Victorian tiles for hallways: making a timeless choice for Christmas

Your hallway is the first thing that you or your guests will see when entering your property. So this needs to be a welcoming space for visitors, especially with Christmas well on the way. Although many of us tend to overlook decor in this room, this area ultimately sets the tone for the rest of your home. So, it's vital to get your design right and ready for all the guests who will be descending on your home for the season's festivities.

In recent years, hallway tiles have become a highly popular option for tying your hallway with the style of the rest of your home. Classic designs, such as Victorian tiles, can add a sense of elegance and historic interest to even the smallest hallway. They are ideal if you're looking for a timeless choice for Christmas and beyond. 

So follow my guide for everything you need to know about choosing Victorian tiles to transform your hallway into a stylish oasis:

 Our Chesterfield Black and Dover White tiles instantly add a timeless aesthetic to this beautiful hallway in a period home. Made from ceramic with a straight edge and matt finish we have teamed this with our Melville Border in Graphite and Black (ask us for more details on our different border colours)

Why choose Victorian Tiles for your hallway?

Victorian tiles are becoming a popular choice for hallway decor, which isn’t difficult to see why. These tile designs not only intricate, but can be vibrant too, and they will ultimately complement any hallway. There are all sorts of reasons to choose Victorian tiles for hallways, which include:

• Intricate designs: Victorian tile designs are beautifully intricate. No matter which Victorian design you choose, this addition to your hallway is guaranteed to add interest to a typically uninspiring area
• Durability: Victorian tiles are well-known for their durability, making them an ideal option for busy traffic areas, such as hallways 
• Vibrance: Victorian tiles can contain vibrant colours, which can serve to transform a dark hallway into a space featuring bright, inspiring tones that tie in with decor elsewhere in your home
• Enduring style: Victorian tiles are a classic choice with an enduring style that means you can benefit from a fresh and welcoming hallway for years to come
• Easy maintenance: Victorian tiles require regular cleaning to maintain their striking patterns. But these designs are typically easy to maintain with regular washing

The history and charm of Victorian tiles

Victorian tile designs date back as far as the ‘gothic revival’ period in the Middle Ages when they regularly featured in cathedrals and other grand buildings. However, Victorian tiles as we now know them didn’t become a popular design choice until around 1836 when Thomas Minton began developing affordable decorative tiles that featured iconic geometric designs and borders. 

This style of Victorian tile became incredibly popular by the mid-19th Century, when they were common in high-traffic areas of Victorian homes, especially in bathrooms where homeowners noted their durability and easy maintenance. 

This popularity has continued even now, and homeowners still enjoy timeless Victorian tile designs in high-traffic areas including bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways. Modern Victorian tiles capture original Victorian geometric designs within sleek, easily installable tile selections that can be multi-hue to ensure classic elegance, and a wide range of stylish hallway solutions. 

Our Belleville Porcelain Concorde tile collection features a beautifully patterned Victorian-style design and is showcased here in Concorde. Made from porcelain with a matt finish, a patterned floor is ideal for hiding dirt and marks in a room which encounters heavy footfall from outdoors

Selecting the right Victorian design

Victorian tiles are now available in a diverse range of designs which span from classic black and white, to bold, vibrant colours. However, selecting the right Victorian design is key to ensuring a hallway that looks fantastic and complements the rest of your home. 

When selecting a Victorian design, you may want to think about key features, including the overall design of your home. Don't forget to consider the level of traffic you expect as this could impact your choices, such as considering choosing darker design colours or dark grout, for instance.  

It’s also important to take the size of your hallway into account. A small one will typically benefit from simplistic Victorian designs that use minimal colours, such as black and white chequered options. Meanwhile larger hallways could look wonderful with vibrant Victorian designs featuring various details and additions.

Colour schemes and patterns in Victorian tiles

Once you understand what you’re looking for within your Victorian tile designs, it’s time to consider colour schemes and patterns. Victorian tile patterns were originally created using small sections of single-coloured tiles, and it’s now possible to buy a wide variety of multi-hued patterns and colour schemes. 

When looking at patterns, you’ll need to choose between options such as geometric shapes, floral designs, and chequered tiles. Many tile designs may also include features, such as borders and corner patterns. 

Victorian tiles are also available in a wide array of colour choices, including more muted greys or neutrals, as well as vibrant colours, such as greens, reds and blues. This variety means that Victorian tiles can be great complimentary features in any hallway when chosen to work well with existing home styles, colour schemes and the size of your hallway.

