How to create a modern Victorian living room
Victorian décor is one of the most elegant design styles, but it can be difficult to get right. While a Victorian living room thrives on ornate details, the last thing you want is for your interior to feel ‘old-fashioned’.
That’s why we recommend a modern Victorian living room. By subtly incorporating jewel tones, thoughtfully zoning your space, and choosing structured furniture, you can transform your lounge into a grand, Victorian-style retreat.
For Julia Bilotta, Creative Stylist at Sofology, a modern Victorian living room “focuses on translating Victorian décor for modern life. Victorian interiors were expressive and rich in detail, and those qualities still work beautifully in modern interiors.” But how do you achieve it? Julia suggests that by “balancing luxurious textures with lighter palettes, your space will effortlessly embody Victorian grandeur.”
From choosing your perfect Victorian sofa, to opening up the space with soft lighting, here are six practical Victorian living room ideas to help you make the most of your space.
1. Start with a calm, neutral base
The foundation of a contemporary modern Victorian living room is a neutral base that allows furniture and styling to take centre stage. Soft whites, warm greys, or subtle stone tones enhance the sense of space - a defining feature of Victorian interior design. These lighter hues also instantly create a calm ambience in your space.
Keeping walls understated also ensures your space harmonises beautifully with the rest of your Victorian living room design. For example, a plain backdrop allows Victorian-inspired accessories or furniture to truly shine. This approach keeps the space from feeling overly traditional and ensures your walls complement your furniture.
2. Choose a Victorian sofa that sets the tone
The sofa is the anchor of any Victorian living room and is often the most effective way to introduce this heritage style.
Traditional shapes work beautifully when paired with updated finishes and colours. For example, a Chesterfield sofa, with its button detailing and rolled arms, fits seamlessly in a modern Victorian living room, especially when upholstered in bolder shades such as deep green or navy blue. For a softer look, a curved sofa in a velvet finish adds comfort and warmth to your space.
If you’re drawn to a Victorian living room but don’t want your space to look old fashioned, we recommend choosing a structured sofa with clean lines in a warm neutral, such as a soft cream sofa. The tailored shape is a nod to the elegance of the era, while the light colour keeps the look fresh, making it ideal for a modern Victorian living room.
“Victorian-inspired sofas naturally bring grandiosity to a room, which makes them ideal as a focal point. However, in modern interiors, it’s important that they also offer everyday comfort. We recommend choosing supportive cushions, durable fabrics and proportions that suit your layout, as this ensures the sofa is functional, without forcing you to compromise on style.” – Medina Adam, Buyer at Sofology
3. Layer colour subtly through upholstery and textiles
If there’s one thing that defined the Victorian interiors, it was their love for rich jewel hues. Yet, we recommend introducing these bolder tones more subtly with smaller pieces, at least to begin with. Instead of saturating the room, focus on layering colour statements through upholstery, cushions, and throws.
For example, you could choose a vibrant, accent piece that draws the eye without overwhelming your colour scheme. A velvet armchair in a jewel tone, such as a ruby red accent chair, will bring that regal touch to your modern Victorian living room.
We also love the look of layered patterned cushions, paired with a statement rug in complementary jewel tones. Opt for deep emeralds, brilliant sapphires, or calming amethysts. Even smaller touches, like a velvet throw or a colourful upholstered footstool, allow the room to feel bright and luxurious.
“Rich colour has always been central to Victorian interiors, but in a modern home it works best when introduced with intention. Layering colour through upholstery and textiles allows you to build depth gradually, helping the space feel warm and expressive without overwhelming the overall scheme.” – Laurenne Bailey, Senior Buyer at Sofology
4. Balance traditional influence with modern furniture
A modern Victorian living room thrives on contrast. Mixing traditional influences with modern furniture ensures your space feels lived-in, rather than resembling the set of a period film.
One easy way to do this is by pairing furniture. For example, a Victorian-inspired sofa will harmonise beautifully with a sleek, modern coffee table in glass, marble, or metal. We recommend choosing slim-legged or sculptural designs that keep the space open, especially in smaller living rooms. Accessories and smaller furniture pieces can also reinforce this balance. Mix a Victorian-style accent chair with a minimal shelving unit or modern console table.
Finally, think about proportion and placement. If you’ve chosen a large, ornate sofa, we recommend balancing it with lighter, modern chairs or benches. Conversely, a simple modern white sofa can be paired with a more detailed side table or antique mirror, ensuring Victorian elements are peppered evenly throughout your space.
5. Use lighting to create a warm atmosphere
Lighting is essential in shaping the mood of a Victorian living room. Start with a central pendant or chandelier that acts as a nod to tradition. When selecting fixtures, consider materials and finishes that harmonise with Victorian interior design. For example, brass, antique gold, or crystal accents can be particularly complementary to Victorian décor. You could balance them with simpler shapes to keep the look contemporary.
Warm lighting placed at different heights will further highlight your unique Victorian living room design. For example, a table lamp beside a velvet armchair can draw attention to its rich fabric, or a tall floor lamp perched behind a sofa can provide soft illumination for reading or relaxing.
6. Create zones for comfortable everyday living
Victorian living spaces were traditionally enclosed and compartmentalised, with rooms designed for specific functions. So, to curate an authentic Victorian living room, we recommend zoning your space, by creating smaller areas within your lounge.
A simple way to define zones is with rugs. For example, a plush rug layered over your flooring can anchor the main seating area. Pair this with a generously-sized sofa upholstered in durable fabrics, such as one of our lifestyle fabric sofas, to create a practical, welcoming space that acts as a natural gathering point.
Elsewhere in the room, you could create a dedicated reading nook with a loveseat and a well-placed lamp, offering a more cosy zone for relaxation and unwinding. Whatever your taste, enhance the feeling of separation between each zone by using side tables, screens, or carefully positioned lighting to subtly define each area without closing the space off.
“While Victorian homes were often structured around defined rooms, modern lifestyles benefit from flexibility within those spaces. Creating zones within a living room allows you to honour the sense of order found in Victorian interiors, while adapting it for how we live today. These smaller areas make the room feel more personal to you.” – Laurenne Bailey, Senior Buyer at Sofology
With thoughtful lighting and striking patterns, your large living room can feel beautifully open and impressive, rather than overwhelming. Browse our sofa collection to discover the perfect centrepiece and start shaping your lounge.