How To Decorate Your Home Like Buckingham Palace
Your home is like your castle, but it could be like your palace – Buckingham Palace, that is. For over 300 years, the British Royal residence has been the epitome of regal grandeur. From the traditional gardens to the acres of rooms, everything about the palace speaks of royalty and tradition. For example, the Queen's Guards, in their red coats and big black furry hats, protect the queen and her thousands of priceless treasures.
When you are ready to make your home a little more palatial, we've got some highly valuable improvement and decorating ideas. When upgrading your living space to resplendent, sometimes more is more. To that end, adding more luxurious textiles, more rich hues, more layers, and more shine can transform your home into a palace. But paint, lighting, and linens don't have to be expensive; with the popularity of "The Crown," "Bridgerton," and "The Queen's Gambit," elegant fixtures and furnishings are more easily accessible. So before you host your next gala, create some sumptuous surroundings in your castle. Here's how to decorate your home like Buckingham Palace.
Add some stunning crystal chandeliers
Classic Chandeliers proclaims Buckingham Palace the home of chandeliers. Boasting some of the most amazing lighting in the world, there are millions of dollars worth of chandeliers in the palace. The East Wing alone has 40 massive chandeliers, according to Modern Chandelier, including the one-of-a-kind Waterfall Chandelier. In addition there are dozens of other light fixtures, totaling over 40,000 light bulbs that need to be tended. In fact, it costs over $100,000 a year (via the Evening Standard) just to keep those chandelier crystals clean. Most of these sparkly chandeliers are large, heavy, and remote control operated, per SheKnows. With the push of a button, the lights are lowered for cleaning and bulb maintenance.
Since most of us common folk live more modestly, the dining room is an ideal place to install one crystal chandelier. But, this most elegant type of lighting also dresses up foyers, walk-in closets, and bedrooms. When choosing a dining room chandelier, size and proportion matter; Ballard Designs recommends selecting one that is between 1/2 and 3/4 as wide as your dining room table. As for height, Architecture Art Designs suggests hanging the fixture 30 to 36 inches over the tabletop. In an entryway, keep your fixture over 7 feet high. Plan ahead as some chandeliers can weigh over 400 pounds. Complete the look by adding complimentary up-lighting torchieres, scones, or table lamps like these at Lamps Plus.
Go bold with wallpaper
Buckingham Palace has so many staterooms with amazing, rich wallpaper that they have staff who do nothing but restore the classic, historic wall coverings (via Hello!). From solids to animal prints, botanicals to geometric patterns, bold wallpapers give rooms drama and personality. They're also a great way to hide uneven or damaged walls.
Additionally, dark textured backgrounds allow your furnishings and interior architecture to stand out. In an interview with The Washington Post, the founder of Florida's Malmberg Studio, Robert Malmberg, says that rooms with lots of natural light keep darker wallpaper from making the room feel heavy. However, he advises being mindful when planning to add moodier wallpaper in spaces with low light or no windows.
Not only does stunning wallpaper make a bold statement, it's budget-friendly, too. And although it may cost more at first, wallpaper is designed to endure. If it's taken care of, it can last for at least 15 years, says BlindsChalet. If you're looking for more than just vibrant color, thicker and flocked papers dampens sound, and may even provide a little thermal protection. Some specialty wallpaper is designed to insulate from heat and noise.
Include a romantic canopy bed
When Buckingham Palace was completed in 1705, per the Royal Collection Trust, there was no electricity or central heating. So when the servants were sleeping in the bedchamber's corner tending the fire and catering to every midnight snack craving, and you wanted privacy, you simply drew the lustrous tapestry across your royal canopy bed. Since their 16th century emergence (via Hunker), stately and elegant canopy beds were primarily found in upper-class homes. Not just for privacy, pulling the chintz, or brocade fabric panels around the bed, according to SF Gate, also provided warmth.
