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The Victorians

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The Victorian era

When was the Victorian age?

The time when Queen Victoria reigned is called the Victorian era or Victorian age . She was queen from 1837 to 1901 , and a lot of things happened in Britain during that time.

During the 64 years that Queen Victoria was on the throne, Britain was also going through the Industrial Revolution . Machines for factories were invented that could make things quickly, like textiles – so, there were more textiles around to sell, and more people who wanted to buy them. With the invention of the steam train, the textiles could get to places further away than before.

Life in the Victorian era changed very quickly for a lot of people, and cities became busier and more crowded.

Top 10 facts

• The Victorian era is what we call the time that Queen Victoria reigned: 1837-1901.
• During the Victorian era, the Industrial Revolution was happening – this is when scientific inventions meant that it was easier to make things to sell, and that those things could be sent to places further away than before.
• One big reason why the Industrial Revolution happened was because of steam power – this lead to the invention of steam trains, which made it faster to travel and to send goods.
• A way to make steel from iron was also discovered, which made it easier to make machines for factories and to even build the factories themselves.
• All of these things during the Industrial Revolution meant that lots of products could be made in the same place at the same time – this is called mass production. Before this, it would have been just one tradesman making one thing at a time.
• Also during the Victorian Era, Great Britain became the British Empire . Britain governed many countries, kingdoms and colonies all over the world. Many of these places are part of the British Commonwealth today.
• Before the Victorian era, it took days – sometimes weeks – to travel places. Inventions such as the steam train and the iron steam ship meant that travel took a lot less time, so people started going to places where they wouldn’t have thought to before, like the (modern day) United States of America and India .
• It was also faster to get in touch with other people, even if you were all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. The telegraph and telephone were both invented in the Victorian era , so people didn’t always have to write letters if they had something important to say.
• People started using electricity for the first time in the Victorian Era. The first electrically-lit streetlights, public building and even village were in the UK.
• By 1901, half of all the people who lived in Britain (not including the Empire) lived in cities. This was a huge change because most people had lived in the country around the start of the Victorian era.
• 24 May 1837 Victoria was crowned queen
• 1837 The SS Great Britain, the first iron steam ship, was built and made the Atlantic Ocean crossing

• 30 June 1841 The Great Western Railway from Bristol to London was completed
• 1842 The Mines Act established that women and children younger than 10 years old were not allowed to work in mines
• 1843 Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol and the first Christmas cards were sold
• 1845 The pneumatic rubber tyre was invented
• 1845 London Road in Nottingham was the first road to be paved with tarmacadam (tarmac), which meant roads didn’t have to be covered in cobblestones anymore
• 1847 The Factories Act set limits on the amount of time women and children could work
• 1850 The first public library opened in Manchester – anyone could borrow books for free!

• 1850 The first workhouses opened, giving poor people a place to live in exchange for their work
• 1851 The Great Exhibition took place at Crystal Palace in London
• 1852 The Victoria and Albert museum opened in London
• 1853 The first post boxes were used – painted green, not red!
• 1853-54 An outbreak of cholera in London killed 11,000 people

• 1856 Scientist Henry Bessemer invented a quick way to convert iron to steel, which helped mass production
• 1857 The National Portrait Gallery opened in London; it was the first portrait gallery in the world
• 1857 The Science Museum opened in London
• 1857 A cable was laid in the Atlantic Ocean, between Ireland and Newfoundland, so telegraphs could be sent between North America and Great Britain; it took a few more years to get it working properly, though!
• 1858 India started to be ruled by Britain
• 1863 The London Underground opened, becoming the world’s first underground railway (steam powered)
• 1867 Voting laws gave all men who paid taxes a right to vote
• 1870 The Houses of Parliament in London were completed (they had to be rebuilt after a fire in 1834)

• 1873 The first chocolate Easter eggs were made by Fry, Vaughan & Co. in Bristol
• 1875 A drainage system in London was completed, which improved sanitation in the city
• 1876 Queen Victoria was named Empress of India
• 1877 The first telephones were sold through a company named after inventor Alexander Graham Bell
• 1877 Thomas Edison made the first recording on a phonograph; Queen Victoria was recorded on a phonograph in 1888
• 1878 The first electric streetlights were installed in London
• 1878 The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth to help the poor
• 1880 The Education Act decreed that all children aged 5-10 had to go to school
• 1881 Godalming in Surrey was the first town in the world to have an electricity supply available for everyone to use; also that year, the Savoy Theatre was the first public building in the world to be entirely lit by electricity
• 1882 Thomas Edison opened the world’s first steam-powered electricity generating station in London
• 1883 The first electric railway was built in Brighton
• 1885 The standard bicycle (like the ones we use today) was invented
• 1885 The first motor car was built in Germany by Karl Benz
• 1887 The gramophone was invented by Emile Berliner
• 1887 Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee
• 1891 A law was passed that established every child age 5-13 should have access to a free education
• 22 January 1901 Queen Victoria died and Edward VII became king

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Did you know?

• The Victorian era is named after Queen Victoria, who was queen from 1837-1901. People who lived during the Victorian era are called Victorians .
• Before the 19th century it used to take people 12 hours to travel between Birmingham and London if they were riding in a horse-drawn coach. Steam trains meant they could make the journey in under six hours!
• The police force was set up during the Victorian era by a man called Robert Peele (which is why we sometimes call the police "bobbies"!).
• Electric light bulb
• Steam and electric trains
• Rubber pneumatic tyres
• Sewing machines
• Postage stamps
• Chocolate Easter eggs
• Christmas cards
• In 1851 the Great Exhibition was a huge collection of all kinds of inventions and art from Britain as well as places like America and Russia . The money that was made from people paying to see the Great Exhibition was used later to build museums in London, like the Science Museum.
• the first electric street lights were in London
• the first building lit with electric lights was a theatre in London
• the first village to have its own access to electricity was Godalming in Surrey.
• At the beginning of the Victorian era in 1837, more people lived in the country than in cities. By the end of the Victorian era in 1901, half of the British population lived in cities. Find out more about life under Queen Victoria.

See if you can spot all the following in the gallery below:

• Queen Victoria
• Alexander Graham Bell
• Joseph Wilson Swan
• Volks Electric Railway in Brighton
• A steam engine used in a factory
• A map of the British Empire in 1897 (all the red areas)
• People riding a penny-farthing bicycle
• The SS Great Britain ship (Photo Credit: mattbuck via Wikimedia Commons)

When the Victorian era began, Britain was going through the Industrial Revolution. Scientists had learned how to use steam to create power, and from that came a whole list of other inventions that used steam power to make machines operate.

