Victorian Home Floor Plans
Some of the most interesting and visually pleasing homes have Victorian home floor plans. The style was named after Queen Victoria I.
Victorian is a general term to describe a large movement of home design that started in the early 1800s. The style is named after Queen Victoria I, who began her rule in 1837. As the ability to get both supplies and equipment increased due to the industrial revolution, the style of homes quickly changed. Homes became much more elaborate, especially on the outside. Inside, most Victorian home floor plans were asymmetrical, with interesting twists and turns. The first homes in the Victorian style were called Gothic Revival. These homes resembled medieval homes. They usually were more than one color, had steep roofs, and were frequently known as gingerbread style homes.
The next phase in Victorian home floor plans was called Italianate. These homes took their cue from Roman architecture. Italianate homes had large decorated porches and frequently featured arched windows. As the Second Empire style of Victorian homes emerged, the floor plans became slightly more rectangular or square. These homes were more urban inspired than before, featuring patterned roofs and large bay windows. Stick and Shingle style homes came about because wood and building materials were suddenly much more affordable. In California, wood was used to extend the frame of the usual box style house. Likewise, shingle style homes used wood shingles all over the house. It was common to see homes with a shingle roof as well as shingle siding.
Folk Victorian homes were found out in the country, and were mostly built by working class families. This affordable style allowed many people their first chance to own their own home. They were made out of materials that could be found locally, and while they were less ornate in style, they included many decorative elements that simply didn't exist previously. Queen Anne style homes are the most popular style of Victorian houses. This style had many unique features. There were several layers of roofing, most of which was at a very steep angle. The door to the home typically had glass panels, windows were often decorated, and most homes had beautiful porches or balconies. Inside the home, an irregular floor plan would be common. Multiple colors and decorative accents would be used on both the inside and outside of the home. This style of home stayed popular for over 30 years.
Gilded age style is also considered Victorian, although it is only found in the most expensive homes. The interior of these homes were done to make a strong impression. High ceilings and dramatic entry ways were common. The homes also had very large stone walls with arched windows.
Victorian homes remain popular today, as many homeowners love the floor plans of Victorian homes, as well as the unique historical details that make these homes so original.