A modern take on the classic Victorian bathroom, use these stylish designs to turn your bathroom into the perfect spot for a soak.
Image source: Russell Taylor Architects
A Victorian bathroom has been around for a long time, since the Victorians funnily enough… But despite its age, the traditional style and design are still as popular as ever. This type of bathroom will help a home maintain a more classic feel and can be tied in with modern elements to bring it into the 21st century.
Although widely regarded for bringing bathrooms we know of today into common use, a bathroom would have only been available to the very wealthy during the Victorian era. Bath tubs would have been practical and easily moved, whilst designs would not have been quite as ornate as you’d see in a modern version of a Victorian bathroom.
However, of course times have changed and taking a classic product and giving it a modern twist is what it’s all about.
Here we’ll take a look at a few items you can add to your bathroom that will give it that Victorian look, plus we’ll look at a few top Victorian bathroom ideas to give you some inspiration.
What Was A Victorian Bathroom Like?
Victorian bathrooms were usually very simple and often only available to the wealthy upper-class homes. Bathtubs were made of cast iron by the late 19th century and were usually boxed in. While the bathroom itself would’ve had porcelain tiles often hand painted and wooden panels on the walls.
How Can I Make My Bathroom Look Victorian?
Give your bathroom a traditional look with classic patterned wall and floor tiles, brass fittings, white Victorian fixtures, antique furniture porcelain sinks and a cast iron bath. These traditional styles can be combined with modern colour twists for the perfect look.
How To Style A Victorian Bathroom?
Freestanding Bath
First of all you’ve got the freestanding bath which really is one of the main standout elements to a Victorian bathroom. A classic bath would’ve been cast iron, which you can still get but will cost you quite a bit more and they are usually very heavy.
There’s plenty of choice for a freestanding bath, with taps on one end or in the middle, plus many colour options to add some contrast to the room.
If space permits, the freestanding bath is a must-have for any Victorian bathroom design.
Wall Mounted Cistern Toilet
Like with most higher-end Victorian bathrooms of old, a toilet with wall-mounted cistern is a great style to go for.
Match up your toilet and basin to complete the look across the room.
Classic Furniture
Add a touch of old-school design with a few pieces of traditional bathroom furniture. Wooden cabinets and units are perfect for keeping a modern bathroom slightly more classic and unique to the design.
Patterned Tiles
An average bathroom can truly be brought to life with a great choice of tiling. Metro tiles are ideal as they’re super glossy and have a rippled effect which fits in brilliantly for the Victorian bathroom design.
Try some colourful, patterned floor tiles to give it the full Victorian feel and don’t be afraid to go wild with the colours.
Traditional Taps
If you’re adding a traditional freestanding bath, then a classic set of taps will make a great addition to it.
A ‘telephone’ tap will bring that touch of Victorian to your design in either brass or chrome.
Wall Panels
Wooden wall panels were a staple in many upper-class Victorian homes and they’re a great way of adding character to a suite. Save money and make them yourself with a few pieces of wood.
Victorian Bathroom Ideas
Now let’s have a look at a few of our favourite Victorian bathroom designs to give you some inspiration for your own home.
Black Freestanding Bath With Gold Taps
Image source: Richard Oxford
I love the overall design of this modern twist on a Victorian bathroom. First of all the theme of black running through it contrasts perfectly with the glossy white and subtle greens.
The pattern on the floor tiles is incredible and takes you right back to the late 19th century.
Finally the other touches of traditional furniture such as the wooden stand and the cast iron mantelpiece help finish the look on this marvellous bathroom.
Simple Grey Freestanding Bath With Ornate Legs
Image source: David Lisle
A brighter approach to the Victorian bathroom. This design is packed with lots of classic fittings such as the round top freestanding bath and classic taps, but keeps it simple in the colour scheme.
The soft greys throughout give it a modern sleek feel, with just a touch of classic to add some variation.
Round Top Bath With Golden Taps
Image source: Clare Marie
The traditional gold taps on a cast iron roll top bathtub with classic framed mirror is what sets this bathroom apart.
It’s simple but highly effective, with such a soft colouring for the walls, the bath and mirror really take centre stage in this Victorian style bathroom.
