Victorian Houses Worksheets & Facts | Exteriors and Interiors | History (2024)

Victorian architecture originated in the United Kingdom. They first appeared during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901, thus the name. Symmetry, renaissance interiors, numerous tiny windows, and minimal adornment distinguished this style.

See the fact file below for more information on Victorian Houses, or you can download our 28-page Victorian Houses worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

• Victorian homes were named after the Queen Victoria era, which lasted from 1837 to 1901. As a result, the style is evocative of that era. However, they are now nearly an interpretation of times before the Victorian era.
• In the 1800s, the Victorian mansion was famous among upper-class people. The houses were often enormous, to the point that they stood out among the other residences in the neighborhood.
• They often featured beautiful architecture and at least two, but sometimes three, floors.
• They often built victorian homes of stone or wood, and towers, turrets, and gabled roofs were typical. Furthermore, They painted many Victorian-era homes in vibrant hues, and the interior was just as odd as the outside.

EXTERIOR

• A Victorian house stands out from a row of houses because of the distinguishing features that set it apart from other types, such as colonial dwellings.
  • • Among the features, you’ll discover the following:
    • Several stories
      • Most Victorian homes feature at least two, if not three, stories. Consequently, they appear incredibly tall from the street and even scary as you go up to them due to their grandeur.

      Bricks with a glazed finish

      • Victorian brick or partly brick homes sometimes have glazed bricks that are a different color from the rest of the structure. It helped the houses stand out in the neighborhood and provided a beautiful accent to the homes outside.

      Window bays

    • Beautiful bay windows are frequently found in Victorian homes. They stand out from the rest of the house with their projecting flair.
    • They offer the house an elegant appearance on the outside and interior. These large windows let in plenty of natural, wonderful light.
    • Porches
      • Most Victorian homes feature grandiose porches that extend around the whole structure. Most porches are diverse and contribute to the attractiveness of the property.
      • You may find decorative fixtures throughout the porch to enhance the property’s aesthetic.

      Roofs with gable ends

      • Most Victorian houses have high, gabled roofs to accommodate the towers and turrets. These are triangular roofs with a high peak in the center.

      Intricate millwork

      • Close inspection of Victorian-era homes reveals elaborate millwork around windows, doors, and other places of interest. The woodwork is exquisitely detailed, adding to the home’s charm.

      Exteriors with vibrant colors

      • Most Victorian homes are painted in an unusual color even if the entire house isn’t a bright color, a piece of it, such as the bricks, maybe.

      There are several window styles

      • It’s unusual to see a Victorian home with only one type of window—they typically have stained glass and unusually shaped windows, and you can find even multipane windows instead.
      • Because there was no right or wrong way to decorate Victorian homes, you may see four or five different styles of windows in the same house.

      • Turrets and Towers

        • Builders experimented with diverse designs and styles during the Victorian era, installing towers and turrets in many residences.
        • A Victorian house may have narrow, pointed turrets or larger, rounder towers.

        INTERIOR

        • A Victorian house’s interior designs are typically as extravagant as its façade and contain the following:

        Floor plans with closed doors

        • Unlike modern homes, most Victorian homes feature a closed floor plan, which implies extensive corridors or regions between each room, effectively sealing each room from the others.

        Long corridors

        • Long halls are essential in Victorian homes. They are what divide each room and give seclusion throughout the house.

        The crown molding

        • Complementing the beautiful design outside, it has decorative crown molding that is popular in Victorian-era homes.

        Decorative windows and trim

        • A Victorian home’s inside windows, and trim are ornately decorated, just like the external windows. As a result, fine craftsmanship can be found throughout.

        Fireplaces

        • Most parlors and other common areas in Victorian homes include fireplaces. Many even featured two fireplaces, one for visitors or parties in each chamber.

        Stairs

        • Even the steps in Victorian homes may be elegant and beautiful. Long, curving staircases are commonly included in the design and contribute to the home’s tight floor layout.

TYPES OF VICTORIAN HOUSES

• Despite their similarities, there are several Victorian house types to pick from, each appealing to a particular set of consumers.

Italianate Style

• Imitations of dwellings seen in Italy. Many people refer to them as Italian villas.
• They feature flatter and larger roofs than traditional Victorian buildings. The house is often rectangular, with smaller and less elaborate windows than classic Victorian residences.

Gothic Revival style

• Gothic Revival residences are evocative of churches in England with their high ceilings, pointed arches, and intricate detailing surrounding windows and doors.
• Many people liken Gothic Revival homes to castles that lack typical towers and turrets.

Queen Anne Style

• Queen Anne architectural residences are the most well-known Victorian constructions. They have ornate windows and doors, towers and turrets, and steep gabled roofs.
• The Second Empire
  • The architecture of Second Empire homes is square, with steeply pitched roofs. They don’t skimp on decorative features, though, with intricate millwork throughout the windows, doors, and porches.
  • These houses are reproductions of residences built during Napoleon III’s rule in France.

