The Australian Verandah

For many, the thought of a verandah might conjure up images of a grand country farming property with sweeping bullnose verandahs providing shade for the inhabitants and a valuable breezeway for the house. Or perhaps the image that comes to mind for you is the clichéd pioneer’s shack constructed from timber and corrugated iron, usually with a verandah attached on one or more sides. This image evokes one of settlers struggling to adjust to the harsh climate and conditions that Australia presents. While these are certainly apt representations of the Australian verandah, there are many interpretations of this icon.

Another type of building to make use of the humble verandah is the Australian pub. While the development of pubs in Australia took their lead from English pubs, we made many adaptations to suit our climate and clientele.

Upon visiting major regional pubs and country pubs dating from the 1800s to the early 1900s you will discover that many are large imposing structures heavily decorated inside and out. Once again, due to our hot summers, many feature wide awnings and verandahs. The verandahs and balconies were often fitted with ornate iron lace facing and cast-iron columns, which were highly popular at the time as their mass production had recently been made possible.These areas were and still are popular areas for patrons to socialiseand enjoy good weather out of the blazing sun.

Railway stations are another Australian building that utilises the verandah. Rail travel reached its heyday in the early 1900s. At the time, rail travel provided access to most rural areas of Australia.Along with the vast network of railway tracks came a plethora of stations, all with similar characteristics — broad verandahs with decorative wrought-iron brackets with seating to shade patrons, awalk-through indoor seating area and high-pitched corrugated iron or tin roofs with gables.

The Australian pub and the railway station are just two ways that commercial use has been made of the humble verandah but what about its application to our homes?

In this area, too, the verandah can take on many forms and architectural styles.The Queenslander is a popular house style in this very warm and tropical state. Queenslander buildings are identifiable by large verandahs and large double doors that open onto these verandahs.They are typically built on stumps and were constructed mostly fromwood and had tin or corrugated-iron roofs.

Today’s interpretations make use of more modern materials such as steel and cladding but the fundamentals of the style remain — large verandahs to maximise summer breezes and provide refuge from the hot sun while large double doors are positioned opposite each other so a greater airflow through the house can be achieved.

Before the introduction of refrigeration, nets would be slung under the house and drenched with water, which was effective for keeping milk and meat cold for a couple of days.The verandah may seem to many to be an outback phenomenon but it is very popular on beach and seaside structures as well. In fact,upon comparing the Australian beach house with the Queenslander you may be surprised to find many similarities.

Although the two may look totally different they make use of the same principles.Beach houses invariably feature large double folding or sliding doors that open widely to allow air flow into the house, just as the Queenslander features large double doors and windows.

Beach houses also feature large verandahs to allow inhabitants to enjoy the summer out of the blazing sun.You read in this article reference to the humble verandah and indeed in its infancy it was; an area that was not decorated but often housed worn-out furniture no longer suitable for use indoors.

Today we have the luxury of being able to treat our verandahs as an extension of our home, a place to carry on our creativity. You might like to do this with a simple chair and small table, a refuge to enjoy a morning coffee and the paper on weekends or a quite glass of wine at the end of a long day. If you have the luxury of a large area you may consider an outdoor table and chairs setting suitable for entertaining family and friends.These areas don’t just have to be for entertaining, though. Make use of them during the warm months and eat dinner outdoors every night with your family.

There is nothing quite as enjoyable as a simple barbeque and salad outdoors on a warm evening weather, in holidays or school time.You will find unlimited decorating ideas for furniture and homewares at many major retailers; the hard choice will be deciding exactly what to buy.

Why not decorate the area with some pots of herbs to provide a lovely scent but also offer a practical use in the kitchen and on the barbeque?

While there are many and varied applications of the verandah, they all have one thing in common; they provide relief from Australia’s harsh weather. So why not make use of your outdoor space?