The Victorian Architecture of any period defined by house style as any style defined by the period.

Victorian house style was widely spread around the world and through the continents from Great Britain through Europe and Asia and to Australia. Started as simple settlement cottages with minimal (if any) decorative elements in course of more than 60 years they become more and more intricate in design and become one of the easy recognisable and highly desirable houses In Australia.

Some distinctive characteristics of a Victorian property in Australia are:

1. Multi-coloured brick work and rendered facades.
2. High pitched roofs.
3. Ornate Gable Trim.
4. Cast Iron Lace under the eaves.
5. Verandahs and balconies with Cast Iron Lace.
6. Cast Iron or Picket Fencing.
7. Stained glass windows.

Valuable Victorian House Style features:

• Solid brick construction
• Natural timber floors
• Iron roofs
• High ceilings
• Ornate external detailing
• Internal detailing

During Queen Victoria’s reign there was an explosion in construction of solid brick quality houses examples of which are still be found in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia today.

Victorian houses in Australia are considered to have three separate periods:

Early Victorian (1837-1860)

Australian Victorian houses built between 1837 and 1860 are simple freestanding cottages or terraced houses made of brick or weatherboard with mostly corrugated iron roof. Normally they have a simple floor plan with a plain verandahs and small front gardens behind the picket fence.

Mid Victorian (1860 -1875)

During this period Victorian houses are keeping the similar form but getting more decorated with greater level of ornamentation.

Facades become more elaborated. Decorative brickwork is combined with a use of stucco and plain render.

Timber verandahs at the front are very common and decorated with cast iron lacework and tile floors.

Terracotta tiles roof becoming as popular as corrugated iron.

Late Victorian (1875 -1901)

With increasing wealth of the state Victorian houses began to be more fashionable and exceedingly ornate incorporating various elements of the Italianate style.

Terraces became taller and incorporated ornamented parapets.

Verandahs with intricate iron lace work and front gardens enclosed with cast iron fences are still very popular.

Arches around doors and window are added and entrances are enhanced by decorated stained glass side window.. to enhance overall ornamental and very detailed interiors.

By the Late Victorian period, homes had evolved beyond basic functionality to become symbols of status and style.

This era saw the influence of multiple architectural styles, including Gothic Revival and Italianate, leading to grand, eclectic homes with a strong emphasis on decorative features.

Intricate plasterwork, including cornices, ceiling roses, and archways, added a sense of refinement to the interiors, while fireplaces became more elaborate focal points within rooms. Exteriors, too, showcased complex details, with facades featuring polychromatic brickwork, ornate gables, and elaborate iron lacework that contributed to the architectural splendor of Victorian homes. These design elements not only made a statement about the owner’s social standing but also created an enduring legacy that continues to inspire admiration today.

The rise of industrialisation during the Victorian period made many of these decorative elements accessible to a broader audience, as mass production allowed for more affordable architectural embellishments. This period’s emphasis on craftsmanship and aesthetic detail also led to the popularity of stained glass, with colorful, intricate designs enhancing entryways, bay windows, and transoms.

Interiors featured lush, patterned wallpapers, and rooms were often filled with rich fabrics, luxurious drapery, and carved wooden moldings. Victorian homes, particularly in Australia, became synonymous with elegance and refinement, blending comfort with opulence, and their enduring architectural beauty continues to captivate and define historical neighbourhoods across the country.

Read more about Victorian House Interiors

and Victorian Style Homes: The 10 Best Victorian Houses in Australia