Victorian Queen Anne house plans and designs are some of the most striking of the Victorian era styles. Characterized by steeply pitched roofs, wrap-around porches and floor plans that center around a grand central foyer, Queen Anne houses were popular in the latter half of the 19th century and were an influential force in house architecture. Although the Queen Anne style originated in England, it didn’t take long for American architects to make their own mark by embellishing it with their own, unique characteristics. Common features of a Queen Anne robust style include a large inviting porch, a curvilinear-gabled roof, shaped window and door surrounds, corner towers and elegant window and door ornamentation. Popular materials for construction were brick, stone and timber. The interiors of these homes also featured large entry halls, reception rooms and a second-story where bedrooms and family quarters were located. In modern day, many homeowners are opting to maintain the interior architecture of their Queen Anne homes, while updating the elements with modern comforts.Victorian Queen Anne House Plans and Designs
Victorian style home plans and house design are based on styles that emerged in the mid- to late-1800s. Victorian dwellings are most commonly two stories and range in style from ornate to plainer, more functional homes. Although the general design of these houses were rooted in traditional British styles, such as Gothic revival, Italianate and Queen Anne, as the style grew in popularity in the US and Canada, architects began adding their own unique take. Victorian style house plans and community designs typically offer one or two story floor plan designs. Comprised of steep roofs, asymmetrical facades and gingerbread, many Victorian style homes feature multiple enclosed porches, making them great entertaining houses. They often include lavish interior trim, detailed column capitals and staircases, high ceilings, large stone fireplaces, and intricate brick patterns. Additional features may include turrets, towers, verandas, bay windows and stucco siding. Victorian Style Home Plans & House Designs
Victorian mansion house plans and designs, often referred to as Victorian Gothic mansion plans and designs, were a popular architectural style of home born during the Victorian era in England, running from approximately 1837 to 1901. These grand houses were often referred to as "mansions" due to their large scale and impressive nature. They boasted substantial, often ornate facades, steep pitched roofs, intricate interior and exterior details, and generous wrap-around porches. Common features of Victorian Gothic mansion plans and designs include asymmetrical shapes, turrets, and steep gables. Other common elements found in these plans are limestone, brick, and iron trim details, stained glass windows, several chimneys and wood or stone siding. The interiors were just as grand as the exteriors, with uniquely shaped rooms such as billiards room, libraries, and grand salons. Luxury attributes such as servant's quarters, complete kitchens, elevators and walk-in closets were also included.Victorian Mansion House Plans & Designs
French Victorian house plans and home designs, also known as Second Empire style homes, are one of the more ornate Victorian styles. French Victorian homes are renowned for their exuberant exterior decorative flourishes, as well as their lavish interior furnishings and detailed interior ornamentation. These houses were popular in the late 19th century and are a common sight in cities like San Francisco and New Orleans. One of the main characteristics of this style is the Mansard roof, an upper roof with a gentlte slope on each side. This component is meant to resemble a grand gable style, but it also provides more space within the attic of the home. Other features include lavish porches, intricate door and window shapes, and lavish glasswork and woodwork. The interior of a French Victorian often includes elaborate fireplaces, deep pocket doors, and intricate plaster and wood carvings.French Victorian House Plans & Home Designs
Historic Victorian home plans, which date back to the middle 19th century, are characterized by intricate details and stately facades. Unlike the French Victorian, which employed the same principles in much grander scale, Victorian house plans of this period were often simpler and more reserved. Typical features include steeply pitched roofs, elaborate porch details and multi-paned windows. A well preserved historic Victorian home usually displays projecting bay windows, dormers, or a variety of patterned wall surfaces. Inside these houses, homeowners often find ornate interior finishes such as painted walls and ceilings, fireplaces with intricate plaster moldings and woodcarvings, and marble or wood parquet flooring. Many of these houses have now been outfitted with modern amenities while preserving their original singular beauty.Historic Victorian Home Plans & House Designs
Gothic Revival Victorian house plans and designs are characterized by pointed arch shapes, quatrefoil windows, and towers with pointed rooftops. Rooted in Gothic architecture, this style has been in translation since the 17th century and has gained tremendous popularity in the United States. Although often associated with grand estate homes, there are also smaller Gothic-influenced house plans that were popularized during this time. Common features of Gothic Revival Victorian house plans include cloister-inspired or bay window nooks, steeply pitched roofs, extravagant staircases, towers, textured façades, pointed archways, and shallow rooflines. Inside, each room may also feature decorative plaster detailing, wainscoting, ornate columns, textured ceilings and walls, and formals staircases. Some of these larger connecting halls may even contain stained glass windows or lace curtains.Gothic Revival Victorian House Plans & Design
Victorian cottage house plans and designs, also known as cottage cottages, offer a unique combination of original details and modern convenience. These buildings attracted a lot of attention during their heyday, when they were mostly found in rural areas and in small towns. They have since been interpreted and reworked into a wide range of design styles. Common features of Victorian cottage house plans include wide porches, turrets, bay windows, and steeply pitched triangular front gables. Inside, homeowners often find open layouts with a few strategically placed load-bearing walls and columns, plaster walls, and tile or wood floors. These designs may also feature skylights, library rooms, in-home offices, and formal living rooms. These cottages are known for their energy efficiency and often come equipped with green roof designs for extra insulation.Victorian Cottage House Plans & Desgins
Victorian Tudor house plans and home design marry the best of old world Europe to the comforts of modern day. These houses were particularly popular in the late 19th century, when Victorian architecture reached its peak in the United States. Today, these houses still hold a certain charm and are sure to draw in curious onlookers. Some common features of a Victorian Tudor house plans include a steeply pitched roof, half timbering, arched windows, and an ornamental front door. The interior may also include decorative beams, exposed brick walls, leaded windows, and iron details. Within the home, one may find a welcoming entryway, large living space, formal dining areas, cozy bedrooms, and a master suite complete with a balcony and private en-suite.Victorian Tudor House Plans & Home Designs
Italianate Victorian home plans and house designs combine striking details, contemporary comforts, and larger than life structures. In contrast to the French Victorian style, this look is heavily inspired by the romantic architecture of Italy’s countryside villas. Although these houses date back to the 1840s and lasted through 1880s, these designs never go out of style. Common features of Italianate Victorian homes include towers or cupolas, symmetrical facades, and bracket designs. The interiors of these homes are no less impressive, with arched door and window openings, grand entertainment spaces, and marble or tile floors. Other luxurious amenities may include grand entrance halls, formal dining rooms, curved staircases, and ornate moldings and fireplaces. Many of these homes also come with an accompanying outdoor space, such as a grand patio or a large, open lawn.Italianate Victorian Home Plans & House Designs
English Victorian house plans and home designs are characterized by ornate detailing, large porches and steeply pitched roofs. These houses stand out with their combination of rustic, old world charm and modern amenities, making them a popular and timeless choice for a variety of homeowners. Many English Victorian homes are located in affluent villages, Victorian-era gardens, or suburban estates. Common features of an English Victorian house include intricately decorated dormers and turrets, gingerbread trims, high-pitched roofs, and large windows for maximum natural lighting. Inside these homes, one may find traditional detailing such as carved wood mantelpieces, stained glass windows, and wood or stone floors. When modern amenities are added, these homes often contain libraries, grand gathering rooms, lush courtyards and outdoor terraces, and luxurious en-suite bathrooms.English Victorian House Plans & Home Designs