5 Ways to Bring That Quintessential British Style to Your Home
Looking for some inspiration for your home’s décor? You don’t need to look much further than the quintessential British style that has made this country famous.
The UK is a real melting pot of design, where sophisticated traditional interiors meet those with a more relaxed, modern appearance. This unique blend celebrates a rich history, while still looking forward to newer, more eclectic trends. With just a few simple choices, you can incorporate Victorian interior design in your own home. Below, we’ve included five of the best ways that you can capture the best of British design.
With just a few simple choices, you can add some of this distinctive style to your own home. Below, we’ve included five of the best ways that you can capture the best of British design.
1. Preserve your period features
The UK is not short of homes with history. The Victorian housing boom saw millions of homes built that have stood the test of time, and there are Georgian and Edwardian properties that are still in great condition. Many of these buildings have period features, such as bay windows, fireplaces, and large cupboards, that are now sought-after in their original form.
If you are thinking of decorating or renovating your home, you should look to preserve these features as best you can. Not only are they highly desirable, but they can play a key role in maintaining that classic British style in your home. You can add a comfy chair to a bay window or make a fireplace the focus of your room to accentuate them and give them even greater value too. Should you own a period home that has lost its features, it is possible to restore them — read this guide from Homes & Antiques to find out what’s worth your attention and how to do it.
2. Invest in quality traditional furniture
One of the hallmarks of a quintessential British home is the presence of quality furniture. The UK has a history of producing traditional pieces, such as chairs, cabinets, and tables, that featured in upper- and middle-class homes in the Victorian and early-twentieth century. These days, these items are not reserved exclusively for the wealthy, and it’s possible to incorporate them into your home at affordable prices without sacrificing excellence.
To capture that real British style, go for furniture that has a more refined, classic look. If you have more of a modern décor, don’t worry — many of these pieces look great in both traditional and contemporary designs. A great example of this is the Chesterfield sofa, which has a heritage that is hundreds of years old, but is still versatile enough to work with almost any home interior. Take a look at the Chesterfield sofas from Timeless Chesterfields, which are still handmade with techniques passed down by generations of craftspeople, resulting in elegant looks and sumptuous comfort.
3. Add some vivid colours
British décor is never afraid to include a splash of vivid colour to brighten up a more neutral colour scheme — this could be a symptom of the usually grey skies outside. You can incorporate distinctive shades into your home in a number of ways, ranging from painting or wallpapering a striking feature wall, to covering your floor in a bold but beautiful rug. If you’re having some trouble picking a colour scheme that’s right for you, have a read of our guide to finding the perfect colour palette for your home for some inspiration.
4. Display some books and art for a spot of culture
A stylish home in the UK isn’t complete without a spot of culture, and this usually comes in the form of a display of books or art. Not only do they add some personality to a room, but they also act as a conversation piece for any guests that you might be entertaining.
A fully-stocked bookshelf and paintings hung on the walls have been fixtures of British interior design for centuries, harking back to the days of when lords and ladies were the only people who could afford them. However, you don’t need to have shelves full of leather-bound tomes or original artworks to get this look. Simply displaying some of your favourite novels or purchasing a print from an artist you love is more than enough to add some culture to your home.
5. Embrace a multicultural style
Modern Britain is a multicultural country, and homeowners often take inspiration from other shores and make them their own. If you have fallen in love with a particular style that you’ve seen on a trip away or you want to include some pieces that celebrate your family’s foreign heritage, don’t think twice about incorporating them. One of the major strengths of British décor is the flexibility to have almost anything, from Japanese minimalism to Mediterranean pottery, featured seamlessly alongside more traditional pieces. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
There you have it: five ways that you can work quintessential British design into your own home. Take these points on board and you can create an interior that you really love.