The hit British television series Downton Abbey captivated viewers with its opulent costumes, lavish lifestyle, and intricate historical details. Though the show is set in early 20th century England, fans continue to find inspiration from the elegant fashions and refined interiors of Downton Abbey in their own homes today. Adding a dash of Downton style to your decor is an easy way to create spaces that feel sophisticated, timeless, and steeped in tradition.
Choose Rich, Saturated Hues
The color palette at Downton Abbey is rich and vibrant. Deep jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and burgundy ruled the day. When selecting paint colors and fabrics for an English country home aesthetic, look for hues with lots of pigment that feel enveloping and cozy. Stay away from anything too bright or neon, which would feel decidedly modern next to antiques.
Rich Color Suggestions:
- Forest Green
- Navy Blue
- Burgundy
- Mustard Yellow
- Chocolate Brown
Pair these saturated walls and textiles with natural materials like wood furniture and stone to create grounded, livable spaces. Too much dark color can feel heavy, so use it thoughtfully in key accent areas.
Incorporate Florals and Damask Patterns
The fabrics at Downton Abbey were elaborately embroidered and densely patterned. Large-scale damask and heavily printed florals added movement and traditional flair to both clothing and interior textiles.
When searching for curtains, upholstery, or accent pillows, look for textiles with these types of traditional motifs. Florals and damasks instantly imbue a space with English countryside charm. Stick to classic color combos like navy and white or oxblood red and cream for the most authentic effect.
For wallpaper, find a heritage print with small florals or geometric shapes to make a statement as an accent wall. Many companies like Cole & Son offer historical archive prints inspired by the turn of the century.
Display a Collection of Silver and China
The dining scenes at Downton Abbey always showed a lavish tablescape filled with fine china, gleaming crystal, and ornate silver. Meals were a chance to bring out the family’s prized possessions and show off their elevated status.
Create a similar feel in your home by displaying your best dishes and serveware. If your everyday dining set is casual, invest in a few standout antique or vintage pieces to use for special occasions. Look for designs with gilding, cut glass, or handpainted details.
A hutch, breakfront cabinet, or plate rail are all excellent backdrops to neatly exhibit an array of pretty china and accessories. Don’t keep these treasures hidden away! Letting guests glimpse your collection over dinner adds legacy and character to the meal.
Add Touches of Taxidermy and Leather
The men’s spaces at Downton, like the dining room and library, revealed the family’s interest in hunting and the outdoors. Mounted animal heads dotted the walls along with leather furnishings and accessories.
Use these masculine elements thoughtfully to nod to the past. A vintage leather armchair or a petite taxidermy specimen can feel proper and collected versus heavy-handed.
If real taxidermy doesn’t suit your style, faux versions are readily available and lend the same effect. Just a few of these touches layered into a thoughtfully curated space keep it feeling fresh and current.
Hang an Elaborate Mirror
The gorgeous mirror that hung in the Crawley’s front entry made a serious style statement. Its heavy gilded frame and ornate crest decoration perfectly reflected the family’s noble history.
Search antique stores or reproduction retailers to find a similar looking glass with over-the-top detailing. Place it prominently in your foyer or above a fireplace to instantly convey pedigree.
Avoid anything too sparkly or flashy. The ideal mirror should feature hand-carved accents in a classic matte gold or antique silver finish. Let it be the showstopper in the room.
Style a Library with Built-Ins and Leather Furniture
The Crawley’s private library was a refuge filled with shelf after shelf of leather-bound books, club chairs, and cognac. Follow their lead by creating a cozy place in your home devoted to reading and relaxation.
Built-in cabinetry with adjustable shelving stores books and provides gorgeous architectural interest. Have an expert craft custom millwork for a bespoke look, or DIY with stock cabinets. Include little details like crown molding, turned legs, and glass doors.
Inside, furnish the space with substantial leather armchairs flanking a drink cart. Layer in table lamps, a rug, and a coffee table for essential creature comforts. The space will feel like a private escape.
