How to design a Victorian house
Victorian houses and architecture are iconic symbols of the United Kingdom's rich historical tapestry, reflecting an era of profound social, cultural, and technological change.
A ‘Victorian house’ refers to anything residential built during the Victorian era. Beyond the date, though, there are shared, recognisable features of Victorian houses. Emerging during Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901, this architectural style is renowned for its ornate detailing, eclectic influences, and innovative designs that marked a departure from the simpler Georgian forms that preceded it.
In cities, Victorian properties tend to come in the form of terraced houses – a row of houses built in a continuing style along a residential street. The purpose of terraces in cities was to maximise housing for a growing population, where plot sizes were limited. Building upwards rather than outwards, with houses sharing walls for heat and ease of building, saving on space. Often terraced houses were - and still are - split into separate dwellings. Terraced housing was vastly popular in the period, with urban areas in the UK growing by 25% between 1841 and 1851.
More space and a different way of life in rural areas engendered a different type of building in the countryside. Victorian cottages are known for their picturesque appeal and gable roofs. Victorian manors are large, majestic country houses built from brick with plenty of space and light. Externally they tend to have some gothic reference, sometimes featuring pointed windows, roofs and spires. Internally, Victorian houses tend to have ornate fireplaces, wooden panelling, decorative cornicing and ceiling roses. Tiled floors were also very popular, particularly in dark red and black tones in the entranceways and hallways. The introduction of plate glass following the Georgian period allowed for large windows.
Architectural historian Oliver Gerrish shares his advice for decorating homes from the Victorian period: “This era is responsible for the majority of our urban historic built environment. I like to think of much of the Victorian domestic architecture as being Georgian in proportion but with a load of icing on top. Mass production of architectural elements for both interior and exterior abounded in the Victorian times, which is why we see so much furniture from that time around today. Styles varied, for the Victorians travelled more than their predecessors. The Victorian interior today offers the house owner the chance to be eclectic and mix and match. Victorian furniture is easy and cheap to buy, durable and generally well-made. Don't be afraid to experiment with colourful, rich fabrics, including silk and velvet.”
From the grand terraced houses of London to the charming cottages scattered across the countryside, Victorian architecture encapsulates a unique blend of Gothic revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne styles. We delve into the House & Garden archive for the best examples of Victorian houses done well, whether the history is enhanced or cut against with modern renovation.
1/24This picture-perfect Victorian house – now known as Charlotte’s Folly after the daughter of the 2nd Earl of Bradford – has become a jewel box of delights, right from the pink limewash exterior to the theatrical blue bedroom on the first floor with its billowing tented ceiling that almost resembles a Mr Whippy.
2/24Tasked with decorating a nineteenth-century stone cottage in Pembrokeshire, John McCall made use of an unusually creative method to conceive its understated and eclectic look. In the sitting room, the chimneypiece is made from stone reclaimed from a larger version that the previous owner had installed. Cottage Interior, Evening by Ivon Hitchens hangs above it. The Victorian reading chairs and Edwardian sofa were bought at the Decorative Art & Antiques Fair in Battersea. Opposite the chimneypiece, shelves painted a strong shade of green take up the entire wall.
Mark Anthony Fox3/24While working on the statelier interiors of a 19th-century former vicarage on the edge of Bath, designer Anna Haines also took on the renovation of this small stable in the grounds, which is now a delightful place to accommodate guests. ‘We really wanted to respect the fabric of the building and give it a very lived-in feel,’ explains Anna. ‘It was about seeing the bones of the space,’ the owner adds.
Owen Gale4/24With its airy, light-filled extension, lush jungle garden and gently decorated rooms, Tom and Connie Barton's London house feels like the ideal city home. From the outside, it is a fairly straightforward two-bedroom Victorian cottage. What is less expected – and a total delight to a graphic designer who favours a straight line – is the contemporary beamed extension at the rear, which accommodates an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area and functions as the beating heart of the space. ‘It felt amazing to have discovered somewhere that balanced the old and new so well,’ says Connie. ‘I love how the house opens up from the relatively small proportions at the front to this light and airy space at the back.’
Elsa Young5/24The owners of this end of terrace in north London called upon designer Suzy Hoodless to help them add colour, pattern and a dose of fun to its restored and extended Victorian bones. She brightened up the shell with Nordic colours and mid-century furniture. The owners added this generous conservatory at the back of the house, featuring three sets of french windows. Muuto ‘Nerd’ chairs expand the palette and a monochrome rug helps tie the look together.
Sharyn Cairns6/24For this impressive Victorian mansion in west London, Rabih Hage had the original cornicing and plasterwork in the drawing room restored, and chose gold silk curtains from Jim Thompson to go with the hessian-effect walls hand-painted by Matthew Croxford. Two 'Massimosistema' sofas from Poltrona Frau positioned on either side of the chimneypiece anchor the room.
Michael Sinclair7/24The designer Jane Gowers discovered her London house by chance, but its restoration and decoration have been the result of good judgement and a sympathetic approach. From the glassy green garden room, to the scumble-painted sitting room walls - the house referenced its Victorian providence.
Michael Sinclair8/24Having previously been divided into flats, this 19th-century house in Hampstead has had a sense of harmony restored by Maria Speake of Retrouvius, with the creative use of reclaimed materials and eclectic vintage pieces. Retrouvius specialise in sourcing unique pieces with history, so the Victorian framework is the perfect backdrop for this exercise. The plaster had blown on the staircase wall between the first and second floors, so it was stripped off to expose the Victorian timber-braced brickwork. A map that was a wedding present from the owners’ best man hangs above an Arts and Crafts chair.
