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Update Your Victorian House

By Jackie Craven, About.com

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Remodel or "Remuddle"?

Victorian floor plan

Modern families are likely to find this Victorian floor plan impractical. The plan is from a London home featured in the PBS documentary, "The 1900 House."

Illustration © Thirteen/WNET
Old-house remodelers are often tempted to remove walls and enlarge small Victorian rooms. Watch out!

Many interior walls in older homes are load-bearing. That is, they are necessary to support the weight of the upper floors. Builders in Victorian days did not have the capacity to easily span large spaces, so the numerous walls really were essential. If these walls are removed, the floors above will begin to sag.

Fortunately, there are ways to update an older home while preserving its structure and maintaining its ambiance. Be creative in the ways you use the space you do have. Try these ideas. >>

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