While there is certainly splendor in simplicity, theres also something to be said for designs that feel a touch more dressed up. Case in point: Victorian-style homes. With their ornate gingerbread trim, turrets and towers along the roofline, and eye-catching exterior paint colors, these historic homes are the architectural equivalent of a statement cocktail dress, and were no doubt first designed to make passersby stop and stare. Still, an interesting amalgamation of industrial advancements and historical trends had to combine to create what is arguably the fanciest of Americas most popular home styles. Keep reading for an in-depth look at Victorian style homes, including their key design characteristics and a guide to all the unique sub-types. More Home Styles Youre Likely to Spot:What characterizes a Victorian-style home? Unlike uber-practical Colonial-style homes, the common denominators between most types of Victorian-style homes are verticality and asymmetry. These two-to-three story structures extend tall into the sky, and the steep, gabled roofs are dotted with turrets, towers and dormers. Ornate gingerbread trim, window surrounds, and other embellishments hang like jewelry from rooflines and expansive wrap-around porches, and stained glass and bay windows further up the formality factor. Victorians are also known for their quirky exterior color combinations, which serve to highlight their ornate embellishment. Illustrations by Melinda JosieLook for these common exterior embellishments on Victorian-style homes.The interiors of Victorian-style homesInside, Victorian Era homes were not streamlined or open-plan. The often rambling floor plans consisted of multiple closed-off rooms of varying size, shape, and ceiling height that each had their own individual purposes (library for reading, dining room for dining, etc.). Winding grand staircases made for impressive entryways, and secret nooks added to the eccentric charm. Spaces designated solely for private family use were less conspicuously embellished than those that received guests, but interiors were often adorned with decorative wallpaper, glittering glass chandeliers, dark wood furniture, and thick window drapes throughout. Transom windows, which helped cool air flow from room to room in warmer months, could often be found above doorframes, and decorative moldings and wainscoting often shared wall space with grand fireplaces, interesting objets, and artwork.Roger Davies, styling by Becki GriffinThe history of Victorian-style homes As is the case with Colonials, the most important thing to know about Victorian-style houses is that Victorian technically refers to a time period, not an exact aesthetic. In the U.K., this was the entirety of Queen Victorias reign from 1837 to 1901, the longest of any of her predecessors. In the U.S., its more or so confined to the 1860s through the turn of the 20th century, when the Civil War had concluded and the effects of the Second Industrial Revolution began to fully take root. Nevertheless, the period is now largely aesthetically synonymous with ornate detailing, rich colors such as jewel tones, and sense of a refined formality. This comes across perhaps most clearly in the home styles of the era. Thanks to advancements in mass production and the dramatic growth of the railroad system, it was easier than ever to build more intricate houses for less money and with less time. Beauty could be prioritized over function because decorative detailing could be ordered by part instead of crafted by hand. Also crucial: the rapid rise in popularity of the balloon house frame, which uses lighter wood planks connected by nails instead of timbered joinery. As Virginia Savage McAlester notes in A Field Guide to American Houses, this freed houses from their traditional box-like shapes by greatly simplifying the construction of corners, wall extensions, and overhangs. As a result, private residences at all class levels could indulge in the complex shapes and elaborate detailing once reserved for landmark buildings and the dwellings of the upper-upper class. At first, Victorian-era builders loosely looked to the opulent castles of Medieval and Renaissance Europe for inspiration, but after the Centennial Exposition of 1876, a renewed interest in early American architecture resulted in the Colonial Revival styles that are also of this era. Types of Victorian-style homes There are several different subgenres of Victorian Era architecture. A few youre most likely to encounter include: Victorian Gothic Alec HemerThis Victorian Gothic farmhouse beguiles in black and white. Also known as Gothic Revival or Carpenter Gothic, this Victorian-style home is typically characterized by a pointed arch, or lancet, window frames, steep roof gables oftentimes topped with tall finials, and sash window panes. Curling bargeboards commonly underscore the roof eaves, but are not shown in this example.RELATED: Tour a Victorian Gothic Farmhouse That Beguiles in Black and WhiteItalianate CASEY CASHELLIf its got a flat or slightly sloped roof abutted by decorative brackets and tall, skinny windows, chances are high youre looking at a Victorian Italianate style home. Especially telling, but not necessarily required, is an extended tower, cupola, or belvedere, as pictured here on the Mayhurst Estate Bed & Breakfast in Orange, Virginia. Stick Victorian jmoor17//Getty ImagesAn intermediary between Gothic Revival and Queen Anne, Stick Victorians treat the exterior walls themselves as an opportunity for decorative adornment. Youll see patterned wood paneling extending in multiple directions as well as wavy, scalloped, and diamond textures. Second Empire Getty ImagesTypically more symmetrical and square in shape than later Victorians, Second Empire homes are most immediately identified by their Mansard, or dual-pitched hipped, roofs with dormer windows. The rest of the building windows are typically less adorned than what youll see in similar Italianate styles.Queen Anne The Argent CompanyQueen Anne homes are what people most often think of when theyre thinking of Victorian style homes. Most popular at the tail-end of the Victorian Era, between 1880 and 1910, these homes get their castle-like charm from top-story turrets (meaning little tower in Italian), carved eaves, and intricately spindled porches. The name, however, is something of a misnomer: While the Queen Anne style is most heavily inspired by the 12th through 16th centuries, her reign did not begin until 1702. Folk Victorian Buff StricklandWhat do you get when you mix a fancy Victorian with an unfussy farmhouse? The Folk Victorian, thats what! This house style became popular in the late 1800s as a more affordable alternative to Queen Anne and Italianate styles. Middle-class homeowners could order prefabricated millwork like turned posts, moldings and decorative brackets to add to simpler dwellings. Special attention was paid to the front porch, where passersby would be more inclined to take notice.RELATED: This Folk Victorian Farmhouse Was Listed for $15,000 on Facebook MarketplaceYou Won't Believe the Before!The differences between Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian Homes The primary difference between Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian homes is that they are all of different time periods. That said, Georgians are from the last portion of the Colonial era, and are known for their symmetry, wide, rectangular shape and flat front facades. Victorians prioritize embellishment, verticality, and asymmetry, and Edwardians, which came about after the turn of the 20th century, toned down the embellishment of their Victorian cousins. Ceilings were taller, rooms were airier, and there was more of an emphasis on elegance over formality. Decor Trends for Victorian House Enthusiasts:Sarah ZlotnickSarah Zlotnick is the Lifestyle Director at Country Living, where she covers a little bit of everythingsmall towns, life in the country, and, her favorite, antiques. A research buff at heart, she loves a deep dive into the history of vintage finds and uncovering the reasons behind old-as-time traditions.