How to Decorate Your Master Bedroom in Victorian Style

The Victorian style master bedroom has an antique, typically feminine feel. Because the Victorian era lasted from the 1830s until about 1900, the style has wide variations, but general tips follow.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Victorian-style Collectibles
• Area Rugs
• Beds
• Bedspreads
• Curtains
• Drawer Chests
• Dressers
• Dust Ruffles
• Framed Mirrors
• Lace Doilies
• Lamps
• Pictures
• Steamer Trunks
• Throw Pillows
• Fainting Counches
• Pictures

1. Note that Victorian couples' beds, often showy wooden affairs or cast-iron, brass or combination-metal bedsteads, were the "full" or "double" size. A skilled carpenter may be able to adapt an antique full bed to queen size or merge twin beds into a king size, or you may want to purchase a modern reproduction.

2. Dress the bed elaborately, with canopies and draperies, pillows, flounces, ribbon and other trims. Period-appropriate quilts, lace, eyelet and florals are appropriate selections.

3. Use a marble-topped table or cabinet, wicker table, bamboo or faux-bamboo table, or round, skirted table as a nightstand. Or choose from a bevy of turned and carved wooden tables made during the era.

4. Top the night tables with traditional lamps, including classic ginger-jar porcelain, crystal, brass and candlestick styles. Set each lamp on a crocheted doily for an authentic period look.

5. Use dressers and chests of drawers, typically dark-stained oak, mahogany or walnut, that are embellished with carving, pediments and ornate case-brass or carved-wood drawer pulls. Some pieces may have candle stands, tilting mirrors and marble tops.

6. Use area rugs such as Orientals, straw-type mats, hooked rugs and machine-loomed rugs with floral or swirly abstract patterns.

7. Accessorize with period pictures, including subjects such as botanicals, children, maidens and animals. Choose mirrors in elaborate golden or stained-wood frames. Place fresh flowers in period-style vases, and seek out Victorian-style collectibles such as china dishes and figurines.

8. Dress the windows with full curtains or drapes that include ruffles, valances, braid, lace, bows and tassels. Fabrics can include velvet, brocade, delicate florals and eyelet, possibly layered atop lace sheers.

Tips & Warnings

• Steamer trunks, which are readily available in antique shops, make great accessories for storing hobby gear, reading material, linens and out-of-season clothes.
• A fainting couch or chaise longue can be a great addition if your master bedroom has a sitting room or reading nook.

on 11/22/2005 Hang cross-stiched Victorian ladies in picture frames.
Also a white bedspread with assorted pillows in print and plain material.