When Europeans first settled in our sub-tropical environment, they needed a way to beat the Queensland heat and humidity. And with a spur of sunny inspiration and no doubt an ale or fresh pot of tea in hand, they designed what we have come to know as the famous Queenslander verandah.

Even back then, relaxing on a new Queenslander verandah to watch the magnificent red and purple glow of the setting sun on the horizon, or the wild rumblings of a storm rolling in, seemed like a must have.

Today, many of our clients in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs regions use their verandah’s for more than admiring the view, the modern Queenslander verandah is now a fully functional living space!

Use your verandah for everyday brekkie, relaxing alone or entertaining friends and family with a spread of fresh yummy food and drinks. It is the atmosphere that only a Queenslander verandah can provide that we truly love.

A Living Space Like No Other

A well-designed Queenslander verandah can do it all. It is the perfect escape when needed, or can be the one place where family and friends instinctively gather when you fire up the BBQ, play board games or simply enjoy the perfect summer evening.

Your verandah is not just a room, it is an outdoor living space. Trust us when we say that your verandah will be the most loved and used place in your new Queenslander home.

The Traditional Queenslander Verandah Design

You can see traditional Queenslander verandah’s in most Toowoomba and Darling Downs suburbs, beautifully framed with catching white posts and decorative balustrades.

Louvers and awnings are loved additions to the Queenslander verandah, providing a natural way to control the breeze and block out the harsh mid-morning or afternoon sun. Louvers not only look timeless, but also help protect your verandah from torrential rain if you would like to use it year-round, and who wouldn’t!

French doors are a common sight too, and these days striking large 'barn style' sliding doors to create a shared indoor and outdoor living experience, enhancing the size of your home while capturing cool breezes and more natural light.

Choosing The Right Features For Your Own Verandah

In the planning stage, it is important to think about what you want for both aesthetics and your outdoor lifestyle.

Some things to consider include:

• What type of furniture do you want on your verandah, modern or classic?
• What colour will your furnishing and home exterior be?
• Do you need a roof fan, BBQ, power for a stereo, what kind of lighting?
• Are you using the area for entertaining, if so, how many people?
• Do you need an undercover clothesline; shoe racks or kids toys storage?
• Will your pets be sleeping on the verandah?
  
  

Try to think about the finer details too, that will make your verandah truly yours. How about hanging bike racks, a jukebox and pool table, or a feature powder mirror. Or what about a few hammocks or beanbags to turn your verandah into a tropical retreat.

What Type Of Lights Will Best Match Your Verandah?

Custom lighting is the perfect way to enhance your outdoor experience. Consider the options like downlights that can create a modern and elegant atmosphere, and be dimmed to your liking at night. How about wall lights or free standing lamps for an individual look and feel.

Solar fairy lights are another way to create the ultimate outdoor living atmosphere.

Looking For The Perfect Queenslander Verandah?

If you are looking to build a new Queenslander home in the Toowoomba or Darling Downs regions, please feel free to get in touch with Shelton Homes. We have over 20 years’ experience designing and building Queenslander homes (and their verandah’s) for the local community.