One of these machines was the steam train, in the early 1800s. It meant that travelling was a lot faster than using a horse and carriage, and that goods could be transported much more quickly than using the canal system.

This was good because more and more goods were being made! For instance, the textile industry was growing thanks to the invention of machines that could do the spinning and weaving instead of people, meaning it took much less time to produce. This is called mass production , and it was a key factor in the Industrial Revolution. It wasn’t a case anymore of just one person making one item – machines could do the same job in a fraction of the time.

While all this was going on, Britain was becoming bigger. The British Empire was the term used to describe all of the places that were under British rule, and during the Victorian era, this got so big that one poet said ‘the sun never sets on the British Empire’ (meaning that wherever the sun was shining at the time, it would be shining on something that belonged to Britain). Many countries that were part of the British Empire are now part of the Commonwealth.

The Great Exhibition in 1851 celebrated not just great accomplishments from around the world, but also within Britain and the British Empire.

Names to know:

Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) – a famous engineer who build steam ships, bridges, tunnels and even helped with the Crystal Palace used to house the Great Exhibition James Watt (1736-1819) – a Scottish engineer who invented an improved steam engine used in factories and mines Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) – most famous for inventing the telephone Thomas Edison (1847-1931) – an American inventor who made the phonograph and helped Joseph Wilson Swan (1828-1914) in Britain create the first electric light bulbs. Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) – Prime Minister in 1868 and again from 1874-1880 William Gladstone (1809-1898) – Prime Minister four different times between 1868 and 1894, which is more than any other prime minister; he supported laws that allowed more people to vote W. H. Fox-Talbot – an inventor who found ways to take photographs using negatives Robert Peel (1788-1850) – Prime Minister from 1834-1835 and 1841-1846, who set up the Metropolitan Police Force in 1829.

Related Videos

Just for fun...

• Quiz yourself on the Victorians!
• Watch a Horrible Histories video about the Victorian age:  Queen Victoria - British Things Song
• Read English Heritage's Kids Rule! guide to Victorian England magazine to learn all about the Victorians
• Travel back in time to a Victorian house
• Print out some Victorian scenes to colour in
• Did  life really improve in Victorian times ?
• Follow along with loads of Victorian recipes 
• Listen to a radio play about Prisoner 4099 , 12-year-old William Towers who was caught stealing two rabbits (possibly for food for his family) in 1872 and sent to Wandsworth prison

Best children's books about the Victorians

Find out more:

• A children's guide to Victoria's reign , with information about the Queen Victoria's family , the  British Empire , Victorian architecture and Victorian cities
• Watch a  BBC Bitesize clip about the history of the steam engine
• A guide to some  great Victorians  and their lives
• See a BBC Bitesize introduction to the British Empire
• Read fiction books set in Victorian times
• Victorian Britain  information and links from the National Archives
• A BBC bitesize introduction to The Victorian Era
• Understand the impact of the steam engine on Victorian life
• Life in the workhouse, including a guided tour
• Read about workhouses in Victorian times
• Find out about  crime and punishment in Victorian times
• Information about Victorian prisons
• Watch a BBC Bitesize video about the Industrial Revolution and what life was like in Britain before, during and after industrialisation
• Find out about famous Victorian author, Charles Dickens
• Read about the Great Exhibition , which embodied Prince Albert's desire to showcase the wonders of industry from around the world
• Look closely at William Powell Frith's painting Ramsgate Sands (Life at the Seaside) , 1852-4, to see an image of Victorian life
• Consult a Victorian inventions timeline (1837 to 1901)
• Read about Victorian transport in Preston , including trams and stem engines
• Explore posters, newspapers, illustrations and more that showcase Victorian Britain

See for yourself

• Look at an online collection of Victorian objects , including carbolic soap, candle snuffers, clothes wringers and oil lamps
• See posters, British Exhibition tickets and other items from the height of the British Empire at the Museum of London
• Learn more about the amazing inventions around the Victorian Era at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
• Walk around Buckingham Palace in London to see evidence of Victorian life: a route map highlights all the places of interest
• At York Castle Museum, Kirkgate is a recreated Victorian cobbled street with a schoolroom, police cell and Hansom cab
• At Blists recreated Victorian Town  you can meet some "real" Victorians in their authentic shops and cottages, buy Victorian goods and watch tradespeople in action  

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The Victorian Era Primary Resource

Learn all about this period of amazing inventions and discoveries.

This history primary resource explores Britain’s Victorian period in a fun, colourful comic. Join max the mouse on his time-travelling journey to discover the significant events that occurred during this exciting period in British history. When was the Victorian era? How did the British empire expand during Queen Victoria’s reign? What were the ground-breaking inventions of the Victorian era?

Pupils will learn about the key social, political and cultural changes that occurred during Britain’s Victorian period in this National Geographic Kids history primary resource.

The teaching resource can be used in study group tasks for discussion about the Victorian era and 19th century Britain, It could be used as a printed handout for each pupil to read themselves, or for display on the interactive whiteboard, as part of a whole class reading exercise.

Activity : In the same way that Queen Victoria dedicated monuments to her husband Albert, ask pupils to design a monument dedicated to someone they love or feel inspired by. They could also design their own postage stamp/s, inspired by their favourite people, places and things. Once finished, get the children to present their work to the class, or write a short description explaining their designs.

N.B.  The following information for mapping the resource documents to the school curriculum is specifically tailored to the  English National Curriculum  and  Scottish Curriculum for Excellence . We are currently working to bring specifically tailored curriculum resource links for our other territories; including  South Africa ,  Australia  and  New Zealand . If you have any queries about our upcoming curriculum resource links, please email:  [email protected]

This History primary resource  assists with teaching the following  History objectives  from the  National Curriculum :

• Know and understand the history of these islands as a coherent, chronological narrative, from the earliest times to the present day: how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world.
• Gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts, understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history; and between short- and long-term timescales.

