From the invention of the bicycle and the postage stamp, through to the creation of the telephone and the opening of the London Underground – the Victorian era can lay claim to many of the innovations that have helped shape our everyday lives.

But the changes were not just confined to the intellectual and scientific spheres. The period also witnessed this country’s first great housing boom. Row upon row of terraces sprang up across the UK, with grand residences lining the parks, as millions of homes were built to help house a vastly expanding population.

Typically well built and supremely versatile with plenty of potential (though the Victorians could never have imagined how we’d be adapting their homes over a century later), houses from this period remain a staple fixture of virtually every town and city. And particularly at the current time when we’re all having to keep safe at home, they provide an excellent example of how thoughtful design can contribute to our wellbeing.

While the internal layout may be a little different from today’s houses (the realities of keeping warm in the depths of winter with no central heating made open plan living impractical – not to mention beyond the engineering capabilities of the day), there are several defining characteristics that ensure Victorian properties remain extremely popular.

First and foremost, despite their relatively small footprint, the houses are incredibly well proportioned, with plenty of space and surprising depth.

Impressively high ceilings and lovely large bay sash windows flood homes with plenty of natural light, while most rooms in their original form tend to be separate and self-contained – perfect if you’re working from home or just want to escape somewhere for a little peace and quiet.

Larger rooms meanwhile will often be divided by bi- or tri-folding doors, allowing for greater privacy during the day and an option to open out into a bigger space for the evening.

Social custom also meant that the Victorian kitchen was located in a narrower rear area beyond the main house – so there’s often lots of room to extend towards the back. Many latter-day alterations, for example, include the now commonplace side extension, one of the most popular ways to add space, light and value to the original footprint.

Fireplaces also tend to be a central feature in most rooms, as do stained glass and tiled flooring in porch areas – all adding to the period charm and often commanding a premium where homeowners have resisted replacing them.

The fact that we still have so many Victorian properties in the UK is testament to the quality of their build and the enduring nature of their design. They continue to be in high demand among buyers and remain exceedingly well suited to the rigours of modern life.

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