Glossary of Victorian Terms

A

Acanthus

Decorative leaf motif often used in Victorian plasterwork, cornices, and columns.

Architrave

The molding or frame surrounding a door or window, often heavily decorated in Victorian homes.

B

Balustrade

A railing supported by balusters, often found on staircases, porches, and balconies.

Bay Window

A window space projecting outward from the main walls, forming a bay in a room. Common in Victorian design to let in more light and add grandeur.

Bracket

Decorative supports found under eaves, shelves, or overhangs. Often carved or scroll-shaped in Victorian homes.

C

Clapboard

A type of wooden siding used on the exterior of many Victorian homes, laid horizontally and overlapping.

Corbel

A projecting piece of stone, wood, or brick that supports a structure above — often decorative in Victorian architecture.

Cornice

The ornamental molding just below the roofline or ceiling.

D

Dormer

A window that projects vertically from a sloped roof, often found in attics or upper floors of Victorian homes.

Double-Hung Window

A window with two sashes that move up and down, a staple of Victorian design.

E

Eastlake Style

A late Victorian design style characterized by intricate wooden ornamentation, spindles, and machine-cut patterns, named after Charles Eastlake.

Eaves

The overhanging edges of a roof. In Victorian homes, often decorated with brackets or gingerbread trim.

F

Finial

A decorative ornament at the top of a roof, gable, or spire, often made of metal or carved wood.

Fretwork

Ornamental woodwork with intricate patterns, often found on porches, railings, and furniture.

G

Gable

The triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. Often highly decorated in Victorian homes.

Gingerbread Trim

Highly detailed and ornate wooden trim or lacework used on porches and eaves. Signature feature of many Victorian homes.

H

Hall Tree

A piece of furniture typically found in the entryway — combines a mirror, coat hooks, and a bench. Popular in Victorian interiors.

Highboy

A tall chest of drawers often used in Victorian bedrooms.

L

Lincrusta

A richly embossed wallcovering made from linseed oil and wood flour, used in Victorian homes to imitate carved plaster or wood.

Lath and Plaster

Traditional wall construction used before drywall — thin wooden slats (laths) covered in plaster.

M

Mansard Roof

A four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterized by steep lower slopes, often with dormer windows.

Minton Tiles

Highly decorative and colorful ceramic tiles used in Victorian entryways and hearths.

N

Newel Post

The central supporting post of a staircase, often elaborately carved in Victorian homes.

O

Ornamental Ironwork

Wrought or cast iron elements used for fencing, balconies, and stair rails in Victorian architecture.

P

Parlor

A formal sitting room used to entertain guests, often richly decorated and a focal point of Victorian homes.

Picture Rail

A horizontal molding high on the wall from which pictures were hung using wires or cords — prevents nail damage to plaster walls.

Q

Queen Anne Style

A sub-style of Victorian architecture known for asymmetry, textured surfaces, towers or turrets, and ornate detailing.

R

Rococo Revival

An ornate 19th-century design movement that revived the elaborate curves and floral motifs of 18th-century Rococo.

Rug Beater

A household tool used to clean rugs before vacuum cleaners — often hung as decorative pieces in restored Victorian homes.

S

Sash Window

A window made of one or more movable panels (sashes) that slide vertically or horizontally.

Stained Glass

Colored glass pieces used in windows, transoms, and doors — often with floral or geometric motifs in Victorian homes.

T

Transom Window

A small window located above a door or another window, used for ventilation and light.

Turret

A small tower projecting vertically from the wall of a building, common in Queen Anne-style homes.

V

Veranda

A roofed platform along the outside of a house, often wrapping around and highly decorative in Victorian homes.

Victorian Gothic (Gothic Revival)

A romanticized architectural style drawing on medieval Gothic — pointed arches, steep gables, and tracery.

W

Wainscoting

Wood paneling on the lower part of the wall, often decorative and used for insulation and protection.

Widow's Walk

A railed rooftop platform, especially on coastal homes, thought to be used by women watching for returning ships.

Z

Zinc Etching

A decorative process used for stamping ornate patterns on ceilings, moldings, or furniture hardware.