Exploring Victorian Color Schemes: Inspirations and More

Victorian color schemes can be tricky to master. Homes often have mismatched hues that fail to capture the era’s charm.

But don’t worry – creating a beautiful Victorian-inspired palette is easier than you might think.

We promise to guide you through the world of Victorian colors, helping you understand their historical context and how to apply them in modern settings.

Our tips make choosing the perfect shades a breeze, whether painting a whole house or adding a touch of Victorian flair to a room.

In this post, we’ll explore:

Historical Context of Victorian Color Schemes
Popular Victorian color combination ideas
Discuss balancing bold and subtle tones
Tips for incorporating these timeless palettes into your home

Get ready to bring some 19th-century elegance into your living space!

A Glimpse Into 19th-Century Color Schemes

The Victorian period, spanning from 1837 to 1901, saw big changes in design.

Named after Queen Victoria’s reign, this era saw a mix of old and new styles. People’s homes became a way to show off their taste and success.

During this time, house designs got more fancy. Rooms had lots of decorations, and furniture was often heavy and ornate. The Victorians liked to fill their spaces with many things, from patterned wallpaper to detailed rugs.

Colors played a big part in this look. At first, Victorians used darker, richer colors. But as time passed, they also started to like lighter, brighter shades.

This change in color choices tells us a lot about how society changed during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Technological Advancements

The Industrial Revolution transformed home color use. New paint-making methods brought more color options. Before, natural paints were dull and faded quickly.

New synthetic dyes, like the bright purple discovered in 1856, led to vivid, lasting colors. Cheaper paints made fashionable colors accessible to more people.

Cultural Influences

Art and global exploration shaped Victorian color choices. The Pre-Raphaelites inspired bold home colors. Britain’s worldwide ventures brought styles from Egypt, India, and Japan, creating unique color mixes.

The Arts and Crafts movement later promoted natural, earthy tones. These influences led to rich, varied Victorian color schemes.

The Colors of the Victorian Era: Rich Hues and Timeless Tones

1. Deep, Rich Hues

Victorian homes often used dark, bold colors.

Rooms might have deep red walls, like burgundy or maroon. Green was also popular, with shades like forest or olive. Dark blue, especially navy, was common too. These strong colors gave rooms a warm, cozy feel.

2. Accents and Contrasts

Victorians used accent colors to add depth. Gold was a favorite for small touches, and purple, in various shades, added luxury.

Earth tones like brown and terracotta brought warmth. These accents created interesting contrasts against the main colors.

3. Use of Complimentary Colors

Victorians liked to pair colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. For example, they might combine red and green or blue and orange.

This created lively, eye-catching rooms. The mix of warm and cool colors made the spaces feel balanced.

4. Balancing with Neutrals

Light colors were important to prevent rooms from feeling too dark. Cream and ivory helped brighten spaces, and soft pastels like pale pink or light blue added gentleness.

These lighter shades balanced the deeper colors, making rooms feel more open.

Victorian Color Schemes Inspirations You’ll Love

1. Victorian Color Schemes Ideas for Living Room

Deep Burgundy and Gold

Walls: Burgundy with gold stenciling
Trim: Ivory
Complementary Decor Elements: Gold picture frames, burgundy velvet drapes, and dark wood furniture with gold accents

Olive Green and Cream

Walls: Olive green wallpaper with a floral pattern
Trim: Cream
Complementary Decor Elements: Brass lamps, dark green drapery, and mahogany wood furniture with cream upholstery

Warm Taupe and Plum

Walls: Warm taupe with plum wainscoting
Trim: Antique white
Complementary Decor Elements: Crystal chandeliers, plum curtains, and dark-stained wood furniture with neutral upholstery

Forest Green and Rich Brown

Walls: Forest green with brown decorative molding
Trim: Beige
Complementary Decor Elements: Brass fixtures, rich brown drapery, and walnut furniture with forest green upholstery

2. Victorian Color Schemes Ideas for Bedroom

Lavender and Ivory

Walls: Soft lavender with ivory trim
Trim: Light beige or ivory
Complementary Decor Elements: Lavender drapes, vintage ivory bed linens, and a dark wood bed frame with floral bedding

Dusty Rose and Gray

Walls: Dusty rose with gray detailing
Trim: Light gray
Complementary Decor Elements: Silver candleholders, rose bedding, and painted gray furniture with rose accents

Pale Yellow and Olive

Walls: Pale yellow with olive wainscoting
Trim: Cream
Complementary Decor Elements: Olive green drapes, bedding, and natural oak furniture with pale yellow upholstery

Soft Blue and Beige

Walls: Soft blue with beige accents
Trim: White
Complementary Decor Elements: Beige linens, blue floral drapes, and mahogany furniture with cream and blue bedding

3. Victorian Color Schemes Ideas for Kitchen

Moss Green and Charcoal Gray

Walls: Moss green with charcoal gray backsplash
Trim: White
Complementary Decor Elements: Black iron hardware, dark green curtains, and a wooden table with green chairs

Rust and Cream

Walls: Rust-colored walls with cream wainscoting
Trim: Cream
Complementary Decor Elements: Brass fixtures, rust-red curtains, and an oak table with cream cushions

Burnt Orange and Warm Brown

Walls: Burnt orange with warm brown cabinets
Trim: Dark wood
Complementary Decor Elements: Copper pots, burnt orange curtains, and a dark wood table with terracotta tiles

