10 Victorian Kitchen Features for Modern Life
Keep the practicality and beauty of a traditional kitchen while enjoying modern amenities and style
The biggest changes in Victorian houses have occurred in the kitchen, making it virtually impossible to create an authentic replica without compromising on modern comforts. The modern stovetop has replaced the wood-burning stove, the fridge has replaced the larder and the dishwasher has replaced the scullery. But this doesn't mean we can't modernize a kitchen while retaining some of the Victorian influences.
Austere and functional, the Victorian kitchen looked much different than the rest of the home. Homeowners wasted little expense on architectural features in this room. Now, this aesthetic can lend itself to a clean and contemporary makeover, or you can work on introducing similar moldings and finishes to the rest of your Victorian home to give it a more traditional feel — authentic or not.
Austere and functional, the Victorian kitchen looked much different than the rest of the home. Homeowners wasted little expense on architectural features in this room. Now, this aesthetic can lend itself to a clean and contemporary makeover, or you can work on introducing similar moldings and finishes to the rest of your Victorian home to give it a more traditional feel — authentic or not.
The range. Traditionally the biggest feature in a Victorian kitchen, the range usually sat within the chimney breast. If you have the room, a woodstove will make your Victorian kitchen cozy and atmospheric. Set it next to your dining table for mealtime warmth and add some cast iron or copper pots and pans for authenticity.
The chimney. It makes the ideal — and traditional — home for your range and oven. You can find modern ranges available in a huge array of colors today. For me, this kitchen strikes the perfect note for an austere Victorian kitchen brought up to date, thanks to the introduction of the red Aga.
The dresser. Apart from the range and oven, the dresser would be the only other piece of fitted furniture in a Victorian kitchen. There were no upper, eye-level cupboards. Open shelving, much as in a modern professional kitchen, made for efficient access to everyday items. Good original dressers can be pricey and hard to come by, but if you find one you love it will be a lifetime purchase. Keep in mind that you can strip and repaint it to go with any traditional kitchen colors.
The kitchen table. The essential kitchen table completed the Victorian kitchen. Instead of being a place to eat, it sat in the center of the room as the main work area. It isn't too surprising that work islands are so popular today — the ease of working in the center of a room and retrieving items stored around the edges comes from Victorian homes. Choose a contrasting color to the wall units to break up uniformity and make the table stand out as the work area.
Wall finishes. In a Victorian kitchen, wall finishes needed to be durable. This painted tongue and groove in this kitchen feels authentic, and the tiles create a practical backsplash (sometimes called a splashback in the U.K.) to the traditional butler sink.
The layout. Reminiscent of a Victorian kitchen, this kitchen has a central workspace, plain cupboards at the base level and open upper shelving. Functional, efficient and designed for a busy cook, the modern space still feels Victorian. Traditional moldings around the window and the painted wooden backsplashes and units all give it Victorian style.
Tiles. The Victorians did use tiles in their kitchens, as backsplashes and elsewhere. However, finding a complete set of these authentic tiles is difficult today. Try subway tiles for a contemporary look with a traditional twist, as they echo the plain functionality of the Victorian kitchen. For a quirkier vintage look, searching salvage stores for mismatched but same-size tiles to design a feature behind the stove.
The sink. Traditionally, the sink and prep area were located in the scullery. Most sculleries have either been lost in favor of open-plan living or converted into utility rooms. Either way, the sink usually had an open plate rack above it.
I love how this kitchen blends an old butler-style sink, tiles and plate rack with cupboards painted in a modern black. The chandelier would've been a bad idea in a practical Victorian kitchen, although I don't disagree with adding a touch of glamour in a kitchen today.
I love how this kitchen blends an old butler-style sink, tiles and plate rack with cupboards painted in a modern black. The chandelier would've been a bad idea in a practical Victorian kitchen, although I don't disagree with adding a touch of glamour in a kitchen today.
Lighting. Victorian kitchens and modern kitchens both prioritize good lighting, although lighting may have been more important in Victorian homes, since most kitchens sat in the basement. The task lighting would have been simple and practical and located over the central worktable. The lights here are a nod to that practicality — the "rise and fall" feature means they can be adjusted for the kitchen island's dual purpose.
Finishing touches. If you have taken the traditional-style route, make sure you carry it through. There are some excellent reproduction taps and fittings. And remember, just because you have chosen a Victorian kitchen doesn't mean you can't use modern appliances. Simply hide them away or invest in the huge array of retro styles available.
More: Back to the Future of the House
More: Back to the Future of the House