Victorian bedroom ideas

Credit: @myvictorianhouselove

The Victorian era is known for producing some of literature’s most beloved tales, from Wuthering Heights to Great Expectations. But what about its interiors? 

Victorian interior design is just as iconic, if you ask us. With its rich colour palettes, luxurious fabrics, and ornate details, a Victorian bedroom is a masterclass in classic elegance and vintage charm. It’s a space made for unwinding in the evenings by flickering candlelight and enjoying slow weekend mornings in bed with a cup of tea and your favourite novel.  

In this guide, we’ll explore how to put a modern spin on a Victorian bedroom design, so you can bring some old-school opulence to your sleep space, without compromising on contemporary touches. It’s the best of both worlds!  

Ready to create a beautiful Victorian bedroom that’s fit for a Brontë sister? Grab your quills and ink, it’s time to take note…

A Victorian-style bedroom is all about drama and refinement. One might even call it a romantic aesthetic. Think moody colour palettes, beautifully carved furniture, and ornate detailing that brings the wow factor. Throw in plenty of luxe fabrics, frilly edges, and decorative patterns, and you’ve got yourself a Victorian bedroom that’s bursting with vintage charm.

Now, let’s explore our best Victorian bedroom ideas with a romantic, period-accurate feel…

1. Embrace rich hues and moody tones

Let’s begin with your bedroom colour palette. Authentic Victorian bedrooms are likely to feature darker, moody shades that are rich in pigment and atmosphere. Think deep jewel tones, such as navy, plum, or burgundy, paired with wooden accents or brushed brass and copper, for a regal finish.  

To achieve this look, we’d recommend painting your walls (or using wallpaper) to bring in those rich jewel tones. Then you can use your furniture choices to introduce wooden and metal accents, such as a vintage wooden wardrobe and an ornate metal bed frame.  

Keen to find your style? Check out our guide to dark bedroom colour palettes. 

2. Layer luxury with velvet, brocade, and silk

Next, you want to think about your fabrics. Victorian bedrooms are well-known for elaborate textiles, such as velvet, silk, cotton and wool, often featuring intricate patterns and brocade weaves. Try dressing your bed in frilly cotton sheets with beautiful baroque lace details. Layer luxurious velvet blankets and silky decorative cushions to complete the look.

3. Go grand with buttoned headboards and ornate bed frames

For your bed, opt for something grand and regal, like an ornately carved wooden bed frame, or a buttoned headboard, upholstered in a sumptuous fabric like velvet. To nail the Victoria aesthetic, look for curved silhouettes, button detailing, and elegant finishes. Colour-wise, go for those dark muted shades that we mentioned earlier, like plum or forest green. Our TheraPur® Bracken Headboard in dark ivy velveteen works perfectly, with its soft fabric and elegant buttoned detailing. This is a centrepiece fit for any Victorian-inspired bedroom.   

Next, we’ll share our favourite Victorian bedroom ideas with an eclectic, modern-vintage blend…

4. Combine the old with the new

To keep your Victorian-style bedroom looking timeless and not time-locked, we’d recommend balancing your antique pieces with some modern finishes. For instance, if you’ve got an intricate bed set up, try dressing it in crisp white bedding with scalloped edging, like we’ve done here with our Sophie Conran Mira Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame. 

Or, if you have a sleek chest of drawers that is missing a little character, try decorating with some vintage accessories, such as an antique vanity mirror or a porcelain trinket dish for storing your everyday jewellery. It’s little touches like these that make all the difference.  

5. Mix dark florals with clean lines

Patterns are a hallmark of Victorian style, especially florals. Think intricate paisley prints, pretty damask swirls, and botanical patterns blooming across wallpaper, curtains, rugs, and even bed sheets.  

To grow your own Victorian garden bedroom, we’d recommend pairing a rich floral pattern with clean-lined furniture to keep things fresh. For example, dark floral bedding brings dramatic glamour to a space, and when contrasted with a sleek, contemporary headboard, the room feels calm and cohesive.

