How much is your period home worth?

By Molly Malsom

Published: Monday, 15 August 2022 at 12:00 am

The housing market is always changing. Average prices fluctuate and a number of factors can alter their value, from location and local amenities to the architectural trends year-on-year caused by anything from national anniversaries to pop-culture references (period dramas, we’re pointing the finger at you).

Period properties have always been particularly popular with house hunters, particularly in the UK where homes built through the centuries constantly crop up on the housing market. But which architectural styles have increased the most in price?

The experts at Online Mortgage Advisor have scoured the likes of Rightmove, Zoopla and Nethouseprices to find out which house styles have increased the most in value in recent months. The results may surprise you…

Highest Value Period Properties

1. Arts and Crafts houses

Price increase: +£729,883

Arts and Crafts houses have seen the biggest rise in value with a price increase of £729,883. These houses were a result of the Arts and Crafts movement of the mid-1800s, which saw architecture and interiors becoming more decorative to counteract the effects of the industrial revolution. Usually, Arts and Crafts homes in the UK can be identified by a few characteristics: asymmetrical roofs, gables and handcrafted design created using traditional methods.

2. Georgian houses

Price increase: +£381,516

Georgian houses have seen a price increase of £381,516, which, even as the second highest value, is almost half the increase Arts and Crafts houses have seen. The Georgian period started in 1714 to 1830 when the first four King Georges of England were consecutively on the throne. Architecture of this time exudes elegance, opulence and visually appealing symmetry. Georgian houses usually have symmetrical windows aligned vertically and horizontally with shutters and often fronted with columns to create a grand entrance.

You might also like British house styles through the ages

3. Edwardian houses

Price increase: +£267,630

The Edwardian era was a shorter period, lasting only nine years from 1901-1910. Edwardian houses can be identified by their stature – often tall and narrow, taking on an almost townhouse style. They were also usually built along straight streets, as apposed to the more randomised placement of modern new builds. Edwardian architecture was heavily inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement (perhaps a factor in them having the third highest price increase) so it’s not uncommon to see additional embellishments or carving on the facade of these homes.

4. Art Deco houses

Price increase: +£137,513

Spanning the 1920s and 30s, right in the middle of two world wars, the Art Deco era was a time of style and design. The architecture often featured geometric forms, curved edges and different shapes layered together. It was also a time when new, man-made materials were coming in to fruition (plastic being a key material), so different styles of windows could be used that flowed with the curved corners.

You might also like decorating with Art Deco style

5. Victorian houses

Price increase: +£125,929

The Victorian era was a time of great growth for many reasons, from the number of people granted the right to vote to the ever-evolving economy that seemed to see a boom during Queen Victoria’s reign. But it was also a time many homes were built, most noticeably terraces. Victorian houses were made to be relatively simple – usually rectangular in shape with slanted roofs that extend past the walls of the house. On the slightly more intricate examples, decorative details may have been added, such as plasterwork around windows or decorative trim on the roof”s edge.

6. Regency houses

Price increase: +£100,482

Sometimes confused with Georgian homes, Regency architecture can be identified by long, thin windows and the addition of balconies. The regency era followed the Georgian period, from 1911 to 1920, so there are many similarities between houses built in both eras.