Choosing the right steampunk décor such as wall art and furniture is only one step towards creating a full steampunk themed living room. Lighting plays a crucial role, with Edison bulbs and brass fixtures providing a soft, ambient glow.
With that in mind, we’ve crafted a post and curated the best steampunk decorating ideas for your living room. If you can’t hire an interior designer, have no means to create refurbished furniture, or can’t buy antiques, no worries. Be it metalwork, leather furniture, or wooden masterpieces, we have all the goodies from the anachronistic Victorian Era.
This post will walk you through every steampunk interior design ideas you can apply to your own home or on others who needs your advice on decors with steampunk theme. Prepare to embark on a journey of transformative decor, where every nook of your abode will echo the grandiosity and innovation of the steampunk design!
Steampunk Sofa
A steampunk sofa should be long and overstuffed, preferably with tons of leather tuck and roll. And finely carved end-pieces and feet.
A generous frosting of pillows will be needed for when you take long flights of fancy after smoking from your jade opium pipe. Or watching TV. Some wretched people have made “sofas” out of thick planks of board on a metal pipe frame. Might as well drill some holes in it to disperse bodily fluids if you’re determined to lay on a medical examiner’s slab.
Do you know what’s also needed? A fine fainting couch. What living room is complete without one? Finely upholstered in velvet, this is a necessary piece of furniture in the home of a person who has a surfeit of derring-do. While recounting tales of adventure, a female guest (or very squeamish male one) will be heard to say “O! Sir Reginald, these tales have given me the vapors! Please perambulate me to the nearest fainting couch!”
Here are some fine couches that carry a steampunk vibe:
WOOD AND LEATHERETTE SOFA WITH NAIL HEAD TRIM
In the vibrant tapestry of steampunk decor, leather stands as a defining characteristic, reminiscent of the adventurous spirit of airship captains and the dignified charm of Victorian salons. Crafted from the finest top grain leather match and sturdy wood, it promises not just a seat but a throne in your living quarters.
TRANSITIONAL UPHOLSTERY AND POLYRESIN SOFA
For those with a penchant for elegance and grandeur, this deep brown upholstered sofa is an ideal choice. Crafter from polyresin, this sofa is masterfully crafted to mirror the kind of opulent seating one would expect to find in the stately homes of nobility.
Adding cogs, gears, springs, pipes, wheels, ship helms, and even vintage clock can transform a simple piece of furniture into a fascinating focal point that captures the inventive spirit of steampunk.
Steampunk Coffee Table
Like most people, you probably have some huge railroad train engine parts laying around. Plunk them down in the living room and put a sheet of clear plastic on top. Voila! A coffee table!
Any large piece of steam-powered apparatus, like cogs, gears, old metal tires can also get the plastic sheet treatment.
But! Be sure to make the frame out of metal plumbing parts if you don’t want to look gauche.
Wait! What about a steampunk steamertrunk? No wait! How about one of those cute dioramas with taxidermied kittens at school? In a low, glass case? Fun!
INDUSTRIAL STEAMPUNK TABLE
For those seeking an industrial and gritty aesthetic, this industrial steampunk table is the quintessential choice. Constructed from an exquisite blend of steel, brass, and copper, it boasts a durability that withstands the test of time.
WOOD AND IRON COFFEE TABLE
For those enchanted by the quirky, whimsical aesthetics of steampunk, merged seamlessly with industrial tones, this piece is a bespoke creation designed just for you. Adorned with rivets and featuring a metal mesh beneath its top, this table is an ideal centerpiece for any steampunk-themed living room, bringing a touch of industrial elegance to your space.
Steampunk TV Stand
What is this tee-vee you speak of? Is it coal-fired or steam-powered? It sounds like a dangerous contraption that could stupefy people into staring at it, like slack-jawed yokels. Hide it! Hide it from view, sir! If not behind an industrial safe, at least behind closed doors of a fine wooden cupboard.
If you must have it on show, let it rest on a plinth of beaten copper or other metal, with plenty of rivets to keep everyone safe from its noxious influence. Yes, a tee-vee stand with knobs on, as they say.
For the budget-conscious person selling pins and pencils on street corners, the old student standby, planks of wood laid across cement blocks will do, but to add a dash of panache, replace the cement with a frame of (what else?) metal piping.
INDUSTRIAL MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
What could complement your futuristic contraption more fittingly than an item that not only embodies the essence of practicality and functionality but also carries the enchanting aesthetics of the industrial era? Not just a stand for your TV, this decor is a comprehensive entertainment center, with ample storage for your media gear, books, and other treasures, ensuring your living space remains both stylish and orderly.
