Consider Victorian lavatory concepts and it is possible you will have extremes spring to thoughts.
For the rich, lavatory design was approached very like the remainder of their residence – with grandeur, opulence and ornamental element all enjoying their half. On the flip facet, 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 appears are fully appropriate for properties immediately – even Victorian home renovations are more likely to embrace a extra trendy method 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 will help you create intelligent Victorian lavatory concepts that mix the previous and the current in good proportion.
Are Victorian lavatory concepts the identical as classic concepts?
Whereas it could be straightforward to imagine classic lavatory concepts and Victorian lavatory concepts are the identical factor, classic inside design will take references from any variety of totally different durations. Classic can even imply upcycling gadgets and extra weathered finishes – one thing that was not a characteristic of rich Victorian’s bogs.
Particular when it comes to their use of color, tiles, finishes and selection of sanitaryware, for these with cash, Victorian bogs had been about creating an area full of gleaming white porcelain, shiny metallic faucets and wealthy color.
Here is the right way to do it in additional trendy instances.
1. Pair a pedestal sink with ornate mirror and wall lights
A pedestal sink was the popular possibility in Victorian bogs(Picture credit score: Burlington)
Elegant porcelain sinks had been a key characteristic in Victorian bogs, as had been ornamental tiles and wealthy colors. And though white porcelain would normally grace most bogs, this Bespoke Enchanted Blue Basin from Burlington is a first-rate instance of the right way 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 remember the addition of a leafy inexperienced plant. Victorians had been additionally identified 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 bogs,” says Zoe Jones, senior artistic producer at Roper Rhodes.
“Select a slipper, clawfoot, or bateau bathtub because the centrepiece of your lavatory. These types 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 contemporary trendy color, shiny chrome finishes and a recent gentle becoming, mixing outdated with new does 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 tasks for the model and is accountable for Roper Rhodes signature fashion.
A few of our favorite freestanding Victorian baths
Baxenden Blue Roll Prime Freestanding Bathtub
A conventional Victorian-inspired freestanding design with a timeless matt blue end
Freestanding Single Ended Roll Prime Slipper Bathtub
The normal roll prime slipper design with ornate white toes for an ideal focus
Black Freestanding Roll Prime 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 standard in Victorian lavatory concepts, their love of wooden and costly supplies was demonstrated within the design of loo furnishings akin to washstands.
This stunning model from deVOL is one we have featured earlier than and for good cause. It is an excellent instance of how an historic merchandise will be up to date and made appropriate to be used in trendy properties.
“This piece is far more elegant than a closed vainness unit,” says Helen Parker, artistic director at deVOL. “It has a lightness and softness that you simply don’t usually discover in lavatory furnishings.
“As we transfer in direction of a extra snug manner of designing our kitchens and bogs, we wish stunning in addition to useful, particularly as bogs are a really particular a part of our on a regular basis lives.
“For some, they’re an entire sanctuary and an escape,” provides Helen, “so selecting a basic and fantastically made piece of furnishings was a really good selection. Carrara marble is a extremely conventional washstand materials and feels good 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 accountable 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 want to create a particular look clients can take pleasure in of their properties.
4. Pair again your look with brick-shaped terracotta ground tiles
A extra simplistic look remains to be achievable in your Victorian lavatory thought(Picture credit score: Rhoper Rhodes)
“Whereas embracing Victorian aesthetics, bear in mind to tailor your decisions to fit your preferences and the general design of your private home,” says Zoe Jones. “Victorian fashion will be tailored to suit a spread of areas, from opulent and grand to easy and understated.”
So in case you like the thought of freestanding bathtub for instance, akin to this Widdicombe Double Ended Roll Prime Bathtub from Roper Rhodes, however the remainder of your private home is much less ornate, combine and match your types 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 toilet that is easy however fashionable.