Installation tips for Victorian tiles 

The detailing on Victorian tiles mean that careful installation is key to a beautiful finish. This way, you can ensure your hallway design works in your home for many years. 

Check out my installation tips to help you:

 Prep your surface

The intricate and, often, small size of Victorian tiles means that even a slightly uneven area could impact your overall tile design. Before installing Victorian tiles, it’s vital to thoroughly prepare your hallway floor by clearing the space of any debris. You'll also need to level the floor using a levelling tool to create an even space that’s free of any dirt or debris, which could impact how your Victorian tiles lay after installation. 

Plan your layout

Victorian tile designs are so intricate that you should always plan your layout. It’s particularly important to think about things like design placement, as well as where you would like any borders or corner pieces. This ensures proper alignment and spacing that will perfect your hallway design. 

Lay tiles with precision

Victorian tiles require precision throughout the laying process. This should include carefully aligning and cutting each tile to ensure that your pattern repeats consistently with an even coverage of colours. Victorian tiles also require grouting and sealing to ensure longevity, especially in a heavily used hallway. 

Our Colchester Pattern with Thackeray Brown White and Old London border adds timeless elegance to this hallway in this period property

Maintaining your Victorian tiles: best practices

Maintenance is essential for ensuring attractive Victorian tile designs, especially in hallways with heavy traffic. The more often you maintain your tiles, the more vibrant your designs will appear, and the longer Victorian tiles for hallways will last. 

Best practices for maintaining your Victorian tiles include: 

• Use a pH-neutral detergent to protect tile sealant
• Sweep and wash Victorian hallway tiles regularly to avoid dirt build-up
• Use a small, soft brush to remove tough stains
• Reseal tiles every three to four years to avoid dirt build-up and damage (it's always best to check recommendations with your tile specialist first)

Victorian tiles in hallway makeovers

Victorian tiles are now a common choice for hallway design, and there are some fantastic examples of how well this tile choice can work in a wide variety of hallways. Here are some of my favourite examples on how to use Victorian tiles in your hallway:

Black and white chequered tiles

Our Wellington Black and Dover White tiles feature a traditional check pattern in a timeless monochrome design for a classic finish in this hallway

Classic black and white Victorian tiles in a chequered design can add a unique monochrome finish to classic and contemporary hallways. This Victorian tile design can brighten small hallways and add an impression of space. Equally, Wellington Black and Dover White tiles work well for bringing classic finesse to large hallways, either on their own or when paired with a complimentary border. 

Soft, muted tones

Our Lindisfarne with Melbourne Victorian floor tiles feature contemporary colours in a classic, traditional-style design. Made from ceramic with a matt finish, this adds a striking focal point in this hallway

Soft, muted tones like blues and greys provide a subtle hint of interest that can work wonderfully in any hallway. The impressive simplicity of this rounded sleek design isn’t overwhelming and will tie in nicely with vibrant or muted colour in your home. A white pattern background ensures a refreshing finish that could brighten even a dark or small hallway with a sense of grandeur and fun. 

Victorian style patterned terracotta

Victorian-style patterned terracotta tiles can create a classic hallway style and are available in a variety of patterns and style choices in keeping with traditional geometric designs. Classic pairings like rich terracotta reds and blacks work well in large hallways with tall ceilings. Equally, lighter colour combinations like pastel greens can work well for adding classic interest to a smaller space. 

Kaleidoscope of colours

Our Kaleidoscope Porcelain Swallowtail porcelain tiles feature a matt finish for a striking aesthetic on a hallway floor

Colourful Victorian tile designs can provide a contemporary twist to this classic style choice. This can work well for modernising a classic home or adding a touch of history to a newer property. This tile choice, which is reminiscent of classic mosaic-style Victorian designs, can be installed to create a wide variety of geometric patterns, making it ideal for simple installations in hallways of all sizes.

Explore our range of Victorian hallway tiles

Victorian tiles can transform even a neglected hallway into a rich, wonderful space for welcoming guests or returning home after a busy day spent buying Christmas presents. Regardless of the size or shape of your hallway, the diverse adaptability of Victorian tile designs means you can always find the right tiles to suit your style.

You'll love our comprehensive collections of Victorian tiles for hallways at Hyperion Tiles. We stock high-quality Victorian tiles in a range of colours, shapes, and timeless patterns, and provide you with the chance to add your own personal touch to a classic design. Simply browse our range of Victorian tiles to find the ideal design for your hallway, or contact a member of our team to discuss your needs today.