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About Queenslander Home Design
The Queenslander house design is an iconic form of Australian architecture that is full of charm. Most loved Queenslander homes are high-set with a classic wrap-around veranda. They typically have an iron roof, are made with timber, have beautiful lattice work, and ornamental veranda posts and railings.
The Queenslander design was born from the need for housing after World War I, where materials were limited due to war efforts. This gave rise to an informal style of construction which used timber stud work rather than heavy masonry – this made for a speedy building process where these houses could be erected quickly and cheaply by relatively unskilled builders.
The name came about because many houses of this type were constructed using corrugated galvanised iron (or “galvanised iron”), which was first manufactured in Queensland, Australia; hence “Queenslander”. Queenslanders are commonly found in South East Queensland, particularly in the northern suburbs of Brisbane.
They were originally a timber-frame construction, but many modern designs have a brick veneer to resemble masonry for aesthetic home design purposes. Many contemporary Queenslanders have traditional features such as high ceilings and wide verandahs incorporated into their designs to become a resident’s dream home.
Where Are Queenslander Homes Designs Found?
Queenslander style homes are located all over Australia, not just in Queensland. There are examples of Queenslander houses in Sydney, North Shore, and Melbourne’s Metropolitan area. The only remaining town in NSW that has its original post war era character is Newcastle, which also has the highest percentage of Queenslander housing to this day.
Contemporary Queenslander home designs can be found along Brisbane suburbs such as: Ashgrove, Bardon, Bellbowrie, Brookfield, Chapel Hill, Chelmer, Corinda Easts, Enoggera Hill, Ferny Grove Leacock, Middle Park, Milton, Milton Heights, Chelton, Moggill, Moorooka, Mount Crosby, Mowbray Park, Newmarket, Norman Park, Oakwal, Pullenvale, Rochedale South, Sherwood, St Lucia, Taringa, The Gap, Toowong, Upper Brookfield, West End, Woolloongabba, Wooloowin, Wynnum. Queenslander homes can also be found in other regions of Queensland including Caboolture, Hervey Bay, Redland City, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, and Townsville.
Queenslander Design Homes Restoration and Renovation
The traditional Queenslander home stopped being destroyed in the 1970s. During this time, governments began to recognise the significance of the Queenslander’s unique architecture and worked to restore the former glory of their design.
Many Queenslanders are now renovated with a modern twist. Most people who own Queenslanders want to make them the perfect home for contemporary living, while still maintaining the original cottage Queenslander style that they fell in love with.
For example, modern Queenslander house designs may implement changes such as:
- Converting the lofts of older Queenslanders into additional bedrooms using built-in shelving.
- Using modern paints to ensure they’re premium and longer lasting
- Implementing fibre cement cladding
- Modern insulation
- Open plan living
- Additional bathrooms
- Modernised living areas
- Veranda extensions
- Add-ons, such as implementing new Queenslander carport designs
In terms of Queenslander house interior design, owners often choose specific house and land packages from architects or designers to ensure the house’s appearance is suitable for its location and use. Some examples may feature stained glass windows, polished hardwood floors, and fireplaces, whereas others will retain original rooms made from timber tongue-in-groove boards on the walls and ceiling.
Work closely with professionals on your ideas to get the new home feel that you desire all the while keeping the traditional aesthetic that you love. Whether you have a fixed price house and a tight budget, or funds to spare for renovation, there are always contemporary upgrades you can make to your Queenslander if you so desire.
House designs vary greatly depending on their era and material – from very basic, with four walls and a corrugated iron roof, to multi-storey homes with complex gables, bargeboards, and verandas. There is also a high proportion of Queenslander homes that have been extended to create more space through multiple remodelling projects. These property fixtures often resulted in an eclectic mix of architectural styles visible from the exterior.
However, some owners continue updating their home by adding new external structures such as carports or pergolas with modern materials such as steel or glass – this trend has led to a proliferation of the term ‘Queenslander’ being used to describe not just original post war homes but any house built on stilts. New Queenslanders are even currently being built today in Brisbane, Australia.
Queenslander house designs are living on in the contemporary world for all the right reasons. If you want a new home that has a traditional look, feel, and quality, but is suited to your modern lifestyle, maybe a Queenslander is your dream home.
