When you buy an old house, you inherit a space teeming with stories and history. The creak of the floorboards and the vintage details of the home give it extra personality. However, as lovable as these quirks are, they may not fit your modern lifestyle.
If you want a modern, stylish home that keeps your old house’s charm intact, you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. Here are some home updates that can make your space a bit more sleek and functional while still honoring its history that made you fall in love with it in the first place.
Refresh the Walls with New Paint
Older houses often come with faded and peeling paint on the walls, all in outdated colours. This can make the rooms feel tired and gloomy. Refresh and invigorate the space by adding a fresh coat of paint that renews the home, making it feel more inviting.
Choose light neutrals to open up smaller spaces. If you want to retain that deep, moody charm the house originally had, go for a bolder accent wall in burgundy or forest green. Update the trim with a fresh coat of white paint as well to create a clean, polished look.
Upgrade to Sleek Flooring
Worn carpets and scratched wood floors are common in older houses, but they might not fit the vibe of the modern home you want. Sleek flooring can elevate your space’s aesthetic while improving overall durability and ease of maintenance.
If your home already has hardwood or wide plank flooring, consider investing in hardwood floor refinishing. This brings out the home’s natural, history-rich beauty without replacing it. You could also opt for engineered wood or luxury vinyl for a contemporary twist, especially if the original floors are not salvageable. But if the home has original tall baseboards and classy trim, it is advisable to retain them as you will not find higher quality at today’s lumber supply chain stores.
Renovate the Kitchens and Bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms in older homes often have outdated styles and lack storage. Updating these rooms can make your home feel more modern and functional while still retaining the home’s timeless details.
Work with a trusted home renovation contractor in Toronto to balance modern upgrades with vintage-inspired details. Retain what you want from the original design and add details that can make life today easier. For example, keep the original clawfoot tubs and vintage cabinetry in the bathroom, but modernize by installing sleek countertops, hidden storage, and energy-efficient mood lighting.
Add Smart Home Features
Older houses weren’t designed with today’s convenience and efficiency in mind. Incorporating smart home technology into your charming space can make life easier while you enjoy its timeless historical character.
For example, add a smart thermostat to control how cool or warm you want the space to feel. Install voice-activated lighting and home security systems for extra safety. These features bring your home up to modern standards and let you enjoy the ease of today’s technology without diminishing the character that makes your older home special.
Blend Old and New in the Interior Design
When decorating your home, be careful not to over-modernize your old home, no matter how tempting it can be. Strike the right balance of historic charm and contemporary comfort so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Pair an antique, wooden dining table with plush modern chairs. Hang contemporary abstract art against the home’s original brick walls. By combining new and old in your design choices, your home will feel beautifully current but also deeply rooted in its history.
Endnote
Modernizing an older house doesn’t have to mean erasing its character. If anything, it’s about honoring the details that make it special while adding a bit more comfort and functionality to your modern pace of life. With the touches and upgrades above, your beloved old home can shine again as the perfect blend of past and present.
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