SOLID WOOD TV CONSOLE WITH METAL
Handcrafted with the finest walnut wood, each piece boasts its unique grain and pattern. Its lower shelf is crafted from metal and finished with electrostatic powder paint, offering durability and resistance to impacts. Indeed, this piece combines nature’s elegance and industrial robustness.
Steampunk Bookshelf
Naturally you will want to show off your books, especially the ones with (true!) Victorian titles, such as The Adventures of a Pin, Supposed to be Related by Himself, Herself or Itsself. Or the heart-pounding The Adventures of a Watch! And how about the steamy The Charms Of Dandyism; Or Living In Style. By Olivia Moreland, Chief Of The Female Dandies. Now how to display them?
With the very same construction as the tv stand above, just more vertical with extra shelves. Make room on the shelves to show off your collection of skulls, ethnic doodads, etc.
If you can get a book that was covered in tanned pigskin, even better – just nonchalantly mention that this one is covered in human skin! You’ll soon be the talk of the town (or the police precinct).
INDUSTRIAL WOOD LADDER PIPE WALL SHELF
This unique 4-layer bookshelf combines the stark, bold lines of black industrial pipes with the warm, inviting texture of reclaimed real wood. Easy to mount on the wall, it offers a perfect solution for those who yearn for a fusion of the old-world aesthetic with modern functionality.
FLOOR STANDING OPEN BOOKCASE
On the other hand, if you still prefer the timeless beauty of floor standing, polished wood shelves, this 5-tier open bookcase is a fantastic find. Crafted from thick particleboard, each shelf is adjustable to three height positions, accommodating even the tallest of tomes or most curious of curiosities..
Steampunk Side Table
Hey, you know what makes a good side table? A flat-topped steamer trunk! So easy, too.
Of course, you could always buy a ready-made table.
There are even some that feature the ever-present octopus under a clear glass top. Or build one with two or three tiers of copper pipe with wood planks inside.
And what could be better for garnishment than (of course) cogs!
You could make a table out of an upright pole with a giant cog laying horizontally on top. Just one tier.
And once you scratch the hell out of yourself grabbing things off it, you’ll be sharing tears, too.
ACCENT TABLE WITH BUCKLE HINGED TOP
If you think I was joking about steamer trunks being used as a side table, well, I’ve got a surprise for you. Made to look like a stack of trunks, this exquisite side table is crafted from solid wood and adorned in dark brown faux leather.
ACCENT TABLE WITH CURVED STYLE LEG STAND
What about a fusion of a steamer trunk and a writing desk? Crafted from solid wood and adorned in a rich brown hue with dark undertones, this table is a harmonious blend of creative steampunk theme and functionality.
Steampunk Rug
A steampunk living room should be dark and woody, with a few green plants to set it off.
Any self-respecting world traveler of the steampunk variety would have the floor covered in a lush Arabian or Persian carpet. Not rich? Faux carpets look just as good. A faux tiger skin rug adds the final touch.
ORIENTAL AREA RUG
With its elaborate design, this opulent carpet is the most fitting for the parlour of any steampunk-inspired abode. Its vintage design, featuring a reddish-brown oriental medallion, whispers tales of ancient empires and lost cities, adding an air of mystery and antiquity to your abode.
VINTAGE WASHABLE RUG
In pursuit of a grand, magnificent carpet to swath the entirety of your drawing room? Seek no further. Crafted from the finest faux wool, this machine-made wonder is light and comfortable yet durable. The intricate details of this Persian-inspired rug will make it seem like its brought right out of a bazaar from a far away land.
Steampunk Standing Lamps
Since steampunk lamps are invariably made of metal pipes, the base of the lamp must be able to hold that weight, so the perfect thing to use is, or course, a fire hydrant.
On the off-chance you don’t have one handy, a big, thick industrial cog will work. Or maybe even those metal things inside tires! What are they called? Rims!
Next, start building up from the base with your pipes, adding little offshoots for the bulbs here and there.
Where a table lamp only needs one or two lights, a floor lamp needs more. Three? Hahahaha! Four!! Five!!! Who knows?! (cackle, snort, maniacal laughter).
And now a pressure gauge! Don’t be scared! Do it, you loveable rogue!
FLOOR LAMP STEAMPUNK MASON JAR
Nothing captures the essence of industrial aesthetics than a fixture made from pipes and reused items like mason jars. Handcrafted with the ruggedness of black steel pipe and the charm of retro Mason Jars, this lamp stands as a beacon of the steampunk aesthetic.
