Luxury Victorian Interior Design

Victorian architecture and design reached its height of popularity between 1837 and 1901. Many types of Victorian architecture and artistic styles flourished in England's homes and buildings. Luxury Victorian interior design also came to be a sign of elegance in American middle-class homes. It included decorative and elaborate wall paper and furnishings.

Chair Styles

Luxury furniture, especially chairs, is a big part of Victorian Era interior design. They were usually designed with elaborate carvings on the back and legs. Other designs were more popular than others. The triple-eagle legs, which resemble an eagle’s claw, are seen in a number of antique chairs today.

The types of luxury Victorian chairs still available today include:

• Swan Tub


• Grandfather


• Balloon Backside with or without arms


• Fine American Victorian Eagle arm chair

Wood Grains

Mahogany and rosewood were favorite woods used to make tables, sideboards and beds. Maplewood was also a well-known wood used by individual craftsmen and mass producers. Many of today's reproductions incorporate the same types of wood grains.

Wall and Ceiling Coverings

Victorian coverings for wall and ceiling are just as heavily designed as the furnishings. Wall paper with designs like scalloped shells and flowers were placed in parlors, bedrooms and living rooms. Chair coverings usually matched the wall paper in Victorian homes. Some of the most popular wall coverings were produced by these designers:

• Walter Crane


• William Morris


• Christopher Dressing 


• Christian Herter of Herter Brothers

Reproductions of many luxury Victorian furnishings are available for purchase. However, those who want the original furniture, lamps and other decor can find these items in antique shops that specialize in the Victorian Era.