Be Inspired by Eras of Design

Throughout time, there are plenty of eras of design that deserve to be admired. Looking at historical styles and design practices opens a whole world of beautiful traditional bathroom opportunities. From the decorative details of Victorian design to the geometric patterns of Art Deco styling, there’s plenty to inspire your next classic bathroom design.

Being inspired by key eras of design ourselves, the Burlington product range includes everything you could need to create a stunning traditional bathroom design no matter the classical style you are after. So, whether you love Victorian design, are inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement or are drawn to the beauty of Art Deco, discover how you can turn your bathroom into a sophisticated and elegant nod to the past. 

Victorian Interior Design

Victorian design is characterised by its eclectic and ornamental style and makes for a truly sophisticated and opulent setting. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, people were turning away from undecorated, bare rooms, seeing them as a sign of lack of taste, and instead began to decorate their homes with lavish finishes, decorations and colours. With mainly the middle class of the time being able to afford such decorations, this design style signified that the occupant was of a higher status. This has led to the Victorian style now being seen as one of sophistication and opulence.

So, how can you bring the class of Victorian design into your traditional bathroom? This era of design is known for ‘busy’ designs, with accessories and decorations on prominent display, dark tones, ornamental details, and an appearance that is unique to the person.

To create your Victorian bathroom, start with a basin that has been styled specifically for this era of design. Delicate and refined, our Victorian basins present a stunning simplicity while portraying an air of luxury. The versatility of this basin gives you a choice of a pedestal, semi pedestal or washstand design, allowing you to make it personal to your style and layout. A Victorian bathroom is also incomplete without a high-level toilet. This toilet design features ornate metalwork and delicate flourishes that bring through the elegance and opulence of this era. Continuing the representation of luxury and class, a freestanding bath is perfectly at home in any Victorian bathroom design. Typically a traditional bathroom feature, the freestanding bath creates a stunning vocal point while encouraging enhanced relaxation. To complete the design of your Victorian bathroom, consider accessories, such as towel warmers, lighting and essentials. Victorian design is known for being eclectic and ‘busy’. Filling your free spaces with beautiful traditional bathroom accessories is the ideal way to enhance the aesthetic of a Victorian bathroom. 

Edwardian Bathroom Design

Taking a toned down approach when compared to Victorian design while keeping the sophistication intact is Edwardian interior design. Characterised by light, cheerful and elegant appearances, Edwardian design reflects the styles of the early 1900s. The Edwardian style marks a shift away from the lavish, filled spaces of Victorian design and instead places emphasis on the effective use of space and a sense of homeliness. With a reduction in bold patterns and a rise in brighter, pastel colours while maintaining a crisp, clean look, the Edwardian style creates a chic, luxurious interior.

When embracing the features of this style to create an Edwardian bathroom design, the first thing to think about is colour. Known for its use of bright and pastel colours, such as pink, indigo, turquoise and pale blue, a simple pop of colour can go a long way to achieving the perfect Edwardian bathroom. Our Bespoke by Burlington range features custom Edwardian-style ceramics finished in a range of stunning colours, such as Enchanted Blue, Cosmic Green, Confetti Pink and more. For a more modern Edwardian bathroom, opt for an off-white such as Medici.

In keeping with this era of design, Edwardian bathrooms typically feature furniture consisting of straight lines and symmetrical designs. Our traditional freestanding vanity units beautifully showcase these characteristics while also offering a range of colours ideal for creating the perfect Edwardian bathroom. To modernise your Edwardian design, opt for a marble worktop to extend the opulence of your design.

To finish off your design, consider your choice of accessories and lighting. Due to the rise in electricity throughout the Edwardian period, this design style saw an increase in wall lighting. Our collection of traditional wall lights offer the perfect solution to complete your Edwardian bathroom. 

The Arts and Crafts Era of Design

The Arts and Crafts era presented a design movement full of admirable qualities. As industrialisation and mass production swept across Britain, society’s perception of craftsmanship was altered. Care was removed from the quality of production and a focus was put on making objects that were previously out of reach accessible to the masses, threatening the skills of craftsmanship. As a reaction to this change, the Arts and Crafts movement brought the emphasis back to skilled design featuring high-quality pieces that were built to last. Practitioners of this movement also believed in the importance of designing objects for a complete interior that blends to form a harmonious whole.

This design style saw the rejection of excessive ornamentation seen in other traditional eras of design and instead focused on subtle, delicate details that are carefully considered. Our Guild collection draws inspiration from the latter years of this design era, bringing prominent characteristics and ideals into the collection’s design. Adopting the design philosophies of this era. Guild offers a comprehensive collection of bathroom products to achieve a complete traditional bathroom solution while presenting carefully considered design that are built to last.

Presenting the simplistic but decorative nature of the Arts and Crafts design movement, the Guild Collection boasts beautiful, elegant design features throughout all categories. From mirrors and furniture to brassware and accessories, the Guild collection has everything you need to create a truly complete Arts and Crafts traditional bathroom design. 

Art Deco Design

Hardships of the Great War had left the world eager for comfort, excitement and change – and the 1920s delivered all three. New ways of living and advances in innovation led to form suddenly becoming as important as function, and thus a new style came to light. Enter Art Deco.

Forever becoming synonymous with glamorous and stylish lifestyles, the Mediterranean coast flourished with extravagant Art Deco designs remaining at the heart of its beauty. Meticulously created to reflect this unique spirit, the Riviera collection features exclusive designs that are striking and dynamic, yet refined and elegant to welcome Art Decom bathrooms to today’s modern home.

Adorning luxury hotels, grand public buildings and private residences in the present day, the Riviera collection revolutionises Art Deco with a modern interpretation of forms and principles for a smooth, streamlined appearance to suit contemporary period bathroom suites and cloakrooms alike.

Encompassing the excitement of the 1920s with the newfound freedom that followed, the Riviera collection extends across basins, toilets, vanity units and brassware for everything you need to create a truly timeless Art Deco bathroom.