Evolution of British interior design

(Credit: Skitterphoto)

The evolution of British interior design - from tudors to today

Katy Lelliott walks you through the history of British interior design with a tour through the decades, beginning with a brief look at the general origins of interior design, before diving into the detail of the evolution of British interior design

Interior Design Origins

The history of interior design can be traced as far back as the stone age as prehistoric humans decorated the interiors of their cave dwellings with drawings and paintings of plants and animals.

This was followed by the Egyptians who adopted an elaborate style of interior design with sculptures, trinkets and spiritual murals which were designed to honour their Gods.

The Greeks and Romans then embraced a classical style which placed a heavy focus on natural, earthy tones, large stone columns and the use of marble and bronze.

This style continues to influence interior design today.

Tudor Excess

We can trace British interior design right back to Tudor times which stretched from Henry VII in 1485 right through to Elizabeth I who reigned until 1603.

Increasing trade and an expanding economy meant that lavish interior design was the order of the day as individuals used their home interiors to demonstrate their growing wealth.

This period was characterised by oak panelling and elaborate decorative fireplaces which were sure to wow visitors.

The use of dark wood and wooden beams within Tudor houses was common as was the use of oak wall panels, usually in the shape of squares or rectangles.

The Tudor fireplace and tall, ornate chimneys were one of the most striking Tudor design features – although these did serve a more practical purpose as coal began to become available for fuel.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Tudor finery, examples of preserved Tudor designs include Northamptonshire’s Canons Ashby and Cumbria’s Sizergh Castle.

Classic Georgian Interiors

The interior design of the Georgian period (named after the Hanoverian Kings George I, George II, George III, and George IV) was heavily influenced by European interior design, especially Italian styles.

This stemmed from the taking of a ‘Grand Tour’ trip around Europe which was popular with the upper classes during this time period.

This European influence led many of the upper classes to look to design their homes for elegance and in an aesthetically pleasing manner rather than focusing on the functionality of the design.

This meant that a number of elegant, neo-classical designs were seen in Georgian homes – many of which are still reflected in modern-day Venice.

These designs were based on the Greek and Roman designs discussed above, in particular the use of columns.

Georgian home designs also commonly featured high-ceilings and beautiful art pieces, such as sculptures and dark mahogany wood often featuring a Chinesethemed design by the end of this period.

For a taste of the Georgian style a bit closer to home, check out images of Peckover House in Cambridgeshire or Cumbria’s Wordsworth House.

Victorian interior design was all rich colours and bold prints.

Due to the sheer length of Queen Victoria’s reign this can only be described as quite an eclectic era which drew inspiration from travel to the exotic regions of India and Japan whilst the beginnings of mass production meant that interior design began to become much more affordable for all for the first time, especially mass produced wallpaper!

The Arts and Crafts Movement, which is usually associated with William Morris was particularly popular during the reign of Queen Victoria.

This movement was characterised by the influences of floral print wallpaper, gothic architecture with dramatic spires and arch doors.

Empty, bare rooms were also considered to be indicative of a lack of taste during the Victorian era which led to rooms which were filled to bursting – a very different style to the more minimalist interior design which has become popular today.

Examples of Victorian interior design survives today at the former home of Victorian era Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire.

20th Century Minimalism

Following the First World War, interior design moved to reject the excesses of the past and take a more minimalist approach.

The increasing presence of helpful appliances such as washing machines and televisions within people’s homes meant that the design of a home became more about working around the practical aspects of day-to-day life and less about creative flair and purely decorative purposes.

British interior design during this period was heavily influenced by the Modernist movement which originated in Paris with a focus on pieces which would actually improve quality of life rather than simply looking pretty.

The Art Deco and Modernist styles dominated this century and favoured clean lines, modern materials such as chrome and simple and practical décor.

The geometric and chevron patterns which we still love today also emerged during this design era.

To find out more about the 20th century style, take a peek at Devon’s Coleton Fishacre or The Homewood in Surrey.

21st Century Modernism

The 21st century has continued on where the 20th left off in some respects, in terms of the

(Credit: Michael D Beckwith)

more minimalist trend although there is perhaps a greater emphasis on sophistication, with straight lines and symmetry very much part of the modern interior design handbook.

An emphasis on brightening up rooms with as much natural light as possible is also a firm staple of 21st century interior design, whilst the use of monochromes is popular with many.

The 21st century has also led to a renewed focus on the lay-out of our homes with a particular push for open designs which create the feeling of greater space.

In particular, the 2010s have brought a more individualistic sense of interior design as people take inspiration from social media and online design-ideas sharing websites to experiment with colours and tones which reflect their unique personality and seek to add an individualist stamp and character to their home, something which was perhaps missing in previous design decades.

What about the next decade?

As more people spend time at home during the Coronavirus pandemic and take the time to consider their living environment, interior design is taking off once again.

Early indications are that natural, traditional fibres such as wicker will be popular in the years to come.

The use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials in our interior design also appears to be another key trend which will gather momentum over the next decade.

The often-overlooked bathroom is also likely to become a key focus with people looking to add a pop of bright colour and finally banish the boring white space which has dominated this room for many centuries.

Finally, the inclusion of study nooks is shaping up to become another key trend as people strive for some separation as the lines between work, study and home become increasingly blurred.

This desire to generate more space also means that we are likely to see people making greater use of some of the smaller areas within their home which may previously have been neglected in favour of larger projects.

So, there we have it – a whistlestop tour through the ages of British interior design to help you decide whether to stick to the 21st century modernism or look back to the Tudors for some design inspiration!