The classic Princess-style canopy bed is only one of the ways to Buckingham your palace. From "Out of Africa" to tropical islands, the romantic, draped bed is a way of life in climates where you want to keep bugs away. The canopy bed frame can be built with simple lines of metal or wood, and then left uncluttered or adorned with custom draperies, netting, or brocade fabric. When choosing a bed, Making Your Home Beautiful's Samantha Bacon suggests making sure the canopy falls a few inches shorter than the ceiling and fits into the style of your home. From white-washed frames for Hamptons or coastal styles, traditional carved wooden English style canopies, and even contemporary metal designs, each canopy can be accessorized to suit your style. Let a canopy bed turn your ordinary room into a sumptuous refuge, suggests Elle Decor. Complete your look with coordinating furnishings, floor coverings, and lux linens.
Decorate with candelabras
Not just for weddings anymore, nothing quite elevates your dining table like light tapered candles in elegant tall candelabras. When hosting state and formal dinners at Buckingham Palace, the staff sets up the home-sized ballroom (via History). The largest of the palace rooms, according to CNN, the ballroom can seat 170 guests. Additionally, the royal website says Queen Elizabeth approves of every aspect of the tables before events. The long tables are adorned with lines of candelabras, giving the room a regal look and feel. Incidentally, just setting these tables for an event can takes the staff up to five days.
If you're thinking that traditional candelabras are too much like something your grandmother might have, think again. Art Deco, contemporary crystal, and sterling silver candelabras are easy to find at Wayfair. If you're planning on really upping the glamour quotient, then get multiples. Mix some three-, five-, and seven-candle designs for the dining table, accent tables, and buffets for an unforgettable party. Make sure to get enough matching candles, and store them in the freezer to keep them from melting. The clusters of creamy tapered candles not only add glamour to the tablescape, but they also create flattering light.
Create an inviting entry way
When your living space is a 19-acre (828,820-square-foot) residence as Buckingham Palace is, you welcome your guests in a grand and glorious style. Every home, even the White House at a paltry 55,000 square feet (via The White House Historical Foundation), can upgrade the area near the front door and set the tone for the rest of your home and castle. Rather than just being the coat and shoes staging area, give some thought to this oft-forgotten space. Ennick Estates CEO Ronald Ennick told Luxury Defined that the foyer gives homeowners the opportunity to make a lasting first impression. "Whether you opt for a statement classic entrance hall, contemporary or minimal, carefully considered design and décor choices such as color palette, textures, feature details, and furniture go a long way in enhancing the experience of entering your home, and set the tone for the lifestyle you want your home to convey," he explained.
A traditionally decorated foyer is symmetrical, per Homes & Gardens. Create this look by pairing matching wing-back chairs, rough-hewn benches, or even loveseats facing across from each other. Add mirrors, side tables, and plants in pairs, too. The balanced furnishings set the background for a fantastic focal point like a crystal chandelier or other statement lighting. Find some foyer decorating ideas at Architectural Digest.
Add some namesake royal blue
Blue has always been the most expensive pigment, and royal blue or queen's blue adds opulence to your rooms. The music room at Buckingham Palace shows just how regal that special blue makes a space, per the BBC. This beautiful, vibrant hue can pack a big punch of color, like the royal blue columns pictured above. Empire suggests that if you're unsure about adding a big blue swatch, begin with some accessories, artwork, or pillows. Consider putting royal blue on an accent wall, staircase, or a piece of furniture or thick-framed mirror. Another fun way to add royal blue is with a bookcase or shelving unit. Houzz suggests painting the back piece of the unit blue and then putting it together. Accent the shelves with blues, whites, or other primary colors.
The royal blue hue was created, according to Color Meanings, in the early 1800s for Queen Charlotte, Queen Victoria's grandmother. Deep blue is a favorite of artists including Yves Klein, who said "blue has no dimensions. It is beyond dimensions." If you're looking to mix your blues, Picky Pens has some great advice and visual aids. They do suggest that if you're only able to use one blue, royal blue is the best as it's very versatile. It's also the blue in the flag of the United Kingdom (via the Flag Institute).
Layer with stunning rugs
London is not known for its climate; it's cold, damp, and often dreary, per Britannica. That is why woven rugs are such an important part of Buckingham Palace's ornamentation, not just on the floors but also adorning the walls. The historic floor coverings, though, come with a price. Queen Elizabeth shared (via Town & Country) that the public have a habit of ruining her valuable carpets. Oops! These rugs are hand-knotted, as noted by the Royal Collection Trust. This laborious task can take four weavers four to five months to complete, according to Wendy Morrison Design. But, they're made to last a lifetime.
