My Victorian kitchen was stuck in the 1990s until these 7 design choices restored its period charm

When I first moved in to my Victorian home, it had all the makings of a period dream –except for the kitchen. That space was firmly stuck in the 1990s, complete with cheap lino flooring, a weary breakfast bar that had clearly seen better days, and finishes that felt more rental flat than heritage home.

But all wasn’t lost. For starters, there was beautiful arched window, and a surprisingly good cooker hood that I was determined to keep. Beneath the dated surfaces, there was real potential, I just had to realise it.

So, while I didn’t have the budget for a full bespoke overhaul, I did have a vision. I wanted the room to feel as though it truly belonged to the house: rooted in its Victorian bones rather than tacked on from another decade. So instead of starting from scratch, I made seven considered design choices that gradually transformed the space.

1. I embraced a deep, cocooning colour palette

The first big decision was the kitchen wall colour – and I didn’t want to play it safe. I’ve always loved the look of deVOL kitchens, and after one too many evenings flicking through their brochure, I landed on a deep heritage blue that felt instantly right for my home. I wanted the kitchen to feel cocooning and grounded, not bright and show-home glossy.

So I went all in and painted the cabinets, the walls, and even the shelving in the same moody shade. It sounds bold, but colour-drenching the space actually made it feel calmer and more cohesive. And when paired with aged brass hardware (more on that shortly), the contrast feels rich rather than too heavy.

That said, heritage colour doesn’t have to mean embracing the darkside. Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens, explains that softer palettes can feel just as authentic:

“We’re installing cupboards in rich but pale creams – think clotted cream – layered with muted butter yellows and deeper mossy greens or earthy browns," she says. "These natural tones sit beautifully with wood or honed Carrara marble, creating warmth and depth that feels reminiscent of Victorian and Georgian kitchens.”

It’s that layering of earthy, natural tones that makes a kitchen feel rooted in history rather than trend-led. Whether you choose deep and dramatic or soft and creamy, the key is to avoid flat, synthetic shades and instead opt for colours with warmth and complexity.

Helen Parker

Helen was promoted to the position of Creative Director at DeVOL in 2011 after showing an innate ability to forecast trends and give deVOL a style direction. She is also responsible for styling, sourcing and buying all the antiques and gifts on display at the DeVOL showroom.

2. I kept the lights traditional and warm

The previous setup relied exclusively on bright white overhead spotlights that flattened everything, leaving no softness or sense of atmosphere. So when I redesigned the space, I focused on keeping the kitchen lighting traditional and, most importantly, warm.

Overhead, I embraced the unlacquered brass spotlights, but swapped the bulbs to much warmer ones. Elsewhere, I introduced pockets of light through under-cabinet strip lighting and internal lights to make the glazed cupboards glow from within. A substantial antiqued wall mirror also helps bounce light back into the space in the evening. Beyond that, I let the room fall into gentle shadow, as it feels more layered and infinitely more in keeping with a Victorian home.

Daniel Fosbery, founder of Fosbery Studio, agrees that atmosphere comes from contrast rather than uniform brightness: “Lighting, especially when achieving ambience and atmosphere, is about a mix of light and dark spots,” he explains. “Think of those beautiful Caravaggio oil paintings. The main features – work areas or displays like shelving – should be highlighted and well lit, but the areas outside of this can be much darker.”

Daniel Fosbery

Daniel Fosbery is the founder of Fosbery Studio. With over 15 years’ experience in bespoke lighting, he previously co-founded lampshade brand Copper & Silk, building a reputation for craftsmanship and quality. Today, he creates decorative lighting that blends traditional techniques with modern design innovation.

3. I repositioned the kitchen sink and let the tap shine

When reconfiguring the kitchen, one of the very first things I changed was the kitchen sink. In my old kitchen layout, it had been stuck to one side, doing its job but adding absolutely nothing to the room. So I repositioned it beneath the arched window, where the morning light now pools across the basin.

I chose a classic ceramic sink and paired it with a brass farmhouse tap that feels satisfyingly solid every time you turn it on. The warmth of the metal instantly softened the space, while smaller design choices – like swapping out tired plastic sponges for this wooden dish brush from ecoliving.co.uk. – helped bring the whole scheme together.