Alexander James9/24Design duo Salvensen Graham has worked its magic on a tired Victorian house carved up into bedsits, reuniting the spaces and bringing it back to life as a light-filled contemporary home ideal for a family. The furniture is contemporary and playful, juxtaposing nicely with the traditional structure. The unusual proportions benefit from glass sectioning, which opens up the space without compromising cosy sectioning.
Alicia Taylor10/24Formerly owned by Howard Hodgkin, who had his studio in the attic, this Victorian house in west London has a bohemian history, which the current artist owner has carefully maintained, while introducing the comforts of a family home. In the drawing room, a Victorian roll-top desk stands by the French window.
Alexander James11/24'Form and function can work together without compromise,' explains interior designer Nicole Salvesen. She has opened up the traditional Victorian layout of her London home-cum-office, whilst still sectioning the spaces. She layers patterned fabrics to create a welcoming and cool space that still feels in-keeping with the house's period.
David Oliver12/24This striking balcony flat designed by Thomas Cubitt in the 1830s is an example of some of London's finest Victorian design. Interior designer Virginia Howard leans into the existing fresh, clean structure with her use of pale green, cream, traditional pelmets and classic floral prints. In the sitting room an Italian marble bust sits on a base designed by George Carter inspired by scagliola plinths at Holkham Hall in Norfolk. The 'Tangier' rug is from Robert Stephenson.
Jake Curtis13/24Designer Emma Sims Hilditch collaborated with owner Carole Annett on this grand Surrey Hills house which overflows with historic charm. The neutral palette accentuates the natural beauty of the house's architecture, from the original ceiling detailing to the stone architraves. The entrance is framed by a 19th-century decorative stone facade.
Alexander James14/24Jamb director Henry Bickerton has revived a neglected Victorian townhouse with carefully chosen elements of English country-house style. 'It was the classic example of the worst house on a good street,' says Henry. 'It was essentially six bedsits and we could barely see into what would become our bedroom because the guy living in it had blacked out the windows and was snoring among mountains of pizza boxes.' Fortunately, the pair had the foresight to see beyond the chaos and, after some building work - mainly focused on extending the kitchen and the addition of a loft - they moved in. In the cosy living room accents of red and gold enliven the room's dark walls; the curtains are from Bennison Fabrics.
Michael Sinclair15/24Containing artwork collected over a lifetime and lived in by three generations, the Twickenham house of Lady Wakefield is a welcoming place full of beautiful objects and fascinating stories. At one end of the drawing room, three tall Georgian windows frame the greenery of the garden. The full-length floral-print curtains from Colefax and Fowler add to the effect.
Rachel Whiting16/24Interior designer Octavia Dickinson's south London flat illustrates the modern approach she brings to country-house style, combining antique furniture, floral prints and modern pieces. In the sitting room, Farrow & Ball's pink 'Setting Plaster' paint provides a background to the layered fabrics, furniture and art, while the magenta shade of the bookshelves, from trade paint suppliers Johnstone's, allows the books to stand out. The armchairs in the window are from The French House.
Lucas Allen17/24Dramatic use of geometric patterns teamed with modern furniture creates a playful yet sophisticated effect in this Notting Hill townhouse by Suzy Hoodless. At the back of the sitting area, a bespoke sofa by George Smith is accented with cushions covered in Prestwick wool satin from Schumacher.
Sophia Spring18/24Anna Haines describes her layered, elegant aesthetic as ‘classically curated’. But there is nothing stiff: she sensitively combines colours and reupholsters antique pieces in fabrics by the likes of Susan Deliss and Guy Goodfellow. ‘There are some colours I gravitate towards, such as blues and claret, and I like to thread them throughout my projects,’ she explains. In this grand bathroom, the walls are in Edward Bulmer Natural Paint’s ‘Cuisse de Nymphe Emue’ and the bath is from English Salvage.
Kate Martin19/24Interior designer Peter Mikic redecorated this west-London townhouse for his clients, stripping back a previous, over-slick modernisation to display the house's considerable original charm. The light wood architraves and intricate cornicing highlight the grandeur of the architectural form.
Owen Gale20/24The owner of this traditional Victorian house in Stockwell has turned her artistic hand to every inch of it, from the hand-painted bathroom tiles to the once-ugly kitchen cupboards disguised with pretty broken crockery, corks and shells.
Rachel Whiting21/24Pandora Sykes' house in London was decorated on a tight schedule before the birth of her daughter. But her optimism, bold vision and love of a vintage bargain helped her achieve the distinctive look she wanted in record time. Heritage colours and antique furniture elevate the Victorian architecture. In the living room the walls are painted in Farrow & Ball ‘India Yellow’, which frames the study which features ‘Zebras’ wallpaper by Scalamandré.
Rachael Smith22/24Interior designer Louise Jones's south-west London home combines the charm and comfort of English country-cottage with easy access to the city centre. In decorating her own home, Louise was determined not to make the interiors look as if she had tried too hard. 'It's essentially a workman's cottage and I wanted it to feel English and a bit country,' she says.
Greg Funnell23/24From her 19th-century studio in Chelsea, artist Sarah Graham creates magnificent pictures of exotic plants, flowers and insects, which have been inspired by her lifelong fascination with the natural world. The Victorian architecture provides a clean and elegant backdrop for her artwork and classic midcentury furniture.
Jake Curtis24/24Tasked with reconciling 21st-century-living with the Victorian proportions of this terraced house, the interior designer Sarah Stewart-Smith reconfigured the ground floor and linked the spaces with modern textures and pristine finishes.
