Sometimes,
we wonder how people lived a long time ago, trying to wrap our heads
around some strange traditions and questionable practices; other times, we are surprised
at how similar our lives are and how little has changed. Take, for example, the
bedroom. It had served the same basic purpose throughout history, except that
its functionality had been enhanced or downgraded at times according to needs
and, most importantly, trends. Let's look today at the Victorian bedroom - that
is, in the Victorian Era in England between 1820 and 1914.
The bedroom,
both in Victorian times and today, serves as a private, personal space for rest
and retreat from the outside world. In both eras, the bedroom is where people
unwind, sleep, and clean themselves, with furniture like beds, dressers, and
mirrors remaining central. Though the décor and daily routines may differ, the
bedroom's role as a space for intimacy, comfort, and personal rituals—whether
it's dressing, reading, or simply resting—remains a constant. Let's enter the
Victorian bedroom and take in the life of its occupant(s).
Queen Victoria's bedroom at Windsor Castle as painted by William Corden the Younger |
First, furniture and Décor
Victorian
bedrooms were known for their heavy, ornate furniture. Beds often featured
intricately carved headboards made of dark woods like mahogany, oak, or walnut,
and many had four posters or canopies. Beyond the bed, essential pieces
included large wardrobes (closets were rare), washstands for morning ablutions,
and dressing tables with mirrors. The upholstery was often plush, using rich
fabrics like velvet and brocade in deep colors—crimson, burgundy, or dark
greens. Oil lamps, brass candlesticks, and porcelain vases were standard for
accessories. Decorative items like lace doilies and embroidered cushions added
a feminine touch. Victorian walls were often covered in patterned wallpaper
with floral motifs or damask prints. Popular colors included dark reds, golds,
and greens, though paler hues like lavender were used in upper-class homes.
Daily Life in the Bedroom
In
the Victorian era, bedrooms were multifunctional spaces, especially in middle—and
upper-class homes. Morning and evening grooming rituals took place,
particularly for women who spent significant time brushing their hair and
applying face creams at their dressing tables. For men, too, it was a private
space to dress, shave, and occasionally read.
Morning
routines involved using washbasins and jugs of water to wash the face and
hands. Hairbrushes, combs, and pomades for men and hairpins and perfume
for women were arranged on dressing tables.
In
more affluent homes, bedrooms were sometimes equipped with writing desks for
letter writing or prayer books for personal devotions. Wealthy women might
spend hours here, away from the bustle of household management.
Class Differences in Bedroom Layout
The
wealthy's bedrooms were spacious, often featuring separate dressing rooms or
even boudoirs attached for added privacy and comfort. Bedrooms might include
large bay windows with heavy draperies, Persian rugs, and marble-topped
washstands. Fireplaces were common in larger homes to keep the room warm.
In contrast, working-class families typically had far less space. They often shared bedrooms among several family members, and furnishing was minimal. Sometimes, several family members slept in a single bed. In rural or poorer urban homes, personal space was scarce, and the bedroom could double as storage or workspace.
A Small Gentry Victorian Bedroom in Scotland |
Health and Hygiene
Contemporary
beliefs about health and hygiene also shaped the Victorian bedroom. Ventilation
was a major concern, as many Victorians believed that "miasmas" (bad
air) could cause illness. This led to installing windows that could open wide
and fireplaces in bedrooms to ensure proper air circulation. Heavy drapes could
be drawn to keep out cold drafts in winter.
Complete
with a jug and basin, washstands were essential for washing up before
bed. Toothbrushes and handkerchiefs were typically kept in the bedroom. Chamber
pots, or night pots, were placed under beds or in cabinets for use during the
night.
Bedrooms
were often used for recovery when sick, with family members and servants
bringing meals and tending to the sick person. Sick rooms were meticulously
cleaned, and bed linens were changed frequently to prevent the spread of
disease.
Privacy and Social Norms
The
concept of privacy became more defined in the Victorian era. Bedrooms were seen
as intimate, private spaces, especially in wealthier homes. They were
off-limits to guests, and strict gender roles played a part in how they were
used. Even married couples were used to having separate bedrooms, especially if
the couple belonged to the upper class. This allowed each person to maintain
their personal space while still enjoying shared intimacy when desired.
Children's
rooms, when they had them, were often located in separate wings or on different
floors. The Victorian ideal of childhood as a time of innocence meant that
children's rooms were considered sacred spaces to shield them from adult
concerns.
Victorian Children's Bedrooms
Victorian
children's bedrooms were designed to reflect the era's emphasis on childhood
innocence and discipline. Wealthier households often had these rooms brightly
decorated, adding toys and small furniture. Cots, cradles, and small wooden
chairs were common. Toy chests, dollhouses, and stuffed animals would also be
found in the bedrooms of wealthier families. In a nursery room, you can often
see wallpapers with floral or animal prints that stimulate a child's
imagination.
Many
children's bedrooms would contain educational materials such as alphabet
blocks, small desks, and books to foster learning from an early age. For
working-class children, however, toys were often homemade, and their
"bedroom" might be a shared bed in a cramped space with their
siblings.
Bedtime Rituals and Sleep
The
Victorian approach to sleep was heavily ritualized. Wealthy Victorians took
great care in their bedtime routines, often involving wearing specialized
nightclothes like nightgowns, nightcaps, and slippers.
Women
would remove their elaborate day clothing, often with the help of a maid, and
dress in simple cotton nightgowns. Nightcaps were worn to keep the head warm,
as the belief was that cold air caused illnesses. While the very wealthy might
enjoy luxurious feather beds and linen sheets, the lower classes typically
slept on straw mattresses or makeshift beds stuffed with hay or rags.
Some
Victorians believed that too much light could disrupt sleep and cause illness,
so heavy drapes or shutters were used to block out moonlight. In addition,
night lights or candles were used to keep the room dimly lit for safety.
Victorian nightdress by Thomas Quine |
This
is just a general overview of the Victorian bedroom. But even during the conservative Queen Victoria's reign, things changed. Details were added or subtracted, habits acquired or dropped, ideas brought to life or buried. When your writing is set in a specific year or decade, it is advisable to look into details, especially if we are speaking about the lower classes, as much has changed due to
the rapid industrialization of England's cities.
Check out this worksheet to help you in your research.
The Victorian Bedroom: A Worksheet for Your Story
I also have a comprehensive guide and worksheet for extensive historical research. You can visit my store or buy it here.
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