  Folk Victorian

  • The Folk Victorian is a more straightforward rendition of a Victorian dwelling. It lacks towers and turrets, but it does contain a closed floor plan, intricate woodwork inside and exterior, and steep gabled roofs typical of Victorian mansions.

FAMOUS VICTORIAN HOUSE ARCHITECTURE

The Gingerbread House, Savannah

• The Gingerbread House is one of Savannah’s most magnificent and historic buildings. The home was built in the 1800s for the Asendorf family and is a three-story mansion with Victorian touches.
• The oak tree timber interiors, staircase, and three fireplaces with exquisite finishing on the exteriors with a flash of color are a fine tune to the gothic architectural style.
• Today, it is one of Savannah’s most popular tourist and wedding venue attractions, well-known for retaining the historical complexities in the heart of America.
• Painted Ladies, San Francisco
• The Painted Ladies are San Francisco’s oldest row of homes, located in the center of the Alamo Square Historic District.
• They were built in the late Victorian era, and Queen Anne Victorians regarded the painted ladies as one of the most exquisite, royal, and cheap mansions of their day.
• Architect Matthew Kavanaugh brought significant aspects of the Victorian era as a perspective on colonial times.
• The steep roofs had front-facing gables, glazed surfaces with tiles and patterns, and projecting bay windows with vibrant colors.
• It’s a delight to see architecture and history on the same palette, with such elegance flowing off the architectural form.
• Rosson House Museum, Phoenix, USA
  • Rosson House, built in the late 1800s, is a periodic design based on the Queen Anne style with Eastlake features. For the Rosson family, architect Alexander P. Petit created a context-sensitive home.
  • The house’s skin is one-foot thick red clay brick reinforced with timber to provide enough insulation. The encircling verandah with poles topped with four gables perforated with bargeboards and screens was typical Victorian.
  • The turret windows have victorian molds, arches, intricacy, and artistic elements, and the roof ridges have a cresting profile that frames the home as a superb victorian construction. In addition, the interiors include oak wood, an ornate ceiling, and the signature staircase.
  • This uncommon specimen has stood firm as a museum in the history of the Victorian era in the United States for 116 years, inviting the audience to experience the magnificence of its period.
  • Palace of Westminster, UK

    House to the UK Parliament in the nineteenth century, Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin constructed the Palace of Westminster with Gothic and Neoclassical influences.

  • In the early years, the palace functioned as a dwelling for Queen Victoria’s royal family. However, it underwent various alterations to meet the period’s political, possession, and cultural needs.
  • The palace, a UNESCO World Heritage monument, reflects the new British mentality. It represents progress by adopting new kinds of Gothic architecture and massive cathedrals.
  • Sydney Town Hall, Australia

    The Sydney Town Hall is one of Australia’s surviving buildings. It is a 19th-century wonder that exemplifies the continent’s traditional Victorian impact.

  • The ornate tower with mansard roofs and wrought iron cresting was constructed by architect John Henry Willson, who shared the spirit of Neoclassical and French features of the architecture.
  • The center entryway of the hall serves as the building’s heart. It is topped with an attractive elliptical dome and crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling.
  • The influence of Baux Art may be seen in the interiors of the tower’s Centennial Hall. The Sydney Townhall, with its Tasmanian blackwood, stained window glass, magnificent roof with marble pillars, and capacity for over 800 people, exemplifies the majesty of Australian heritage.

Victorian Houses Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Victorian Houses across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Victorian Houses. Symmetry, renaissance interiors, numerous tiny windows, and minimal adornment distinguished this style.

This download includes the following worksheets:

• Victorian Houses Facts
• Victorian Times
• Victorian Types
• Unique Features
• A Big Difference
• Victorian Touch
• House Survey
• Post It Board
• Breaking News!
• Build With Me!
• A Puzzling Mystery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Victorian house?

A Victorian house is a style of house that was popular during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. Victorian houses are characterized by their ornate and decorative facades, asymmetrical designs, and tall, narrow shapes.

What materials were used to build Victorian houses?

Victorian houses were often built with brick, stone, or stucco exteriors and wood or iron detailing. The roofs were usually made of slate or metal. The interiors were typically decorated with ornate moldings, ceiling roses, and fireplaces.

What were some common features of Victorian houses?

Common features of Victorian houses include bay windows, towers, turrets, dormer windows, and verandas. The houses also often had multiple levels, including a basem*nt, main floor, and upper floor.

Why were Victorian houses popular in the 19th century?

Victorian houses were popular in the 19th century because they reflected the wealth and prosperity of the period, as well as the taste for ornate and decorative design. They were also popular because they provided a large amount of space for families, with multiple rooms for different functions such as living, dining, and sleeping.

Are Victorian houses still popular today?

Victorian houses are still popular today, especially in historic districts and older neighborhoods. Many people appreciate their ornate detailing and spacious interiors, and many have been restored and renovated to preserve their original charm. However, some people may find Victorian houses to be too large and impractical for modern living and may prefer more modern styles.

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