Machine-made rugs, according to Bob Vila, are more reasonably priced and can last 20 years. Silk and wool rugs are more expensive, while polyester and nylon are more moderately priced and are more stain-resistant. Adding one or a few to your home adds warmth, color, and style. Use patterned rugs to separate spaces in a large area, brighten a hallway or bedroom, and make all your rooms a little cozier. When placing a carpet in your living room or bedroom, (via The Spruce) Make sure you leave at least a foot, or better, 2 feet of flooring showing around the edge. Dining room rugs should be about 4 feet longer and wider than your table.
Go monochromatic with gold accents
Upgrading a plain white or off-white room to give it some regal opulence requires some gold, of course. One of Buckingham Palace's 775 rooms (via the royal website) is this glamorous White Drawing Room. This opulent space features rich, aged-white walls adorned with gold and gilded furnishings. Long associated with royalty, the gold and white is a classic combination that never goes out of style, says Eye for Design, who sees this color duo returning to popularity.
If you can't reach the top of your gilded ceilings, there are a lot of simple and fun do-it-yourself options. With shiny and matte gold paints and gold leaf from the local craft store, transform a thrift store mirror, picture frame, or piece of furniture into golden sensations. The Spruce used some gold spray paint to transform a boring metal shelf frame into a stunning gold show-stopping shelf. In the kitchen or bathroom, consider some brushed gold fixtures. According to Faucet List, refined and classy brushed gold is one of the most tempting finishes on the market. Doorknobs and hinges, drawer pulls, lighting, and faucets and fixtures all look a little less plebeian dressed in gold.
Decorate with musical instruments
Did you know Queen Elizabeth has, according to ClassicFM, two honorary degrees in music? Actually, many of the royals are not just patrons of the arts, but are accomplished musicians themselves — most of them, pianists. Queen Elizabeth I, the Queen Mother, tickled the ivories (via Will Swift) as did Princess Diana (per The Music Man). More recently, Princess Kate Middleton wowed the crowd playing a duet with Tom Walker on Christmas Day in 2021. Additionally, only does the Buckingham Palace ballroom boast a huge pipe organ, but the queen actually has a gold grand piano. According to Pianist magazine, the Erard Piano dates from 1856, and really is a piano fit for a queen.
You don't need to be able to play the piano to appreciate its handsomeness, and it can be fun to decorate for the holidays. Additionally, HGTV thinks when it comes to decorating with musical instruments, no room in your home should go to waste, including your foyer, formal living room, or den. A piano in your entryway or viewed by your guests when entering your home makes a grand first impression. They also suggest letting your piano harp, harpsichord, or instrument collection take center stage. Styling your room with a harp is similar, says Decoist, and gives you the opportunity to provide an eclectic counterpoint to a modern, minimalist, industrial, or masculine style.
Upgrade your tablescape
At Buckingham Palace, it takes days to set the tables for fancy meals, says CBS. With flowers, candles, crystal goblets and glasses, fabulous linens, multiple forks, knives, spoons, and layers of plates, a party at the palace takes time and effort to create (get a look behind the scenes on the royal website). If you're looking for a starting place, Southern Living suggests spending your money on linens. From washable velvet to silk-like fabrics, napkins, placemats, tablecloths, and runners can give you long-lasting luxury.
Setting the table for a formal dinner can be a little daunting. Once you've ironed your tablecloth and placed your chargers, if you forget where the soup spoon or the wine glasses are positioned, check out this complete checklist at Real Simple. When creating a tablescape, monochromatic is the most elegant, but contrasting and complementary colors also make for an inviting table. The centers of the tables are lined with lots of low flower arrangements and low or tall sparkly candelabras so the neither interfere with cross-table conversation.
Feature jewel tones
Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amethyst — these deep, precious stones are some of the most highly sought-after in the world, and their vibrant colors speak of richness. Some of the most impressive rooms in Buckingham Palace are adorned with jeweled hues, such as the ruby red Throne Room. Interior designer Janelle Burns from Maestri Studio told Better Homes & Gardens that when working with jewel tones, you have two choices: Use the color "sparingly as an accent or fully commit." If you're all in, that means walls, floor coverings, furnishings, and accessories. Burns also suggests adding rich colors in more than one room.