6. Introduce architectural drama

There are many architectural gems that you may already have in your home and not even realise they are associated with Victorian style! From intricate mouldings to decorative ceiling roses, these details just scream vintage elegance. Particularly when paired with a statement chandelier, fancy woodwork and mouldings can bring many layers of visual interest to a bedroom.

Don’t worry if you’re working with a modern space. You can still introduce some architectural drama with some clever design tricks. Try installing some faux panelling or cornicing to bring some depth and drama to your blank walls.

Have you struck gold with a period property? Check out our design partner, Sophie Conran’s expert guide to interior design principles for period properties. 

Next, we’ll share our best Victorian bedroom ideas with a focus on maximalist luxury…

7. Decorate with dramatic wallpapers and murals

One of our favourite ways to add some instant Victorian style to your boudoir is through a painted mural or decadent patterned wallpaper. Even applying wallpaper to just one wall in your bedroom (we’d recommend the one behind your bed) can completely transform your space. We love using embossed styles for added texture and dramatic prints, such as damask, to echo the extravagance of Victorian design.

8. Add flair with metallics, fringed lamps and ornate mirrors

Now, for your accessories. Victorian decor is known for bringing luxe through the simplest of materials. Add sparkle through the glint of metal accents and the shine of glass, bringing in soft textures with fringes, tassels, and lace. Try introducing brass or gold accents with exquisite candlesticks, curtain tiebacks, or drawer handles. An ornate mirror is great for bringing some finesse, whilst bouncing light around your bedroom. Finally, consider some matching fringe-edged lampshades to bring a nostalgic soft glow to your bedside. 

9. Showcase character with a statement fireplace

Nothing says the Victorian era more than a fireplace in the bedroom. Originally designed to keep your bedroom nice and toasty at night (no central heating back in those days!), a fireplace is now a symbol of absolute luxury, guaranteed to make your house guests “ooh” and “aah.”  

To style, treat your mantelpiece like any window ledge or coffee table in your home, with carefully curated items that elevate it. From elegant candlesticks and flower arrangements to photo frames of loved ones, choose whatever feels like ‘you.’ And when the weather turns colder, you could hang fairy lights and Christmas garlands on your mantel to add a fabulous festive touch to your fireplace. A winter wonderland fit for a Dickens tale!  

Finally, let’s review some adaptable Victorian inspiration for adding a period touch to smaller spaces and modern homes…

10. Incorporate heritage colour schemes with lighter accents

To brighten your space whilst still retaining that iconic heritage feel, opt for lighter colour schemes, such as timeless cream, or soft pastel shades like dusty rose, sage green, or duck egg blue. These tones complement the Victorian aesthetic perfectly, offering a soft and dreamy ambience that never gets old.

11. Frame your bed like royalty

If you have a particularly small space, go for quality over quantity and let your bed take centre stage. Try framing your bed with dainty drapery, like a sheer canopy, to bring a sense of soft romance and refinement. This technique also creates the illusion of more space, as it draws the eye up – ideal for smaller rooms. It’s a subtle nod to Victorian grandeur and transforms your sleep space into something truly special.  

Alternatively, if you have the room for it, why not pull all the stops out with an opulent Four Poster Wooden Bed Frame? Opt for a dark mahogany frame with carved detailing for all-out Victorian drama, or a more minimalist version (like our Arbor bed), which has just as much wow factor, but with a modern twist. Add flowy, sheer white curtains and a scattering of statement cushions to finish the look. But be warned: you may never want to leave…

Victorian style isn’t just about using vintage-inspired décor, it’s about storytelling. Use these tips to create a sleep space that acts as a love letter to an era of elegance and demure sophistication, written in rich woods, moody colour palettes and wrapped up in tassels and tufted finishes. Designing a Victorian bedroom has never been so easy!