Victorian style decor brings to mind visions of ornate furnishings, elaborate patterns, and dark, moody colors.
While stunning, traditional Victorian design can feel stuffy and outdated for a modern home.
However, with a few tweaks, you can give your Victorian-style space a fresh, contemporary twist.
Implement just a few of these suggestions, or go all-out with a full modern Victorian room makeover.
Either way, you’ll end up with a space that feels curated, current, and entirely your own.
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Shift Color Palettes
One of the easiest ways to freshen up a Victorian space is to move away from its traditionally dark, moody hues.
Muted, Neutral palettes feel innately modern and help rooms feel more open and airy.
Try pairing soft grays and greiges with pops of blue on walls or furnishings.
Blue has historic ties to Victorian design, but lighter shades give it a contemporary spin.
For a bit more saturation, consider pale blues like sky, powder, or periwinkle.
More vibrant shades can work well too, like navy or cerulean, especially when blended with plenty of white.
Just be strategic with placement, using them sparingly on accent walls, furniture, pillows, or other décor.
Warm paint or fabric choices like almond, oatmeal, and tan can also lighten up a Victorian color scheme beautifully.
Ivory and cream pack elegance and work in any style.
Don’t be afraid to incorporate metallic too – pewter, platinum, and silver exude modern refinement.
Remember, the colors you choose don’t have to drastically depart from
Victorian tradition to have a fresh effect.
Simply sanding down the saturation levels even slightly shifts a space into more modern territory.
Rather than rich crimsons and forest greens, try muted wine reds, sage tones, or lighter jade.
Gold comes across far more current in champagne versus heavy amber.
If darker shades still appeal to you, look for hues with grey undertones like charcoal or graphite green.
They’ll have the cozy, enveloping effect you love from traditional Victorian color schemes but with a more updated look.
Overall, aiming for a lighter, brighter, more neutral palette is the number one fix for transforming traditional Victorian into contemporary chic.
Don’t be afraid to incorporate more color too, just update hues and add them thoughtfully as accents.
With a few tweaks to your color scheme, you’ll be well on your way to modernizing your Victorian home.
Introduce Sleek Furniture Silhouettes
Another way to give Victorian decor a face-lift is to integrate some more streamlined, contemporary furniture.
Many Victorian-style pieces sport ornate shapes and heavy embellishments that can veer old-fashioned.
Counterbalancing with cleaner lined, modern forms creates aesthetic interest and keeps rooms feeling fresh rather than fussy.
Minimalist styles like midcentury or Scandinavian make perfect complements to Victorian bones.
Their simple and spare silhouettes act as the perfect counterpoint to more embellished items.
Think spare wood dining chairs, low-profile shelving units, or understated upholstered sofas.
Metallic and acrylic occasional tables also pair well, lending a sleek punctuation.
You certainly don’t have to overhaul all your furnishings to achieve this blended look.
Switching out even just one or two key items makes a statement.
Swap a bulky, carved wood side table for something with metal hairpin legs, for example.
Or bring in a few spare, modern dining chairs around a more lavish table.
When choosing sleek new pieces, stick to simple forms in luxe materials like leather and velvet.
Streamlined doesn’t have to equal cold or uncomfortable.
Look for midcentury shapes with subtle tufting or channeling that contribute softness and texture.
Upholstered headboards and bench seating are other cozy, contemporary ways to complement ornate beds or heavier wooden furnishings.
The important thing is creating balance within the space.
Traditional Victorian elements lend beauty and classic appeal.
Contemporary pieces inject youthfulness and keep the look from skewing dated.
With the right ratio of embellished and spare furnishings, you achieve a layered, curated effect that feels personal and current.
Rethink Fabrics & Patterns
When it comes to fabrics and patterns, Victorians embraced ornate florals, damasks, and heavy upholstery.
To prevent these textiles from feeling overly oppressive, incorporate more modern prints and materials.
This provides visual relief while upholding the eclectic layered vibe you want.
Botanical prints feel fresh in bold graphic iterations.
Ferns and foliage in black against crisp white backgrounds or rendered in vivid colors pack plenty of presence yet still feel new.
