Everything You Need to Know About Victorian Style Houses (2024)

It seems that our love affair with Victorian homes remains as inexhaustible as our love for the Queen herself. And while she may no longer be sitting on the British throne, the houses erected during her reign remain popular monoliths of that bygone era.

“There’s something about Victorian houses that appeals to the little girl in all of us,” says Molly McClain, a University of San Diego history professor. “They are eclectic, they’re colorful, and they’re a romantic piece of an American past.”

Whether restored to their pure original state or reinterpreted into a more contemporary style for present-day requirements, these charming structures in their seemingly infinite variety all have one thing in common—there’s absolutely no lack of character. From the imposing stately mansions to the cozy romantic cottages, Victorian style homes give occupants something you can’t find in modern properties: a chance to own a piece of history.

So What’s the History of Victorian Houses?

The Victorian aesthetic boomed during the mid-to-late 1800s amid Queen Victoria’s reign in the U.K. The U.S. followed suit 50 years later, after the expansion of the railway, which created land availability for suburban development, and on the heels of the Industrial Revolution, which made manufacturing of house parts possible on a mass scale. For the first time, people could have houses wherever they wanted that would look like whatever they wanted.

Everything You Need to Know About Victorian Style Houses (1)

A row of Victorian homes in San Francisco.

“That’s the glory of the Victorians—that mere function was no longer the sole purpose of this architecture,” says McClain. “People would look through publications like the American Home or Good Housekeeping, and they would choose these eclectic house designs, and it was their way of expressing their taste, their social aspirations, their individuality.”

What’s more, new chemical dyes made different house colors possible. “It was a revolution in color,” says McClain. “You simply couldn’t do that before the 1830s, so people experimented with bold, bright hues. It wasn’t until later in the century that they would go for more grays or natural, moss-colored houses.”

Where Can You Find Victorian Houses Today?

Victorian-era houses can be found in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. While these historic gems account for around one in every six homes in the U.K., according to Robin Guild, author of The Victorian House Book, thanks to early conservation efforts in the 1930s, many Victorian homes in the U.S. were demolished in the name of urban renewal beginning in the 1950s. Even still, millions of these houses remain, and their current residents are becoming well acquainted with their dated idiosyncrasies (charming or otherwise).

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A charming Victorian cottage on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

“In general, the materials used in building houses during the Victorian era were of higher quality than what is typically used in new construction today,” says Scott T. Hanson, author of Restoring Your Historic House: The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners. “Even after long periods of neglect or abuse, these materials can often be restored to their original function and beauty.”

Nevertheless, any old house is high maintenance, so it’s important to know the history behind your home, Hanson says. “This can include updating mechanical systems for comfort and efficiency, dealing with hazardous materials, and working with local building codes and historic preservation regulations.”

Features of a Victorian House

While a number of styles have dominated in varying periods of history, there are some typical characteristics that tie this architectural style together. The houses usually have two to three stories with steep, gabled roofs and round towers. On the exterior, there are towers, turrets, and dormers, forming complex roof lines as architects sought to create designs that would pull the eye to the top of the house. And of course, one can’t miss the signature stained glass, decorative woodwork, and bright paint colors—all often framed with a wrap-around porch accented with gingerbread cutouts and spindle work. Basically, think dollhouse.

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Inside, it’s common to see high ceilings and walls with irregular shapes (sorry for those applying wallpaper), with closed-off rooms and added nooks. Intricate trim work was the hallmark of these homes, from decorative wooden staircases to ornate fireplace mantels to gilded wainscoting. The quintessential Victorian home had a glittering chandelier, as the Victorians are known for nothing if not their fondness for opulence.

As for the layout, open-concept was unthinkable during this period, says McClain. “There were particular rooms for particular activities,” she says. “There was a music room where you had the piano, a library for reading, and a parlor where you received visitors.” For that reason, detailed floor plans are common in these homes, with interiors that were often rambling in their complexity.

