What Is A Victorian House? A Guide

Architecture doesn’t merely add beauty and interest to its surroundings; it can also offer a window into the past. Any home style is a visual representation of history – and a Victorian house is no different. Each has a story to tell about the mid- to late-19th century and early 1900s.

This distinct architectural style is highly sought after – and for a good reason. In this article, you’ll learn more about the history of Victorian houses and the features that make Victorian-style houses so unique.

What Is A Victorian House?

A Victorian house is an architectural style that originated in the 19th century Victorian era during the reign of Queen Victoria in Great Britain. Victorian homes are known for their colorful facades, pitched roofs, ornate trim and a broad range of defining architectural features.

Of all the home styles available in America, a Victorian-style house stands out as one of the most recognizable due to its design themes and the architectural details that can only be found in the houses built during this era.

The Victorian era was a time of rapid change. Technologies and transportation were advancing, which made building materials more accessible. The middle class was growing larger and wealthier. Victorians built homes to reflect this new world and showcase their newfound wealth.

Victorian Homes’ Interior Architectural Features

All Victorian homes have several interior design features that speak to the growing affluence of Americans during this period. Victorian homes typically boast intricate wood paneling and trim, stained glass windows, large staircases, hardwood floors and ornate tile fireplaces.

These items were expensive during the Victorian era. But the expansion of the railway system in America made these building materials more accessible across the country than ever before.

Floor plans for homes of this era are distinct and reflect the formality of the time. Victorian house floor plans feature many smaller rooms. Each room is designated for a specific purpose, such as formal and informal entertainment.

Victorian Homes’ Exterior Architectural Features

Exterior flourishes make a Victorian house recognizable on sight. In most instances, a Victorian house will feature some combination of the following telltale exterior details:

Steeply Pitched Roofs

The roof line of a Victorian Home is supposed to inspire drama and draw the eye upward. Most Victorian homes are two to three stories tall and have a steeply pitched, pattern shingle roof. The roofs of Victorian houses are pitched with a triangular shape that faces the front, often with many gables.

Colorful Facades

Victorian houses are also well known for their brightly painted facades. Their exteriors may be painted in bright pastels or more muted tones, with decorative features painted in a different color. For Victorian houses built from brick instead of wood, glazed bricks could also add color to a home’s exterior.

Lavish Mill Or Ironwork

Victorian houses are known for the intricately carved woodwork that typically adorns their windows, doorways and eaves. This ornate trimming gives these homes a gingerbread or dollhouse look, which has become quite popular in American culture.

Front Porches

The Victorian era was all about entertaining and inspiring visitors with a sense of grandeur upon arrival. While front porches aren’t specific to Victorian houses, a broad, wraparound front porch is a unique hallmark of the homes built during this time.

Unique Windows

Victorian homeowners also used windows to display wealth and status. A large part of a Victorian’s charm comes from the decorative nature of its windows. A single Victorian house can have a variety of window types, including:

Stained glass

Eyebrow

Porthole

Cameo

Arched

Multipane windows

Towers, Turrets And Dormers

During this time, builders began experimenting with asymmetrical architectural designs. As a result, round or octagonal towers and turrets became prominent features of Victorian homes. Dormers with windows that extended out of the homes’ sloped roofs were also popular.

Types Of Victorian-Style Houses

One of the most exciting aspects of the Victorian style is that this architectural style has several substyles. During the Victorian era, advances in technology and construction led to the emergence of many architectural styles that were unique to this era.

Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival is the era’s first popular Victorian house style. These homes were popular in the mid-1800s. Influenced by medieval architecture and the Romantic art movement, these houses are known for their pointed arches and windows and often included:

• Diamond-shaped panes
• Steep, front-facing gable roofs
• Decorative eaves
• Wooden board-and-batten siding

This style of Victorian house gets its name from its use of Gothic windows with high arches.

Italianate

Italianate homes drew inspiration from Tuscan villas of the era and are characterized by their square or rectangular shape and sprawling front yards with wraparound porches. Italianate homes were most popular between 1840 and just shortly after the Civil War.

