Consider Victorian lavatory concepts and it is probably you will have extremes spring to thoughts.
For the rich, bathroom design was approached very similar to the remainder of their house – with grandeur, opulence and ornamental element all taking part in their half. On the flip aspect, Victorian workhouses had been chilly, utilitarian environments the place bathing was a communal expertise in a chilly and draughty area.
And whereas neither of these seems to be are completely appropriate for houses in the present day – even Victorian home renovations are more likely to embrace a extra fashionable strategy to bathing – there are all the time methods to respectfully pay homage to an period.
From sanitaryware to tiles, flooring to finishes we’re right here that can assist you create intelligent Victorian lavatory concepts that mix the previous and the current in excellent proportion.
Are Victorian lavatory concepts the identical as classic concepts?
Whereas it could be simple to imagine vintage bathroom ideas and Victorian lavatory concepts are the identical factor, classic inside design will take references from any variety of completely different durations. Classic may imply upcycling objects and extra weathered finishes – one thing that was not a characteristic of rich Victorian’s loos.
Particular by way of their use of color, tiles, finishes and selection of sanitaryware, for these with cash, Victorian loos had been about creating an area crammed with gleaming white porcelain, shiny metallic faucets and wealthy color.
Here is learn how to do it in additional fashionable occasions.
1. Pair a pedestal sink with ornate mirror and wall lights
A pedestal sink was the popular possibility in Victorian loos(Picture credit score: Burlington)
Elegant porcelain sinks had been a key characteristic in Victorian loos, as had been ornamental tiles and wealthy colors. And though white porcelain would normally grace most loos, this Bespoke Enchanted Blue Basin from Burlington is a main instance of learn how to take an historic reference and provides it a contemporary contact.
Pair with metro and patterned tiles, an ornamental mirror and wall gentle sconces for added fashion reference factors. And do not forget the addition of a leafy inexperienced plant. Victorians had been additionally recognized for his or her love of hot-houses.
2. Soak in a slipper bathtub
Slipper baths are synonymous with Victorian lavatory concepts(Picture credit score: Sanctuary Bogs)
“Freestanding bathtubs had been key when it got here to Victorian loos,” says Zoe Jones, senior artistic producer at Roper Rhodes.
“Select a slipper, clawfoot, or bateau bathtub because the centrepiece of your lavatory. These kinds are emblematic of Victorian luxurious and supply a focus round which to design the remainder of the area.”
However as this lavatory scheme demonstrates effectively, when mixed with a recent fashionable color, shiny chrome finishes and a up to date gentle becoming, mixing previous with new would not should imply dated.
Zoe Jones
Zoe Jones, is Senior Artistic Producer at Roper Rhodes, With 19 years of experience, and a ardour for design and structure, Zoe manages all photographic and video initiatives for the model and is chargeable for Roper Rhodes signature fashion.
A few of our favorite freestanding Victorian baths
Baxenden Blue Roll High Freestanding Bathtub
A conventional Victorian-inspired freestanding design with a timeless matt blue end
Freestanding Single Ended Roll High Slipper Bathtub
The normal roll high slipper design with ornate white toes for an ideal point of interest
Black Freestanding Roll High Slipper Bathtub
A conventional fashion with a high-quality thick acrylic hard-wearing sensible end
3. Select a Victorian fashion washstand
A hand-crafted Victorian washstand will add a way of nostalgia to your lavatory(Picture credit score: deVOL)
Though the pedestal sink was widespread in Victorian lavatory concepts, their love of wooden and costly supplies was demonstrated within the design of toilet furnishings akin to washstands.
This lovely model from deVOL is one we have featured earlier than and for good purpose. It is an incredible instance of how an historic merchandise may be up to date and made appropriate to be used in fashionable houses.
“This piece is far more elegant than a closed self-importance unit,” says Helen Parker, artistic director at deVOL. “It has a lightness and softness that you simply don’t typically discover in lavatory furnishings.
“As we transfer in the direction of a extra comfy means of designing our kitchens and loos, we wish lovely in addition to purposeful, particularly as loos are a really particular a part of our on a regular basis lives.
