The Classic English Comeback: 7 Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Year
These Victorian-era elements have never been chicer.
Old-world trends have a way of resurfacing over time, and 2026 seems to be the year we return to Victorian English design features. Largely driven by the popularity of the “more is more” maximalism ethos, in which the Victorian era shares numerous similarities (namely richness, texture, and detail), this revival celebrates opulent and extravagant decoration—with a contemporary twist. The trick is to avoid museum-like banality to create a lived-in look full of color and character—minus the fuss, formality, and dust. Here are seven of our favorite Victorian design statements making a comeback.
Elegant Fringing
Once a style statement of Victorian parlor rooms, fringing brings lavish refinement to lighting, upholstery, and cushions.
Modern makers such as Derbyshire-based Beauvamp craft elegant hand-stitched fabric lampshades combining a trio of favored Victorian materials—fringing, trimmings, and silk.
Hang as pendants in a bedroom or combine with a brass floor or wooden table lamp in a living room for a luxe bohemian vibe.
Rich Color Palettes
Think deep and dramatic hues of burgundy, bottle green, maroon, indigo, and chestnut brown used to saturate walls and woodwork.
To modernize, contrast with hints of stone or off-white to offer light relief in a predominantly warm scheme.
Decorative Molding
Decorative moldings—cornices, beading trim, picture and dado rails, ceiling roses, and panel molding—are back in vogue and not only in period homes.
They offer instant architectural character and decorative elegance to flat 'builder-basic' walls. Used sparingly, a decorative cornice will appear smart and sophisticated rather than excessively fussy.
Choose a dentil cornice for a clean, contemporary style or an egg and dart mold for pared-back ornate detailing.
RELATED: The Small Design Details That Make a Room Look High-End
Bed Curtains and Four-Poster Beds
Plush velvet, wool and thick tapestry bed curtains were a necessity of Victorian life to trap precious warmth in chilly bedrooms at night.
For a lighter touch in the warmer months, look to cotton and linen in a pretty print to enhance the room's scheme.
Here, the fluttering doves on Sanderson's Paper Dove fabric give movement to a quiet and still space.
Choose a reversible fabric or double over a length to make a double-sided curtain tab-top tied to a four-poster bed or use slimline curtain rings for smooth sliding.
Paisley and Damask Wallpaper
Damask and jacquard wallpapers take inspiration from their woven fabrics (of the same names) of intricate repeat structured patterns of florals and leaves. Paisley patterns, like the one seen in this entryway from designer Kendall Rabun, were similarly popular during the Victorian era. These days, we’re seeing renewed interest in these gothic prints.
Morris & Co. has been hugely influential in their revival—with reworked collections and modern-day color overhauls in collaboration with interior designer Ben Pentreath. They've retained the timeless charm but feel far from dated. Stick to matte papers, avoiding flamboyant flock, gilt or textured finishes.
Tiled Stove Nooks and Fireplaces
From tables overloaded with ornaments to oversized decorative rugs, this was the era of covering every surface.
Used as a way to express style and wealth, Victorian fireplaces (the centerpiece of the home) were exquisitely tiled in striking geometrics, fanciful birds and flowers.
While mostly kept to the fire surround, our approach to feature fireplaces has spread even further to the interior, the hearth and occasionally extending vertically up to the wall above. These days, the same fanciful tiles can be found in kitchens as well.
RELATED: What Is a Stove Cove, Exactly?
Stained Glass Windows
A treasured find in period-specific homes, original stained glass is in demand with a rising appreciation of skilled craftsmanship.
While often found in entrance halls as panes and sidelights at front doors, they can work just as well to bring colorful decoration and privacy to bathrooms and kitchens. Or, try something new by using stained glass for cupboard fronts.
It's thanks to William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones who were prevalent in the Victorian modernization of stained glass, making it decorative for the home.
Alaina is the Style & Interiors Editor at Country Living (previously Home & Crafts Editor). Her creative eye stretches over decorating, style shoots, seasonal inspiration and craft, as well as event styling and licensing creatives. She has a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design and started her 17 year career at Hearst on House Beautiful before discovering a love for nature, the country home and bird watching. Alaina also works on Modern Rustic where she champions talented makers, and Vintage Home. Alaina has held several craft workshops and talks and styled a Country Living with Raymond Blanc's at Le Manoir.
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