If the budget had allowed, I would have splashed out on a traditional Belfast sink, because they just belong in Victorian homes. As Jennifer Townsend, senior category manager at Rangemaster, explains: “Belfast sinks are a natural companion to heritage kitchens. Their generous proportions and simple geometry suit traditional cabinetry, while details like fluted apron fronts and subtle surface texture add interest without feeling overly decorative.”

But whether you opt for Belfast or stick with ceramic, cohesion is what really matters. Townsend adds: “The key is to consider how features work together. When sinks, taps, appliances and cabinetry share a similar design language, the result feels rooted and characterful without compromising modern functionality.”

Jennifer Townsend

Since joining Rangemaster in 2018, Jennifer has played a key role in shaping new product development and refining existing collections within the sinks and taps portfolio. Based in Leamington Spa, England, Rangemaster is the heritage British brand behind the world’s first range cooker, still produced on the same site today.

4. I swapped modern hardware for reclaimed brass

Despite giving the room a moody coat of paint, the design choice that made the biggest impact was replacing all the kitchen handles and hardware.

Out went the dull, forgettable handles and in came antique reclaimed brass, sourced surprisingly cheap from both Etsy and Vinted (trust me, the vintage homeware finds are getting good). I wanted the details to feel handcrafted, rather than mass-produced, and brass has a weight and warmth that fits the bill.

I especially love the 3 unlacquered brass cup handles (pictured above) that I found for under £10 on Vinted, as they remind me of old apothecary drawers and feel satisfyingly solid in your hand. There’s something tactile about them that just reads “period” rather than “modern kitchen.”

Swapping hardware doesn’t require much DIY skill, yet the impact can be transformative. But if you’re going to do it, make sure you commit. I matched my handles to the brass kitchen tap and even echoed the material in picture frames and in honeycomb shelf brackets (purchased from ABHardware on Etsy).

5. I chose a statement freestanding piece of furniture

Before working on my own home, I hadn’t given much thought to the freestanding versus fitted kitchen debate. But when bespoke inframe kitchens are out of budget, there’s something incredibly liberating about sourcing individual pieces and letting the room evolve.

So I logged into Facebook Marketplace and found an authentic Victorian dresser for £100 – including local delivery – and promptly decided it would become my 'new' coffee station. It’s imperfect, full of character, and feels like it’s always belonged here. In time, I’ll add an offcut of marble to finish the top, but even as it is, this freestanding piece anchors the scheme beautifully.

I also stumbled across an old set of drawers on marketplace that I’ve since upcycled into an apothecary-style unit. For now, it lives in my study, but I’m very tempted to give it a second life as kitchen storage. I can already picture neatly labelled cutlery and all those inevitable kitchen odds and ends finally having a proper home.

6. I hid modern appliances behind doors and curtains

No matter how beautiful your cabinetry is, a chunky microwave or bulky air fryer will instantly pull a kitchen back into 2026. One of the simplest tricks I’ve used is hiding everyday appliances behind cupboard doors – and, where possible, tucking them into a small pantry.

You could also embrace café curtains, as they allow you to soften lower cabinets and conceal big kitchen appliances without feeling too heavy. While they’re often associated with cottage kitchens, they work just as well in heritage spaces, adding a slightly nostalgic touch that feels intentional rather than "twee".

7. I curated treasured artwork and decorative touches

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Who says a kitchen can’t house your favourite artwork and collectables? No, you probably don’t want to hang an heirloom oil painting directly in the splash zone of your stove – but that doesn’t mean the room should be personality-free.

In my kitchen, I leaned into the period feel by styling the open shelving with decorative storage jars, trailing houseplants and the odd piece of vintage paraphernalia. The walls are layered with woven baskets and gilded frames, while the countertops mix rustic stoneware with old marmalade jars that look far too charming to hide away.

These little touches make the space feel lived-in rather than styled. And the best part is they’re easy to swap around whenever I fancy a refresh.

One of the simplest and most affordable ways to add period charm to your home is through considered kitchen décor ideas. Layer in wooden boards, stoneware and vintage finds, and the whole space instantly feels more rooted in its history.