31 Victorian Style House Exterior Design Ideas

What Is A Victorian-Style House?

When thinking of a Victorian-style house, two different designs may come to your mind. One may visualize a dollhouse-like home, while another may imagine a haunted house. Both are true. That is because a Victorian house does not fall under a specific style but rather refers to the era when it became popular, and that era was from 1837 to 1901, when Great Britain was under the rule of Queen Victoria, hence the name. Though the term “Victorian” may evoke different images for different people, a common thing with Victorian houses is verticality. That is, Victorian homes are usually two or three-story high.

Victorian Homes have a lot of subcategories, but in the United States, two of the most popular styles are Italianate and Queen Anne styles. Italiante style is so named because they follow the design of villas during the Italian Renaissance, those whose roofs are low and whose eaves are wide. They are usually just two-story high. Queen Anne Victorian homes, one the other hand, have gabled roofs, rounded towers, tall windows, and exuberant ornamentation. They usually have three stories.

Gothic Victorian house and Victorian farmhouse are also subcategories of this style. Gothic Victorian house is what people often described as creepy and haunted-looking, especially if it is an old Victorian house. However, its design is actually inspired by European churches in the medieval period. Victorian farm house, meanwhile, is a style where a Victorian home is toned down by the simple elements of a farmhouse. Victorian elements are present but with fewer details. Spindles on porches, for example, are not as intricate.

If the next home you are looking for is a Gothic Victorian house, Italiante, Queen Anne, or any of the subcategories of Victorian houses, here are other things you need to know about it.

Victorian House Exterior

You may quickly identify whether a house is Victorian or not, as certain elements are almost always present in these types of homes.

Unusual paint combinations are typical for a Victorian house. It is typically painted in at least three colors, some reminiscent of cotton candies, while others are more subdued.

Another noticeable element is the elaborate woodwork, which comes in different shapes, sizes, and orientations, giving the facade one-of-a-kind patterns.

Wraparound porches are also common. It is probably not a Victorian house without porches, which serve as extended living spaces. What makes these porches different from the porches of other homes are their intricate columns and railings.

Another distinct Victorian house exterior element is the windows. The windows in the first story are often different from those in the second story in terms of shapes and size. You may see a mix of bay windows, eyebrow windows, arch windows, and traditional windows. They may have decorative panels and made of leaded glass or stained glass.

Asymmetry is also an element of Victorian house exterior. Turrets and towers, which are used bedrooms, parlors, or studies, extend up to multiple floors, giving the house an asymmetrical look from outside.

Victorian houses have other features that make them distinct. The porch railings, spindles, columns, gingerbread trims, wall surfaces, and Mansard roofs are characterized by intricacy. Though they look like they were hand-carved because of the superb detailing, they are, surprisingly, mass-produced, which is typical for home styles in the Victorian era.

Modern Victorian House

A modern Victorian house may sound ironic, as Victorian is often associated with being classic. However, an old Victorian house can actually be given an updated look without looking like a mishmash, as long as done carefully. There are two types of modern Victorian homes – one is a Victorian home with a modern interior, and the other is a modern home with a Victorian interior.
If you have a Victorian house that you want to modernize, one way to do it is by giving a calm interior with lights since Traditional Victorian homes are dark and a bit gloomy. White and neural lights are recommended. Another way to add natural light is by placing mirrors strategically. Though a Victorian home usually has large windows for light to enter, the light usually does not reach back bedrooms and hallways. Mirrors can help reflect light in these rooms.

Space is always good, but if you have an old Victorian house, it may have very high ceilings and big rooms that are hard to fill. Give them a modern look with large furniture or other items, which you can even set away from walls if the rooms are particularly spacious. An example of this is placing roll-top baths a few meters away from the wall if your bathroom has more than enough space.
Playing with furniture can also give an Old Victorian house a modern feel. For example, an antique wooden table can be paired with steel or acrylic chairs. You can also reupholster the chair cushions of a Victorian dining room set to have modern graphic prints.

A Modern Home With A Victorian Feel

If you decide to go with a modern house but still want to have that Victorian ambiance, you can have it through paintwork, furniture, and other decors and ornaments.

Green, navy, and plum are shades you need to have in your interiors if you want it to have a Victorian feel since Victorian houses are usually dark. You may have these colors on feature walls or even whole rooms. You may also use them as accent colors if you don’t want your home to be too dark.

For furniture and accessories, go with carved wooden pieces – chairs lamps, mirror frames, and lamps, for example. Also go with lace, fringes, pleats, and tufts. Like for shower drapes, use one made of heavy, high fabric with fringes. For curtains, go with lace. Marble statues and antique porcelain collection can also add a Victorian feel to your modern home.

For flooring, tiles are more common than wood in a Victorian house, particularly in the hallways, kitchen, and bathroom. Go with bold patterns or geometric designs for a contemporary yet still Victorian look.

If your home has high ceilings as traditional Victorian homes do, then statement lighting is a must. They can be multi-light features or single pendants, depending on your liking. You can be as bold as you want. High ceilings also mean high walls, which you can have as the main feature of your home with decorative finishes.