National Curriculum Key Stage 1 History objective:   

• Pupils should be taught: significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
• Pupils should be taught: the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. Some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods [for example, Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, Christopher Columbus and Neil Armstrong]

National Curriculum Key Stage 2 History objective:

• Pupils should be taught a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066

This History primary resource  assists with teaching the following  Social Studies Second level objective  from the  Scottish Curriculum for Excellence :

• I can discuss why people and events from a particular time in the past were important, placing them within a historical sequence
• I can compare and contrast a society in the past with my own and contribute to a discussion of the similarities and differences

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Lessons - The Victorians

The Nuffield Primary History project developed a range of approaches and techniques for doing history with children, between and 1991 and 2009. The resources produced by the project are all real lessons which have been taught by real teachers. They include guidance on teaching and examples of children's work. Many of the lessons have been developed by teachers as part of their continuing professional development. A narrative style was used to describe the lesson and what happened. Read more

The project was developed by Jon Nichol, formerly of the School of Education, University of Exeter, Jacqui Dean, formerly School of Education and Professional Training, Leeds Metropolitan University, Ray Verrier, the late John Fines and others. Sarah Codrington coordinated the project from the Nuffield Foundation.

In 2011, the Nuffield Foundation passed the Nuffield Primary History resources to the Historical Association for continued dissemination to primary teachers.

EYFS Medium Term Plan - Toys and Games

This EYFS Medium Term Plan is based around the theme of Toys and Games. It is designed to give teachers and early years practitioners different starting points for learning about the past, across all areas of learning. The activities could be led with a whole class or as small group...

Resources for courses: ideas for your history curriculum

In times of tight budgets and with the new financial year on the horizon in April, now might be a good time to look at different ways to resource your history curriculum effectively. Alongside all the resources for teachers available from Primary History and the HA website, the following list...

Victorian Britain: short lessons and exemplars

Please note: these resources pre-date the current National Curriculum and some content may be outdated. A series of lessons, exemplars and guides to help you teach your students about Victorian Britain.

Victorian Britain: a brief history

Victorian era | Questions | Industrial revolution | Social reforms | Empire | Teaching the Victorians | Citizenship | Victorian achievements | Key concepts < This resource is free for everyone For access to hundreds of other high-quality resources by primary history experts along with free or discounted CPD and...

Introducing the Empire through coins

This coins lesson introduces children to the complex and controversial subject of the British Empire in a practical, hands-on way. (These resources are attached below) The lesson can stand alone or form an introduction to an in-depth study of empire, immigration and emigration. It overlaps usefully with geography and citizenship....

Investigating Victorian mining disasters

Please note: these free resources pre-date the 2014 National Curriculum.  In this series of lessons about two mining disasters, I integrated learning in history, literacy and ICT. As the children are an able group, I intended to challenge them to explore primary written sources, to identify differences between them, to...

Brunel and Clifton Suspension Bridge

Please note: this free resource pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum. For a more recent resource, see our Primary scheme of work on Brunel. The focus for this literacy hour lesson was a picture, used as a text. The literacy hour genre was non-fiction. In it we studied a specific Victorian, the engineer...

Famous People: Florence Nightingale (KS1)

The life of a famous person from the past and why she acted as she did Florence Nightingale: her life, why she went to the Crimea, and what happened as a result of her work. Cross-curricular work: this lesson stretches and challenges all children, regardless of their ability, whilst teaching...

Victorian child labour in textile factories

Please note: this free resource pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum. For more recent resources see: Victorians (Primary History article, 2014) Scheme of work: Sarah Forbes Bonetta Scheme of work: Brunel What was life like for workhouse children in the early nineteenth century? The aims of the lesson were for children...

Victorian child labour: slate mining

Please note: this free resource pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum. For more recent resources see: Victorians (Primary History article, 2014) Scheme of work: Sarah Forbes Bonetta Scheme of work: Brunel Download Resources 1 and 2 as well as the teachers' notes.  Resources 1 gives you the paragraphs for the children to cut...

Children in Victorian Britain: Down the Mine

This resource is free to everyone. For access to hundreds of other high-quality resources by primary history experts along with free or discounted CPD and membership of a thriving community of teachers and subject leaders, join the Historical Association today Please note: this free resource pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum....

Houses: Artefacts from the past (KS1)

Please note: this resource pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum. In these lessons we investigated real objects from late Victorian times. The aim was to enable the children to become more independent in their learning and to extend their literacy. The two lessons described formed part of a Year 1 topic...

Detectives: what were schools like in the past?

In this lesson we asked what clues (objects and pictures) can tell us about the past. How were schools in the past different from ours? (Resources attached below.) The objectives were: To introduce the children to the idea of history as detective work. To help the children to make comparisons...

Grace Darling

I taught a short history topic on Grace Darling, using a painting as the main focus, to encourage evidence-based learning. The painting depicts Grace and her father rowing towards the rocks where the remains of the Forfarshire are resting, with the lighthouse in the distance. The speaking and listening elements...

Local study: Fulwell Windmill

Please note: This article pre-dates the current National Curriculum and some content and references may be outdated. The lesson formed part of a local study of Fulwell and Fulwell Windmill in Sunderland. It could also be taught as part of the Victorian Britain Study Unit. The children had already looked at maps and...

Children in Victorian Britain: Henry at boarding school

Please note: this free resource pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum. For more recent resources see: Victorians (Primary History article, 2014) Scheme of work: Sarah Forbes Bonetta Scheme of work: Brunel In this lesson children pursued an historical enquiry, raising questions and using original sources. They gained an understanding of conditions in early...

Ten Teaching Ideas About The Victorians

Wednesday 22nd may 2019.

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday Queen Victoriaaaaa! Happy birthday to you!  

Did you know that 24th May 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth? Did you also know that her first name was not Victoria? And did you know that Queen Victoria was barely five feet tall?

Written by Florence Robjohn - Creative Marketing Assistant, Out of the Ark Music Team.  

COMING UP! It’s World Environment Day on Wednesday 5th June 2019! Look out for our next blog when we explore our top songs about saving the planet!!

Victorian Inventions Workshop

A magnificent science, history and STEM primary school workshop for KS1 and KS2

Free victorian lesson ideas, investigating ice cream, (invented 2000 years ago but developed more in victorian times into the ice cream we know today) .

An easy lesson idea is to have the pupils come up with their own ice cream flavours - you’d be surprised at how wacky some of them will be! Better yet, pick the best ideas and have a go at making them at home for the next day- this  site here  provides some excellent recipes that can be easily modified.

Of course, the backbone of teaching your class about ice cream is that for the first time, the Victorian era was producing inventions not only of necessity, but of luxury.  This could be the basis for any number of creative writing, drama or art tasks - perhaps your pupils could write a fictional Egyptian’s recipe for an ice cream sand-wich? Or perhaps they can act out how the victims of the black death might have been consoled with some mint choc-chip?

Try Morse Code!

To read about our own workshop telegraph task  click here , but in terms of lessons you can do yourself in class, one lesson idea using Morse code is simply pairing up pupils and having them practise sending messages with the code.  Alternatively, either you or a single student could use Morse code to give a message to the entire class, and have a race to see who can decode the message the fastest.