Florals take on contemporary flair when greatly enlarged or portrayed more abstractly.
Geometric patterns also marry beautifully with Victorian decor.
Chevrons, herringbones, and diagonals in crisp contrast add movement and modern edge.
Try them on pillows, drapes, and upholstery.
Pinstripes and subtle tone-on-tone textures lend depth without overpowering a space.
Think beyond traditional fabric choices too.
Performance textiles like faux leather, velvet, or microfiber offer durability and style.
Linens and cotton blends feel light and relaxed against ornate backdrops.
Don’t be afraid to mix in a few acrylic, polyester, or microfiber pieces – their affordability enables you to swap out accent pieces easily.
Just aim for textiles with rich depth and sheen.
As for styling, consider covering only the backs and arms of chairs in a flashy Victorian print, keeping the seating neutral.
Use damask sparingly on pillows or select upholstery like a settee rather than sofas or drapes.
Mix patterns artfully but resist going overboard.
The blend of traditional and contemporary prints when done thoughtfully creates a collected yet curated feel.
Rethinking how you incorporate fabrics and patterns enables you to maintain Victorian decor’s characteristic depth and texture without veering dated.
Smart pairings and creative styling keeps the look fresh.
Embrace Eclectic Lighting
When it comes to lighting, Victorians loved an elaborate chandelier.
But to prevent your space from feeling too ornate, blend in some pared back modern fixtures as well.
Eclectic lighting lends function and balance.
For main overhead lighting in entryways or dining rooms, definitely keep your dramatic chandeliers!
Just opt for cleaner lines and less overtly fussy shapes.
Go for simple castings with just a touch of crystal embellishment.
Brass finishes give a timeless, gilded look.
Nickel and brushed metallics skew sleeker and more contemporary.
Balance these sparkling statements with streamlined floor and table lamps.
Midcentury inspired silhouettes work beautifully, like arched floor lamps or spherical tabletop versions.
Minimalist forms crafted from metal, marble or wood lend chic punctuation.
Don’t forget sconces too!irroring your more ornate chandeliers and dressing tables with sleek, modern wall sconces provides an updated mix.
For the ultimate in up-to-date ambient lighting, incorporate strategically placed track or rail fixtures.
Their utilitarian vibe contrasts gorgeously against Victorian opulence.
Install tracks around your perimeter, above kitchen cabinetry, or above your dining table for stylish task lighting.
With lighting, the blend of elegant Victorian and minimalist modern elements creates tangible depth.
During the day, your elaborate chandeliers and sconces lend refined sophistication.
Come evening, your contemporary fixtures provide perfect practical ambiance.
The eclectic pairing shows your panache for mixing eras and styles in a way that feels curated.
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Embrace Modern Metallics
Metallics inherently lend a contemporary sheen.
By thoughtfully incorporating more modern metallic finishes and accessories, you can elevate the elegance of your Victorian space.
For larger pieces, warm metallics like brass, copper and bronze strike an enticing balance between vintage and modern.
Brass-trimmed occasional tables, copper-framed mirrors, bronze floor lamps—all lend a subtle industrial edge.
Blackened steel finishes also offer an edgy complement, as do gunmetal or mercury glass accents.
More sleek and cool metals like polished nickel, chrome, and stainless steel skew modern as well.
Incorporate them thoughtfully on fixtures, furnishings legs or lighting for contemporary polish.
Don’t forget small doses of luxe metals via accessories too.
Gold-foil accented pillows, gleaming bar carts, geometric metal planters— such items make fabulous impactful statements.
Mercury glass vases, decanters and objet d’art also add an irresistible eclectic edge.
Metallics lend so much versatility.
Warm, vintage varieties harmonize flawlessly with traditional Victorian décor.
Sleeker silvery metals and accessories inject modern splendor.
Using metallics thoughtfully enables you to segue seamlessly between eras for a layered designed look.
Incorporate Modern Art
What better way to complement lavish Victorian style than by adorning your walls with stunning modern art?