“For some, they’re a whole sanctuary and an escape,” provides Helen, “so selecting a basic and superbly made piece of furnishings was a really good selection. Carrara marble is a extremely conventional washstand materials and feels excellent alongside our new Perrin and Rowe lavatory faucets, in deVOL’s unique aged brass end.”
Helen Parker
Helen Parker is deVOL’s Artistic Director and is chargeable for deVOL’s fashion. From creating one-of-a-kind showrooms, sourcing antiques and items and designing new items of furnishings and equipment, Helen is thought for her ardour and need to create a particular look clients can take pleasure in of their houses.
4. Pair again your look with brick-shaped terracotta ground tiles
A extra simplistic look remains to be achievable in your Victorian lavatory concept(Picture credit score: Rhoper Rhodes)
“Whereas embracing Victorian aesthetics, bear in mind to tailor your selections to fit your preferences and the general design of your property,” says Zoe Jones. “Victorian fashion may be tailored to suit a spread of areas, from opulent and grand to easy and understated.”
So in the event you like the concept of freestanding bathtub for instance, akin to this Widdicombe Double Ended Roll Top Bath from Roper Rhodes, however the remainder of your property is much less ornate, combine and match your kinds to swimsuit. Brick terracotta fashion flooring will present a extra earthy really feel to your area and when mixed with easy white tiles create a rest room that is easy however fashionable.
Select geometrical patterns in your lavatory flooring(Picture credit score: Ca’Pietra)
One other means of making a profitable lavatory design is by selecting a wide range of supplies and finishes in your Victorian lavatory concept.
“Mix completely different tile patterns and textures,” says Zoe Jones, “and do not draw back from mixing metallics, akin to brass and chrome, to recreate the genuine, lived-in allure of the Victorian period.”
In its place, with bathroom flooring ideas, “go for a checquerboard fashion alternating in black and white tiles,” says Abbas Youssefi, director of Porcelain Superstore. “This encapsulates the essence of the Victorian period’s fondness for geometric designs and magnificence.
“Victorians additionally liked uniqueness and element,” confirms Abbas, “so on the partitions contemplate crackled tiles with their distinctive hairline cracks. These introduce depth and a way of historical past to your partitions. Go for a brickbond format and contrasting grout to additional improve the interval look.”
To finish the look, select aged brass faucets, a extra up to date sq. formed basin, a classic fashion washstand after which mix with rose gold wall lights for a cleverly curated mixture of Victorian, classic and fashionable kinds.
6. Use jewel colored metro wall tiles and a patterned wallpaper
Go inexperienced with a daring colored metro wall tile(Picture credit score: Partitions and Flooring)
“Wall tiles in jewel tones or basic white metro tiles can add sophistication and a nod to Victorian opulence,” says Zoe Jones and nothing say this greater than these shiny Victorian green metro tiles from Walls and Floors.
Paired with an animal impressed wallpaper – a nod to the Victorians love of journey and exploration, a pedestal sink, brass faucets and a conventional rest room with a picket seat means this lavatory scheme will get full marks for its Victorian references.
7. Deal with the element with uncovered gold pipework
Uncovered shiny pipework provides an air of opulence(Picture credit score: Roper Rhodes)
Though extra modern bathroom ideas normally contain concealing as a lot of the behind the scenes pipework concerned in plumbing a rest room as attainable, it is the other with regards to Victorian lavatory concepts.
Typically together with uncovered pipework and classic brassware, a floor-mounted bathtub faucet such is the proper praise to a free-standing bathtub with conventional claw toes.
8. Go for a wall mounted rest room cistern – the upper the higher
In case you’re types of toilet, there’s one key rule to stick to with regards to selecting one of the best one in your Victorian lavatory concept.
“Go for a high-level cistern rest room with uncovered pipework,” says Zoe. “This design not solely pays homage to Victorian engineering but additionally provides a component of ornamental aptitude to the lavatory.”
