Out with the old, which was represented by skilled manual labor and local artisans, to the new, which was highlighted with industry, manufacturing and mass production. This was also true for the housing industry which benefited from dramatic increases in production, efficiency and profitable enterprise with the introduction of railways, roads and the increased supply of raw materials being moved at a far greater rate at reduced costs. These amazing homes and their designers were able to embrace new materials, technologies and mass transit (railroads/roads) to change the way in which homes were constructed and used.

The long reign of Victoria spanned most of the nineteenth century and witnessed expanded trade options, technological breakthroughs and an increase in individual wealth. These cultural factors spurred the desire for comfort and personal leisure, not just for the wealthy, but, for the first time, to the newly formed middle class. With this increase in wealth came the desire for ornamentation as well as ostentation showing up in personal style, furniture and even architecture. Victorian homes were certainly a reflection of the times with their elaborate and detailed ornamentation, their intricate trim and extravagant roof lines and outdoor spaces.

While Victorian homes are routinely characterized as Victorian style, Victorian is not really a style but more a period in history; however, this era included various subsets of home styles that included:

Second Empire Style
Gothic Revival Style
Queen Anne Style
Stick Eastlake Style
Folk Victorian Style
Italianate Style

Within these varying sub-categories, Victorian homes did and many may still include the following features:

• Detailed and decorative exterior features such as gingerbread trim, spindled railing and bracketed posts.
• Curved towers and turrets
• Front porches with gazebos and wide wraparound porches
• Steeply pitched roofs with irregular shapes, usually featuring a dominant front-facing gable
• Textured shingles
• Asymmetrical façades
• Decorated roof line and slates
• Bay and sash windows
• Stained glass
• Open floor plans
• Opulent and multiple fireplaces

Styles and Sizes

Our extensive collection of Victorian house plans encompasses a wide variety of styles and shapes; you are able to view these homes and accompanying photos, from our website, in order to determine which house design will be best suited for your family and lifestyle. Quite often, these impressive homes are situated on narrow property lots, especially in the past, when in-town property was at a premium in terms of price and availability; although, that is certainly still the case today. Even though, you may find single story Ranch plans today, the majority of Victorian homes are either two or three stories high with luxurious floor plans and perhaps, a residential elevator is included to make travelling the multiple floors easily accessible. These luxurious homes may lack width but they definitely make up for it in terms of height where they can routinely include three floors and a basement foundation. Even today, you can find some urban Victorian neighborhoods where high density and expensive land prices continue to compel homeowners to build up on narrow property lots.

Floor Plans

Because Victorian homes were built to impress, their floor plans can be intricate and luxurious with highly ornate interior staircases, cubbies and various nooks and crannies. Interior rooms may include towers and turrets of different sizes and styles which most often are used as bedrooms, libraries or studies. These unique architectural design elements give Victorian homes a “castle” vibe and can quite often be two or three stories high, circular in nature, provide abundant interior light and feature Old World charm. Bay windows and stain glass windows reflect the homes charm and character and commonly add interest and visual appeal to an already highly decorative home. The large and spacious interior floor plans were designed for a lifestyle that was newly affordable and punctuated with plenty of leisure time to lavishly entertain family and friends; today, this is still the case. While most Victorian homes are two or more stories with traditional layouts; oftentimes, you will find modern layouts that are open with split bedroom plans or a main level master suite with the secondary bedrooms located on the top floor. There are definitely opportunities to build smaller Victorian house plans as evidenced by our wide collection of plans which can vary from one story plans with 780 square feet to two and three storied plans in excess of 7,000 square feet.

Exterior Style

These utterly charming homes with their towers, turrets and elaborate porches reflect the beauty and aesthetic value of ornamentation and ostentatious detailing. Elaborate embellishment, both on the exterior and interior, were, and continue to be, wonderfully fanciful and highly desired as design features on one of the most beloved home styles in America, and the world as well. The exterior of these homes are asymmetrical with varying roof lines, feature distinct personalities and are as unique and individualized as your imagination. Intricate and grand entrances were, and still are, highlighted on the exterior of the home and may include elaborate staircases featuring bold and substantial wood trim or gorgeous ironwork. These classic homes typically have wraparound porches, many with attached gazebos, intricate trim and/or perhaps, a crow’s nest or widow’s walk overhead. Extravagant color schemes are often featured on the exterior of Victorian homes and the ubiquitous gingerbread trim we commonly associate with Victorian home plans can still be seen on the exterior of a large majority of these homes.

Although, originally built in answer to mass production and the development of affordable and accessible design materials, Victorian homes have continued to capture the imagination of homeowners with their unique, bold and imaginative design features. These innovative homes feature unmistakable classic architectural design elements on both the exterior and interior and their highly decorative elements are still considered desirable and relevant with their nostalgic ambience, arresting facades and extravagant interior floor plans.