The Edwardian era is often seen as a time of excess, where elaborate decoration and excessive use of gilt was the norm. However, the period also gave us some beautiful examples of interior design. 

We can see many key elements that influenced the style of home décor during this period in homes built during this time, with influences continuing into the 1920s. 

From 1901 to 1910, the world was captivated by the excesses of this era in British history. Not only did fashion and art take on distinctly Victorian characteristics, but every aspect of home décor also began to reflect that same opulent style. It’s no wonder that this era is still so admired today.

That being said, if you’re a fan of all things gilded, fringed, and filigreed then you’ll love these Edwardian decorating ideas for your home. If you’re thinking about bringing an element of the Edwardian era to your home, here are 11 ideas to get you started.

 

A brief introduction to Edwardian interiors

The Edwardian era took its name from King Edward VII who ascended to the throne in 1901 after the death of his mother, Queen Victoria. It was a time of rapid change in all aspects of society and was most notably characterized by an explosion in the number of people who could afford to travel abroad. 

Interiors of the Edwardian era were characterized by ornate art nouveau decorative styles that were richly decorated with fringed edges and floral motifs. Decorative wallpapers and rich fabrics were used to achieve an opulent look, often with a gaudy colour palette that included bold shades of pink, gold, and green.

 

1. Upholstered pieces and faux fur

As they were in the Victorian era, upholstered pieces and faux fur were the go-to fabrics for Edwardian-styled furniture. When choosing the colour palette for your room, a rich shade of red is often the best choice for a sofa or armchair. 

For smaller pieces, use bold shades of green, blue, or gold instead. For a more neutral look, you can also opt for a classic shade like black or brown. 

For your walls, you can use wallpaper or paint them in a bold colour. Red-orange, blue-green, gold and pink are all popular colour choices for Edwardian-style rooms.

2. Silken decorations

Silk was one of the key materials used to create decorations during the golden age of florals. Beautiful floral tapestries, wall coverings, and curtains are must-have items for any Edwardian-style room. They can be dyed any colour, and you can even have them custom-made. Silk flowers are also popular for this style of decor. 

If you’re looking for a more modern take on this golden age decor trend, you can use metallic gold fabric to create a more opulent look. You can also choose silver fabric if you like a more contemporary style.

3. Richly-coloured walls

If you’re going with a traditional Edwardian decorating style, then you’ll want to look for wallpapers with richly coloured floral designs. You can also paint your walls in a rich colour such as red, blue, or gold. These colours are a great way to add visual interest to a room without being too over the top. 

If you want to mix things up a bit, you can also try painting your walls in a faux finish like Venetian plaster to create a unique texture. Wall mirrors should be framed in wood or metal and hung at or just above eye level. If you’re placing them above a fireplace, you should position them either above the mantel or below the ceiling decoration.

4. Gilded trimmings and artwork

Artwork and decorative accessories are essential for any Edwardian-style room. You can choose framed artwork with gilded frames or display large decorative pieces like statues and ornate sculptures. 

Additionally, you can use ornate gilded furniture or trims that can be placed on walls or shelves as decorative accents. Modernizing this era’s decor trend, you can choose black and gold decor or colourful artwork with bold colours like red, blue, and orange.

5. Richly coloured furniture

The most important piece of furniture in any room is the sofa or couch. When decorating your Edwardian-style living room, you should always choose a couch with a richly coloured fabric. You can also choose a bold-coloured sofa or couch with a simple design. 

If you have a small space, you can opt for a sofa with a chaise lounge. If your room is large, you can go with a large, overstuffed couch. When it comes to other pieces of furniture, you can use ornate decorative pieces or select a modern design.

6. Solid colour-scoring paintings

You can choose to frame a beautiful painting in a gilded frame or display it on an ornate easel. If you go with the latter option, you can choose a decorative stand with a gilded design to create a cohesive look. 

If you want to display a large painting, you can use black or gold decorative curtains to frame your painting. Choose an artwork in bold colours like red, blue, and orange to add a modern twist to this style.

7. Solid colour draperies

If you have large windows or French doors, you can choose to add decorative curtains or drapes to accentuate the room. When decorating your Edwardian-style living room, you can select curtains with a rich colour such as red, blue, or gold. You can also choose neutral shades like black or brown. 

Modernizing this golden age decor trend, you can select curtains with bold colours like red, blue, and orange. You can also choose curtains with a simple pattern like a geometric shape or a plain design like a pencil line.

8. Gold and silver trimmed windows and doors

Decorating your windows and doors is a great way to add visual interest to your room. If you want to enhance the gold colour in your Edwardian-themed room, you can use gold-coloured curtains. You can also use ornate silver window treatments or decorative accents. 

If you want to take a modern approach to this era’s decor, you can select curtains with bold colours like red, blue, and orange. You can also use a simple pattern like a geometric shape or a pencil line.

9. An iridescent stained glass window

If you want to bring an additional touch of luxury to your home, you can use a decorative stained glass window. You can find stained glass windows in many different designs, including flowers, geometric shapes, and animals. You can use this decorative piece in any room of your house, but it’s especially popular for bedrooms and dining rooms. Creating a window like this is an expensive option, but it can be a worthwhile investment for special occasions. 

10. Don’t forget the feathers and gemstones

An important visual feature of the Edwardian era was the many decorative items that were crafted from gemstones and animal feathers. You can find decorative pieces like vases, decorative bowls, and picture frames made from gemstones and feathers. You can also use gemstones like amethysts, topaz, and pearls as decorative accents. 

Modernized versions of this style of decor include vases, decorative bowls, and picture frames made from bold colours like red, blue, and orange. You can also use gemstones like amethysts, topaz, and pearls as decorative accents.

11. Marble and stone floors

Edwardian-era homes were often decorated with marble or limestone tiles on the floors. This was because hardwood and softer materials were less resistant to wear and tear. The marble and stone used for flooring were often imported from Italy, and are seen as a sign of wealth and status.

 If you’re looking to create an Edwardian-style floor in your home, marble or limestone tiles are a great option. You can choose tiles with a variety of different patterns to create a unique and eye-catching look.

 

Final thoughts

The Edwardian era was a time of great change in every aspect of society: culturally, economically, and even socially. It’s not surprising, then, that this era of opulence, extravagance, and craftsmanship is still so admired today. 

Now, you can bring this same opulent style into your own home with these Edwardian decorating ideas for your home.