19th Century Interior Design
and other
Period Styles

Read descriptions, hints and tips for how to get an authentic look.

Do you have a period home? Or would you just love to have one?

Period properties are extremely desireable, whether pretty little old-fashioned cottages, or fine period townhouses or apartments.

Period homes have so much character - those interesting architectural details and styles which really set them apart from the run of the mill.

Even if you aren't lucky enough to have a period property, don't worry as it is actually pretty simple to get an authentic period look - inside your home at least!

Just use the architectural styles of the time, add appropriate skirtings, cornices and mouldings, and you will soon be looking at a pretty convincing 19th century interior design style.

We are not exactly sure of what age it is...

We were originally told that it dated from around 1900-1905 - which would make it Victorian or Edwardian.

But then our next door neighbour told us that he thought both of our houses were built around 1860, or maybe even in the 1830's!

That makes it quite a bit older - and would be Victorian then.

Unfortunately we don't have any of the original internal architecture left to help us to age the house more precisely - so we tend to go for a pretty generic 19th century interior design.

Although it is nice to decorate your period property with a precise interior design style from the year it was built, I always think you don't need to be too strict or fussy with this!

In real homes, people have antiques and family heirlooms handed down. They buy new purchases and decorate in new styles all the time.

So even 10 or 20 years after your house was built, the interior design might not have actually been precisely in line with the 'look' of the time.

If you have a period home you may even decide to decorate in a very modern, contemporary style.

This should definitely not be frowned upon - I think it gives a great look, that combines the best of both worlds - and does actually tend to emphasise and play up any beautiful, original, period features.

So, whether you have a traditional or even a modern home, there are plenty of options for you to get a great period style.

To find out more about all the different 19th Century interior design looks, and other period styles, click on the links below:

• 12th Century - Gothic Interior Design


• 13th Century to 15th Century - Medieval Interior Design


• 1485-1603 - Tudor Interior Design


• 1714 - 1837 - Georgian Interior Design


• 1837 - 1901 - Victorian Interior Design


• 1860's - 1920's - Arts and Crafts in Interior Design/Mission Style Decorating


• 1901 - 1914 - Edwardian period


• 1920's and 1930's - Art Deco Interior Design


• 1940's and 1950's - Vintage Interior Design


• 1960's and 1970's - Retro Decorating

I hope you enjoy browsing through these pages, and you can find a period style to suit you and your home.

A Victorian decorating style using reds

Victorian interior design using whites and pastels

You might also be interested in traditional decorating ideas for bathrooms in period homes.

Readers' Traditional and Period Homes

RM's Victorian style study - sitting room

A reader's Victorian living room

RM's old fashioned bathroom

Tarrah wants design ideas for an old-fashioned style apartment

Read how Jacquelyne is making over her rental in a Victorian style

Becky wonders about choosing colors for a period home...

Share your own period home decorating projects, here...

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