Vibrant paintings, photography prints, and mixed media pieces make the perfect accent against ornately papered or painted backdrops.
Abstracts, geometrics, and nature themes tend to resonate best.
Look for pieces with depth, texture, and splashes of bold color to really make them pop.
Gallery walls create artful impact, or hang singular oversized pieces for real drama.
Sculptural wall accents lend dimension as well.
Wire wall art, textural wall hangings, or colorful macramé plant holders all make artistic statements.
For shelving or tabletops, lean into sculptural vases, bookends and objet d’art with contemporary appeal.
Don’t neglect the walls themselves either!
Consider accenting one with an eye-catching modern grasscloth, geometric stencil, or even exposed brick.
This creates designated texture and contrast.
Thoughtfully placed modern art and accents stop a Victorian space from feeling too thematic.
These pieces lend personality and visual intrigue while honoring the era’s artistic whimsy.
Don’t be afraid to mix moody traditional paintings with your modern choices too.
The blend of new and old works beautifully!
Incorporate Industrial Touches
One fab way to modernize Victorian decor is embracing touches of industrial style.
Factory-inspired lighting, distressed woods, and utilitarian accents lend wonderful contrast to ornate spaces.
Metallic finishes play perfectly into this industrial edge.
Wrought iron, aged bronze, galvanized steel or antique brass patinated furnishings and lighting lend raw, vintage flair.
Incorporate factory-style pendants and sconces as well as wire side tables or metal stools for an eclectic look.
Wood furniture pieces like dining tables or console tables feel fresher with an artfully weathered gray wash or reclaimed wood surface.
Exposed brick accent walls or wood plank ceilings also complement ornate wallpaper beautifully.
Don’t be afraid to work some intentionally worn pieces in too, like a chippy painted drawer dresser or rustic farmhouse cabinet.
Their imperfections add depth and keep polished Victorian elements from feeling too pristine.
On the accessary side, decorator items like wire baskets, industrial pipe shelving, galvanized planters, and laboratory glassware all lend fantastic vintage character.
These myriad industrial touches enable you to blend eras seamlessly.
With the right balance, you can achieve a space that harnesses both Victorian refinement and utilitarian artsiness.
Your home feels collected, multi-dimensional, and full of bespoke personality.
Refresh Tilework & Architectural Details
For Victorian homes graced with beautiful original architectural details, small upgrades go a long way.
Thoughtfully restoring, accenting or refinishing special touches like millwork, tile and wainscoting helps bring them into the present day.
If you have intact Victorian-era tile fireplaces, accent walls or floors, clean and seal them carefully to restore their luster.
Keep designs intact but replace any missing tiles and refresh grout lines.
Whitewashing or painting existing tile in a modern hue lends an irresistible vintage vibe too.
For wood wainscoting, trim and ceilings, removing any heavy paint buildup helps uncover natural wood tones.
Sand and reseal for protection.
Filling small holes and spots refreshes without eliminating antique character.
Are your ornate plaster medallions yellowed or cracking?
Restore delicately with spackle and fresh paint.
Embrace their uniqueness by repainting in a saturated modern hue like navy for real pop.
Does your Victorian home boast columns, cornices, fretwork or ornate stair rails?
Dust and polish wood elements to reveal their sheen.
Spot treat any new stains gently.
Use subtle lighting to showcase beautiful carved details.
Your Victorian home’s existing architecture offers built-in potential for modern beauty.
With care and small enhancements, you can revive original elements to create a relaxed, updated backdrop steeped in authentic charm.
Their storied presence makes a wonderful framework to weave in contemporary décor and colors.
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Modernize Your Kitchen & Bath
Kitchens and baths take more functional wear and tear than any other home spaces.
As a result, they often need the biggest refreshes to feel current.
The good news is that introducing some modern elements in these spaces can elevate your whole home’s style.
For kitchens, soapstone or quartz countertops lend an organic yet contemporary vibe.
Open shelving feels lighter than traditional Victorian cabinetry while still offering charming display space.
Stainless steel, matte black, or vintage brass fixtures and hardware choices feel fresh and luxe.
