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The Victorian era was full of grace, regality, and royalty. The architecture was grand and interior design was king. It’s no wonder why the style is still popular in homes today. If you’d like to transform your kitchen into a Victorian palace, check out these tips!

Add a Kitchen Island

Just about all Victorian kitchens had a kitchen island. Some people used a table as both an island and an eating space, but many had an island as we know them today. Larger islands were popular to give whoever was cooking more room to maneuver around. Kitchen islands were important because there were no vast expanses of countertop like there is now. To truly get the Victorian feel, install a true island rather than an “L” or a “U” design when possible. 

Free-Standing Cabinets/Hutches

As we said, there were no lengths of unbroken counter space in the Victorian era. While it is convenient and many “Victorian” kitchens now incorporate it, a nod to the original kitchens is to use free-standing units. Display your china in a hutch, or have a stand-alone cabinet for all of your cookware. The island will act as your main counter space to counteract the usable space you lose with stand-alone units.

Intricately-Designed Furniture 

Many Victorian kitchens, particularly those of the rich, had furniture that was intricately designed. Twisted columns were hugely popular as was detailed molding on the walls, ceilings, and legs of furniture. If you have a dining table in your kitchen, look for one with fancy legs. Here are a few images of other types of furniture you could consider.

Farmer’s Sink

Installing a farmer’s sink is another great way to create a Victorian feel to a kitchen. Larger sinks were very popular back then, and they’re still very useful today. If you don’t have a farmer’s sink, we can almost guarantee you’ll love it. You never realize how little room there is in your sink until you upgrade to a farmer’s sink. They’re deeper, wider, and usually divided into two so you can multitask! Contrary to the name, a farmer sink can still look extremely classy in a kitchen especially if you choose a more sleek and elegant shape in a nice color. You may lose a bit of counter space, but we guarantee it’s worth it. 

Dark Woods

If you’re working on a kitchen remodel and want a Victorian result, replace cabinets, chairs, and floors with dark wood. Mahogany is gorgeous in a kitchen, but any darker stained wood will do. This makes the space seem more classy and regal. You can counter this darkness with some light details and finishing touches such as a light countertop, a bright white ceiling, or bright lights. 

Granite or Marble Countertops

A staple in a wealthy Victorian kitchen was granite or marble. Only the wealthiest families could afford real stone countertops and backsplashes. Nowadays, granite and marble are much more common and affordable. Classic colors are authentically Victorian including greys, whites, beiges, and blacks. Think of the Victorian mansions that you’ve seen photos of. There are marble and other stone surfaces everywhere it can be. Emulate that in your kitchen and you’ll have the Victorian style you want!

If you’re in the middle of a kitchen remodel and are inspired by Victorian design and architecture, then consider using some of these tips! The Victorian era was marked by elegance, grace, and regality. It isn’t as hard as you may think to incorporate this style into your home, so give it your best shot! If you need new stone countertops, contact Ventura Stone! Our team of experts will help you find the stone that best suits your vision, and they’ll install it! Call (805) 654-1834 today to get started.