There’s a unique charm to older buildings the further we get from their place in time. What might have once been considered a relatively common or dull type of home can become stylish and relevant again with a contemporary frame.
Of course, particular types of home have always been appreciated such as Victorian or Georgian homes due to their unique details and architecture. Even the most seemingly dilapidated or dated house can be brought back to life with a few of these tips and methods. Here are some aspects to consider when bringing your old home into the twenty-first century:
Kerb Appeal
For future purposes such as reselling, it’s important to maintain the outward appearance of a home in order to keep the neighbourhood looking attractive as well as luring in potential buyers when the time comes. Sometimes the secret charms of an old house are so hidden that they are unnoticeable behind crumbling brickwork or unappealing, dated details.
A great way to brighten up your home on the outside and inside is to refresh elements such as the roof, lawn, front door and windows. Double Glazing Funding can offer more help with the updating process of your home.
Restoration
It’s a potentially huge task, but restoring an old house can be incredibly rewarding both financially and personally. Over time, buildings are subjected to a multitude of attacks such as fire, the weather, and even simple wear and tear.
Some listed buildings have very strict rules about how to restore them so check with the relevant authorities before undertaking any large jobs.
It’s usually a priority to not only restore parts of the building but to maintain the aesthetics of the architecture from the time when the place was built. This means doing plenty of research about the precise type of building you’re working with and hiring trusted people to help you out.
Layout
Sometimes the time period in which the house was built means that the room layout can feel unnatural or unappealing to a contemporary resident. You can alter the layout of a house by knocking down walls and building new ones where desired – just be careful to assess properly for load-bearing walls so as to avoid any dangerous accidents. Opting for an open plan layout can provide more opportunities for creative uses of space, or simply rearranging the rooms can tailor them better to their individual purposes.
Special Features
When we look back on the past with nostalgia, there is often something to admire and keep from that time. Some old homes are fortunate enough to have special gems hidden inside, such as unique woodwork or an antique wood burning stove. Where possible, try to keep these interesting elements as a way of merging the past and the present together.
Create a focal point out of the building’s original features instead of trying to replace them or hide them. Be discerning about what counts as a stylish traditional feature and what is simply dated tat.
Extensions
Perhaps the old building you’re planning to work on could use a bit of extra indoor space. It’s not uncommon for people to add rooms, garages and conservatories to buildings that didn’t have them initially. There’s nothing wrong with wanting your home to suit your specific and contemporary needs, but destroying valuable history to do so is often ill-advised and usually turns out to appear fairly unattractive.
Be considerate about how you extend your home so as to complement the style rather than clash with it. This doesn’t mean you necessarily have to build your extension in the exact style of the original building. Take a look at successful and appealing combinations of old and new architecture to find your inspiration.
Repairs
Older buildings can come with a whole variety of problems. Faulty pipes, broken floorboards and leaking roofs can all make living in an old house more stressful.
Don’t feel guilty if you have to repair parts of the building that simply aren’t functional anymore. If you can patch up any problems with as little disturbance to the original architecture and aesthetic as possible, then do so. However, there might be occasions where it is necessary to take a more practical and less stylish approach to making your home safer and more comfortable.
Balance
The main priority when bringing an old building up to date is to acknowledge the difference between valuable historical curiosities and elements that can be modernised. Blending old and new together doesn’t need to be impossible; approach these changes with creativity and respect for best results.
How to Bring an Old House Up to Date - Let's Fix It
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