Victorian Homes Tips on How to Renovate

Victorian homes, not only suitable for the Queen of England

Victorian homes are ornate and often colorful but not just suited to a particular architectural style as defined by a particular period - the reign of Queen Victoria. This is not to say that every house built during the reign of the British king from 1837 to 1901 is a Victorian house. And even if your home is Victorian, a good eye is required to determine its architectural style. We have compiled tips for you on how to renovate them. Although owning Victorian homes provides some unique challenges, their beautiful architecture and history are well worth the effort.

The history of Victorian homes
1837 - until 1901

Although Victorian houses were built during the Victorian period from about 1837 to 1901, they have less to do with Queen Victoria than their name implies. It did not usher in an era of abundance, and its policies did not necessarily inspire people to paint their homes in unusually cheerful colors. Instead, it seized the throne as the world began to experience the full effects of the Industrial Revolution.

the industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution facilitated mass production of ornate architectural details, such as hinges, and railroads and facilitated the shipment of metal and other materials to rural areas. As a result, architects had access to more decorative elements, which they generously added to their designs. To emphasize these ornate details, Victorian homes are often characterized by bright colors, such as "the women painted in San Francisco." Before the Victorian period, houses were mostly white, beige or stone.

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Unsurprisingly, Victorian architecture began its journey in Britain. However, the architectural style spread rapidly to British colonies and other English-speaking countries such as the United States. Today, you will find examples of Victorian architecture around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and parts of the Caribbean.

What makes a house Victorian?

There are several different styles of Victorian architecture. Victorian architecture, however, has several features in common, ranging from ornate architectural design elements to large living areas and small kitchens. While not every Victorian home will have all of these features.

Victorian homes were usually built on narrow plots, so architects were forced to design high-rise homes. Three and four stories, but architects chose to create a massive high-rise house rather than a spacious house even on larger plots with space for girls.

Towers and towers:

The roof of a Victorian house is usually very steep and often includes a front need. And the asymmetrical roof line.
Many Victorian homes boast a spire or high-rise tower that serves as one of its standout features. It is common to attach a balcony or balcony in the shape of a circle.

Decorative decoration:

Some Victorian homes have a decoration called "ginger foam". It can include roller-cut brackets, railings, siding and other architectural details. Although usually made of wood, and can also be metallic.

Textured wall surfaces:

Victorian architects avoided smooth exterior walls, adding curly shingles, molded construction, or half-timber to the texture. However, some Victorian house styles use stone, such as the Second Empire and the Romanesque (this style, named after the American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, revives the Romanesque style of the Middle Ages and includes rough stone surfaces, turrets and arches. It was often used in designing libraries , Courts and even churches, but the style fits the design of wealthy family homes).

Sash and bay windows:

Two types of windows stand out in a Victorian home. The first is the sash window, which usually consists of four to six windows attached to a wooden frame. The other is the bay window. A bay window can be round or rectangular and extend several stories high. This is one of the most recognizable features of a Victorian home.

Terrace:

Most Victorian homes have a front porch. Depending on the architectural style, the porch may be simple or contain carvings and other ornate designs. In addition, the porch may extend along one or more sides of the house, and it is not uncommon for a Victorian house to have at least one porch on the upper levels of the house.

In the garage (garage):

Unless we later built, Victorian homes do not have garages because the model was not available until 1908. Most Victorian homeowners walked, rode a horse or rode a train.

Small kitchen:

In the Victorian era, servants worked in the kitchen. It was not an area to show off or display, so kitchens tend to be small. Depending on the property, some of the kitchens are not even part of the house but a separate building that includes the pantry.

Reception space:

Victorian homeowners welcomed guests into the reception area and had large dining and living rooms where they could entertain. In contrast, the kitchen and bedrooms were usually smaller than we would expect today.

Fireplaces:

Most Victorian homes relied on heat fireplaces so that almost every room would have at least one. Larger rooms may even have two. More often, however, the rooms in Victorian were designed to be small and capture heat.

Where can I Find Victorian Homes?

You can find Victorian homes across the state, though they may be related to San Francisco, where the famous “cartoon ladies” line the street. However, most American cities have Victorian-era homes, especially in their downtown areas and older neighborhoods.

In addition to San Francisco, you will find Victorian homes in New Orleans, Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Louisville. Many small rural towns, especially in the Midwest and Northeast, also boast Victorian architecture.

Can it be renovated?

Given the age of Victorian homes, you will almost always face restrictions on what you can and cannot do when it comes to renovations and improvements. Contact your country's Historical Preservation Office to learn what restrictions apply to your home. Your home may also be subject to local regulations, so check with the municipality as well. Do this before you start renovating to avoid problems.

Here's a general list of things you can not do in a Victorian home:

Adding a room:
Most historic preservation orders will not allow you to change the character or footprint of a home. As such, you can forget about adding another bedroom or expanding the kitchen.

Color:
Homeowners originally painted Victorian homes in bright colors to attract attention. It changes the character of the house.

Expand rooms:
Many interior walls hold the load of the house, meaning they are necessary to support the weight of the upper floors. As tempting as it is to remove a wall to create a great room or expand the kitchen, it can cause the floor above to sink. Instead, you may be able to cut an arc to open up a space.

Roof replacement:
It's not that you can not replace your roof, but if you need to repair or replace it, you will need to use the same materials. You need to preserve the historic character of your home.

Here's what you can do to renovate your Victorian home:

modern kitchen:
Victorian homes did not originally have dishwashers or gas stoves. If you want to upgrade your kitchen with more modern appliances, go for it. Same with toilets or showers.

Decorate in your own style:
Just because you live in a historic home does not mean you have to decorate it with period items. Keep the historical details, but if you want to incorporate your favorite modern artwork, nothing says you can not.

Make corrections:
It's okay to renovate cabinets and repair cracked plaster. If possible, repair any damaged items in the home instead of replacing them. This will preserve the historic integrity of the house and may even be a selling point when you decide to move apartment.

Basement conversion:
If your Victorian home has a basement, you may be able to convert it into a living space. Consult the Historical Preservation Committee in your area. Next, hire a contractor with experience in renovating historic homes. You may be able to add another room, bedrooms or office.