Hunter Green and Cream

Walls: Hunter green with cream tile backsplash
Trim: Cream
Complementary Decor Elements: Brass hardware, cream cabinetry, and a dark wood table with cream chairs

4. Victorian Color Schemes Ideas for Bathroom

Sapphire Blue and White

Walls: Sapphire blue with white beadboard wainscoting
Trim: White
Complementary Decor Elements: Silver fixtures, blue towels, and a white sink with blue cabinetry

Rose Pink and Cream

Walls: Rose pink with cream trim
Trim: Cream
Complementary Decor Elements: Gold fixtures, pink floral towels, and a white porcelain sink with gold handles

Soft Beige and Emerald Green

Walls: Soft beige with emerald green tile borders
Trim: White
Complementary Decor Elements: Bronze fixtures, green towels, and a wood vanity with green accents

Ivory and Olive

Walls: Ivory with olive green tile accents
Trim: Dark wood
Complementary Decor Elements: Brass fixtures, olive towels, and a clawfoot tub in white with olive trim

Tips for Blending Victorian Hues with Modern Style

Start small: Use Victorian colors in accent pieces like throw pillows or artwork.
Choose one bold color: Pick a single Victorian shade as a focal point, like a deep green accent wall.
Pair with neutrals: Balance rich hues with light grays, whites, or beiges.
Use modern patterns: Apply Victorian colors to contemporary geometric designs.
Light it right: Bright, natural lighting helps soften the intensity of darker Victorian shades.
Introduce texture: Mix in textured fabrics to add depth without relying solely on color.
Go for the 60-30-10 rule: Use 60% neutral, 30% secondary, and 10% Victorian accent color.
Modernize with metallics: Incorporate brushed nickel or chrome instead of traditional brass.
Color block: Create visual interest by blocking Victorian colors with more modern hues.
Keep it simple: Avoid clutter and opt for clean lines to offset the richness of Victorian colors.

Victorian Color Schemes for Exterior Design: 5 Unique Combinations

Victorian homes come in diverse styles, each affecting color choices.

Queen Anne homes, popular in the late 1800s, have uneven facades, fancy spindles, and often a tower. Wrap-around porches offer chances for contrasting colors.

Italianate styles show low roofs, wide eaves with brackets, tall windows, and fancy cornices, allowing creative coloring.

1. Deep Olive, Cream, and Burgundy

Main Color: Deep Olive – Sherwin-Williams, “Garden Sage” (SW 7736)
Trim: Cream – Benjamin Moore, “Simply White” (OC-117)
Accents: Burgundy – Behr, “Cinnabark” (PPU2-02)

2. Slate Blue, White, and Charcoal

Main Color: Slate Blue – Benjamin Moore, “Van Deusen Blue” (HC-156)
Trim: White – Sherwin-Williams, “Extra White” (SW 7006)
Accents: Charcoal – Behr, “Black Pearl” (PPU24-05)

3. Muted Mustard, Sage Green, and Brick Red

Main Color: Muted Mustard – Benjamin Moore, “Hawthorne Yellow” (HC-4)
Trim: Sage Green – Sherwin-Williams, “Clary Sage” (SW 6178)
Accents: Brick Red – Behr, “Burnt Red” (S-H-180)

4. Navy Blue, Cream, and Warm Taupe

Main Color: Navy Blue – Sherwin-Williams, “Naval” (SW 6244)
Trim: Cream – Behr, “Creamy Mushroom” (PPU5-13)
Accents: Warm Taupe – Benjamin Moore, “Taos Taupe” (2111-40)

5. Hunter Green, Soft Gold, and Antique White

Main Color: Hunter Green – Benjamin Moore, “Hunter Green” (2041-10)
Trim: Soft Gold – Sherwin-Williams, “Humble Gold” (SW 6380)
Accents: Antique White – Behr, “Cottage White” (13A)

Conclusion

As we wrap up our journey through Victorian color schemes, it’s clear these palettes offer more than just a glimpse into the past.

They provide a rich source of inspiration for modern homes, allowing us to blend historical charm with contemporary style.

Remember, incorporating Victorian colors doesn’t mean recreating a museum piece. It’s about finding balance – using deep, rich hues alongside lighter tones and pairing bold choices with neutral backdrops.

Whether painting your home’s exterior or adding a touch of 19th-century elegance to your living room, the key is to make these colors work for you.

We hope this guide has sparked your creativity and given you the confidence to experiment with Victorian-inspired palettes.

Why not start small? Try a burgundy accent wall or some olive green throw pillows. Your home’s next color adventure awaits!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Were Popular Victorian Color Schemes?

Popular Victorian color schemes included deep reds, greens, and blues with gold accents. Earth tones and rich purples were also common. These colors reflected wealth and matched the era’s ornate decor.

How Can I Incorporate Victorian Colors Into My Modern Home?

To add Victorian colors to a modern home, use them in accent pieces like throw pillows or artwork. Paint one wall a bold Victorian shade. Mix in contemporary patterns and keep the overall look uncluttered.

Are There Specific Paint Brands that Offer Victorian Colors?

Several paint brands offer Victorian-inspired colors:

Sherwin-Williams: “Victorian” collection
Benjamin Moore: “Historical Collection”
Farrow & Ball: many traditional shades
Valspar: “National Trust” range.