Victorian Kitchen Ideas

The Victorian period lasted from 1840 to 1900 and, as Parkland College notes, it was characterized by strong moral and religious beliefs, as well as incredibly elaborate and ornate clothing, art, architecture and interior design. If you want to give your kitchen a nostalgic, yet royal appeal, the Victorian style may be just what you are looking for. Consider the following ideas to help you get started. Does this Spark an idea?

Dresser

While most people perhaps think of dressers as bedroom adornments, interior designer Kirstie Allsopp recommends using them in Victorian-style kitchens. While the drawers of an antique dresser provide storage for dishware, cookware, utensils, tablecloths and other items, you can use the top of the dresser to display ornaments and accessories, such as ceramic pots and particularly ornate pieces of china.

Table

While many modern kitchen designers tend to forgo tables in favor of islands, or more space, Allsopp notes that kitchen tables are staples of traditional Victorian interiors. People of the Victorian era did not use their kitchen tables so much for eating as they did for preparing food, so they often used large, sturdy unstained wood slab tables. You can let the dings and scratches that you inflict from working on this type of table serve as decorations, which will help to create an antiqued appeal.

Walls and Ceilings

Walls and ceilings are some of the most expansive spaces within kitchens, and leaving them unadorned would detract from your Victorian theme. For your walls, try using a floral-patterned wallpaper. As Guide to Kitchen Remodeling notes, some companies even sell reproductions of actual wallpaper designs from the Victorian period. For your ceilings, try installing embossed panels, which can add an architectural quality to an otherwise flat and boring space. These panels come in variety of different patterns and designs, and can consist of plaster, copper or even lightweight plastic.

Appliances

Finding Victorian-style appliances can be tricky, as modern kitchen basics like microwaves, refrigerators and dishwashers did not exist during the Victorian era. According to Guide to Kitchen Remodeling, one idea that will definitely add a touch of the Victorian to your space is to install a cast iron stove, which you can find online or at antique and home supply stores. While traditional cast iron stoves burn wood for fuel, you can convert them to run on electricity or gas. For small appliances, such as microwaves and blenders, try setting them up inside of cabinets so that they do not disrupt the Victorian atmosphere. For larger appliances, like refrigerators and dishwashers, try choosing those that have wood panel exteriors, which can help to camouflage their modernity.