“Key Elements

• Two to three stories. Victorian homes are usually large and imposing.
• Wood or stone exterior. The majority of Victorian styles use wood siding, but the Second Empire and Romanesque styles almost always have outer walls made of stone.
• Complicated, asymmetrical shape. Unlike the boxy Greek revival style, these homes have wings and bays in many directions.
• Decorative trim. Commonly called “gingerbread,” Victorian homes are usually decorated with elaborate wood or metal trim.
• Textured wall surfaces. Scalloped shingles, patterned masonry or half-timbering are commonly used to dress up Victorian siding.
• Steep, multi-faceted roof or Mansard roof. Victorian homes often have steep, imposing rooflines with many gables facing in different directions. The Second Empire Victorian style has a flat-topped Mansard roof with windows in the side to allow for maximum space inside the house.
• One-story porch. A large, wraparound porch with ornamental spindles and brackets is common, especially in the Queen Anne style.
• Towers. Some high-end Victorian homes are embellished with a round or octagonal tower with a steep, pointed roof.
• Vibrant colors. Before this era, most houses were painted all one color, usually white or beige. By 1887, bright earth tones like burnt sienna and mustard yellow were in vogue.” –HGTV