Select geometrical patterns in your lavatory flooring(Picture credit score: Ca’Pietra)
One other manner of making a profitable lavatory design is by selecting quite a lot of supplies and finishes in your Victorian lavatory thought.
“Mix totally 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.”
As a substitute, with lavatory flooring thoughts, “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 class.
“Victorians additionally beloved uniqueness and element,” confirms Abbas, “so on the partitions think about 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 trendy types.
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)
Paired with an animal impressed wallpaper – a nod to the Victorians love of journey and exploration, a pedestal sink, brass faucets and a standard rest room with a wood seat means this lavatory scheme will get full marks for its Victorian references.
7. Give attention to the element with uncovered gold pipework
Uncovered shiny pipework offers an air of opulence(Picture credit score: Roper Rhodes)
Though extra trendy lavatory concepts normally contain concealing as a lot of the behind the scenes pipework concerned in plumbing a toilet as doable, it is the alternative in relation to Victorian lavatory concepts.
Usually together with uncovered pipework and classic brassware, a floor-mounted bathtub faucet such is the right praise to a free-standing bathtub with conventional claw toes.
8. Go for a wall mounted rest room cistern – the upper the higher
For those who’re taking a look at sorts of bathroom, there’s one key rule to stick to in relation to selecting the very best one in your Victorian lavatory thought.
“Go for a high-level cistern rest room with uncovered pipework,” says Zoe. “This design not solely pays homage to Victorian engineering but in addition provides a component of ornamental aptitude to the lavatory.”
If rustic lavatory concepts additionally characteristic in your wishlist, comply with the rules of this cloakroom scheme. By combining a primary washstand comprised of 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 trendy sink form
Select floral Victorian classic tiles in your lavatory splashback(Picture credit score: Unique Fashion)
For those who’re solely in search of a small scale Victorian lavatory resolution, a great place to start out is along with your splashback, particularly if you’re looking for tile concepts for a small bogs.
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 trendy round basin and easy wood countertop.
10. Create a contemporary Victorian lavatory thought
For a contemporary tackle Victorian fashion select a monochrome lavatory design(Picture credit score: Roper Rhodes)
Though quite a lot of Victorian lavatory concepts err on the facet of ornate, we love this lavatory design from Roper Rhodes which is a lesson in the right way to take a interval fashion and produce it proper updated.
Patterned ground tiles – tick, uncovered pipework – tick, wall lights – tick, mirror – tick, crops – 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 slightly 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 lavatory concepts, it isn’t essentially a color you’d affiliate with Victorian lavatory types.
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 useful and ornamental ingredient, 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 bath fashion slipper bathtub may elevate your bed room to a extra regal period(Picture credit score: The Albion Bathtub Firm)
For those who’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 Bathtub from The Albion Bathtub Firm 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 by the archway into the lavatory past and you’ll see it is a scheme that is been carried proper by for that good inside design cohesion that turns one thing good into one thing spectacular.
If selecting brass in your lavatory fittings, Thomas Crapper specialists advise the next:
“Brass is among the oldest supplies utilized in bogs and can be utilized nearly anyplace – with care and a focus. If the end is pure brass – an unlacquered end – it is going to want sharpening and buffing commonly if you wish to preserve its lustrous shine. Pure brass will be left to patina down over time. With out sharpening or floor care the shiny floor will develop its personal character relying upon the setting.
“When shopping for brass merchandise, or merchandise described as brass, all the time test whether or not they’re precise brass, or brass-plated and whether or not they have been lacquered or unlacquered (typically referred to as dwell or residing brass).
“Lacquered or plated brass finishes could trigger issues over time because the lacquer or plating will be eliminated or broken by cleansing. This will result in recognizing or an uneven floor and will be troublesome to rectify. Pure brass, nonetheless, can all the time be returned to a fantastically polished end with the usage of a brass cleaner and a little bit elbow grease.”
In addition to cleansing your new sanctuary effectively, you should definitely keep away from these lavatory design errors earlier than you begin.
