Victorian Style Homes: 9 Interesting Facts For You

Today, this style is ubiquitous with some amazing facts:

1. Victorian Style Homes Have Multiple Sub-Styles 

Victorian-style homes don’t just fall under one category: they encompass several architectural sub-styles as part of an umbrella term.

• Gothic Revival Homes: It takes inspiration from Medieval Gothic Architecture. Gothic Revival homes draw their design cues from medieval Gothic architecture, making them one of the more prominent Victorian sub-styles. Gothic Revival properties often feature steeply pitched roofs with steeply pitched gables, pointed arches, and decorative tracery windows along with steeply pitched roofs featuring steeply pitched roof pitches; steeply pitched roof pitches; pointed arch windows with decorative tracery; as well as an asymmetrical floorplan designs featuring tower elements for an added dramatic appeal, creating dramatic atmosphere within these properties!
• Italianate Homes: These unique Victorian-influenced residences take an intriguing approach, often taking cues from Italian villas while adding distinctive Victorian architectural details such as low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, and tall narrow windows with ornate moldings at each window. Furthermore, Italianate houses may even sport square towers or cupolas to further personalize this look!
• Queen Anne Homes: Queen Anne Homes are one of the more distinctive Victorian-era dwellings. Distinguished by a unique mix of exterior materials including brick, wood, and stone; Queen Anne homes also typically boast wraparound porches featuring decorative spindles or brackets as well as wrap-around porches with wrap-around seating; they may feature steep roofs with towers or turrets for additional adornment.
• Second Empire Homes: Inspired by French architecture, Second Empire houses are marked by mansard roofs with steep lower slopes that slope upward toward flatter upper pitches, dormer windows with bracketed cornices, decorative molding, and dormers that open outward for ventilation.
• Stick: Stick-style homes, another Victorian sub-style, distinguish themselves with exposed wooden framing used as an exterior decorative feature. Stick-style houses typically boast steeply pitched roofs with overhanging eaves as well as spacious porches featuring decorative trusses for further character and visual interest.

2. Victorian Style Homes Are Named After Queen Victoria

Victorian-style homes take their namesake from Queen Victoria who reigned over England from 1837-1901 during which period various architectural styles became collectively referred to as Victorian.

Queen Victoria did not directly influence the style that bears her name, yet during her reign, the development of Victorian homes was widespread and mass-produced for easier accessibility in America. Queen Victoria preferred Renaissance and Italianate styles over more traditional English ones.

3. Ornamentation Defines Victorian Homes

Victorian style homes stand out due to their intricate ornamentation that features trim, brackets, spindles, and frieze boards for maximum impact.

After the Industrial Revolution, these upgrades became affordable to middle-class homeowners; mass-produced components, like pre-cut trim, allowed their widespread installation.

Victorian style homes today still showcase intricate ornamentation from another era. Its popularity remains undiminished among homebuyers today. It appeals to many prospective home buyers.

4. Steeply Pitched Roofs Offer Effective Drainage and Attic Space

Victorian style homes are known for featuring steeply pitched roofs that allow effective drainage in wet climates, eliminating pooled water to reduce leak risks and maximize attic storage space. Their steep pitch prevents pooled rainwater from pooling onto their surface which leads to less risk for leakage in these cases.

Steeper roofs allow for increased interior attic space, and many Victorian style homes feature large attics featuring picturesque windows characteristic of Victorian design.

Some Victorian-style homes feature dormers to bring natural light in, creating brighter, more ventilated and more appealing attic spaces. Some Victorian attics even make great bedrooms or playrooms – adding real value to homes!

5. Modern Victorian Homes Can Fuse Traditional and Contemporary Elements

Modern Victorian homes combine features like wainscoting, crown molding, and rich paint colors with peel-and-stick wallpaper or minimalist decor for dynamic variety. But this approach is only one among many! Integration of Victorian elements into contemporary homes can result in many different expressions, including:

• Modern lighting fixtures paired with traditional Victorian architecture. 
• Antique pieces alongside contemporary decor. 
• Antique rugs are used with contemporary furniture pieces. 
• A traditional velvet sofa featuring modern printed pillows.
• Modern metal frames showcase classic oil paintings.

6. Victorian Style Homes Symbolized Prosperity and Status in Late 19th Century America

Victorian style homes were widely perceived to represent wealth for America’s middle and upper classes during the late 19th century. Their ornamentation and grand scale stood in stark contrast with more utilitarian structures found in cities, as well as rugged lodges used by American pioneers.

Victorian style homes were often distinguished from average American dwellings by using luxurious materials like marble, stained glass windows and hardwood flooring – far outstripping what most could afford at that time.

Homebuyers today seek Victorian-style houses for their distinct character, craftsmanship, and charm.

An interesting fact: In Victorian architecture, “Queen Anne front and Mary Anne back” referred to homes featuring elaborate front facades to impress passersby but plain backsides to avoid cluttering.

7. Luxury Victorian Homes Still Utilize Stained Glass

Many restored Victorian homes still include original stained glass windows or incorporate contemporary stained glass designs, like this home in Virginia with multiple stained glass windows.

Stained glass windows can often be found in high-end Victorian style homes. Common features may include:

• Elegant designs incorporating floral patterns, geometric forms and other patterns. 
• Preferred spots such as entryways, stairwells or bay windows. 
• Custom-made options to bring vintage charm even in new constructions.

8. Victorian Style Homes Are Renowned for Intricate Ironwork

Many Victorian-style homes are well known for the intricate ironwork found inside, often including floral patterns or other Victorian motifs such as decorative iron balustrades and scrollwork that adorn many balcony rails and gates in these properties.

Ironwork interior applications range from railings and staircases, fireplace screens, chandelier frames and decorative grilles for vents or windows as well as many others being utilized.

9. Victorian Style Homes Feature Pocket Doors

Pocket doors can often be found in Victorian-style homes as room dividers for formal living and dining rooms; they may also serve to create private nooks or conceal storage areas.

Pocket doors were first made popular during the 1850s due to their numerous uses; quickly reaching their pinnacle at the turn of the century before continuing as integral features in historic Victorian-style homes even today.

Today, many historic Victorian homes still retain their original pocket doors due to modern renovators who attempt to preserve or restore these unique elements of design.