Queen Victoria’s reign defined not only an ideological and political movement, but an aesthetic one as well, which was embraced throughout the United Kingdom, later through much of Europe, and ultimately, in the United States. She was respected culturally as a woman of the people, and creatively as a trend-setter, as her taste in furniture influenced the stylistic sensibilities of her people. Victorian furniture is known for its ornateness, orderliness, and eclectic approach to unifying design themes from a variety of periods into a coherent framework. While it incorporated elements of Renaissance, Rococo and Gothic influences, Victorian Furniture is often characterized by its use of velvet, hard woods with dark finishes, intricate tufting, detailed needlework, floral patterns and romantic imagery. During the Victorian era, furniture manufacturing shifted largely from hand-made to machine-made, making it far more accessible, and because of this, Victorian Furniture was an all-encompassing genre that included all types of furniture, from chairs, settees & sofas to end tables, coffee tables, beds and case goods. Victorian Furniture remains widely popular today and has enjoyed longevity through its influences in 20th century design; Chesterfield sofas, for instance, a staple of Victorian design are arguably more popular in the 21st century than ever.