Lighting Ideas for Victorian Homes
- Posted on
- By Sally Edwards
Lighting Ideas for Victorian Homes
by Sally Edwards, Studio Co-ordinator
Victorian homes have an architectural generosity that many modern properties simply can't match — high ceilings, tall sash windows, ornate cornicing and ceiling roses that deserve to be showcased to their best advantage. Lighting is one of the most powerful ways to anchor a room within its Victorian roots and showcase that wonderful architectural character.
One of the defining features of a true Victorian property is ceiling height. Where a modern new build typically sits at around 2.4 metres, a Victorian room — particularly on the ground floor — will often soar to up to 3.3 metres. This matters enormously for lighting, because a fitting that might feel overwhelming in a lower-ceilinged room can, in a Victorian space, come into its own entirely.
If you are lucky enough to have these gorgeous room proportions, then think bigger, hang lower, and choose something with genuine presence!
The Lightbox Edit - Our Lighting Ideas for Victorian Homes
For Victorian living rooms and dining rooms, the Morgan Large Ribbed Glass Chandelier in Antique Brass is a wonderful choice. This stunning double-tier 8-light pendant combines antique brass plated metalwork with clear ribbed glass panel shades that diffuse a warm, characterful glow across the room. At 70cm in diameter with an adjustable chain drop of up to 189cm, it has the scale and the grace to fill a Victorian ceiling rose beautifully. The antique brass finish ties it naturally to the period without resorting to reproduction styling — a piece of genuine quality that complements and elevates the character of the room rather than imitating it.
For rooms where you want something equally at home in a period setting but a little softer in approach, the Laura Ashley Durford range is a must-have. It pairs matt antique brass with crisp white ceramic shares for a look that is warm, classic and elegant all at once. Co-ordinated refinement and harmony can be created by using a combination of the 3 light semi-flush, 5 light semi-flush, single pendant, large pendant and bar pendant throughout your home.
And for sitting rooms, bedrooms or hallways where a touch more glamour and decorative detail feels right, the Laura Ashley Fernhurst Collection in Crystal and Antique Brass is ideal for adding gentle sparkle and graceful elegance. The stunning crystal rods and pieces of these delicate fittings catch the light beautifully, whilst the cohesiveness of the collection makes pairing wall lights and ceiling lights completely effortless.
Designer's Tip — Making the Most of Victorian Ceiling Height
Jack Inston, our in-house Lighting Designer with 13 years' experience in luxury residential lighting design, shares his professional recommendations for making the most of your Victorian ceiling height:
"In a room with 2.8m or more of ceiling height, your starting point is to choose a correctly scaled feature ceiling light. Hang it so that the bottom of the fitting comes down to between 2.3 - 2.5m in order to visually draw the ceiling downwards and make the fitting feel anchored within the room.However, never rely solely on a ceiling light, no matter how large or ornate. A Victorian setting requires lighting to be layered. Your next step is to add in wall lights to complement your feature ceiling light and soften the room. If wall lights are not an option, floor lamps are an excellent alternative, as they add in further light sources at different heights within the space.We would strongly recommend bringing in table lamps, as a pair on a console table (perhaps either side of a beautiful sculpture or floral arrangement) and also on side tables, next to settees and reading chairs.Finally, consider placing hidden uplighters behind indoor plants and your television - these will wash light upwards towards those beautiful Victorian cornices and architectural features."
Shop Our Victorian Ceiling Light Collection
Whether you're furnishing a newly bought Victorian terrace or refreshing a room you've lived in for years, the right ceiling light can transform the whole feel of your space. Take a browse through the full Lightbox ceiling lights collection to explore our complete range of period-friendly and classically inspired fittings — from antique brass chandeliers to ribbed glass pendants — all chosen with homes like yours in mind.
