The Victorian kitchen is probably the most recognizable of all the styles of kitchen today. What was the Victorian kitchen? The Victorian kitchen came from even more humble beginnings, which, in the middle ages, were very similar to our own. People made do with what they had on their own estates in the countryside, but it was no less than an amazing feat to produce the kind of results that we now see in a Victorian home. And why should you get into a Victorian style kitchen today? Here are some great benefits of doing so.
The Beauty of a Victorian Kitchen
No longer would you be stuck in the dull old traditional styles of the past. In the Victorian kitchens of yesteryear, the only real option was to use whatever you could find, which may have often been woefully insufficient. So, what was the best option then? The options in Victorian kitchens were quite vast, including everything from a simple one-burner stove to a huge, complex range cooker.
The most common items in a Victorian kitchen of this era were, of course, the cabinet of the cabinet. This was often nothing more than a glorified laundry basket, yet it was important enough to be made of solid wood, usually the oak of the period. It was also highly important to use the best quality cabinets, as they would generally last for many years.
The next thing to come to common in Victorian kitchens were the chairs. This is something that has remained true to this day, although we tend to take them for granted. A good quality set of chairs would always have a good and solid back support, as well as a good patterned seat. Of course, as time went by, the chairs became less about color and decoration, and more about being sturdy and comfortable. This is why today we tend to leave wooden chairs to the dining room, opting instead for a vinyl-style chair with cloth upholstery.
Choosing the Right Furniture for a Victorian Kitchen
Next on the agenda of the Victorian kitchen was the dining table, which was designed to be the center of focus, with the work surface being relegated to storage or a sideboard. This was, after all, the heart of the home. The dining table was generally placed around the middle of the room, so the work surface was never in danger of being damaged by heavy pots and pans, although they were not avoided either.
Next, there was the dining set topped with a white cabinetry type of tray ceiling. This tray ceiling is what would be visible above the food preparation surfaces, and the most popular choice was a tumbled or distressed look. It was vitally important to have this look, as it was much safer than the more elaborate gold and silver cabinetry looks of the time. In short, it was all about functionality.
The Best Elements For A Victorian Kitchen
The next element of the Victorian kitchen was heavy, dark woods. This included the cabinets, which were often walnut or oak with paneling. The walls would often be lined with these woods, with a light on top of the cabinetry type of wallpaper on the lower portion of the walls. The ceiling would be a clear glass panel, with painted white walls. There would be very few if any windows in the Victorian-era kitchen, which explains the lack of lighting.
Finally, when talking about the flooring of the kitchen, you would be looking at laminates or hardwood, and most likely, slate. These surfaces were extremely smooth, and you could even install wood flooring. You would never have the now common problem of water stains on wood floors, as these floors were actually waterproofed. Also, another very popular component of the Victorian kitchen was the use of ceramic tile. Most often found in the backsplash of the kitchen, ceramic tile was also used in the walls, along with plaster.
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