What is a Queen Anne-style home? 5 iconic properties that showcase this traditional American architecture at its best

Characterized by their story-book facades, Queen Anne homes are one of America's most ornate architectural styles. You can find properties constructed in the Queen Anne style scattered all over the country, nestled in the pockets of neighborhoods everywhere, from San Francisco to Kentucky.

An example of a traditional house style, Queen Anne homes were first constructed in the US in the 1880s. Architecture of the Gilded Age, these properties serve as reminders of the period's excessive wealth and economic growth, evident through their lavish exteriors and ornate constructions.

Today, Queen Anne homes are an important part of America's broad architectural history and stand out due to their one-of-a-kind design, influenced by both Italianate and Tudor design. Although most properties built in this style possess the same distinctive features (namely, a whimsical use of color, ornate stucco, and unconventional floor plans), the beauty of Queen Anne architecture is its individuality and variation from place to place.

These five Queen Anne-style homes showcase traditional American at its best.

1. A red brick Kentucky townhouse

Situated in a quiet Kentucky neighborhood is a towering red brick townhouse designed in the late 1880s in the Queen Anne style. With its tall bay windows, one-of-a-kind stained glass, and fantastical turret, it's a classic representation of the architectural style, featuring all the recognizable design features.

Owned by Zane Platt-Faulkner, founder of the Instagram page Historically Zane, the home has been constructed with an array of materials (typical of this style), namely red brick and wood.

'Built by Thomas McIlvain, founder of McIlvain & Spiegel Boiler and Tank Company, this 1889 Queen Anne captures the ornate grandeur that defined late 19th-century residential design,' Zane explains. 'The turret, asymmetrical facade, ornate gables, and decorative brickwork make this home a classic expression of Queen Anne style. Interestingly, the front and side pieces of stained glass feature the original women of the home (Ann Mcilvain and daughter, Clara).'

2. A higgledy-piggledly mansion in North Carolina

Constructed in 1887, the Harper House stands proudly in the community of Hickory, North Carolina. Unique in both its layout and exterior, the Queen Anne house has been lovingly restored over recent years in a bid to preserve its shining architectural status.

Its wraparound porch (a distinctive feature of this Queen Anne style) is one of its most impressive external attributes, matched by the top-floor balcony and upstairs extension. The tower features stained glass windows, a feature included throughout the home, adding to its lavish and intricate style. The balustrades and columns have recently been renovated with new wood, providing the perfect contrast against the gabled roof and panelled walls.

Finished in a subtle yellow with darker yellow trim and wood accents, it's a porch paint idea that suits the intricate building style.

3. A traditional family home in Maryland

A later example of Queen Anne construction, this traditional home was built in 1905 and is located in the quaint, charming neighborhood of Chevy Chase Village in Washington, DC, Maryland.

Tasked with redesigning its interiors, designer Nina Farmer worked meticulously on the property, entirely reimagining its contents. She said, 'Originally constructed in 1905, this Queen Anne–style home showcases a classic asymmetrical façade, decorative gables, and a welcoming wraparound porch. In our redesign, we sought to preserve those architectural hallmarks by restoring the original millwork and gingerbread trim, then introduced a rich, contemporary color palette to highlight the home’s historic character while making it feel fresh and inviting.'

With an impressive front porch that extends past the house's perimeter, a scenic white picket fence, and grand classical columns, it's a Queen Anne property that feels traditional rather than fusty.

4. A butter yellow Texas residence

Another distinctive feature of Queen Anne style homes is their whimsical color palette. Combined with castle-like turrets, ornately carved stuccos, and gabled roofs, these features have given the property style its charming, fable-like reputation.

Located in the quaint town of Lockhart, Texas (situated between Austin and San Antonio) is a characterful home that stands out from its neighbors. Wrapped by an impressive white-painted balustrade porch and a double curved doorway, the house is a feast for the eyes that continues to unfold its many features the longer you gaze.

The exterior paint color gives the home charm and a sense of personality, enhanced by its impressive height that's exaggerated further by the spiral turret and layered roof. The unconventional layout of the house is evident from the outside, seen with the three-tiered roofs that extend on the right side of the property.

5. The 'Painted Ladies' of San Francisco

Repainted in the 1960s by a local artist and residents, the 'painted ladies' stand proudly against the scenic backdrop of the San Francisco skyline. Located in the Alamo Square neighborhood, the iconic street features an array of Queen Anne-style buildings built sometime in the 1870s.

Constructed in the earlier stage of this style of architecture, the row of Queen Anne homes is infamous for its whimsical colors, ornate exteriors, and individuality. Despite all being located on the same cosmopolitan street, each house's exterior is unique, featuring different carved patterns, gable styles, and shaped doorways.

Honoring the fantastical style of Queen Anne architecture, the recent addition of pastel paint colors has given the homes entirely new meaning, transforming a quiet residential street into a recognizable scene from classic movies and TV shows.

Queen Anne style homes vary depending on their architect, age, and location, however, many of them feature at least one distinguishing feature. Whether it's an impressive porch, an ornately carved exterior, a gabled roof, or a whimsical color, Queen Anne homes are one of the most joyful architectural styles that are instantly recognizable.