Recognising some key characteristics of Victorian architecture

Although larger properties were designed to make bold statements, standard homes also include details that can help you recognise their age.

There are a number of ways to tell if your house dates from this period. Whether you are thinking of selling it or just adding value to your period home with some tender loving care, it is worth investing a small amount of time and money to allow your home to shine.

• Bay Windows
  One feature favoured during the Victorian era was the bay window, especially in terraced houses. Increasing the flow of natural light into a building and making it appear larger, a bay is, therefore, a perfect fit for fittings such as windows with shutters, designed to provide great light control and privacy when needed. In some bays, stained glass was included to add a touch of colour when the sun was at its brightest.
• Front Porches
  One of the more noticeably Gothic elements of Victorian design, porches would often incorporate ornate woodwork. Just simply sanding and repainting these can have a real impact on homes, whether you have one of the smaller British porches or something more in keeping with American styles from the era.

• Patterned Bricks
  Although already a popular, bricks arranged in decorative patterns did grow in usage during the Victorian era, as they were reminiscent of the Gothic style. Just a simple clean could really make the design stand out from the rest of the brickwork.
• Sash Windows
  Made of one or more movable glass panels, sash windows were a feature in building design as early as the late 17^th century (like at Ham House), although continued to be used in the Victorian era. As some featured stained glass, and require easy access to open them, choosing the right window covering can really help these features shine, both in style as well as practicality.
• Tall Ceilings
  Although not all architects used this feature, it was not uncommon in townhouses for ceilings to be tall, helping to create an increased sense of space. Along with a bay, adding a picture rail, or playing with the colour of the walls, helps the room seem much larger than it actually is.
• Banisters / Flooring
  As well as woodwork in the porch, wooden elements were included throughout homes such as stairway banisters and flooring. To make the most of these, sand them down and give them a new coat of paint or stain. Alternatively, changing a carpet to match can also breathe new life into these classic features.
• Roof Space
  Due to increasing family sizes, roof spaces in Victorian homes were sometimes turned into another bedroom, leading to details like dormer windows. Investing in your loft can add real value to your home, should you be thinking of selling, so it is well worth doing.