In the Spotlight: Victorian Hallways

Creating the perfect entranceway to your home is one of the best things you can do when it’s time to redecorate or renovate. As the typical place you welcome guests, your hallway is the starting point. It acts as the first impression and the gateway to the rest of your home. 

Because of this, getting the décor right is crucial. You must choose an aesthetic that reflects your entire home, as it will allow you to seamlessly transition from the hallway to other areas of the property. 

So, today, we’re putting a spotlight on Victorian hallways. We’re looking into what features come together to create a Victorian aesthetic in a home and what you can do to implement this style into your hallway. 

What Makes a Hallway Victorian? 

Before you get too excited and start stripping wallpaper or pulling up old tiles, you must plan ahead and research exactly how you want your Victorian hallway to look. Visualise your perfect space, then look into some of the typical Victorian features you could incorporate into this. For example: 

• Arches, particularly in doorways 
• Rich, deep colours such as navy, ruby, emerald, and plum 
• Framed wall art 

• Opulent Victorian tiles 
• Glamorous chandeliers 

The key to all these characteristics is grand details. However, whilst the Victorian aesthetic is often connotated with huge hallways, central staircases and high ceilings, this doesn’t have to be the case. A feeling of a grand entrance can be created in any home, which is what we’re exploring today. 

Make an Entrance With Victorian Floor Tiles 

Here at Roccia, we’re world-famous for our tiles, so it’s no surprise that, as part of our extensive range available at our tile showroom in Preston, we have an impressive collection of Victorian floor tiles. Floor tiles are a great way to add character to your home and elevate its overall look. With a vast choice available, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect tiles to match your personal aesthetic whilst also bringing in that all-important Victorian chic. For example, our Element tiles come in various styles, from incredibly intricate designs to more subtle patterns. 

Be Bold: Choose Victorian Feature Wall Tiles 

If you really want to create a dramatic Victorian entranceway, a great way to do it is through stunning wall tiles. Our feature wall tiles come in an extensive range of patterns, ideally suited to match the period detailing and your personal aesthetic preferences. 

Greet your guests with a wall of stunning details and intricate patterns, and install Victorian wall tiles in your hallway. Make a statement and install them along your staircase, or don’t be afraid to go all out and cover all your hallway’s walls with bold prints and deep colours. 

What Makes a Victorian Colour Scheme?  

Homes designed in the Victorian era typically used deep, dark, and rich colours such as the aforementioned navy, ruby, emerald, and plum. 

However, hallways are usually one of the smallest areas of the home and are often relatively narrow, meaning you may initially think dark colours should be avoided. 

This is not the case, and if appropriately implemented, dark colours will have no impact on creating the illusion of a smaller space. If you choose deep, rich colours, such as navy, for your walls, make sure to keep the fixtures and ceiling bright white. You should also consider using mirrors and clever artificial light placement to ensure your hallway isn’t dingy.   

Making Your Victorian Hallway Inviting and Homely 

The most crucial advice regarding decorating your hallway is to make the space you’re working with inviting. This is a key aspect of an entranceway, so you must spend time thinking about what inviting means to you and how you would like to welcome your guests. 

A great way to bring homeliness to your Victorian hallway is through artwork. Bring in period pieces or Victorian-style frames and overhead lighting to finish off the overall look. Art is personal, so your guests will feel as though they are getting to know you more intimately when walking through your hallway. 

Carrying the Victorian Theme Through the Rest of Your Home 

The best thing about a hallway from a design point of view is that it is the introduction to the rest of your home’s interior design. The space at your entranceway, no matter how big or small, welcomes guests in and gives them a feel for what the rest of your home will look like. If you opt for minimalism and contemporary design, this is the first place to show that off, with that aesthetic being taken through the rest of the home. 

There are several ways to incorporate Victorian design through your home, including: 

• Following your chosen floor tiles into rooms that come off the hallway, such as the kitchen 
• Using the same or similar colours in other elements of rooms, such as the sofa in the living room 
• Choosing the same overhead picture lighting or ceiling lights to create a sense of unity and togetherness in terms of design 

If you’re struggling to put your ideas together and need some expert help, the Roccia team are here for you. We can help you pinpoint the best tiles for your Victorian aesthetic and advise on the design direction.