The Victorians elevated the humble fire pit – essential for cooking and heating the home – into the most important feature of each room, including kitchens and bedrooms, with the drawing room hearth becoming the burning heart of the home.

The Victorian era heralded the Industrial Revolution and it was a period of fast-paced change. There were many elements that helped shape and style the look of domestic fireplaces. Here the specialist home insurance experts at Adrian Flux outline the most important ones.

There were, essentially, two styles of Victorian fireplace 

Early Victorian fireplaces were rather ostentatious. They featured intricate designs with floral patterns, a real treat for the eyes. 

Late Victorian fireplaces on the other hand were more geometric in design resulting in a cleaner and simpler appearance. They were more work man-like than work of art.

Cast iron certainties

As the Industrial Revolution brought the cheap and easy fabrication of hard wearing and heat resistant cast iron, its use in fireplaces became popular, especially in the rapidly conceived and constructed terraced homes that were being erected to house growing factory workforces in expanding towns and cities. 

Tiling provided a splash of colour 

Black painted cast iron fireplace inlays were often contrasted with elaborate ceramic tiles which were now in mass production and cheap to acquire. They were especially popular in bedrooms where a little colour went a long way.

Fires in fine homes

While fireplaces in the newly-constructed terrace homes were more ordinary affairs, fireplaces in fine town houses and country mansions often featured simple but stylish fire-surrounds of Italian Carrara marble, which is white with grey veins. They held impressive mantles with fluted or carved stress-bearing corbel brackets. 

Add a little je ne sais quoi?

Influence in fashion and home design crossed the Channel and soon fireplaces were being created in the French Directoire neoclassical style of the period. The main decorative motifs were classical vases, carved urns, arrows, winged lions, dragons, mermaids, female busts and sphinxes.

The Gothic Revival

After 1840 the Gothic Revival saw the introduction of incredibly decorative polished English limestone mantels. The most popular colours were grey, brown and Belgian red.

Art Nouveau influence

Between 1890 and 1910 the Art Nouveau movement introduced new and imaginative patterns that instantly became the height of fashion, the must have for every home. 

Art Nouveau fireplaces focused on ‘organic’ designs – floral and plant-inspired patterns with highly stylised flowing curves and vertical lines typified in the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Arts and Crafts

During the same period the Arts and Crafts movement (1860-1910) saw English designers and artists seeking the renaissance of quality handcrafted goods instead of mass-produced items. 

They shared similar ideals to the Art Nouveau movement with an emphasis on design influenced by nature: primarily birds, butterflies and flowers. There was also an emphasis on the use of local materials and, crucially, the highest quality craftsmanship. 

Copper was hard to beat

As well as cast iron, brick and tiled fireplaces, specially beaten copper surrounds were popular, for those who could afford them. Celebrated designers of the age were William Morris and William de Morgan. 

Satisfying your burning passion

If you are desperate to introduce the authentic Victorian look in your fireplace it’s possible to pick up originals from the period or replica designs. Look on eBay for original fireplaces, fenders, tiles and grates in a range of styles and sizes. Fire baskets and fire kerbs are also available in cast iron or copper. 

Replicas can be bought easily: try The Antique Fireplace Company, Wisdom Fireplaces, or Twentieth Century Fireplaces. 

In the meantime, you can read our blog to discover how to keep your Victorian fireplace safe, clean and efficient.

Insurance for your Victorian Home

Now you have the look (even if it’s only in your mind’s eye) you’ll be wanting to ensure your Victorian home is well protected. 

Adrian Flux are specialists in Victorian home insurance and they will have a deal to satisfy your eclectic tastes. 

Call 0800 369 8590 for a swift no-hassle quote, or book a callback at a time that suits you.