The code can be communicated through sound by speaking in long and short beeps, on paper by writing messages in dashes and dots, or visually through flashing coloured cards for either long or short lengths.  Or you could try mixing these methods to create a class-wide game of Chinese whispers!

Discussion points include military applications of the code, why certain letters have certain numbers of dits and dahs (an interesting chart can be seen here), and why the use of Morse code has declined in recent years.

Play around with photography! (Invented in 1829)

One of the most engaging ways to demonstrate the basic principles of photography is to have your pupils make their own pinhole cameras, or make one yourself and have them experiment with it in the classroom.   A good tutorial for doing this without capturing the image  can be found here , but if you want to be a bit more technical,  this bbc tutorial will help you create one with photographic paper .

Juicy jelly babies! (Invented in 1864)

Having children design their own sweets could be a fun and creative task- you could even limit them to the outline of a Jelly Baby to give them an extra challenge.

A more mature task, but one that is just as much fun, is to show children the traditional ‘Screaming Jelly Baby’ science experiment- although this is usually restricted to high schools, (not to mention that the chemical Potassium Chlorate is required) there are plenty of youtube videos that show the experiment, which allows you to talk about the amount of energy (i.e. sugar/calories) that the jelly baby contains.  Find out more about the experiment  on this wikipedia page here . 

Make Movies! (Invented in 1895)

Ideas for education on the moving picture industry will depend on your resources- one interesting class exercise, would be to watch a ‘timeline’ of films- from silent and black and white to sound and colour- and to discuss the changes that occurred as technology developed.

Pupils could also script and act out their own silent movie after watching examples from Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and some of the other early Hollywood silent movies.

The history of film also ties closely with the history of animation and you could follow  this tutorial to create your own thaumatrope  with the class, which is a wonderful illustration of the science behind Muybridge's horse animation.

Learn about Penny Farthings! (Invented in 1871)

The fact that this invention lies at the backbone of Victorian innovation and creativity should get your class thinking- have them draw their own bicycle designs with big wheels, small wheels, twelve wheels, anything they can think of! For older classes, try restricting them to materials they would have had in Victorian times (no hoverbikes) and have them talk about the advantages and disadvantages of their design.

The key is to remember that at the time, the inventors would have had a blank slate on which to experiment- try and get across to your class that although the penny farthing could be seen as a failed experiment, the fact that it pushed boundaries and limitations truly encapsulates the spirit of the Victorian era.

Discussion points can also include why the penny farthing failed, how the masses would react if the design was proposed today, and if they think any other inventions are going to be forgotten in 20 years, like the farthing, or whether the age of innovation is over and we now simply refine existing technology.

Terrific Typewriters! (Invented in 1856)

The typewriter was one of the most competitively designed inventions in the Victorian era.  One lesson that makes use of this knowledge would be to divide your class into groups and have them each research one of the inventors who competed to make their design commercially successful.

The class could then produce a timeline chart to display, and each group could give a presentation on why their chosen inventor’s design should be mass produced (think of a dragon’s den style business pitch - perhaps other children could take on the role of Victorian-era dragons?) Older classes could have more challenging tasks, such as taking on the character of their chosen inventor or having a more in-depth debate with the ‘dragons’ about the pros and cons of their design.

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The Great Fire of London was a fire that was so big that it burned nearly all of the buildings in London, with the exception of the Tower of London as that was made from stone, and stone doesn't burn up easily.

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8th October 2016

The Victorians was a time for railways, Queen Victoria and the establishment of many familiar companies, such as chocolate maker Cadbury and soft drink company Coca Cola.

Queen Victoria

The Victorian era started when Princess Victoria was crowned Queen, at 18 years old, in 1837. Three years later, she married her cousin, Prince Albert. They had 9 children together, before he passed away in 1861. Victoria was distraught, and missed him so much that she wore black for the rest of her life.

You can find out more about Queen Victoria here.

Life in Victorian Britain

How your life was in Victorian Britain depended on who you were and how much money you had. If you were rich, then life was luxurious, although how luxurious your life was depended on how rich you were. If you were poor, then life was hard, and in some cases, you literally had to fight to survive.

Workhouses were places where some poor people lived and worked. They worked long hours on the factory floors. In return for their work, they would get a roof over their heads and food (although not very much.)

Many workhouses were dark and dirty, and you weren’t treated very well. It wasn’t a place you wanted to be in.

The house(s) that you owned and lived in depended on how much you and your family earned.

Rich families usually had a country estate and a house in the city. During the working week, the owner of the house would usually be in the city for work and go back to their country estate for the weekend. This wasn’t always the case, but it was common.

Middle-class families usually lived in either the outskirts of the city or in medium-sized cottages in the countryside. If the family had enough money, they might have both.

Working class and unemployed people, who usually lived in the cities (although they could be farmers in the countryside) usually rented or owned a terraced house, or for the poorest, shared a single (or double) room with other families as they couldn’t afford to rent an entire house.

Servants for the rich

A more attractive job than working in factories or the workhouse would be to work for a rich family as a servant. You got paid a wage (how much that wage was depended on your job) and a roof over your head. Because you were fed and had a roof over your head, your wage was usually sent back to your family.

Servants were summoned by their owners to particular rooms through a network of bells. In the Servants Quarters’ of that house, there was usually a row of bells, with a sign saying what room it was coming from, so the servants knew where to go, and who was demanding their assistance.

Among the servants, there was a hierarchy, as there was in the family. The more senior your job was, the more time and the closer you were to the family. The closest to the family were the house-steward or the butler (or both, if the family was very rich), the lady’s maid, the valet, the housekeeper and the nanny (who supervised any children.)

Victorians had more free time than in previous eras. With the introduction of weekends and bank holidays, workers could now spend their free time however they wanted. Many people, rich and poor, sometimes decided to go down to one of the many new seaside resorts that were being built.

The seaside

The invention of the railways meant that many people could escape from the city to one of the many new seaside resorts that were being built. Train tickets were relatively cheap, meaning even factory workers and their families could afford a day or two at the seaside.

Piers were being built across the coastline. The first one was built on the Isle of Wight in 1814, and exactly 100 years later, there were at least 100 piers across the British coast.

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21 Victorian Recipes Fit for Royalty

The Victorian era introduced many food traditions, including afternoon tea, three-course meals, and a treasure trove of cakes and puddings that we still cherish today. From Battenberg cake to treacle tart, feast on this specially compiled collection of Victorian-style recipes that are fit for a Queen!