Guest bathrooms are a fun place to add bold, unexpected color. If you're worried that will make the room seem smaller, Sherwin Williams says that the dark colors actually recede to make rooms look larger. They suggest applying two coats of paint with a roller with a 3/8 inch nap. Not ready to commit to all four walls? Then paint an accent wall for a jolt of jewel.
Create a gallery wall
Most of the wall space at Buckingham Palace is adorned with art. In fact, the Royal Collection Trust wrote that there are over 7,000 paintings lining the palace walls. Yes, the palace boasts pieces by da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt (see the 27 most famous pieces in the palace here).
Fortunately, artwork is one part of your decorating that doesn't need to be expensive to be beautiful. Aside from paintings, photos, collections, drawings, maps, and even journal pages are appropriate for framing, incorporating a gallery wall is a sophisticated way to flaunt your personality. If you're looking to the palace for ideas, think portraits, hunting and outdoor scenes, and of course, landscapes. You'll want to choose pieces with a theme, whether style, color, texture, or framing according to Studio DIY.
Once you've gathered your pieces together, lean them near where you're going to hang them. See if they coordinate without being too matchy-matchy. Additionally, just because you've chosen, say, a botanical theme doesn't mean you need to limit your color palette to just green hues, as some contrast can add interest and help balance the space. Layout your pieces, then purchase or repurpose coordinating, suitably-sized frames, suggests House Beautiful. When ready to arrange, outline where each framed piece will be on the wall with painter's tape as you plan your gallery wall. If you're not ready to compose a wall, it's not hard to find curated sets of prints if you're looking for a quick solution.
Add a classic clothes wardrobe
Built-in closets are a fairly new invention, so that's why Buckingham Palace uses wardrobes or armoires in their rooms. According to the royal website, there are 19 staterooms, 52 Royal guest rooms, and 188 staff bedrooms in the queen's home. Queen Elizabeth, though, doesn't use a closet to hold her clothes, as her fashions are stored on an entire floor of the palace (via Pure Wow). Additionally, armoires, as the name indicates, were originally used to hold arms like guns and ammunition, according to Britannica. These stately furnishings add a touch of class to the bedroom or, really any room (check out the palace's 300-year-old cabinet). Emily Henderson thinks that "armoires are essentially just cabinets for storing things so why can't we use one anywhere and everywhere we need storage, right? Plus, because they take up more vertical space than horizontal, they're great for smaller footprints."
Wardrobes offer deep storage, so they're perfect for guest rooms and entertainment rooms. What an elegant way to store the television, books, blankets, and winter coats! Plus, if you're missing the Chronicles of Narnia, then you can hide in there like Lucy, and sink into another world. When you're ready to add a wardrobe, Wooden Street has an in depth buying guide
Add some soothing pastels
If you've seen photos of Her Majesty the Queen or watched "The Crown," you've seen Buckingham Palace's most famous pastel room, the Queen's Audience Room. With the dreary London weather, pastel colors bring a much-needed sense of springtime to the palace. Hirshfield's says those light tones are a marvelous way to soften white, off-white, or cream-colored rooms, hallways, or open areas. These light colors mirror light, so their hue will change throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. Robin's egg blue, pale pink, light yellow, and ice green walls are a great backdrop for bright colors and accessories, bold furniture, and rich upholstery. Dark leather furnishings are brightened with rose pink, while heavy tables from Arts and Crafts style to Louis XIV-style are softened with lilac or peach tones.
Surround yourself with one color palate, or easily combine pastels. Pastel blues and greens pair with champagne, honey, and light yellow tones. One Kings Lane suggests that if you want your pastels to look more grown-up, then make sure they're warmer in tone, like pinks leaning toward peachy or flesh tones. Pastel colors, especially those with satin to high-gloss finishes reflect sunlight, so they do not hide wall imperfections. So, when you're ready to paint, make sure to fill in all the holes and damaged areas, and consider applying a primer under your paint.