What is a Victorian House? Unveiling the Charm

Victorian architecture originated in England around 1840 and spread to the United States by around 1860. By the 1870s and 1880s, Victorian homes were being built throughout the Midwest and California. 

Influenced by English culture, Victorian homes often resemble miniature castles that feature turrets, balconies, and decorative ironwork. Yet, as the style grew more popular, regional factors and broader European influences converged to create new Victorian styles such as Italianate and Folk Victorian.

Today, Victorian homes are highly sought after because of their historical significance, high-quality construction, and expansive interiors. To give home buyers a better understanding of the style, the team at Prevu Real Estate will explore the details of these homes and show you where to buy them. 

What is a Victorian house?

In England, the term Victorian architecture refers to buildings constructed between 1837 and 1901 during the reign of Queen Victoria. Prominent British examples include the Palace of Westminster and the adjacent Big Ben clocktower. 

In the United States, Victorian architecture usually implies individual homes resembling miniature castles or life-sized doll houses with gabled roofs and wrap-around porches. The Painted Ladies in San Francisco is a recognizable example in the United States. These pastel-colored homes are prime examples of the era, featuring gingerbread trim, arched entryways, bay windows, and geometric lattice.  

The opulence on display in Victorian exteriors was made possible by advancements in building technology and railroads. Not surprising, the same ornate details define Victorian interiors, which feature multiple stories with parquet flooring, lofted ceilings, and crown molding that demonstrate the affluence of the time. 

What are the key features of a Victorian house?

Victorian houses are characterized by an abundance of lavish design elements. Facades are often asymmetrical, featuring conical turrets to one side that resemble bell towers. The remainder of the roofline consists of steeply pitched roofs and front-facing gables clad in scallop shingles, creating a storybook aesthetic. 

On the ground floor, you’ll often find wraparound porches and covered entrances supported by decorative columns and corbels. Interlacing ironwork or carved balusters enclose the porch, framing dentil-trimmed sash windows. Brightly colored, two-toned paint schemes create continuity between the various trims, moldings, and carved wooden details. 

Through the front door, a stately vestibule typically gives way to a winding staircase, sunroom, or dining room. Flanking the lower half of common rooms, you’ll see wainscotting or carved chair railing meant to protect and visually punctuate the walls. Further details such as floral wallpaper, copper fixtures, and gaslight lamps can be found in historic Victorian era homes. Luckily, you may still find ceiling medallions, stained glass windows, and grand fireplaces in your home search. 

What is the history of the Victorian style?

Queen Victoria’s reign in England, from 1837 to 1901, oversaw the beginnings of the Victorian architectural style. In the United States, Victorian architecture falls within the same timeframe but has a more specific definition. These homes often feature whimsical elements like intersecting rooflines, cupolas, and oriel windows.

The Industrial Revolution spanned from 1760 to 1840 and played a pivotal role in making the Victorian style possible. Firstly, the mechanization of sawmills and metal fabricating machines streamlined the mass production of intricate trims, ironwork, and milled lumber. Secondly, the Industrial Revolution facilitated the quick spread of railroads across the U.S., enabling the transportation of these materials.

The industrialization of printing empowered builders and homeowners with floor plans and artistic renderings they’d never imagined. As the Industrial Revolution made the rising middle class wealthier than ever, large numbers of everyday people could imagine, afford, and obtain the materials necessary to build Victorian homes. 

British influence on American culture remained strong in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Consequently, the affluent middle and upper class gravitated towards European styles when envisioning their dream homes. Like Victorian buildings in England, influences of the Renaissance, Gothic Revival movement, and Italian art are evident in American Victorian design.

What are the different varieties of Victorian homes?

As Victorian homes spread across the United States, varying regions focused on different artistic elements, resulting in multiple interpretations of the style. 

The Queen Anne style is considered the quintessential example of the Victorian home. Drawing inspiration from the time period of Queen Anne’s reign from 1702 to 1714, these homes feature medieval details like turrets and stained glass windows. 

In the southern U.S., Folk Victorian homes emerged, blending Victorian detailing with Greek Revival and Colonial structural elements. Common features include wraparound porches, board-and-batten siding, and Corinthian columns. 

In the Midwest, the Second Empire became the most popular type of Victorian home. These were characterized by mansard roofs, dormer windows, and scroll-style brackets beneath the eaves. Another one of the popular Victorian style houses in the Midwest was the Stick Style. Like Tudor homes, this home style featured half-timbering, exposed trusses, and steeply pitched roofs that helped shed snow. 

Italianate Victorian homes draw inspiration from the Italian Renaissance. Straying from dramatic motifs, Italianates tend to be more symmetrical and rectangular. These homes often favor broad eaves punctuated by pairs of cornices, evenly-spaced windows, and arches to accomplish a regal look. 

At times, the availability of regional materials determined which Victorian style homes emerged in particular areas. For example, Shingle Victorians used wooden shingles on their entire exteriors, which was only possible in densely wooded regions like New England and the Pacific Northwest. 

Conversely, Romanesque Victorian homes were inspired by medieval architecture, showcasing stone and masonry. These types of Victorians were more abundant in cities throughout the Midwestern and Western states, where stone and brick were more accessible than lumber.  

Where can you find Victorian homes?

In the 19th century, Victorian houses were built predominantly in railroad towns because of advancements brought about by the Industrial Revolution. 

Attributable to a strong British influence on the East Coast, Queen Anne and Second Empire styles were popular in New York City, Boston, and Hartford, Connecticut. Further south, you can find Victorians with a hint of Southern flare in Alexandria, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia. 

The trend extended to the Midwest, where railroad towns such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Milwaukee embraced the Stick and Eastlake Victorian styles. These homes were fortified with external timbers and steep roofs to withstand intense rain and snow. 

In California, Victorian homes were usually built with wider eaves and more expansive porches to combat the sun. You can find these homes in Pasadena, Long Beach, San Diego, and older neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay, such as Berkeley and Palo Alto. 

On the West Coast, the Victorian trend spread as far north as Oregon and Washington. In fact, Victorian homes were so prevalent in Seattle that the Queen Anne neighborhood was named after the style.