Second Empire

Second Empire homes are rare because their elaborate architecture was only available to the true upper class of the Victorian era. This type of architecture fell out of fashion in the 1880s because it was too expensive to recreate. You can usually identify a Second Empire Victorian by the presence of a French mansard roof with dormers.

Stick

The Stick Victorian is a transitional style because it incorporates characteristics of Gothic Revival and Queen Anne Victorian homes. The most distinctive element of a Stick-style Victorian is the decorative wood trim applied to the exterior of a home. The bands of wood trim are decorative and don’t support the home structurally. With added intricate woodwork, Stick-style Victorian homes have a gingerbread-like quality that adds to their charm.

Queen Anne

When people think of a Victorian house, they’re usually imagining the Queen Anne style. This style dominated the architecture of the time between 1880 and 1910. In North America, Queen Anne homes are most famously found on Steiner Street in San Francisco (the Painted Ladies), Charles Village in Baltimore, Cape May in New Jersey and the Old West End in Toledo.

This Victorian house style is distinguished by the extremely ornate detail on nearly every buildable aspect of the home. These homes employed the latest advances in construction to feature asymmetrical designs. They’re highly decorated with intricate trimming and brightly painted facades in a rainbow of color palettes.

They can be identified today by these exterior features:

• Bay windows
• Round towers
• Turrets
• Porches
• Steep, peaked roofs

Romanesque Revival

Romanesque Victorian homes are known for the exterior brick and stone elements that lend to their reddish color. Patterned masonry arches and rough-faced square stones replace the wood trim in other Victorian home styles. You’ll also notice medieval details like stained glass and round towers.

Folk

Shortly after the Victorian style became popular within wealthy circles, working-class families wanted to build similar homes. Without the funds to hire architects, these families relied on carpenters to design and build their properties.

These were basic folk houses (small, common structures) decorated with prefabricated embellishments. Folk Victorian homes generally have simplistic floor plans and lack the more complex architectural elements of the era.

How To Find A Victorian-Style House

Many Americans dream of living in a Victorian. And due to their popularity and scarcity, buyers must be savvy when planning their purchase. Here are a few steps to get you started:

1. Pick a style: You’ve made it this far, so you know there are a few Victorian styles to choose from. Each style of home will have its unique pros and cons. Choosing a style that suits your lifestyle is most important.
2. Decide how much work you can put into the home: Given the age of Victorian homes, many have fallen into disrepair. If you’re ready to invest some sweat equity, you may be able to find a fixer-upper faster than a turnkey home.
3. Find a real estate agent: Before you start your search, find a real estate agent with experience in older homes and historical neighborhoods. They’ll help speed up your search and narrow your options.
4. Find an inspector who specializes in historical or older homes: When searching for the perfect place to plant your roots, an expert can identify potential problems quickly.
5. Make an offer: If you find a Victorian home and think living in a historical home is the right fit for you, work with your agent to make a strong offer.

How Much Do Victorian-Era Houses Cost?

Depending on the condition and location, the cost of buying a historical home or an older home in general can vary greatly. If the home requires upgrades and improvements, renovations can be expensive due to the customized nature of this home type. Insurance premiums tend to be higher because these homes cost more to repair. Be sure to take time to shop for home insurance coverage that’s right for your home.

If you plan to renovate an older home, do your research upfront. Finding materials and contractors for a Victorian-style home can be a costly challenge. Have the home inspected by a professional. The inspection report can give you great insight into possible future expenses and may save you from disaster.

The Bottom Line: Victorian-Style Homes Have History And Charm, But May Require Upgrades

Victorian homes have charm and character. Renovating a Victorian home may sound like a challenging task, but for home buyers with vision and a passion for the timeless elegance of a Victorian-style house, it can be extremely rewarding.

If you’re ready to own your own piece of history, connect with an agent today. One of our Verified Partner Agents can help you find and buy a home.