INDUSTRIAL FLOOR LAMP
If you’re looking for a cozy floor lamp to illuminate your living room during pleasant evenings spent on reading your books, this fantastic floor lamp is an ideal choice. This tri-headed lamp, reminiscent of a towering tree, boasts a sturdy metal construction from crown to base, ensuring it remains an unwavering sentinel in your space.
Steampunk Curtains and Blinds
It’s curtains for you if those pesky neighbors with their torches and pitchforks see what nefarious things you’re up to, so the true steampunk needs good curtains.
Fortunately, there is a wide variety available replete with a rogue’s gallery of images. Octopi? Are you kidding me?! Plus clock faces, dirigibles and need I even mention loads of cogs?
You can even order your own design. What about your own heroic visage surfing atop a pair of dolphins and brandishing a whip in one hand and a martini in the other? Something toned down like that.
On the other hand, maybe a set of extremely heavy Victorian red velvet curtains. Just the thing to cut down on the light in the room after an experiment goes horribly wrong. “Don’t look at me! I’m hideous!”
BLACKOUT VELVET CURTAINS
Who says that a steampunk-themed living room shouldn’t look magnificent? On the contrary! If you are one to style your home with lavish furnishings and decor, I’m certain you would love this blackout velvet curtains. Each panel is a tapestry of soft, lush velvet, adorned with luxury pompoms, evoking the opulent décor of Victorian style parlors and the regal charm of airship lounges.
WORLD MAP BLACKOUT CURTAINS
How about a map of the whole world for a blackout curtain? It’s a curious piece of decor, but for those with an adventurous spirit, this one is a highly recommended addition to your home. Not only will it be an interesting conversation piece as you let your visitors know you’re on your way to El Dorado, but it can also be a fun way to learn geography–assuming of course you hadn’t used that Google-whatsawhosit-map-device yet.
Steampunk Ceiling Fans
With no such thing as air conditioning, adventurers have problems when their plasticized facial disguises begin to slowly melt in the heat, frightening the dogs.
A ceiling fan puts paid to that problem. There are quite a few types to choose from. The ones with the large wooden blades that also feature Edison lights in small cages underneath look the business.
Or for the latest in technology try a gyro fan, with two, count ‘em, two, small fans in cages that spin around a central motor.
And being steampunk, every tiny bit is filled with detailed scrollwork. For even more panache, create a belt-driven look with a series of belts and capstans all over the ceiling.
INDUSTRIAL STEAMPUNK CEILING FAN
What say you to a ceiling fan that looks straight out of a heavily guarded iron fortress? If you are a devoted steampunk fan fascinated by gritty and rugged machinery, you would love this fixture. With 5 big light bulbs and faux large gears on its design reminiscent of the developments of Industrial Revolution, it’s the perfect addition to any steampunk living room featuring metalwork and science fiction elements.
CAGED CEILING FAN
If you are paranoid about ceiling fan blades flying about, why not get one with a caged installed to keep you safe? This ceiling fan in particular looks like it was smuggled out of a factory that manufactures pesky automatons run by the government. Fortunately, it makes for a fantastic home decor.
Steampunk Parlor Accessories
To show what a well-rounded person you are, be sure to sprinkle around the house things like giant Victorian atlases that contain images of men with their faces in the bellies and other tomes that weigh about a hundred pounds. Plus a few glass cases containing taxidermied animals with surprised looks on their faces. Whale vertebrae, shrunken heads, momentos of ill-fated expeditions are all grist for the mill.
If you find those hard to obtain (you have to be a bit familiar with the black market to do so, after all), then here are some accessories that would surely keep you out of harm’s way. However, that, I can’t guarantee.
INDUSTRIAL METAL ROBOT TABLE LAMP
An adorable automaton like this would definitely light up the mood of your visitors, no pun intended. While it doesn’t move, you will surely get a question or two from guests if it does. That’s for you to either answer them to let them observe it warmly, or have a little fun of your own by slightly putting them on their guard.
OCTOPUS PIRATE TREASURE CHEST
A treasure chest with an octopus? Why not. It certainly makes for an interesting conversation piece. It’s up to you what to tell them, anyway. And, it’s up to you what to put inside. Da Vinci’s cryptex? A cursed coin from the treasures of the Aztecs? What about a little book of hexes and curses? Perhaps a blueprint for the ultimate secret weapon? Ah, maybe a vial of glowing liquid marked with a skull. The more believable, the better, to freak out impertinent people who tries to touch your stuff without asking permission.