Procure Antique Furnishings
The interiors on Downton Abbey were grand yet comfortable, filled with generations worth of antique furnishings. From the carved dining set to the tufted sofas, each piece had astory and visible aged patina.
While you may not live in a country estate, introducing some antique or vintage furniture will bring the same sense of heritage into your rooms. Look for wood pieces in oak, mahogany or walnut with elegant hand-carved details. English and French styles from early 20th century work especially well.
Quality construction and aged finishes give these finds built-in soul. Mixing a few antiques into a room alongside more modern elements creates visually compelling spaces. Don’t be afraid to upholster shabby finds in fresh new fabrics too.
Appoint a Proper Butler’s Pantry
Downton Abbey always showed the behind-the-scenes work that supported the lavish upstairs lifestyle. The butler reigned over an extensive pantry just off the dining room where every course was prepared and presented with precision.
Though you may not have a live-in butler, creating a functional butler’s pantry of your own is a fun way to add English country house flair to your kitchen. Use an adjacent space or reclaimed closet to organize dishware, glassware, serving platters, and appliances like your coffee station.
Built-in cabinetry fitted with counters and a sink streamlines prep and cleanup. The pantry enables you to prepare food and drink out of sight, so you can present holiday meals or afternoon tea service with finesse.
Host an Elegant Dinner Party
Entertaining played a central role in life at Downton Abbey. Elegant dinners, lavish luncheons, and sophisticated soirees filled the social calendar.
You can infuse a bit of this entertaining ethos into your own life by hosting refined dinner parties and afternoon teas. Show off your fine china and linens as you serve athoughtful menu. Include chilled wine, decadent desserts, and remarks about the food’s preparation and sourcing.
Simple touches like a tablecloth, cloth napkins, real silverware, and candles instantly elevate the occasion. Make it an electronics-free affair and encourage guests to dress in cocktail attire or vintage-inspired looks. Focus on savoring good food and conversation.
Grow Classic English Gardens
The grounds of Downton Abbey were meticulously landscaped with flowering shrubbery, stone follies, and expanses of velvety green lawn. Taking inspiration from the English countryside, cultivate garden spaces around your own home.
Suggested Plants:
- Roses
- Lavender
- Hydrangeas
- Peonies
- Boxwood Shrubs
Pathways paved in brick or gravel encourage strolling. Wrought iron or wood benches placed under leafy trees make perfect resting spots. Garden ornaments like an urn, sundial, or bird bath add flair. A small cutting garden provides flowers for arranging.
This classic horticultural beauty right outside your windows infuses daily life with grace. Tend your garden patches often and let them be a creative outlet as you shape the landscape over time.
Adopt Proper Dinner Etiquette
Dressing the part is only one aspect of channeling Downton Abbey style. Embodying the proper dinner etiquette from the era completes the experience.Brush up on your table manners with these tips:
- Wait for the hostess to begin eating before you start.
- Hold utensils properly: fork in left hand, knife in right hand.
- Cut food one bite at a time instead of sawing away at the whole portion.
- Take small bites and avoid talking with your mouth full.
- Place your napkin on your lap, folding it neatly. Use it to dab your mouth as needed.
- Pass dishes to the right and left politely. Never reach across the table.
- Place your napkin on your chair when leaving the table for any reason.
- Wait for everyone to finish before rising from your seat at the end of the meal.
Mastering etiquette shows respect for your guests and the occasion. It also makes the experience feel more authentic. With the proper decorum in place, an English country dinner feels absolutely splendid.
Shop for Period Costumes and Clothing
The wardrobes on Downton Abbey were exquisite. The women changed multiple times per day, wearing lavish day dresses, cocktail gowns, and opulent jewels that defined the style of the era.
Though you won’t need that many costume changes in modern life, adding a few vintage inspired pieces to your closet is a fun way to complete the Downton Abbey aesthetic. Here are some shopping suggestions:
- Long string of pearls – Layer over blouses, dresses and cardigans
- Opera length gloves – For formal occasions
- Velvet headband – With a feather or rhinestone detail
- Mary Jane heels – Choose period styles in satin or velvet
- Ankle-length day dress – With lace collar and feminine details
- Seamed stockings – Much more elegant than modern hosiery
There are so many wonderful brands creating clothing from past eras that work beautifully in real life. Attending a vintage tea party or costume event provides the perfect chance to get all dressed up.