Curried foods became popular throughout England after Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876, with kedgeree being a great example. It's a breakfast dish made with rice and smoked fish, flavored with curry powder and garnished with sliced hard-boiled eggs.

English Crumpets

Although the Victorians did not create crumpets, they were the first to use baking powder in the recipe, transforming them into the thick and spongy rounds (with their characteristic holes) that are adored to this day. They would often be served as a treat for the kitchen staff, topped with lemon curd.

Lancashire Hot Pot

The hot pot was born out of the need for a warm, nourishing meal after long shifts in local textile mills. It involved simmering scraps of mutton, oysters (which were cheap at that time), onions, and sliced potatoes in stock. Some historians suggest that local bakeries cooked the hot pots for families to collect on their way home.

Mulligatawny Soup

Indian influences introduced this creamy curry soup to English homes, and it's versatility soon became popular. Victorian cooks in wealthy homes added leftover mutton to the soup, while poorer households would have meatless versions.

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Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire pudding, in the early Victorian years, was cooked in a pan under a joint of beef that was roasting on a spit. This way, the drippings from the meat would cook and color the batter. As a rule, it was always served with gravy first, in an attempt to have some meat leftover.

Roast Goose with Stuffing

Following their Queen, and her husband Prince Albert's lead, Victorians celebrated Christmas Day in style, serving elaborate centerpieces like this roast goose with herb stuffing. Even those less well off would save for weeks to buy a turkey or goose, and pay the local baker to roast it.

Sophie's Shepherds pie

Victorian cooks would have made this familiar crispy potato-topped pie to use up leftover lean mutton and gravy from a previous dinner party. For those who couldn't afford to make roast dinners, housewives would have used canned beef and created the gravy with stock.

Classic Lard Two-Crust Pie Pastry

Warm lard was used to make savory pastry in Victorian times to make the dough more manageable, and shape into the ornate metal and ceramic baking molds that had became the norm. Pie fillings would be made up of layers and layers of game meat, and jellied stock, creating elegant 'raised' pies to impress guests.

Treacle Tart

This classic British tart has an extremely sweet filling made with butter, eggs, cream, and a thick, light-colored treacle, known as golden syrup. The syrup would have replaced jam and marmalade in many Victorian desserts since its creation in 1883, including sponge puddings and ginger cakes.

Raspberry Summer Pudding (English Style)

Not wanting to waste anything, Victorian cooks would have arranged slices of stale bread around the surface of a bowl, and filled it with over-ripe berries and their juice. The pudding would be left overnight to allow the juice to soak through the bread and become a beautiful shade of pink. Before serving, it would be turned out on to a plate and decorated with whipped cream.

Vanilla Blancmange

Hosting dinner parties became more common for the middle and upper classes in Victorian times. French desserts, like this blancmange, would often be made in decorative molds and garnished with edible flowers in an attempt to impress guests.

Battenberg Cake

This distinctive cake with it's checkered pattern and wrapping of marzipan was reportedly made for Queen Victoria's granddaughter when she married Prince Louis of Battenberg. It's mass produced now in the U.K., and available on every supermarket shelf for an afternoon treat with tea.

Bread and Butter Pudding

This dessert existed before the Victorian era since it was an economical way to use up stale bread, but it was more likely that they used beef marrow instead of butter. Victorian cooks enriched the pudding with sugar, butter, and spices (as well as a little booze), making it more like the dish we still enjoy today.

Traditional Bakewell Tart

The Victorians modernized the dense, rustic-looking Bakewell pudding into the beloved Bakewell tart, with its distinct layers of rich shortcrust pastry, jam, frangipane, and sliced almonds that we know today. For an even sweeter version, top with white glossy icing.

Traditional Victoria Sponge

In Victorian times, a rich sponge cake would be baked in a deep, rectangular pan, then sliced into squares and sandwiched with strawberry jam to serve with afternoon tea in the garden. This cake is probably still the most popular cake in England today, but is more commonly cooked as two round cakes and sandwiched with jam and whipped cream.

Syrup Sponge Pudding

Victorians loved their puddings, and both rich and poor homes would finish off a meal with a steamed pudding. This glorious sponge pudding was easy to make with minimal ingredients. It's sweetened with golden syrup which was mass produced in the late 1800s, making it affordable to all.

Jam tarts, known as open tarts in Victorian times, were a common way to use up scraps of pastry. They were filled with any type of jam, then cooked until the jam had set. They were the perfect portable treat for a family picnic, no matter what class you belonged to.

Mincemeat evolved from a way of using up old meat, or meat stock by mixing it with dried fruit, apples and booze. Nowadays, the mincemeat used in Christmas mince pies isn't savory in the slightest.

Christmas Plum Pudding

Plum pudding isn't actually made with plums — plum was simply the old term for dried fruit. A traditional Christmas pudding in the Victorian era would have had tiny silver charms baked in (generously wrapped in greased paper, of course): a coin represented wealth, a wishbone signified luck, and a bell implied you would be wed that year!

English Trifle

Victorian trifles were a very elaborate affair based on a clever way to use up sponge cake and custard. In those days the filling was a layer of jam and candied fruit, doused in brandy and sherry. A thick syllabub-style cream was spooned on top, and decorated with crushed nuts or crystallized flowers.

Christmas Cake

Traditional fruitcakes already existed but the Victorians embellished it at Christmas by adding dried cherries, nuts, and candied fruit. They fed the cake with brandy for months, then covered it with marzipan and royal icing, before writing a Christmas message on top — just like many households still do to this day.

More Inspiration

Fascinated by all things sweet and savory from across the pond? Check out our collection of Great British Baking Show-inspired recipes and our entire collection of recipes from the UK and Ireland .

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Explore Stunning Victorian Bedroom Ideas for Luxurious Decor

• by — Kendrick Hulse

Published on September 2, 2024

Updated on September 2, 2024

Step into a world where elegance and grandeur reign supreme and every corner whispers tales of a bygone era — welcome to the enchanting realm of Victorian bedroom design. Victorian style offers a rich tapestry of possibilities, ranging from Gothic elegance’s dark, romantic allure to the soft, pastel hues of French-inspired aesthetics.

In this guide, we’ll journey through various Victorian bedroom ideas and discover how to bring this historic charm into your modern home.

