Interior Design for Edwardian Homes: Period Home Design Guide

The beautiful thing about Edwardian interior design is that it offers a unique blend of elegance, simplicity, and functionality that can easily be incorporated into modern homes. Its lighter, airier aesthetic departs from the heavy and ornate Victorian style that we covered in our blog recently – instead, it embraces natural light, pastel colours, and a mix of decorative influences. Whether you’re restoring an old Edwardian home or looking to implement the style’s charm into a contemporary space, this guide provides practical tips on how to implement Edwardian design elements in a modern setting.

Key Elements of Edwardian Design

Before diving into each specific room, it’s important to understand the key characteristics that define Edwardian design so that we can replicate it in a way that’s truly reflective of the style:

• Natural Light: Maximising natural light is central to Edwardian interior design. Large bay or sash windows are typical features, but you can mimic these by using light and airey window treatments such as voile curtains. Voile curtains come in a huge range of sheer designs. These can be purchased from many retailers or of course from us at Tracey Mannell Interiors.
• Soft Colour Palettes: Light, pastel colours like soft greens, creams, and blues are common in Edwardian homes. Use these on your walls and in your decor to create a fresh and welcoming atmosphere.
• Eclectic Influences: Edwardian interiors embrace an eclectic mix of styles, from the clean lines of the Arts and Crafts movement to the organic shapes of Art Nouveau. The key is blending these styles thoughtfully rather than overwhelming the space.
• Quality over Quantity: The Edwardian era moved away from the cluttered Victorian style. Opt for fewer, well-made pieces rather than over-filling a space.

Now that we’ve highlighted the basics, let’s explore how you can implement Edwardian interior design room by room.

The Living Room: Mixing Old with New

The living room in Edwardian homes was a space for relaxation and socialising. While original Edwardian rooms often featured heavy furniture, today you can recreate the charm with a more balanced approach.

How to Create the Look:

• Maximise Light: If your living room lacks large windows, use light-coloured paint/Edwardian style wallpaper to reflect light and give the illusion of a larger, airier space. Light blues, creams, and soft greens are ideal. Add mirrors to help bounce light around the room.
• Furniture Choices: Incorporate a mix of antique and modern pieces to achieve the timeless Edwardian feel. Look for furniture with clean lines, such as solid wood pieces influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement. Avoid overly ornate Victorian-style furniture.
• Feature Fireplace: An Edwardian living room often featured a fireplace. If your home doesn’t have one, a decorative mantelpiece with tiled surrounds can serve as a focal point. For a modern twist, choose minimalist designs with subtle patterns in an Edwardian style.
• Decor: Opt for light fabrics such as lace, muslin, or linen for curtains and upholstery. Add a few decorative items with Art Nouveau details, like vases or mirrors with flowing, organic shapes.

The Dining Room: Traditional Edwardian Features with a Modern Edge

Edwardian dining rooms often balanced formality with comfort. Mahogany and oak furniture were common, but you can swap these out for a more contemporary look.

How to Create the Look:

• Contrast with Light Walls: Pair dark wood dining tables and chairs with light-coloured walls to create the characteristic Edwardian contrast. Choose colours like soft cream or pastel green.
• Arts and Crafts Influence: Keep your dining room simple yet elegant. Choose a solid, handcrafted dining table with minimal ornamentation, echoing the Arts and Crafts movement’s emphasis on craftsmanship.
• Statement Lighting: Introduce chandeliers or pendant lights with Art Nouveau influences. Look for designs featuring floral motifs or curved lines in brass or copper finishes.
• Mix of Materials: Edwardian interiors often featured various materials. Incorporate elements like stained glass or leaded windows if possible. If your home lacks these original features, you can add modern reproductions as window decor or light fixtures. It’s important to work with what you have, so make sure to enhance and highlight any original features that you do have. For design advice on how to achieve this, please get in touch. I’d love to provide you with assistance on your Edwardian home.

The Edwardian Kitchen: Practical and Simple

Edwardian kitchens were functional spaces, typically designed with simplicity in mind.

