Guide to Renovating a Queenslander House

Renovating an old Queenslander can be as overwhelming as you think, which is why we listed down some ways on how we can help you boost your colonial style home into the 21st century while maintaining its honor and rich heritage.

But first off, what is a Queenslander? To put it simply, it is a modern term for the typical residential style of Queensland, Australia. The classic Queenslander is normally a single detached house made of hardwood timber and iron, built for climate, and located on a separate block of land. If you’ve got your hands on one, you may consider yourself extra lucky; however, there is often a catch.

With years of changing weather and neglect, a Queenslander home which was once was stunning could take your money quicker than it makes you money. Because of this, it is important to be prepared and ready by having all the knowledge you need in renovating an old Queenslander – regardless of whether you’ve just inherited it or you’re planning to sell. Whichever, here are some tips to help you bring out the best of your property:

WORK ON IMPROVING YOUR STREET APPEAL

Certainly, no one wants to live in a house that is creepy and old-looking (well except for a few). As much as possible, look for ways where you can make your property stand out from the crowd. Do not settle on the idea that it is already a Queenslander; instead, ensure that it is also a nice-looking Queenslander – with newly painted eaves, renovated fence or even an upgraded letterbox.

Another tip to consider is improving your Queenslander’s weatherboards. Colonial homes are known for this so we suggest making some improvements such as weatherproofing, cleaning, leveling out imperfections, and repainting to a modern colour palate which will still show your respect to the tradition of the home and at the same time will instantly improve your overall street appeal.

On top of that, you can also opt to change the colour scheme of the trim, to make even more splash in your street. Going dark, bright or striking with contrasting colours can also quickly modernize your colonial home.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE LAYOUT AND VENTILATION

Often, old Queenslanders feature closed in living spaces, dark hallways and a lack of effective cross-ventilation. And since open plan living is now a modern trend, giving yourself or your future buyers the chance to enjoy open spaces is a plus. You can do this by adding connections for modern appliances as well as changing the layout of your home, including the living space and the kitchen, in order to have an easy flow and accessibility to the outdoors for family dinners, parties and even homework discussion with friends.

GO ALFRESCO

Having alfresco dining is also a must in every colonial home, especially since we have the perfect weather during most of the year. So, make sure you have the deck that is worthy and functional or you will be a step behind the rest. 

The elevation of Queenslanders places them in a prime position for cool breezes and wide views, and you can improve your deck by adding shutters or servery windows to bring the outside in. Having a deck can be a great selling point and significant lifestyle enhancement, so make sure yours is in tip top shape with quality furnishings.

CREATE CONNECTIONS

One of the biggest appeals that you can also do to renovate your old Queenslander  is to connect your spacious lower levels through interior stairs, and to shore up any weaknesses in the downstairs enclosures. Make sure to also discuss with your architect to know how else you can add a whole new level onto your home that will fit the modern era.

INVITE THE NATURAL LIGHTS IN

In any case, light is an integral part of renovating your home. With double-hung windows, huge awnings and casement windows, your Queenslander can suffer from a lack of light and may not be ideal when it comes to enhancing your property, especially if you have high ceilings that offer the perfect opportunity for skylights and tall windows.

Now with regards to renovating your roof, consider if it could be recladded to a lighter and more durable surface, so you can restore the original exterior surfaces (e.g. latticework, balustrading, decorative timber and iron). Having a switch to colourbond can also bring light, comfort and appeal to your property while maintaining its traditional look.

Simply, renovating can bring your home into a modern type of Queenslander. You just need to be creative in terms of the layout, storage spaces and fixtures. If you’re looking to sell your Queenslander, you may also check this out for ways on how to declutter your home to sell.