1. Create Vintage Victorian Bedroom Charm

To capture the charm of a vintage Victorian bedroom, focus on rich, dark woods and ornate details. Authentic vintage pieces like a carved wooden bedframe or an antique vanity can set the tone of the period. Add to the charm with lace curtains and embroidered linens for a truly nostalgic feel. Don’t forget to include a few well-chosen accessories, such as brass candle holders or a vintage clock.

2. Achieve Gothic Elegance in Victorian Bedrooms

Embrace dark, moody hues like deep purples, blacks, dark greens, and rich reds to achieve that gothic look. Use heavy drapes and velvet fabrics to add drama and sophistication. Gothic-style furniture with intricate carvings and pointed arches can provide a striking focal point. Complete the Gothic ambiance with vintage mirrors with ornate frames, wrought iron elements, and candlelight.

3. Get Luxury Victorian Bedroom Inspirations

Luxury Victorian bedrooms are defined by their opulent materials (e.g., silk and brocade) and exquisite details. A four-poster bed draped in rich velvet curtains can be the room’s grand focal point, and gilded mirrors and crystal chandeliers bring an air of sophistication and sparkle. Add a marble-topped dresser or a plush chaise lounge to further amplify the room’s sense of elegance and comfort.

4. Include Victorian Decor Elements in Your Bedroom

Victorian decor thrives on intricate details and timeless elegance, so focus on ornate moldings, intricate floral or damask wallpaper patterns, and vintage artwork. Antique frames for artwork and photographs, decorative ceiling medallions, and intricate cornices infuse your bedroom with a sense of history and charm. Vintage brass candle holders, porcelain vases, or other Victorian accessories are a perfect finishing touch.

5. Discover Classic Victorian Bedroom Styles

A classic Victorian bedroom combines elegance and comfort. Use dark woods like mahogany or walnut for the furniture, and rich colors like burgundy and emerald for textiles. Floral motifs and intricate patterns are common in both fabrics and wallpapers. Classic pieces like a tufted headboard or a marble-topped nightstand maintain the period look.

6. Embrace French Victorian Bedroom Aesthetics

Blend the ornate details of Victorian design with the romance of French style. Look for furniture with curvy lines and elegant carvings, such as a French provincial or Louis XV-style bed. Soft, pastel colors like lavender, blush, and cream create a light and airy atmosphere. Add a touch of French elegance with toile fabrics, crystal chandeliers, and gilded mirrors.

7. Create a Romantic Victorian Bedroom

A Romantic Victorian bedroom is a sanctuary of softness and elegance. Delicate hues like blush pinks, creams, and soft lavenders set a dreamy tone. Use layers of plush textiles, such as velvet throws, silk cushions, and lace curtains. Floral motifs on wallpaper and textiles contribute to the romantic ambiance, while candlelight and vintage perfume bottles provide the perfect finishing touches. 

8. Select Victorian Bedroom Furniture

Choose furniture pieces that are both functional and ornate. Look for a bed with a high, carved headboard, a dressing table with a decorative mirror, and a sturdy armoire with intricate detailing. Nightstands with marble tops and brass handles can add a touch of elegance. Don’t forget to include a comfortable armchair or chaise lounge for relaxation.

9. Add Modern Twists to Victorian Bedroom Design

Combine traditional Victorian elements with modern touches for a unique look. Use classic Victorian furniture pieces but pair them with contemporary lighting fixtures and abstract artwork. Choose a modern color palette with deep, rich hues offset by neutral tones. Sleek, minimalist accessories will balance the ornate details.

10. Choose the Right Victorian Bedroom Color Schemes

Consider color schemes that reflect the luxury and the timelessness of the Victorian era. Rich jewel tones like emerald green, deep burgundy, ruby, and sapphire blue create a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. For a more delicate and romantic feel, consider softer shades such as lavender, rose, and sage green. Complement these colors with metallic accents in gold or brass.

11. Use Luxurious Textiles in Victorian Bedrooms

Rich textiles are a hallmark of Victorian bedrooms. Use heavy drapes, plush velvet throws, and intricately patterned tapestries. Layering different fabrics, such as silk, lace, and brocade, can add depth and texture.

12. Try a Minimalist Approach to Victorian Bedroom Design

Even with a minimalist approach, a Victorian bedroom can maintain its charm. Focus on a few key pieces of furniture with clean lines and subtle detailing. Use a neutral color palette with occasional pops of rich color. Keep decor simple, with a few well-chosen accessories like a vintage mirror or a classic table lamp.

13. Add Royal Bed Canopies to Victorian Bedrooms

A canopy bed can serve as the centerpiece of a Victorian bedroom. Choose a bed with a high, ornately carved frame and drape it with rich fabrics like velvet or silk. Tassels, fringes, and decorative trims add to the opulence. The canopy provides a sense of privacy and creates an intimate, cozy atmosphere reminiscent of Victorian luxury.

14. Choose Classic Wallpaper Patterns

Wallpaper with intricate patterns can bring a Victorian bedroom to life. Look for designs featuring floral motifs, damask patterns, or stripes to reflect the era’s rich aesthetic. Those should be in classic colors like deep red, gold, regal green, and cream. Consider using wallpaper on a feature wall or throughout the room for a dramatic effect.

15. Try Romantic Lighting Ideas for Victorian Bedrooms

Create a romantic atmosphere with the right lighting. Think chandeliers adorned with crystals that reflect light in an enchanting manner and table lamps with lace or fringed shades that provide soft light. For an extra touch of warmth and intimacy, consider wall sconces or candle holders with ornate details. 

16. Design a Victorian Bedroom on a Budget

It’s possible to achieve a Victorian look without breaking the bank — you just need a bit of creativity and resourcefulness. Thrift stores, antique shops, and garage and estate sales are treasure troves for affordable Victorian furniture pieces and accessories. You can also save money by DIY projects like reupholstering a chair or painting a dresser. Adding budget-friendly fabrics such as lace and velvet for curtains and cushions can contribute to the Victorian feel. 

17. Use Neutral Tones for a Modern Victorian Bedroom

Neutral tones can create a serene and sophisticated Victorian bedroom. Use shades like beige, taupe, and gray as a backdrop for classic furniture pieces. Add interest with textures such as linen, wool, and silk. Subtle patterns in wallpaper or textiles can provide depth without overwhelming the space. Use metallic accents like brass or silver for a touch of elegance.

18. Maximize Space in Large Victorian Bedrooms

Maximizing space in large Victorian bedrooms involves thoughtful arrangement and strategic design. To give the room structure and functionality, create distinct areas for sleeping, dressing, and lounging. Use rugs to define different areas and add warmth, and set up a seating area with a settee or armchairs as a cozy spot for reading. Look for large wardrobes and dressers that offer ample storage. Ornately framed mirrors add a touch of Victorian elegance and reflect light, making the space feel even more expansive.

