Beds in the 1900s were solid yet elegant.
Bedrooms in the 1900s were widely considered the private inner sanctums of the house and were rarely entered by anyone other than immediate family. Typical Victorian bedrooms were sparsely decorated, and it wasn't until the start of the Edwardian period toward the middle of the century that furniture designed specifically for the bedroom became popular decor. Does this Spark an idea?
Bed and Bed Covering
The bed was the prominent feature in 1900's bedrooms. Large, king-sized bed frames were typically crafted from dark wood, such as mahogany or walnut, or made from cast-iron, brass or wood. They were elaborately dressed with flounces, ribbons and drapes to form a canopy around the frame. The bedding was made of luxurious fabrics, such as velvet and silk. Additional decorative items included tassels, ruffles, frills and lavish pillows.
Color Palette
In keeping with the rest of the house, bedroom walls in the 1900s were characterized by solid, deep colors. Rich shades of red and maroon were popular, as well as dark shades of green, blue and purple. These colors worked well in contrast with the light silk throw pillows and blankets and helped to accentuate the dark wood that made up the majority of bedroom furniture.
Furniture
Bedroom furniture was almost always made of dark-stained oak, mahogany or walnut. Some of the larger items were embellished with decorative carvings and intricate pediments. Dressers and chests of drawers either had ornate brass or carved wooden drawer pulls and were decorated with figurines, candle stands and china dishes. Wooden tilting mirrors were also a popular bedroom choice as they were practical, pleasing to the eye and reflected light into the room. Rich households would often top wooden items, such as dressers, with marble. Chairs and footstools would be placed near the window and upholstered with matching fabric.
Window Treatments and Lighting
Bedroom windows were dressed with full curtains or ruffled drapes made out of heavy fabric, such as velvet; therefore very little natural light entered the room. Lighting consisted of dimly lit brass reading lamps or candles. Oil lamps were a popular lighting choice in the rest of the house, but they had a reputation for being dangerous when left on for long periods of time, so they were rarely used in the bedroom.
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