The Timeless Grandeur of a Victorian Staircase
The unique style and beauty of Victorian staircases has persisted in the public eye in the century since Queen Victoria’s reign. Many original Victorian houses would have featured two staircases, a set by the front door of the house for guests, and a second set towards the back, connecting to the kitchen and designed for the use of staff.
In the modern era, Victorian staircases persist as both a preserved feature of classic houses, and as a design choice for modern staircases. In this quick overview from Stair Rods Direct, we’ll look at the resurgent popularity of the Victorian staircase, and give some key examples of the dominant staircase designs of the period.
Why Are Victorian Staircases So Popular?
Victorian architecture stretches from 1837 to 1901, encompassing a great many styles, from the gothic revival, to the Queen Anne style, and the Romanesque revival. While it of course originated in England, ideas from Victorian architecture spread across the world to countries like North America, New Zealand, and Australia. Encompassing both the grand countryside estates of Bletchley Park and Waddesdon Manor and the tightly packed townhouses of London and Manchester, many of the original Victorian buildings remain standing.
Today, the “Modern Victorian” style of interior design pairs aspects of Victorian design with modern standards, installing Victorian style fireplaces, skirting boards, and statement mirrors. The styles and designs of the Victorian era show no signs of going away, including their beautiful staircases. A modern Victorian staircase can bring grandeur and elegance to your property.
Victorian staircases were built to a high standard, so with careful and considered work Victorian staircase restoration can leave an antique staircase looking as good as new. There are also cases where a Victorian staircase cannot be replaced, with the space they take up not large enough to contain a modern staircase meet the standards set by modern building regulations.
Victorian Staircase Ideas
There are several key styles of Victorian staircase, depending on the size and grandeur of the building. Grand Victorian staircases, often built with as double staircases with divides, were a feature of many Victorian public buildings and stately homes. Designed to bisect a house, a grand double staircase can add tremendous gravitas to the entrance of a building.
Spiral staircases were a feature of many Victorian buildings, giving a stunning look in both internal and external settings. A traditional cast iron Victorian spiral staircase can be centrepiece of a room, or offer a new look to your garden. You can also buy Victorian style metal spiral staircases made from cast aluminium, which are considerably lighter, meaning they can be used in the upper floors of a house, such as in a loft conversion.
Quarter turn staircases, built to curve around a living room or entrance hall, can give a Victorian look to your home. A quarter turn staircase can have two or three turns, with a picturesque, cosy style.
A key element of any Victorian staircase is the designs of the stair rails and newel posts. While metal spiral stairs will normally come with stair rails inbuilt, more traditional staircases will require carved newel posts, balusters, and railings. These ornate wood features were hand carved, and many companies produce contemporary variations on Victorian designs. A newel post will often have a unique, larger design, with thinner identical balusters following the stairs up. Victorian handrails were hand-carved to spec, with sleek wooden curves allowing them to be fitted directly to balusters and work in a variety of designs, such as grand double staircases and quarter-turn staircases.
Another decoration used within Victorian staircases is carpeting. A centrally laid stair runner carpet, which leaves gaps on both sides, is the traditional look. While a carpet must be secured with underlay and carpet fixings to secure it in place, the addition of stair rods can help complete the look of a carpeted Victorian staircase.
The carpet styles of the 19th century involved complex floral patterns and deep colours. With popular carpet makers like Axminster dominating the styles of the era, completing a Victorian staircase with a Persian style carpet will give it a beautiful and authentic look.
Our Range of Victorian Style Stair Rods
To complete your carpeted Victorian style staircase, stair rods can help to bring a luxurious, classic look. Whether you have built a modern Victorian staircase, or have a old Victorian restoration in your home, your carpeted stairs will be elevated by the use of stair rods.
At Stair Rods Direct we sell a wide variety of stair rods, many of which can be tailored to suit the dimensions of your staircase. Our stair rods are available in a range of colours including brass, chrome, and pewter, helping you pick a style and colour to complement your stairwell. We have a range of designs available, from the minimalist Blacksmith to the ornate Country Stair. We also sell Victorian Stair Clips, which were a popular fitting method in the Victorian era, clipping on either side of the carpet on each stair. If you want to find out more about buying and installing stair rods, we have guides on both measuring and fitting stair rods. If you’re looking for other staircase ideas, we have a guide to staircase decorating. Our products are simple to install, made in the UK, and come with free delivery on orders over £75.