For English gardeners, the Victorian era was a game changer for outdoor space. If you’re a fan of the Victorian era and want to add a historic touch to your garden, you might be looking for some outdoor decor ideas.
Here at Open Space Concepts, we want you to make the most of your outdoor space. That’s why we offer modern pergolas that help you to enjoy your garden all year round. Whether you enjoy entertaining guests or simply want a secluded space to relax, we’ve got you covered.
Want to add a touch of the 19th Century to your garden? Luckily for you, we have 10 Victorian garden ideas, perfect for adding a classic and rich feeling to your outdoor space.
Let’s have a look at these Victorian garden ideas in a bit more detail!
1. Add a stone ornament
Stone ornaments can help to transform your space into a Victorian daydream. There are lots of design options that you could opt for, whether that’s a statue of a Goddess, cherubs, or a stone head.
A stone ornament can also help to provide a focal point for your garden. Interesting features and statues add interest, and can also be a place for friends and family to gather round, whether that’s to act as a conversation starter or a point that draws their attention.
2. Look after your shrubbery
Shrubbery played a crucial role in Victorian gardens, as they provided structure, colour, and all-year-round interest. If you have hedges and shrubs in your garden, use these to your full advantage by creating pathways and boundaries.
It’s no surprise that shrubbery plays a vital role in your garden, whether that’s to create privacy, adding texture, or being a home for wildlife. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can even try to shape your shrubs into interesting shapes and designs, especially ones that add a Victorian essence like swirls and circles.
3. Incorporate traditional flowers
One of our favourite Victorian garden ideas is to add beautiful and traditional flowers. Flowers that have a Victorian touch include roses, carnations, and violets, and these are easily accessible to plant.
Victorian gardens were known for their intricate design, vibrant colours, and symbolic significance. Roses symbolise love, passion and beauty, whereas blue violets can symbolise modesty, faithfulness and innocence. In a way, you can use flowers to add a personal touch to your garden.
If you have a smaller garden, then you might be interested in these 10 minimalist garden ideas for a calming outdoor space.
4. Include elegant structures
One classic element of a Victorian garden is an elegant structure, such as a pergola or veranda. Victorian structures often featured intricate details, such as carvings, mouldings, and decorative elements. They were also often made from natural materials such as stone, wood, and iron.
For a modern twist to a traditional Victorian structure, invest in one of our wooden Aura Pods. This pod allows you to enjoy a stylish, robust, and environmentally friendly addition to your property that stands the test of time, and you can decorate it as you wish to include more Victorian elements.
5. Create a shaded seating area
Like all gardens, having a place to sit down and relax goes a long way. And, you can make your shaded seating area feel as Victorian as you like! Victorian furniture is characterised by its ornate details, rich fabrics, and opulent style, so bear this in mind when choosing an outdoor table and chairs.
For extra protection from the sun, try out one of our modern awnings. At Open Space Concepts, our awnings are fully automated and completely bespoke to suit your needs. Therefore, they can act as the perfect shaded solution for your Victorian inspired garden.
6. Add a modern twist to a pergola
One of our favourite outdoor structures, the pergola has been around for more years than you may think. Pergolas were commonly used in Victorian gardens, providing a shaded and sheltered outdoor space, perfect for relaxing and entertaining. Victorian pergolas were often adorned with climbing plants to create a romantic and inviting atmosphere.
Add a Victorian twist to one of our modern pergolas. These bespoke structures provide the perfect space for entertaining guests and relaxing with loved ones, no matter what the weather. Choose from an addition of many features, such as a versatile louvred roof.
7. Lay a terracotta path
A terracotta path can be a beautiful and practical addition to a Victorian-style garden. This is because terracotta has been a traditional material that has been used in gardens and outdoors for centuries. Its warm, earthy colour and textured surface evoke a sense of history and authenticity, perfect for embracing the Victorian aesthetic.
Your path can be used in various styles – they can be laid in straight lines for a more traditional look, or in a winding pattern for a more natural feel.
8. Include decorative ironwork
Wrought iron fencing is a classic Victorian choice for a garden, as it adds a touch of elegance to a practical feature. Intricate designs, such as floral motifs or geometric patterns can help to create a grand entrance for visitors entering and leaving your garden.
To keep with the iron theme, a wrought iron bench can offer style as well as comfort, and you can also invest in a table and chairs for a matching set, creating a charming outdoor dining area.
9. Add a Victorian fountain
Create a calming sound and relaxing ambience in your garden with a Victorian water fountain. This feature oozes beauty and serenity, perfect for creating an elegant and graceful atmosphere. Water features can even offer some incredible health benefits.
Your Victorian feature can be designed how you want it. For a more grand piece, consider a tiered fountain, or for something more simple, you can add a traditional-looking birdbath, helping you to add life and interest to your garden.
10. Benefit from aromatic plants
Aromatic plants were an essential part of Victorian gardens, adding fragrance, beauty, and functionality. Some of the most fragrant flowers that you can get include roses, honeysuckle, and lavender. These flowers can be used in borders, hedges, or pots so that you can create a garden that smells serene and aromatic.
You could also incorporate herbs into your garden such as rosemary, thyme, and sage. Not only will they help to create a lovely smelling space, but they can help you out in the kitchen, too!
Add a modern twist to your home with Open Space Concepts!
Hopefully, this blog has showcased some inspiration and interesting Victorian garden ideas, ones you can include in your own garden. Victorian decor is sure to add a gentle and romantic touch to your outdoor space, one you can effortlessly relax in.
Here at Open Space Concepts, we are passionate about making the most of your outdoor space. That’s why we’re one of the UK’s most trusted outdoor living companies, designing and installing bespoke outdoor structures for homes up and down the country, whether that’s a glass veranda or a modern carport.
Please get in touch if you have any further enquiries, or give us a call on 0808 168 0043. We’d be more than happy to get back to you!