Vibrant Bathtub With Stone Mantelpiece
Image source: Russell Taylor Architects
There’s a lot going on in this bathroom design and I absolutely love everything about it! The real eye catcher is the yellow freestanding bath with traditional chrome taps in the middle. You can’t help but be drawn to it with such a pop of colour.
The rest of the room is very grand and whenever you can get an old fireplace in a bathroom, it’s sure to have a Victorian feel to it.
Wooden flooring is classic and really adds to the whole grandeur of this magnificent bathroom.
Simple Black And White Flooring
Image source: JWT Associates
This design is clean and precise with the white and back tones running throughout. The beauty of this design is that you can feel free to add any small spurts of colour such as the purple flowers to really elevate this room.
The flooring has black hexagon tiles which you can go wild with in designing a floor that suits your style, adding different patterns as you wish.
The toilet is beautifully traditional and the sink is just what you’d expect from a Victorian bathroom.
Classic Console Basin With Elaborate Flooring
Image source: Stephen Fletcher Architects
Another great example of the classic Victorian basin, with a ceramic pan on top of a chrome console frame.
The flooring tiles jump out at you instantly and although they won’t be to everyone’s taste, they certainly will help give it a Victorian feel with bold colours and patterns.
Beige Porcelain Bathroom Suite
Image source: Margot Hartford Photography
A matching bathroom suite with basin, toilet and bidet gives this design a very Victorian style. All in the classic porcelain fittings that give this bathroom such a classic look.
The flooring in this design is delicate and almost blends into the glossy porcelain fittings, whilst the tiles all match up with a beige theme.
A much more subtle design, this Victorian bathroom suite has lots of great elements you can add to your home.
Copper Pipework Toilet And Basin
Image source: Andre Rothblatt Architecture
This copper pipework is amazing and deserves some recognition for style and uniqueness.
With the toilet cistern mounted high up on the wall like a lot of the classic Victorian toilets, it really turns into a feature piece in the bathroom.
The dark patterned wallpaper and small dark tiles helps to finish off this room into quite a quirky style of bathroom. This kind of design is rather busy so make sure not to overdo it in other areas of the suite.
I love this look but it’s certainly one which won’t be to everyone’s taste.
Traditional Wooden Wash Basin
Image source: Toronto Interior Design Group
Antique Victorian furniture is one of the easiest ways of getting a sprinkle of classic design into your bathroom.
This old wooden dressing table fits perfectly into a bathroom design and works wonderfully with a marble top and basin.
It’s a really stylish and cost-effective method of incorporating Victorian features into your suite.
Mirror Bath With Blue Patterned Tiles
Image source: Drummonds Bathrooms
I’m obsessed with these flooring tiles, the pattern is incredible and the range of colour is mesmerising.
The stainless steel freestanding bath adds to the effect and helps lift the pattern from the floor, bringing the tile designs onto the side of the tub.
This bathroom also includes a truly impressive mirror display. Not necessarily of Victorian era, however the large mirror helps to bring out all the other classical elements in this design.
Yellow Wood Panels With Classic Rug
Image source: Virtual Studio Innovations
A simple colour scheme makes this a great look for the more reserved homes. The soft yellow paint, coupled with extraordinary wall panelling throughout make this a really beautiful bathroom.
The traditional wooden flooring is styled with a classic worn rug for that Victorian effect which helps break up the yellow.
Anywhere you can add a touch of wooden panelling is a perfect look to match the Victorian style.
Freestanding Tin Bath With Patterned Windows
Image source: JPM Construction
Going proper old school with the tin bath tub in this design, but mixed with a modern round top. I love the details on the windows with gold edging to finish it off in this design, with lots of subtle elements.
This freestanding bath has a separate tap unit down one end which is very traditional and the extra finer things like the light fixtures make this a stunning bathroom fit.
Final Thoughts
Plenty of wonderful designs there to take inspiration from for your new bathroom.
The real thing is combining the classic looks of a freestanding bath or wood panels with modern pieces of interior design to create a perfect Victorian bathroom style.
Find a look you like and try to incorporate a few of the elements into your own space.