Learn More About the Different Types of Victorian Homes

Everything You Need to Know About Victorian Style Houses (4)

Everything You Need to Know About Victorian Style Houses (5)

Rachel Silva

Assistant Digital Editor

Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture. She has previously written for Time, The Wall Street Journal, and Citywire.

Everything You Need to Know About Victorian Style Houses (2024)

FAQs

Everything You Need to Know About Victorian Style Houses? ›

Features of a Victorian House

What were key features of a Victorian home? ›

Key Elements
  • Two to three stories. Victorian homes are usually large and imposing.
  • Wood or stone exterior. ...
  • Complicated, asymmetrical shape. ...
  • Decorative trim. ...
  • Textured wall surfaces. ...
  • Steep, multi-faceted roof or Mansard roof. ...
  • One-story porch. ...
  • Towers.

What is unique about Victorian houses? ›

“Recognizable characteristics are steep, tiled roofs, painted brick, bay windows, and asymmetrical design,” Dadswell says. “Wooden floorboards, plaster cornicing, sweeping staircases, wooden sash windows, and tiled entrance hallways would have been incorporated into most Victorian homes.”

What are the disadvantages of a Victorian house? ›

The cons of buying a Victorian house
  • Uncomfortable draughts and difficult to heat. ...
  • Less precise construction. ...
  • Inefficient sash windows. ...
  • Upkeep can be more expensive. ...
  • Small and cramped. ...
  • Nowhere to park. ...
  • Dangerous paint residue.

How much would it cost to build a Victorian style house? ›

In the U.S., it costs, on average, $350,000 to build a Victorian-style house. Typically, most homeowners spend between $250,000 and $600,000. The average cost per square foot to build a Victorian-style home is $100 to $200.

What is the typical layout in a Victorian house? ›

One of the most common Victorian layout ideas is to have the living space at the front of the house, opening up a large kitchen at the back of the house, most likely with an ample kitchen island, open-plan dining area and glazed or bi-fold doors that open out onto the garden.

What type of roof do Victorian houses have? ›

Wood, clay and the beginning of the Victorian era

When the architectural design choices that have grown to be known as the Victorian style emerged, wood and clay tiles were the roofing materials of choice. For higher end buildings, clay was typically used, whereas wood was sought as a less expensive alternative.

What state has the best Victorian houses? ›

Old Louisville has the most extensive collection of restored Victorian homes in the country and is the third-largest Historic Preservation District in the U.S.” Kentucky. Quite a few in SE Michigan.

Why do people like Victorian houses? ›

Why do people like them? First and foremost, people love their space. The proportions are often great in Victorian homes and, more often than not, they're light and bright – the Victorians weren't that far behind the Georgians in wanting big windows from ceiling to floor.

Are Victorian houses strong? ›

Poor structural integrity

As Victorian homes could be close to 200 years old, the possibility of structural issues is much higher than in a more modern home. Again, there may be tell-tale signs of structural issues as you look around a property. Cracks in walls, uneven plaster and loose bricks can all be warning signs.

What are the prominent features of Victorian age? ›

Key themes include the following:
  • The Industrial Revolution.
  • Population growth and migration.
  • Social reforms.
  • The rise of the middle classes.
  • The growth of democracy.
  • Expansion of Empire.
  • Idealisation of the family.
  • The growth of leisure pursuits.

What are 2 significant features or ideas of the Victorian Age? ›

Important political events during this period included the abolition of slavery in the British Empire; the expansions of the franchise; working-class political activism, most notably Chartism; the rise of liberalism as the dominant political ideology, especially of the middle class; and the nationalization of ...

What are three characteristics of the Victorian era? ›

The Victorian era also marks a time of great economic growth, technological discovery, and industrialization. Many writers reacted to both the wonders of this Industrial Revolution as well as to the troubles of an industrialized society.

What defines Victorian architecture? ›

Victorian-era architecture is marked by its unapologetic devotion to ornament and flourish and its ornate maximalist interior design. While there are many different styles encompassed in Victorian-era architecture, some common features that will help you spot a Victorian from the outside include: Steeply pitched roofs.

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