5 Victorian fireplace ideas
The Victorian Era lasted 64 years, from 1837 to 1901. Queen Victoria was the second-longest reigning monarch in UK history, and the fireplace styles of her era were influenced by a move away from elaborate Georgian designs.
During the Georgian period (1714 to 1837), homeowners enjoyed a country-wide rise in wealth. As everyone had more money, there was more to spend on home improvements!
Georgian fireplaces were often the centrepiece of a room, grand, stately and decorated with ornate designs. Such was the influence of the Georgian era that Victoria fireplace design can be split into two periods.
What are Victorian fires?
There are Early Victorian fires, those designs that retain some of the Georgian influence (intricate carvings), and Late Victorian fires, which moved towards geometric, simple designs and Edwardian influences.
Our top 7 Victorian fireplace ideas are perfect for homeowners who want to incorporate this Gothic mood into their homes. Look for features like cast-iron construction and decorative surrounds with Fires2u!
1. Cast-iron
At first, the widespread use of cast-iron in Victorian fireplaces was a matter of practicality over preference.
The Industrial Revolution (which took place between 1760 and 1900) made cast-iron more accessible, and it became an even bigger part of fireplace construction.
Used for bodies, inserts and grates, cast-iron remains one of the most reliable fireplace materials.
It has incredible heat retention, meaning that, when combined with today’s energy-efficient fireplace technology, your room will stay room even after the fire has subsided!
Take the Gallery Tregaron Combination Fireplace Suite, for example. It’s a great example of a modern cast iron Victorian fireplace idea that combines the mantel and insert.
Combine this decorative piece with a gas fire or a solid fuel kit, and you’ll have the ultimate Victorian fireplace.
2. Decorative tiles
While more a feature of Late Victorian fireplaces, decorative, floral tiles and inserts grew in popularity during the ‘Arts & Crafts’ movement (which spanned 1860 to 1910, across both the Victorian Era and the Edwardian Era, 1900 to 1910).
British designers were growing tired of low-quality, mass-produced goods. To bring more craftsmanship to the fireplace market, they shifted focus towards handcrafted beauty and nature-inspired motifs.
And it worked! One of our favourite Victorian fireplace ideas is bringing these stylised, botanical ideas into your set-up.
At Fires2u, we have products like the Gallery Edwardian Combination Fireplace Suite, available with 6 beautiful tile designs. Adorn your fire with sweeping red roses, yellow tulips and ivory.
3. Rectangles and arches
Architecturally, the Victorian era was all about geometric forms. Clean rectangles for simplicity and arched designs for a softer element.
The arch, often seen in cast iron inserts, was form and function combined: it looked good, and its curved shape facilitated better heat distribution by improving the draw of smoke up the chimney.
If you want Victorian fireplace ideas that focus on the period’s love of symmetry and order, shop for rectangular suites. We have plenty of electric fires that, while not strictly Victorian, combine the elements we love about period fires with modern tech!
Models like the Be Modern Bayden Classic Electric Fire, for example, have the sharp, simple construction emblematic of the Victorian era. Its rectangular design and chrome grate offer a brilliant twist on traditional styles.
4. Gothic features
When we say ‘gothic’, what exactly do we mean? Victorian fireplaces (and the era itself) are often described this way due to the ‘Gothic Revival’, which occurred around the 1840s.
Initially centred around architecture, the movement saw a widespread adoption of classically ‘gothic’ features, like the use of polished English limestone mantels in hues like grey, brown, and Belgian red.
These features were often combined with other materials, like cast-iron inserts and tiles.
Similar to the fine art detailing on the Gallery Tregaron Combination Fireplace Suite, it features all things we love about Victorian fires: a grand arch, clean, rectangular lines and Celtic scrollwork. It would be a true match for one of our gas fires!
5. French carvings and corbels
There were even some French influences in Victorian fireplaces. These elements, inspired by the grand styles of Louis XVI, are particularly obvious in the use of carved corbels and intricate mantel embellishments.
Corbels, often featuring scrolls, acanthus leaves, or floral motifs, were designed to support the mantel shelf while looking beautiful. The emphasis on nature and curved lines was a great counterpoint to the more rigid styles of Early Victorian fires.
Shop for Victorian fireplaces with Fires2u!
If you have a period home or are looking to our Victorian fireplace ideas for inspiration, we hope we’ve cleared up more about the era’s main design features. It’s all about cast iron, natural carvings, arches and clean lines!
Luckily, we combine the best of traditional designs with modern technology. At Fires2U, we stock leading brands like The Gallery Collection, Be Modern and Verine, all with some of our favourite Victorian features.