Consider painting lower cabinets a dark sophisticated hue like charcoal or navy, keeping uppers crisp white for contrast.
In baths, think about a large-scale black and white graphic floor tile or unused hexagons.
Crisp white subways also keep things light.
Modern metal mirrors and sconces lend polish.
Standalone tub styles feel gracious and vintage-inspired.
Don’t be afraid to paint existing tile or dated vanities in Benjamin Moore’s Calm or Gentleman’s Gray.
The soft greige tones feel soothing and current.
Even modest changes like updated lighting, mirrors, and plumbing fixtures can revitalize period kitchens and bathrooms.
Focus on elevating materials and finishes to create a cleaner, fresher backdrop.
Then weave in signature Victorian touches like ornamental hardware, draped windows, or antique-style art.
The blend feels personal, luxe and so inviting.
Layer Rugs
Rugs offer relatively affordable ways to refresh Victorian floors whether hardwood, tile or carpet.
Layering rugs helps evolve spaces incrementally without commitment to permanent changes.
Try topping ornate antique carpets with a sisal or seagrass rug for more casual texture.
Natural fibers feel innately fresh and resistant to wear.
Florals and oriental designs feel less imposing scaled down as layers rather than wall-to-wall.
In bedrooms, layer plush shag or faux fur rugs over existing carpet for instant cozy appeal.
Heirloom style Persian rugs layered over hardwood or tile lend color and softness while preserving floors.
Don’t be afraid to use smaller area rugs in geometric patterns or graphic prints alongside ornate carpets too.
The eclectic mix feels youthful and collected in an approachable way.
Rug layering allows you to switch up the look of a space anytime.
As outer rugs become worn, replace them easily while keeping pricier antique carpets protected underneath.
Experiment with colors, textures and patterns without commitment.
It’s an easy, budget-friendly route to give your Victorian rooms a modern pick-me-up.
Upgrade Window Coverings
Your window treatments deserve an upgrade if wispy sheers or heavy drapes dominate.
Introducing tailored shades, casual curtains or sleek hardware instantly modernizes.
Think crisp linen curtains in solid hues, breezy cotton blends or textural seagrass shades.
For hardware, swap ornate finials for sleek metal rods.
Dressmaker details like rings, clips or wraps lend custom polish (and easy operation!).
Don’t overlook the power of paint either.
Simply painting dated wooden blinds or shutters in clean, modern white gives rooms a refreshed feel.
Use removable paint if you’re hesitant to commit.
If you adore your existing drapes but find them a bit overwhelming, try pushing them back casual and unlined.
Remove heavy swags, jabots or scarf swathes to simplify.
This allows their colors and patterns to recede into the background.
Your windows deserve an unobstructed view outdoors.
Refreshing the treatments enables you to maintain privacy and filtering while shedding dated heaviness.
Update Gallery Walls
Gallery walls offer fantastic opportunities to weave modern art and accessories into period spaces.
If your current arrangement feels cluttered, now is the time to curate a thoughtful, minimalist collage.
Start by taking everything down and editing.
Be selective about what truly resonates.
Then follow basic styling rules for a polished look: hang art at eye level and in odd numbers.
Aim for a mixture of framed prints, paintings, photographs and dimensional objects like wall pockets, sconces or round mirrors.
Metallic frames pop beautifully against wallpapered or painted walls.
The key is restraint.
Mix just a few standout antique or vintage Victorian furnishings with plenty of streamlined, transitional pieces.
Use patterns, rich colors, and ornate shapes sparingly in accent walls, window dressings, or metallic lighting fixtures.
The overall space will feel elegant and collected but not like a costume drama set.
By blending a few dramatic Victorian touches with plenty of modern minimalism, you can achieve a chic, livable home.
Remember to focus on sophisticated metallics, moody color contrasts, and tailored silhouettes with clean lines.
This allows traditional elements to feel fresh, current, and uniquely you.
What aspects of Victorian style appeal to you most?
Are you inspired to incorporate any of these tips in your home?
I would love to hear your thoughts and answer any other interior design questions you may have!