Brew Classic English Tea
Teatime was a treasured ritual at Downton Abbey. No matter what was happening with the family or staff, everything stopped for tea in the afternoons.
Making teatime a part of your own routine is tremendously enjoyable. Explore the varieties of quality loose leaf or bagged tea beyond just Earl Grey. Select a pretty tea set to use daily. Include snacks like tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, and pastries.
If possible, pause work and screens to truly savor this reprieve in your day. Sit down in a comfortable chair, pour a cup of your favorite brew, and take a slow, restorative sip. There’s nothing more British than a relaxing tea break.
Listen to Period Music
Though Downton Abbey was set in the early 20th century, the soundtrack featured a mix of classical, folk, and contemporary compositions to better resonate with modern audiences.
For a more authentic musical backdrop, create playlists featuring top hits actually from the WWI and post-war era. Streaming platforms offer playlists of top tunes from every decade. Look for albums like:
- 19*Teens: Songs the World Sang
- 1920s Jazz Classics
- 100 Greatest Songs of the 1920s and 1930s
In addition to jazz, popular styles included Broadway showtunes, ragtime, vaudeville, operetta, and traditional folk songs. When hosting a themed party, setting the mood with period music is a fun touch.
DIY Projects with a Downton Flair
If you want to go even further in your Downton-style transformation, consider taking on some DIY projects to make custom décor suited to your space. Here are ideas to spark your creativity:
Picture Frame Gallery Wall
Buy vintage-looking frames and prints on Etsy to curate a salon-style arrangement. Mix in family photos too. Finish by painting the frames one color for a collected gallery wall with loads of charm.
Tailored Lampshade
Make a drum lampshade from scratch or spruce up a basic one purchased new. Add pleats, trim, fringe or cording details. Finish in a rich fabric like emerald velvet for a posh accent.
Faux Fireplace
Even if your home doesn’t have a real fireplace, you can create a faux mantel to imitate the look. Use MDF board and trim to build out a hollow structure. Finish with wallpaper, molding, and a mantel shelf accessorized with candles and botanicals.
Upholstered Headboard
Headboards lend bedrooms a polished hotel-suite vibe. Upholster a basic frame in cotton velvet or linen. Nailhead trim adds definition. Lean into boudoir glam with tufting and French curves.
Window Film
Add authentic mullioned glazing to plain windows with removable pane film. The 3D panes cast a perpetually dappled light effect into the room. Choose from diamond, square, or rectangle patterns.
Downton DIY projects satisfy the desire to create something meaningful with your hands while also elevating the historical quality of a space. Let your fantasies run wild!
Make An Afternoon Of It With a Downton Abbey Viewing Party
Once you’ve decorated and entertained like the characters on Downton Abbey, why not gather some friends and watch the show itself? Plan an afternoon tea or cocktail party timed around several back-to-back episodes.
Send formal paper invites and ask guests to don their most elegant attire. Prepare finger sandwiches and an array of desserts for a menu that feels indulgent. Brew pots of tea or mix up gin cocktails, including the new Downton Abbey-branded spirits.
As you watch the drama unfold, discuss what you love about the characters and styles portrayed on the show. During intermissions, clear plates and refresh drinks before immersing yourself in the story again.
Take some group photos of the party to memorialize a delightful day of anglophile escapism. A marathon viewing session lets you truly soak in all the details that sparked your Downton style aspirations to begin with!
Conclusion
Whether you add just a few key antique finds or fully commit to an English countryside motif, embracing inspiration from Downton Abbey allows you to surround yourself with spaces and styles that feel genuinely refined. The alluring elegance of this era continues to endure and entrance because it masterfully blends luxury with livability. With a dash of Downton added into your home, expect to delight in cooking, entertaining, and relaxing with an extra bit of pleasure and panache.