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29th October 2026

Victorian front doors rose to popularity during the reign of Queen Victoria. They are known for their widely recognised panelling which sometimes includes glazing or stained glass. These doors were originally designed to flaunt wealth and grandeur, reflected in their intricate panels and striking hardware. The Victorian style has remained a timeless staple for many different types of buildings today, but did you know there are several ways to put your own design stamp on your new Victorian front door? This DOOR SUPERSTORE guide offers all the inspiration you’ll need…

Table of contents

Keep it classic

If you’re looking to fully embrace the true heritage feel of the Victorian era, there are some simple changes you can make to your Victorian front door.

Subdued colours

Victorian front doors embraced a rich and moody colour palette. Because of the Industrial Revolution and constant burning of coal, it was uncommon to see pastel colours adorning the exterior elements of a building. This is because they’d become extremely dirty and fade very quickly. Another reason was that rich, dark, and subdued colours were simply in fashion during the Victorian era. Rich plums and oxblood exuded wealth, warmth, and luxury, while navy and cobalt blues offered a striking alternative to black. One of the most popular paint colours was Brunswick Green, a deep heritage pigment originating in Germany in 1764. The Industrial Revolution also played a role in its glorification, as it was an innovative way to mask external grime and mould, and the railways used it as a signature colour. It has remained timeless and stylish, pairing especially well with red brickwork and most other colours. Soot black was also a popular paint colour for front doors.

 

Polished Brass Hardware

While antique brass door furniture is a popular trend today, the Victorians actually favoured polished hardware over a tarnished or matt finish. Like their choice of a rich colour palette, polished door knobs and letter boxes exuded a luxurious and expensive exterior. While having a front door with these features projected affluence, the Industrial Revolution saw such hardware being mass-produced, meaning it became accessible for the wider population, as it still is today. Our collection of polished brass external door furniture is affordable and stylish to replicate that authentic Victorian front door look.

 

 

Elaborate Door Knockers

The Victorians loved ornate and detailed door knockers, which comes as no surprise considering their love for maximalism. Set against the deep, rich tones of traditional Victorian front doors, these door knockers will be sure to wow your guests and passers-by with their dazzling appearance. Lion’s heads were particularly common. This is because they represented strength, pride, and courage, and even acted as a symbol of security to guard the home. What’s more, many coats of arms included lions, and they were regarded as a symbol of true British heritage. Another popular style was the urn door knocker. This design became a symbol of timelessness and was admired for its symmetry. Romantic literature saw a boom in the Victorian era, with John Keats’s famous poem Ode on a Grecian Urn immortalising it into a classic staple in many different mediums. Another decorative Victorian door knocker is the lady’s hand. This actually originated thousands of years ago in Mediterranean culture, and has been used as a symbol of protection in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The Victorians adapted it to include an intricate cuff, and often finished it in polished brass.

 

 

Add a splash of colour

Victorian front doors aren’t limited to the colour palette they were born in. For a contemporary twist, why not try a bright colour to really make your entrance stand out. Choose vibrant and distinctive colours such as yellow, orange, or pink. You can make them pop even more by planting flowers and shrubbery which blooms in contrasting colours. You can even paint the exterior of your property in a colour to complement. This simple lick of paint can make a huge difference in re-inventing the exterior of your home, especially if you have an existing Victorian front door that needs a new lease of life.

 

 

Experiment with hardware

While ornate and intricate designs are more true to a complete Victorian doorset, modern takes favour more simple, geometric designs. Hexagonal and octagonal door knobs are perfect examples of this. If you do like the more ornate designs, modern front door hardware has evolved to include all sorts of animals and objects. For example, seashell door knockers for properties with a coastal theme and bumblebees for updated cottages that still have rustic charm.

Another way to experiment with hardware for your Victorian front door is to consider different finishes. For example, adding matt black door furniture rather than traditional polished brass. Polished chrome is also popular today, and its cooler tone is incredibly versatile, suiting a range of colours.

Introduce lighting

Upgrading your front door takes time and effort, but the UK’s shorter winter days may prevent people from seeing all your hard work. This is why it is important to invest in some front door lighting. Not only does it illuminate the beautiful exterior of your home, it is also a practical way to prevent tripping over on your walkway and makes finding keys much easier! A wide range of different front door lighting styles suit Victorian front doors. Place traditional lantern style lights either side of the door, or hang a single light in the centre over the door frame. Modern spotlights also work really well.

Final thoughts

Victorian front doors are incredibly versatile for many reasons. Firstly, they come in a range of styles and panelling types, so you can choose how elaborate you’d like yours to be. They look pristine when painted any colour, so whether you opt for something dark and subdued or bright and modern, your front door will stand out for all the right reasons. Additionally, you can choose any hardware you like by mixing and matching contemporary and traditional styles and finishes. There are endless combinations when it comes to these truly timeless doors. Whether you completely customise your door or choose a classic Victorian style, you’ll create an exterior that passers-by simply can’t help but admire.

Our Victorian front doors start from as little as £194, making them an affordable way to create an unforgettable external entryway. If you’d like one of our team members to put together a free quote complete with frames and hardware, give us a call on 01752 422 501.

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