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From fringing to bed curtains: 7 Victorian design statements making a comeback
Reimagine this era with elegant fringing and tiled fireplaces – with contemporary styling tips
Old style trends have a way of resurfacing over time and for 2026 it seems to be the turn of Victorian design features, which are now having their moment in the spotlight.
Largely driven by the popularity of the 'more is more' maximalism ethos, in which the Victorian era shares numerous similarities (namely richness, texture and detail), this revival celebrates opulent and extravagant decoration – with a contemporary twist.
The trick is to avoid museum-like banality to create a lived-in look full of colour and character – minus the fuss, formality and dust.
Here's eight of our favourite Victorian design statements making a comeback.
Elegant Fringing
Once a style statement of Victorian parlour rooms, fringing brings lavish refinement to lighting, upholstery and cushions.
Modern makers such as Derbyshire-based Beauvamp craft elegant hand-stitched fabric lampshades combining a trio of favoured Victorian materials – fringing, trimmings and silk.
Hang as pendants in a bedroom or combine with a brass floor or wooden table lamp in a living room for a luxe bohemian vibe.
Rich colour palettes
Think deep and dramatic hues of burgundy, bottle green, maroon, indigo and chestnut brown used to saturate walls and woodwork.
To modernise, contrast with hints of stone or off-white to offer light relief in a predominantly warm scheme.
Here, natural woven flooring, terracotta pottery and mahogany toned furniture enrich the cosy palette while adding rustic texture to ground a late-Victorian Arts and Crafts style wallpaper (from Morris & Co).
Decorative cornices
Decorative mouldings – cornices, beading trim, picture and dado rails, ceiling roses and panel moulding – are back in vogue and not only in period homes.
They offer instant architectural character and decorative elegance to flat 'builder-basic' walls. Used sparingly, a decorative cornice for example, will appear smart and sophisticated rather than excessively fussy.
Choose a dentil cornice for a clean, contemporary style or an egg and dart mould for pared-back ornate detailing.
For decorative mouldings try the Classic Cornice Co, Camilla Hampton, Richard Burbidge, Leyland.
Bed curtains (and four-poster beds)
Plush velvet, wool and thick tapestry bed curtains were a necessity of Victorian life to trap precious warmth in chilly bedrooms at night.
For a lighter touch in the warmer months, look to cotton and linen in a pretty print to enhance the room's scheme.
Here, the fluttering doves on Sanderson's Paper Dove fabric gives movement to a quiet and still space.
Choose a reversible fabric or double over a length to make a double-sided curtain tab-top tied to a four-poster bed (try Original Bed Co or Ikea) or use slimline curtain rings for smooth sliding.
Damask wallpaper
Damask and jacquard wallpapers take inspiration from their woven fabrics (of the same names) of intricate repeat structured patterns of florals and leaves.
Morris & Co has been hugely influential in the revival of these gothic prints – with reworked collections and modern day colour overhauls in collaboration with interior designer Ben Pentreath. They've retained the timeless charm but feel far from dated. Stick to matt papers, avoiding flamboyant flock, gilt or textured finishes.
Shown, Helena wallpaper by Morris & Co, of artichoke flowers on a backdrop of acanthus leaves and fritillaries.
Tiled fireplaces
From tables overloaded with ornaments to oversized decorative rugs, this was the era of covering every surface.
Used as a way to express style and wealth, Victorian fireplaces (the centrepiece of the home) were exquisitely tiled in striking geometrics, fanciful birds and flowers.
While mostly kept to the fire surround, our approach to feature fireplaces has spread even further to the interior, the hearth and occasionally extending vertically up to the wall above.
Divine Savage's x Ca' Pietra's tiles shown here feature an eclectic lovebird motif, which is both playful and timeless.
Stained glass windows
A treasured find in period-specific homes, original stained glass is in-demand with a rising appreciation of skilled craftsmanship.
While often found in entrance halls as panes and sidelights at front doors, they can work just as well to bring colourful decoration and privacy to bathrooms and kitchens. Or, try something new by using stained glass for cupboard fronts.
It's thanks to William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones who were prevalent in the Victorian modernisation of stained glass, making it decorative for the home.
Restore, salvage or commission a bespoke piece to support this endangered craft through Reyntiens Glass Studio, Flora Jamieson, English Salvage.
Alaina is the Style & Interiors Editor at Country Living (previously Home & Crafts Editor). Her creative eye stretches over decorating, style shoots, seasonal inspiration and craft, as well as event styling and licensing creatives. She has a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design and started her 17 year career at Hearst on House Beautiful before discovering a love for nature, the country home and bird watching. Alaina also works on Modern Rustic where she champions talented makers, and Vintage Home. Alaina has held several craft workshops and talks and styled a Country Living with Raymond Blanc's at Le Manoir.
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