Did you just move into an old property or already own one? Congratulations! These charming old houses are brimming with character, but the demands of modern living often require repairing and modernizing them. However, the mistake DIYers often make during their old house renovation is over-modernizing these vintage properties, stripping away their unique features.
Old houses have a timeless charm that people love, and you can easily embrace the challenge of keeping the charisma of your old property while introducing it to modern ways of living. The secret is knowing what to save!
In this article, you will see how you can renovate your old house while honoring its past with our thoughtful tips for a timeless, cozy space.
How To Renovate Your Old House?
Embrace the Imperfections
Always remember that your old home is not going to be perfect like a newer one is. It will have its flaws and imperfections, which adds to its charm, as it has aged and changed after living a long life. With old house renovations, don’t expect a crisp and clean finish after refurbishing as a modern house. You should love and embrace these vintage features and imperfections.
Dive into History
It is essential to do some research and understand the architectural style of your property to preserve its charm and character while making changes and exploring renovation ideas. Learning about the architectural style of your vintage home will help decide what changes are essential to make it comfortable and safe to live in, all the while preserving its unique character. This way you can renovate or update it according to its history and beauty.
For example — Victorian houses generally have a dark vibe, thus adding furniture with lighter color palettes can add some brightness to it. Conversely, if you have an Edwardian-style house, painting your walls with neutrals, such as grays or whites, is a very effective and simple way to get that modern vibe.
Fresh Paint
Nothing restores the feel of a home like a fresh, new coat of paint. A crisp white paint can brighten up dim corners. If you are thinking of painting or repainting your property, it is always better to get help from the experts. At Adam Painters and Decorators, you will not only get your paint job done at a reasonable price, but our team of experts will guide you through all the little details as per your unique taste and preference. With our instant online calculator, you will get an estimate of your project in just a few minutes. Adam only offers the best to its customers.
Refinish Floors
Old homes usually have wide-planked, real wooden floors or fun retro tiles that are not so usual and quite rare to find in new, modern builds. Depending on the condition of your old house floors, refinishing them is not only less expensive than replacing them, but it also helps maintain the old house charm!
Highlight Unique Details
There’s no need to change and modernize everything. You can easily keep your house up-to-date with the luxuries of modern world, all the while maintaining its original character, by keeping in mind the following points:
Retain Old Stained Glass - Select a dominant or accent glass color for your walls to pop out. You can even frame the window to contrast.
Cottage Color Schemes - You can go for neutral tones to further enhance old-style features. Shades of white, soft grey, beige, and muted pastels effortlessly create a serene and timeless backdrop.
Wooden Beams - Wooden beams are quite popular in home decor. If your beams look worn out and outdated, re-stain them with oil to refresh the house without entirely changing the look.
Beadboard Walls - Originating in the 1800s, beadboard paneling was designed to protect walls. It is a cost-effective DIY project and can easily add appeal to any room. Paint your beadboard in light, neutral colors so that the room feels airy and open.
Keep Original Fixtures while Improving on Hardware
Even though your home is an older one, don't hold yourself from adding modern amenities to the house. This will not only make living in an old house comfortable but will also not make you feel left out of the modern-world comforts and luxuries. Just ensure to use materials that match the original style of the house. It need not be an exact match but try to get as close as possible. This will make sure your old-house renovation looks authentic while blending with the existing structure.
When original fixtures are in good condition, they contribute to the charm of an old home. If you replace them in favor of new, modern fixtures, you’re likely to remove some of your old house’s character as well. With that said, original fixtures don’t have to stay where they are. If you want you can remove and repurpose them. For instance, a worn-out door can be sanded and remade into a sturdy table for the kitchen.
Don’t Forget to Update the Plumbing and Wiring
These are the two updates that you absolutely have to make. Plumbing and electrical wiring have made significant advances in the past few years, and it is only wise to ensure your old house is up-to-date with the modern amenities. After all, is there anything charming about a cold shower, a leaky toilet, a creaky door, or maybe a light fixture that sparks every time you turn it on? Let our partners from our electricians team help you!
Last but not least, renovating an old house is just like any other house renovation. It is costly, time-consuming, and requires a great deal of patience. If you are clear about what you need and how you want your home to be, renovating your old home can really turn into a rewarding project.