tall to reflect the height of the space (and the glass fronts are another nod to history). You may need a ladder to reach their contents, but think of all that lovely storage!
Old homes often have wonderfully high ceilings, and if this is the case in your kitchen, contemplate commissioning bespoke cabinets that will show off the scale of the room. These wall cupboards are extra-tall to reflect the height of the space (and the glass fronts are another nod to history). You may need a ladder to reach their contents, but think of all that lovely storage!
Showcase original features
Those lucky enough to have original features in their kitchen should look to embrace them. This room is designed to work around the Victorian fireplace, which has been enhanced thanks to an exposed brick chimney breast. While the kitchen cabinets are contemporary in style, a revamped vintage table bridges the gap to unite old and new.
See more architectural ideas for enhancing a Victorian home
Those lucky enough to have original features in their kitchen should look to embrace them. This room is designed to work around the Victorian fireplace, which has been enhanced thanks to an exposed brick chimney breast. While the kitchen cabinets are contemporary in style, a revamped vintage table bridges the gap to unite old and new.
See more architectural ideas for enhancing a Victorian home
Try utility chic
For a utilitarian effect that suggests something of the Victorian scullery, showcase your best pots and pans on open shelving. This copper collection makes a striking accent in the pared back kitchen and works surprisingly well with the stainless steel.
TELL US…
What period features would you love to add to your kitchen? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
For a utilitarian effect that suggests something of the Victorian scullery, showcase your best pots and pans on open shelving. This copper collection makes a striking accent in the pared back kitchen and works surprisingly well with the stainless steel.
TELL US…
What period features would you love to add to your kitchen? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
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