Victorian furniture, influenced by the Queen Victoria’s aesthetic, is a staple of any chic home, with a design that cannot be defined by one style. Instead this unique furniture style encompasses Gothic, Renaissance, and Rococo with intricate carvings, dark-wood, velvet, detailed needle-work, floral and romanic images. Produced between 1837-1901, this furniture became the first to be machine-made rather than completely hand-made and also the first time for furniture to have coiled springs. This made it widely accessible to many audiences and allowed it to encompass as many genres like chairs, couches, tables, beds, case goods, etc. Victorian furniture continues to reign in furniture, whether it is actually antique, influenced by antiques, or redesigned.

Queen Victoria

I personally love Victorian furniture and collect a variety of furniture pieces. The best places to look for these pieces are antique stores, second- hand stores, garage sales, and flea markets. The best prices are usually when the seller doesn’t know much about what they’r selling and I find the most deals at flea markets and used furniture stores. Usually they just want to get rid of it! For example, one day I went to the flea market and bought a Victorian tapestry for five dollars that is worth 500!

Now let’s look at some chairs that are from this period of beauty so you know what to look for. There are so many different styles that it can be hard to understand if it fits the Victorian-time period. Let me know which is your favorite!

Gothic Style                                                                                  

Echoes the styles of cathedrals, churches, castles and homes of nobles. Usually made with rosewood, walnut or oak with dark colors.

Rococo Style

Accompanied by continuous undulating curves with ornaments in metal. It tries to aim for whimsical interpretations of classical designs.

Renaissance Style

Has exuberant floral decorations with curving legs, sometimes made of marble. The woods of these pieces are usually rosewood, mahogany, and walnut.