19. Choose Antique Victorian Bedroom Furniture Pieces

Antique furniture can add authenticity and character to a Victorian bedroom. Look for pieces like a carved wooden bed, a marble-topped dresser, an ornate wardrobe, brass candle holders, and embroidered linens. Restore or refinish antique pieces to preserve their beauty and functionality.

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• bathroom ideas and inspiration

bathroom suite ideas

10 Bathroom Suite Ideas

4th Sep 2024

6 mins read

When choosing a bathroom suite, you don’t just want to settle for the suite that works for your home, you want to choose a suite that coincides with your preferred style and tastes. We’ve shared some of our favourite bathroom suite ideas so that you can find the perfect suite for you.

Home-Suite-Home

Opting for a bathroom suite is a great way to keep your renovation costs down, create a sense of continuity and achieve your desired aesthetic. However with so many different styles and features to choose from, it can soon become a confusing process.

When choosing a bathroom suite, it’s important that you choose a suite that is : 

a) Suitable for you and your needs

b) Suitable for your space

c) Coincides with your style and taste

Keeping these things in mind will allow you to choose the perfect suite for your home that will be both aesthetically pleasing and efficiently functional.

To help you make your decision, we’ve shared our top 10 bathroom suite ideas so that you can make an informed decision and create the bathroom of your dreams.

1. Suites for Family Bathrooms

It goes without saying that family bathrooms take on a lot of wear and tear, which means they need to be able to stand up to the test of time and survive everything that day to day life throws at them. From the morning madness to the bedtime blues, your family bathroom really sees it all!

When choosing a family bathroom suite, you want to make sure that the suite includes everything that you need so that you are getting full functionality from the suite you choose. 

Some great features to look out for when choosing a bathroom suite for a family are: 

Bath shower

Bath screen

Toilet 

Vanity unit

Making sure that your bathroom suite has off of these included will make it the perfect choice for you and your family. But it is important to note that a majority of bathroom suites will not include fixtures such as taps and showers, but this gives you the opportunity to get creative with your bathroom design.

The Cruze B-Shaped Shower Bath Suite is a great choice for a modern family bathroom. This suite contains everything a family might need in the bathroom including a bath shower, which makes this suite suitable for everyone in the household.

Another great thing about this suite is its glossy white finish, which makes it as versatile as it is functional. You could combine this suite with any colour, from bright and cheerful pastels to muted and sophisticated shades to really achieve your preferred aesthetic. White is also a great option for a family bathroom suite as you can combine it with whatever fixtures you prefer, such as a contemporary and trendy brushed brass shower or a modern matt black basin tap. You could use this minimalistic set to design your dream bathroom, exactly how you imagine it.

One thing that you might be imagining when looking at this crisp white family bathroom suite is mucky fingerprints! However, with white gloss finish you will be able to wipe away dirt with ease.

2. Timeless and Traditional

Whilst modern and contemporary bathrooms are becoming increasingly more popular, there is nothing we love more than a traditional style bathroom. Opting for this style is a great way to ensure that your bathroom never goes out of style. Victorian and Edwardian designs are just as luxurious and chic as ever!

Some great features to look out for when choosing a traditional bathroom suite are:

Roll top bath 

High level toilet

Traditional washstand or pedestal basin 

These are some of the most iconic features of a traditional bathroom and are things that you should definitely consider incorporating if you prefer this timeless aesthetic.

The Newbury Traditional Back-to-Wall Roll Top Bath Suite is the perfect example of a traditional bathroom suite. Featuring a classic roll top bath, an iconic feature of any traditional style bathroom. 

With a classic white finish and chrome accents, this is another versatile suite that will work with any accent colour, from bright pastel blues to a classic monochrome design. This traditional set can truly become your own! To help maintain that traditional style, it is best that you pair this set with traditional style chrome fixtures. But if you prefer to combine different aesthetics to achieve a contemporary design, you could pair this set with some trendy brushed brass designs. Doing this will also make your space look warmer and more inviting.

With a traditional washstand and high level toilet, this suite screams traditional Victorian bathroom. But if you prefer a traditional aesthetic without these features, you can choose a suite with a traditional toilet and pedestal basin instead.

3. Cosy Cloakrooms

Whilst a cloakroom might not seem like the place to incorporate a bathroom suite, they can be a great option for a small space. Opting for a cloakroom suite will allow you to create a small space that is as inviting as it is functional. 

Some great features to look out for when choosing a cloakroom suite are:

Space saving vanity unit 

Close coupled toilet

By adding a suite which features clever space saving designs, you will be able to maximise floor space without sacrificing design and aesthetics in your cloakroom.

The Milan Minimalist Floor Standing Cloakroom Suite is a perfect choice for a small cloakroom. White furniture means that your small space won’t feel cramped and over crowded, and a clever space saving vanity unit and close coupled toilet means that you will be able to save on precious floor space. 

The best thing about this suite is the space saving vanity unit. With a small cupboard, you will be able to store bathroom and cleaning products out of sight, without taking up floor space. This will also remove the need for any additional storage, which can often protrude into the room and make your small space feel even smaller. 

Whilst you will have more choice when looking for a modern cloakroom suite, there are some traditional styles available that will still help you to save on space. 

4.  A Suite Combination

A great way to create a sense of continuity in your bathroom is to opt for a combination unit. They are great at maintaining the aesthetic in your bathroom by hiding unsightly pipework and bathroom products. Another great thing about a combination unit is they can help to save space in smaller bathrooms.

Some great features to look out for when choosing a combination suite are:

Toilet and basin combos

The Arezzo 1100 Matt Grey Semi-Recessed Round Combination Vanity Unit will help to save space in a smaller bathroom whilst achieving that built-in in look that will make your bathroom look and feel more luxurious.

With chrome handles and matt grey finish, this combination unit will instantly make your bathroom look more modern and contemporary, making the Arezzo 1100 Matt Grey Semi-Recessed Round Combination Vanity Unit the perfect choice if you prefer this aesthetic.

Another great thing about a combination suite is that they can be incorporated into any bathroom. Which means you can still achieve the look of a bathroom suite without the added expense of a new bath or shower, and with so many designs to choose from, modern and contemporary or timeless and traditional, you will be able to find the perfect combination unit to finish off your bathroom.

5. Livin’ Large

When working with a larger bathroom, you might be unsure which suite will work the best with your space. So many bathroom suites are designed to save space and make a bathroom feel more open and spacious. 

