Old houses have something the modern ones don’t – history, tradition, and incomparable character. Owning one is a dream for many people.
However, it’s not only fun and games. Sometimes home improvements are necessary, and older properties are often way past their prime time.
If you think about renovating an old house, you’re in for a wild ride. You may be worried whether you manage to maintain the unique character of your old house, especially after all those modern upgrades.
On the other hand, you may not even know where to start. Don’t worry! In this article, Houseunleashed.com will give you four useful tips for your renovation project.
If you want to find out more, keep on reading!
Choose Which Furniture to Keep
Authentic furniture gives your old house its unique character. If it’s in good condition and features intricate details, it may be worth a little fortune.
Just think about all those antique items, from tables, chairs, mirror frames, to cupboards, and many more. Decide whether you want to keep them, restore them, or get rid of them, especially if they don’t fit your esthetic vision.
However, one of the most important functions of your home is storage. That’s something you can improve while renovating an old house.
Such properties are well known for their lack of built-in storage and tight spaces. In an average American household, there are over 300,000 items, and you need to find a place for all of them.
It may be a challenging task, which is why you should consider reaching out to professional companies like Kitchen Tune Up Franchise.
Then, interior design experts will help you create the most efficient and functional storage spaces. With their assistance, you’ll have a comfortable setup, and you won’t have to deal with technical issues on your own.
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List the Best Features of Your Old Home
Besides furniture, there are other aspects of your old home that you’d like to maintain or renovate. After all, some features must have caught your attention and contribute to the charming atmosphere of your property.
When it comes to old homes, some of the features worth preserving include:
- Crown moulding
- Built-ins
- Original woodwork
- Original hardwood flooring
- Decorative tiles
- Pocket doors
- Cedar siding
- Plaster walls.
Make a List of Potential Repairs
Once you decide which furniture you want to keep and which features of your old house you like the most, you should proceed with further assessment.
Now’s the time to determine which parts of your property need renovations. Some of the most requested upgrades include:
- New windows. The old ones are not the best when it comes to energy efficiency. If you don’t want to pay high utility bills, you should consider upgrading your windows.
- New HVAC. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is crucial in every home. While it’s easy to maintain, you should consider getting a new one if the one you have already is outdated and prone to malfunctions.
- New electrical systems. Old houses often feature faulty, outdated wiring. You need to replace it for your own safety.
- New plumbing and fixtures. The old ones can still be functional, but if they’re made of deteriorated materials, it’s better to upgrade them.
Decide on Your Renovation Approach
Since you’ve decided to renovate your old house, you should now focus on the extent of the changes you want to make. Basically, you have four options:
- Match the original style. This approach is the most expensive, but if you want to maintain historical accuracy and preserve the original character of your old home, you should definitely go for it.
- Mix old with new. It’s a go-to approach for people who want to make subtle changes around the house. You can add modern elements and match them to older features. For the best outcome, look for accessories, furniture, and other new accents that will make the transition appear subtle and natural.
- Contrast old with new. Some people prefer sharp contrasts over smooth transitions. If you’re one of them, you’ll keep some of the old features with minor touch-ups. However, you won’t go on a compromise, and you’ll make modern modifications whenever you feel like it. The new changes will be easy to notice as they’ll stand out from the older parts of the house.
- Total modern transformation. Maybe you bought an old home, and all you have in mind is a total transformation. This means you won’t keep old elements and instead will renovate the house completely to achieve a fully modern look.
If you don’t want to maintain the old elements, it’s up to you. All these options are equally viable! As long as you feel comfortable in your renovated home, your decision should be based entirely on your preferences.
The Bottom Line
Renovating an old house is no easy feat. Depending on the size and age of your property, you may have to do many upgrades.
As such, you should determine your budget, but it would be best if you also had an emergency fund just in case there’s more work to be done.
If your old house requires many upgrades, the entire renovation process will be a huge investment.
However, it will be worth all the money, time, and effort you put into it! You just need to plan it well, stick to your preferences, and reach out to professionals if you fall short on some interior design skills. Good luck!