How to Create the Look:

• Shaker-Style Cabinets: Simple, shaker-style cabinets are a great way to reflect the style of Edwardian kitchens. Choose white, cream, or light-coloured cabinets to maintain the airy aesthetic.
• Open Shelving: Replace some upper cabinets with open shelving, displaying everyday items like dishes or glassware. This gives the kitchen a less formal, more accessible feel.
• Neutral Tiles: Use simple white or light-coloured tiles for backsplashes or flooring to capture the Edwardian emphasis on cleanliness. Patterned tiles in small doses can add a period touch without overwhelming the space.
• Freestanding Furniture: Edwardian kitchens often featured pieces like wooden dressers or butcher blocks. Incorporate a similar element, such as a freestanding island, to create a blend of vintage and modern utility.

Bedrooms: Light, Airy, and Serene

Edwardian bedrooms were designed to be calming, peaceful spaces with minimal clutter and light colour schemes.

How to Create the Look:

• Pastel Tones: Soft blues, pinks, and creams are ideal for creating an Edwardian-inspired bedroom. These colours enhance natural light, creating a soothing environment. Remember, as discussed, period wallpaper was an important part of the Edwardian design style too, so consider using this to bring that colour to the space too.
• Simple Furniture: Opt for simple wooden furniture, such as a classic oak or pine bed frame. You could even look for reproduction Edwardian furniture with original detailing, such as carved bedposts or headboards.
• Lace and Linen: Light fabrics are key to recreating Edwardian style. Use lace or linen for curtains, bed linens, and upholstery. These materials bring a sense of softness without feeling too formal. Also, consider adding a vintage eiderdown – this will really add to the Edwardian design style.
• Vintage Lighting: Using vintage lighting, such as brass bedside lamps or Art Nouveau-inspired ceiling fixtures, will add a touch of elegance and authenticity to the space.

Edwardian Bathrooms: Clean, White, and Fresh

The Edwardian era saw the advent of indoor plumbing, and bathrooms were designed to be sanitary, clean, and functional. White tiles and porcelain fixtures dominated.

How to Create the Look:

• Classic Fixtures: Invest in classic fixtures like a clawfoot bathtub or pedestal sink. These pieces can act as a nod to Edwardian design while providing modern functionality.
• White Subway Tiles: White subway tiles are a hallmark of Edwardian bathrooms. Use them for the shower or walls to keep the space fresh and timeless.
• Simple Flooring: Opt for simple flooring like hexagonal tiles or small mosaic patterns. These period-appropriate choices still work well in contemporary homes whilst keeping true to the original style.
• Freestanding Storage: Use freestanding shelving units or cabinets to keep toiletries and towels neatly organised, while maintaining the room’s light, open feel.

Miscellaneous: Incorporating Edwardian Charm into Any Home

Whether you live in a period home or a modern space, there are several easy ways to bring Edwardian charm into your home.

How to Add Edwardian Character:

• Stained Glass Features: One of the most distinctive Edwardian features is stained glass windows. If you can’t restore originals, consider adding stained glass panels to doors or windows.
• Statement Fireplaces: Even if your home doesn’t have an original Edwardian fireplace, you can add a reproduction. Opt for fireplaces with simple wooden mantels and tiled surrounds that suit the period’s more understated elegance.
• Tropical Plants: Add exotic touches by incorporating tropical plants like palms or ferns. This brings in the colonial influence that was popular in the Edwardian era.
• Layered Patterns: Don’t shy away from using floral and nature-inspired wallpaper or fabrics. A feature wall in a living room or bedroom can create a nod to Edwardian style without overwhelming a modern interior.

Final Thoughts and Summary on Edwardian Interior Design

Incorporating Edwardian design into your home doesn’t mean sacrificing modern conveniences. The beauty of this style is its balance between functionality and beauty, allowing you to blend period-appropriate details with modern living. Focus on maximising light, choosing quality over quantity, and mixing antique with modern to create an effortlessly stylish, functional space that feels both timeless and fresh.

Whether you’re redecorating one room or an entire home, the Edwardian interior design style offers the perfect combination of historical charm and modern practicality, creating spaces that are as liveable as they are beautiful.

If you have any questions about implementing this design style in your home, please don’t hesitate to reach out. At Tracey Mannnell Interior Design, we specialise in working with period homes, and would love to help you bring your vision to life.