If rustic bathroom ideas additionally characteristic in your wishlist, observe the rules of this cloakroom scheme. By combining a fundamental washstand created from scaffolding pipes and wooden with rustic wooden floors and a extra ornate wall mounted cistern rest room from Thomas Crapper, it is an total look that’s cohesive, with out being tied to 1 explicit theme.
9. Mix fairly floral tiles with a extra fashionable sink form
Select floral Victorian classic tiles in your lavatory splashback(Picture credit score: Unique Fashion)
In case you’re solely searching for a small scale Victorian lavatory resolution, place to start out is along with your splashback, particularly in case you are looking for tile ideas for a small bathrooms.
Fairly floral tiles with an aged end are a great way of including ornamental element to an in any other case easy setting with a extra fashionable round basin and easy picket countertop.
10. Create a contemporary Victorian lavatory concept
For a contemporary tackle Victorian fashion select a monochrome lavatory design(Picture credit score: Roper Rhodes)
Though a number of Victorian lavatory concepts err on the aspect of ornate, we love this lavatory design from Roper Rhodes which is a lesson in learn how to take a interval fashion and convey it proper updated.
Patterned ground tiles – tick, uncovered pipework – tick, wall lights – tick, mirror – tick, vegetation – tick…..you get the image. And but regardless of all these key Victorian components, the extra simplistic design of every particular person piece means the general feeling is up to date reasonably than dated.
It is also completely executed utilizing a monochrome color scheme which is each basic and up to date.
11. Set up panelling and fairly wall sconces
Select pink wall panelling and wallpaper so as to add a twist to present tendencies(Picture credit score: Thomas Crapper)
“Ornamental partitions and panelling are one other characteristic of Victorian lavatory concepts,” says Zoe Jones.
And whereas we’re no strangers to the delight of pink bathroom ideas, it isn’t essentially a color you’d affiliate with Victorian lavatory kinds.
To mix pink with a Victorian theme, Zoe suggests utilizing “vibrant, mural-style wallpaper or wall panelling akin to wainscoting or board and batten to introduce texture and depth.
“Incorporate chandeliers or sconces with ornamental glass to reflect Victorian design, which regularly included assertion lighting as a purposeful and ornamental component, and add classic equipment like massive, ornate mirrors, brass or copper fixtures, and basic cleaning soap dishes or towel rails to finish the Victorian look.”
12. Pop a shower tub in your bed room and bathe in fashion
A bathtub fashion slipper bathtub might elevate your bed room to a extra regal period(Picture credit score: The Albion Bathtub Firm)
In case you’re renovating an older property why not embrace the opulence related to Victorian lavatory concepts and pop a smaller slipper fashion bathtub in your bed room.
Indulgent and decadent, this pink Tubby Tub Bath from The Albion Bath Company nestles completely amongst a wealth of Victorian fashion allure together with chequerboard tiling, wealthy tones of pink, yellow, darker wooden furnishings and floral paintings.
Peek via the archway into the lavatory past and you may see it is a scheme that is been carried proper via for that excellent inside design cohesion that turns one thing good into one thing spectacular.
If selecting brass in your lavatory fittings, Thomas Crapper consultants advise the next:
“Brass is likely one of the oldest supplies utilized in loos and can be utilized virtually wherever – with care and a focus. If the end is pure brass – an unlacquered end – it is going to want sprucing and buffing commonly if you wish to preserve its lustrous shine. Pure brass may be left to patina down over time. With out sprucing or floor care the shiny floor will develop its personal character relying upon the atmosphere.
“When shopping for brass merchandise, or merchandise described as brass, all the time examine whether or not they’re precise brass, or brass-plated and whether or not they have been lacquered or unlacquered (generally known as stay or residing brass).
“Lacquered or plated brass finishes could trigger issues over time because the lacquer or plating may be eliminated or broken by cleansing. This could result in recognizing or an uneven floor and may be troublesome to rectify. Pure brass, nonetheless, can all the time be returned to a superbly polished end with the usage of a brass cleaner and somewhat elbow grease.”
In addition to cleansing your new sanctuary effectively, remember to keep away from these bathroom design mistakes earlier than you begin.