So, when choosing a bathroom suite for a larger bathroom, these are some features to look out for: 

Walk in shower enclosure

Freestanding bath

The Brooklyn Black Freestanding Bath Suite is a great choice for larger bathrooms. With a modern freestanding bath and coordinating furniture, your bathroom will instantly look more luxurious and hotel-like without looking empty and cold.

Choosing a bathroom suite with storage such as a vanity unit and mirrored cabinet is a great design choice for a larger bathroom. By making the most of your space and incorporating storage solutions, you will be able to keep your bathroom clutter free, making your space look clean and fresh without the clutter of unsightly bathroom products.

If you do not want to incorporate a bath into your bathroom, you can choose a bathroom suite with a walk-in shower instead. Walk-in showers make a great addition to larger bathrooms. When choosing a suite with a walk-in shower, make sure that it includes a shower tray and screen or enclosure.

6. En-Suite Treats

An en-suite can be a difficult space to renovate. They are usually smaller than a typical bathroom and unlike a cloakroom, you will usually have a shower as well as a sink and toilet. Which means you need to look out for a suite that will save space whilst incorporating a shower.

Some great features to look out for when choosing a suite for an en-suite are:

Quadrant shower/shower cubicle

Space saving vanity unit

Close coupled or short projection toilet

Mirrored cabinet

The Pacific Single Entry Quadrant & En-Suite Set includes a modern quadrant shower and space saving vanity unit that will open up floor space to make your en-suite feel more spacious. When choosing a suite for your en-suite, looking for a quadrant shower and a wall hung vanity unit is a great way to keep the precious floor space open, which will help to  make your space feel less cramped.

When choosing en-suite furniture, sticking to lighter colours such as white is a great way to keep your space looking fresh and minimalistic. Which means your space will feel more spacious. Combining glossy white finishes with chrome accents will help to maintain a clean aesthetic, this can be done with either modern or traditional fixtures to suit your preferred style.

If you are really struggling for space in your en-suite, you can always opt for a toilet and basin combo unit which conveniently holds the basin at the back of the toilet. Doing this will make your en-suite much easier to navigate. 

7. Accessible Bathroom Suites

If you need to design a bathroom that is fully accessible and user friendly then you should definitely consider an accessible suite. This will save money and time as you will get everything you need to make your bathroom more accessible.

Some great features to look out for when choosing an accessible suite are:

Comfort height toilet

Wall mount basin

Walk-in bath

Doc M packs include everything you need to make sure that your bathroom is fully accessible. With different colour variations, you will be able to choose a Doc M pack that coincides with your preferred style and taste all while improving your bathroom routine.

With practical grab rails and a coordinating toilet seat, your accessible bathroom will have a sense of continuity that will help to make your space look more stylish and less clinical. Opting for a grey finish will make your space look more sophisticated , but if you prefer a more colourful aesthetic, you might prefer a blue finish.

Choosing a bathroom suite with a comfort height toilet and wall mount basin will make your bathroom easier to navigate and use. A wall mounted basin will allow for full access for any wheelchair users, and the taller height of a comfort height toilet makes toilet access much easier. For more tips on how to style an accessible bathroom, have a read through our blog, How to Design an Accessible Bathroom That Stands Out.

8. Bright and Bold

In most cases, a bathroom suite will feature glossy white finishes, making them versatile and suitable to any space. However, many people prefer a more colourful approach to their bathroom design and would prefer to choose a bathroom suite that reflects this. 

Features to look out for when choosing a colourful bathroom suite are:

Matching furniture

Bright colours such as blue or pink

The Keswick Blue Bathroom Suite is the perfect bathroom suite for someone who prefers bold and bright colours. A blue suite is perfect if you want to design a quirky and contemporary style bathroom.

Another great thing about blue is that it looks great paired with different finishes, such as matt black or brushed brass. Which makes it easier to achieve your desired aesthetic. Opting for matt black with a blue bathroom suite will make your space look more modern and trendy. Combining a blue suite with brushed brass accents will make your space look more contemporary and quirky.

Opting for a colourful suite also means you will be able to set the colour tone in your bathroom. Blue furniture will make your space feel cool and modern, choosing a colour like pink or sage green will help to make your space feel warm and inviting.

9. Suave and Sophisticated

Combining modern and traditional designs will create a suave and sophisticated aesthetic in your bathroom. If you prefer this style, you can opt for a bathroom suite that will help you achieve this.

Some great features to look out for when designing a sophisticated bathroom:

Traditional bath

Contemporary bath screen

Wall hung vanity unit

Monochrome colour scheme

The Chatsworth Traditional Shower Bath Suite combines classic and modern designs to create a sophisticated and classy bathroom suite. A monochromatic colour scheme is the perfect choice if you prefer the sophisticated look, choosing a suite that incorporates this will help to achieve that classic style.

Combining a traditional style tub with a modern bath screen is another great way that the Chatsworth Traditional Shower Bath Suite elevates your bathroom design. This will make your space look trendy and unique without looking over the top.

A traditional style wall mount vanity unit will help to open up floor space and create a hotel-like atmosphere in your bathroom. Making your space look luxurious whilst maintaining a classy aesthetic.

10. Wood Effect 

Wood effects are great at adding warmth and depth to a space. If you want something more natural instead of the flat white colours that are typically seen in a bathroom suite, you should incorporate natural wood tones where possible.

Features to look out for when incorporating natural wood tones:

Wood effect vanity unit

Wood effect storage

Wood effect bath panels

The Brooklyn Natural Oak L Shaped Bath Suite is a modern suite that includes a natural oak effect unit to incorporate warmth and add depth to the space. This is a great choice if you want to achieve a boho or contemporary aesthetic in your bathroom whilst taking advantage of the convenience of a bathroom suite.

Wood effect furniture will allow you to hide unsightly pipes and bathroom products all while elevating the look of your bathroom. Wood effects have become very popular in recent years, and choosing a suite that features a wood effect finish is a great way to incorporate this trend.

Wood tones can be combined with almost any accent colour, from chrome and brushed brass to matt black accents. When you choose a bathroom suite featuring wood tones, you will be able to incorporate your preferred accent colour to design a bathroom that matches your style preference.

Megan is an expert bathroom blogger, she enjoys writing helpful DIY articles and bathroom inspo blogs. As well as specialist bathroom advice, Megan also shares expert how-to blogs with step by step guides.

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The Victorians KS2 Activity Booklet

Subject: Non-fiction

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

23 November 2014

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