House Styles

On our streets we see a diverse range of housing styles, ranging from Early Victorian to the lesser understood Modern styles. We have attempted to provide some photos and drawings of particular styles to help you identify a house by its particular features.  Of course, thankfully, every house is different. While we have tried to identify the main styles, most houses are a mix and do not follow a style exactly.  Some are architect designed, others are designed by builders, and others by owners. You may be able to identify your exact house style or at least recognise a style that has influenced its design.

This Guide tends to focus on styles that are commonly found in NSW, however information can be provided on housing in other states upon request.

Colonial Georgian (1788-1850) Colonial Georgian, The Old Colonial Period
Regency or Late Georgian (1825-1850) Late Georgian, Regency, Victorian Period
Victorian Gothic (1850-1880) Gothic, Victorian Period
Victorian Italianate (1850-1880) Victorian Italianate, Victorian Period
Late Victorian or Boom Style (1870 – 1890) Boom Style, Filigree, Late Victorian, Victorian Period
Federation Style (1901–1916) Arts and Craft, Federation Bungalow, Federation Period, Federation Queen Anne Style
Colonial Revival (After 1912) Colonial Revival, Inter War Period
The Californian Bungalow (1920s and 30s) Inter War Period, The Californian Bungalow
Spanish Mission and Mediterranean (1924-1940) Glynn Gilling, Inter-War Period, Leslie Wilkinson, Mediterranean, Spanish Mission
Old English (1915-1940) Inter War Period, Old English
The Ocean Liner and Streamlined Moderne Styles (1925-1950) Inter War Period, Ocean Liner, P and O, streamlined moderne
Post War International Style (1940-1960) International Style, Post-War Period
Post War Austere (1945-1960) 1960s, austere, Post-War Period
The Sydney School (60s and 70s and early 80s) 1960s, brutalism, Case Study Houses, japanese, Late Twentieth Century Period, Organic, Scandinavian, Sydney School

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"The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes."
Confucious

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