Victorian Style House Design Tips & Inspiration - brick&batten

Victorian Style House Design Tips for Maximum Curb Appeal

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Steeped in history and characterized by intricate details, Victorian style homes boast a timeless charm that captivates the eye. These architectural gems, popularized during the reign of Queen Victoria during the 19th century, spark effortless enchantment with their ornate façades and whimsical flair. If you own a Victorian style house, you understand the balance of maintaining its integrity with your personal touch. Check out these tips and tricks to help you maximize your curb appeal.

Whether you want to makeover a Victorian style house or a traditional home, our designers can help. Even if you’re still exploring which design style best suits your preferences, we will work with you to iron out your design goals. You can even use our paint visualizer if you’re solely looking to change the color of your exterior. Find out more about our design services. 
before-and-after rendering of a Victorian home with an added front porch

#1 // Maximize functionality 

This Victorian style house had beautiful bones, but the existing exterior lacked a front porch. In our reimagination of the façade, we swapped the simple stoop with a roomy porch. Our designers added a seating area, allowing the homeowners to fully enjoy their new space. We also infused the exterior with more of a Victorian essence by adding intricate features, like the gingerbread trim and porch railing.

Bringing more dimension to the design, we elevated the entrance by flanking the front door with mounted lanterns and accentuating the transom window with white trim, tying it together with the rest of the windows on the house. Our designers also revamped the walkway, widening it, integrating sleek pavers, and outlining it with landscaping.

before-and-after rendering of a multi-level Victorian with farmhouse flair

#2 // Integrate other design styles 

Just because Victorian architecture is known for its ornate detailing and historical charm, that doesn’t mean you can’t take some creative liberties with the architectural style. Integrating other design styles can add a fresh and personalized touch to your exterior. This client wanted us to tame the features of this Victorian style house by dialing back the ornate details to achieve a “transitional, clean, modern farmhouse.” We used this redesign as an opportunity to blend different design styles, which is on-trend for 2024 exterior design.

We shifted the stairway to the left side of the house, breaking up the existing solid slab of siding. On the right, we added an attached two car garage, welcoming a more functional layout. We combined wood elements with a warm white palette, achieving a quintessential modern farmhouse aesthetic. Our designers also replaced the existing deck railing with an X-pattern, leaning further into the farmhouse vibe. 

before-and-after rendering of a Victorian house with green siding and blue shutters

#3 // Accentuate with intention

This Victorian style house was built in 1865 and is surrounded by other historic homes, so the client came to us seeking a more completely Victorian look to increase the integrity of the design style. In our redesign, we focused on amplifying the features that define Victorian style. We extended the white trim above the upper windows all the way across the top section of the house, making room for a triangular section of navy shake siding, which draws the eye.

Complementing the blue tone of the new shake siding section, we added blue shutters to the windows, which we matched to the front door. Our designers also focused on amplifying the white trim throughout, and we added white trim around the door and painted the brick beneath the columns to tie it all together. For a subtle hit of contrast, we used wood porch columns and copper gutters, which, combined with the lush landscaping, add a touch of nature to the façade.

before-and-after rendering of a Victorian Italianate home

#4 // Tap into Victorian Italianate style 

Our designers were given a practically blank slate to work with for this beautiful Victorian style house. We revived the 1885 Victorian Italianate, starting with bridging the gap between the two roof-to-ground columns in the middle of the design. We connected the space with gingerbread trim deck railing, which is one of the most intricate and iconic Victorian design elements. Further drawing the eye, we added large shutters to the window, a seating space, and a hanging lantern to define the center.  

We loved the delicate scrollwork on the upper portion of the house and we replenished the small peak with a dainty design. Our designers also opened up the short stairways on each side of the porch and covered them with stone for a nature-infused appeal. We wanted to include an outdoor space for the homeowners to take in the beauty of their home, so we implemented a fire pit area surrounded by breathtaking landscaping. 

before-and-after rendering of a victorian home with a gray color palette

#5 // Embrace contemporary elements

We love the historical beauty of a Victorian style house, but we also know how elevated the aesthetic can become by integrating more contemporary features. This client wanted a more modern feel to the exterior without compromising the Victorian essence. We embraced white trim and accents throughout for some clean contrast, and the new railing opens up the porch space. We also replaced the existing front door with a more modern black door, making a statement right at the entrance. 

before-and-after rendering of a victorian with bold contrasting colors

#6 // Bold, striking contrast 

The existing exterior of this Victorian style house was warm and neutral. Our designers overhauled the appearance, marrying white siding with darker elements. We emphasized the turret, using a dark greige color for the siding, which we also used to make the bay window stand out. This combination of colors infuses the design with some intentional cohesion and beautifully bold contrast.

before-and-after rendering of a victorian with a light, airy vibe

#7 // Brighten the exterior 

Removing the large evergreen trees that flank the entrance of this Victorian was just the first move our designers made to brighten this façade and tap into an airier aesthetic. We went with a mix of off-white and pale bluish gray for the exterior, brightening the palette. To warm things up, we added copper roof sections, which complement the red brick walkway.

before-and-after rendering of a victorian with gray siding and black trim

#8 // Monochromatic makeover 

This client wanted to swap earth tones for a more striking, modern look. We breathed some simple, clean contrast into this Victorian style home with a fresh monochromatic color scheme. The combination of black, charcoal, and subtle white trim creates a classic, timeless aesthetic. The introduction of the white window trim also allows the windows to stand out more as a design element. We further enhanced the design with updated landscaping.

before-and-after rendering of a victorian with a bright blue palette

#9 // Play around with the palette

Victorian style houses offer a unique opportunity to have fun with color palettes, thanks to their intricate architectural details. The existing palette was lovely, but it was on the softer, muted side of the color wheel. We brought in a mix of blues to the exterior with a pop of yellow for the front door. The white trim and accents keep the colorful façade grounded. We also swapped the existing railing with gingerbread trim for added Victorian charm.

We also love how the white trim makes the other white elements, like the peak above the doorway and the cupola on the roof, stand out. Our designers also focused on making the entrance more of a focal point, opening the layout up and widening the head of the walkway to draw the eye.

Revamp your Victorian

By paying attention to details such as color schemes, landscaping, and architectural features, you can highlight the unique charm and beauty of your Victorian style house. Whether you choose to embrace the traditional Victorian aesthetic or incorporate modern elements for a more eclectic look, there is a way to honor the history and character of your home and your personal preferences. At brick&batten, our designers will help you transform your Victorian into a stunning structure that stands out in your neighborhood.

Feeling inspired to refresh your Victorian home? There’s no need to waste another minute. Partner with us and we will work with you to understand your design goals, and we won’t stop until you’ve achieved them. Get started today.

Author

brick&batten Contributor

Mackenzie has been writing for brick&batten for three years, and most of her exterior design knowledge comes from renovating her own home. She purchased a log home that was stuck in the '90s and the previous owners were unable to keep up with exterior maintenance. From reimagining the landscaping and hardscaping to revamping the porch and logs, Mackenzie and her family approached the entire project DIY-style. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys cooking and spending time with her family of six on their farm, which includes cows, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats. She has been writing for 12 years and has explored a variety of materials from food writing to lifestyle pieces and, of course, virtual exterior design.