The Victorian era (1837 to 1901) was a great period for plumbing. In the 1860s and 70s, the supply of mains water to towns and villages became more widespread. Gradually, new houses started to include ‘indoor bathrooms’ as part of the plan. In older houses, existing rooms began to be repurposed for the new sanitary ware.
Although running water began to be more the norm, hot water still had to be heated separated and laboriously carried upstairs when a bath was required – fine if you had lots of servants to do it for you! To combat this, an early invention was gas or solid fuel heaters attached to the bath. Next came geysers, where the water was heated by gas and stored in a tank.
Early Victorian baths had no plumbing, and had to be emptied by hand. They were really just very large bowls, and sat directly on the ground. As designs evolved, the installation of drainage pipes meant that the bath had to be raised up to allow for the drainage outlet, and it normally stood on feet decorated with balls or claws.
Victoria green field tile, Hyperion Tiles. Discover the allure of a classic era with these exquisite green tiles, a timeless choice inspired by Victorian elegance. £74.14/m2, available from Hyperion Tiles.
Victorian style bathrooms are back in vogue, but the good news is that they combine the opulence and grandeur of the 19th century with modern convenience. If you’d like to get the look in your bathroom, here’s how.
1. Clawfoot bathtubs
Dominating the room is the traditional clawfoot bathtub. If you’re going the whole hog, you could look for an original cast iron bath and have it re-enameled. This is likely to be expensive, though, and cast iron takes a long time to heat up when you first get in! Cast iron baths are also extremely heavy, so make sure your floor can cope. Modern copies are generally more affordable. Look for a model with ornate feet – these are sometimes painted gold, silver, or black for added wow factor. soaks.
2. Traditional-style loos and sinks
Burlington Victorian basin and pedestal, Sanctuary Bathrooms. Part of the Burlington collection, this period-style sink will add a classic touch to any bathroom. £198, available from Sanctuary Bathrooms.
Victorian-style loos are distinctive for their cisterns, which are mounted on the wall high above the loo itself. There’s often a hanging chain to operate the flush handle. Originally, this was so that the water was under sufficient pressure to perform the flush. This style of loo is available but might need some tracking down – remember you’ll also need sufficient ceiling height to install it. Traditional sinks should be pedestal-style or console-style with metal legs.
3. Decorative tiles and paneling
Equally important in capturing the look are the wall and floor treatments. Floors were either bare boards or covered with mosaic tiles (or linoleum!), and walls with brick-shaped subway tiles, often with a coloured glaze. Painted or stained wood paneling was also popular on the walls, and helped to insulate the room.
4. Lighting
To be authentic, lighting should be from wall scones rather than overhead. From a modern perspective, you might like to add some downlighters recessed into the ceiling, where they’ll be discreet but practical.
5. Colours
Colours should be muted and soft, so think sage or olive green, powder blues and cream.
Melville mix patterned tile, Porcelain Superstore. Inspired by the intricate patterns of the Victorian era, these patterned tiles (above and main image) feature soft green, blue and brown colouring. £56.69/m2, available from Porcelain Superstore.
6. Getting the details right
Once you’ve got the main design in place, style the room for authenticity. Add an ornate mirror above the sink, use glass or ceramic jars for storage and dress the walls with botanical prints.
Victorian-style bathrooms are all about luxury, and the result should be a timeless, relaxing haven where you can step out of the modern world – if only for an hour.
