These are the nation's most highly-coveted period features, according to Instagram

How many do you have?

Period features bring so much character to a home, and as a result, they're often high on our dream list when househunting. Beautiful Victorian hallway tiles, a stained glass front door or a ceiling rose all anchor us in history as a tangible connection to times gone by.

Living room ideas for a comfy yet practical space 

Property experts at Hometree have counted up Instagram hashtags to create a list of the most popular period features in the UK.

Surprisingly, cornicing and coving were proven to be the most sought-after period interior trend, with more than 211,000 Instagram hashtags. This technique is where the plaster trims cover the transition between the wall and the ceiling. It has the potential to add a desirable decorative effect to any room.

living room with blue wall archway and sofa with designed cushions

(Image credit: Future)

In the second spot is the hottest interior trend of the past few years - panelling. It had nearly 150,000 unique hashtags.

Unlike shorter-lived interior trends, panelling is here to stay due to its timeless appeal, as well as being an easy DIY task to take on yourself. Likewise, Google search trend data highlights a 190% increase in ‘wall panelling’ worldwide. Be guided by our wall panelling ideas piece if you're thinking of doing some of your own.

blue panel wall with grey sofa chair and cushion plant vase on table and lamp

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)

Timber floors are also catching on, with 110,377 photo hashtags. It's still a popular choice due to the floor's natural colouring and durability.

Other popular period interior features include a Victorian fireplace, ceiling roses, and cast iron radiators. Rounding off the trends are dado rails and Victorian floor tiles.

Interiors experts at Homedit.com say it's very possible to incorporate authentic and period features into your home where they're lacking. 'Most periods are easily identifiable stylistically,' they say.

hallway with white wall staircase with rug designed flooring

(Image credit: Future)

'All it takes is a quick Google search to understand what period features would work with your property type.' A mixture of contemporary and historical styles can work side by side in any home.

Related: Decorating on a budget – our top tips to getting a chic, unique look for less

A roll-top bath, encaustic tiles and butler sinks (like the ones you'd see in a farmhouse style kitchen) also made it to the top fifteen list.

Millie Hurst
Senior Content Editor

Millie Hurst was Senior Content Editor at Ideal Home from 2020-2022, and is now Section Editor at Homes & Gardens. Before stepping into the world of interiors, she worked as a Senior SEO Editor for News UK in both London and New York. You can usually find her looking up trending terms and finding real-life budget makeovers our readers love. Millie came up with the website's daily dupes article which gives readers ways to curate a stylish home for less.