How To Transform Your Home Using Victorian Tiles And Colour Schemes

Although the Industrial Revolution began before Queen Victoria’s reign, it was really the catalyst for the Victorian era and ultimately shaped the society we know today. This era was full of life-changing inventions from the steam railway to the telephone, but it also changed the way we decorated our homes. In this article we ask, what are Victorian tiles and how can you recreate Victorian colour schemes in your home for today.

The invention of the class system in Britain, coupled with the raging Industrial Revolution, meant rural landscapes were being turned into bustling cities and the middle classes were rivalling the aristocracy, their growing wealth allowing them to build moderate homes and decorating them lavishly to compete with their neighbours, demonstrating their newly found wealth and status.

Although splendour was the inspiration for their homes, their means and cautious backgrounds meant that the rising Victorian middle classes were happy to marry both form and function in their homes, it had to be practical and cost effective as well as beautiful. This then, coupled with the resurgence of medieval architecture, known as the Gothic Revival, meant floor tiles came back into favour.

During the Victorian period, Stoke-on-Trent was a hub of industrial activity and thanks to Herbert Minton, who revived the lost art of encaustic tile making, beautiful tiles were being made at pace making them an affordable option for homeowners.

Minton received the seal of approval when he was commissioned to create a decorative tile design for the Isle of Wight home of Queen Victoria. By the 1890s, tiled floors and pathways had become an essential feature in all homes across the country. Minton Hollins, as the tiles are now known, are stocked exclusively at Topps Tiles.

The Victorian style was inspired by many movements like English, French, Neo-classical, Gothic, and Italian renaissance however, they then mixed past with present to create something new.

Patterns were formed from geometric and floral designs, a combination of natural and medieval elements and in terms of colour, Victorians favoured muted earthy tones, deeper hues of red, brown, amber, and emerald green.

Colour was often based on the location of the property, for example light tones were avoided in cities because of pollution and as trends progressed and brighter pigments became cheaper to produce, darker, more vivid colours were favoured.

They liked to mix pattern and colour in the same room using the walls, floors, and furniture. Material goods displayed your wealth, therefore crammed rooms ensured your visitors knew your worth.

Victorian interior colour schemes are easily adaptable to a more modern feeling home. We’ve put together a few styling tips with our favourite Victorian inspired tile designs to get you started.

Been inspired to transform your home into a modern homage to the Victorian era? You can shop our Victorian Design tile trend for more inspiration. Alternatively, browse our vintage tiles if you're looking for more rustic designs to help you create that nostalgic homely feel in your home.