When you think of typical Victorian furniture, what probably springs to mind are dark wooden cabinets, intricate floral-upholstered sofas and banquet-sized dining tables. And you’d be correct in thinking of those, but there is plenty of typically Victorian furniture that would sit comfortably in any modern home, so we’ve rounded up a few ideas for you here. 

Victorian furniture that fits in modern homes

Washstands

Marble topped washstands can be easily adapted to fit modern plumbing and can make a big statement in a small space, while a cheaper alternative is to find a pine stand with a tiled top. They can be used in bathrooms or bedrooms as a statement piece.

Hallstand

If you have enough space in your hall, a hallstand isn’t only a beautiful piece of furniture, it’s also highly practical as a place to hang coats, leave shoes and umbrellas and check your reflection before leaving the house. Stands can be found for as little as £10.

Pictures and frames

This is an easy way to make a big splash in your Victorian home – whether you choose a more traditional embroidery or a photograph.

Fireplaces

Cast iron fireplaces can be found at reclamation yards as can fireplace tiles. Try to ascertain the historical style of the fireplace that would have been in your property – at the beginning of the Victorian period, fireplaces would have been in the Regency and Georgian style (some larger houses took their fireplaces from the chateaux which were ravaged during the French revolution). Arts and Crafts fireplaces often included tiles with floral motifs.

Mirrors

Lots of Victorian mirrors of all sizes are available, but ones to look out for include those on hallstands, mantel mirrors and etched mirrors for bathrooms.

Firescreens

By which we mean the guards which are placed in front of a fire rather than fans, which were used by wealthy, elegant ladies in Victorian times to stop their make-up from melting in the heat of a fire! It is possible to pick up reasonably priced guards at auctions, antique shops and even charity shops. Look for tapestry screens set in mahogany, arts and crafts mirror glass fire screens with etched glass or metal screens.

Dining tables

One of the more expensive items of Victorian furniture, a dining table is an investment. Whether pine or mahogany, rustic or formal, a Victorian dining table makes a huge statement. Look in antique shops or at auctions for the best deals.

Bookcases

Incredibly well-made Victorian bookcases are relatively cheap to buy and will last a homeowner forever – there are many styles to look out for, including the famous, designed to showcase ornaments and trinkets, to pigeon holes or storage units from shops or offices. Particularly beautiful are the Victorian demi-glazed bookcases which offer a chance to display items and store books.

Dressers

An easy way to add instant Victorian style is to source a dresser (still available relatively cheaply). Dressers work well in a multitude of areas – use them in the kitchen, in the dining room or even in the bedroom. Equally, wardrobes can be repurposed and used in different parts of the house – just add shelving and you have a bookcase with doors or a linen cupboard.

To find out more about interior design in the Victorian style, download the Adrian Flux Victorian Homes ebook for free. It is full of tips on how to create a Victorian style house — even if you live in a new-build home — and advice on where to source original Victorian and reproduction fixtures, fittings, furniture, accessories and art.

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