Older homes are great because they have a lot of the character that is lacking in new build homes, which often look exactly the same as one another. The only problem with getting an older home is that it might need some updating. People often have trouble with drafts through the house and struggle to heat it efficiently which can end up costing a lot of money. Over the years, they can fall into disrepair and you’ll need to do some work on the place. The only issue is, you risk losing some of the charm that attracted you to the house in the first place if you don’t do it right. If you think it’s time to give your old house a bit of a makeover, check out these tips that will help you retain the character of the place.
Accept The Imperfections
In some areas of the house, there will be damage or imperfections that you can’t really fix without replacing things. Things like custom made bannisters or copings around the ceilings are very hard to find modern replacements for, especially if you want it to look the same. If the damage is purely cosmetic and it isn’t a danger, it’s often best to just accept those imperfections and learn to live with it. Don’t think of it as a bad thing, it adds more character to the house and it’s much better to accept it than it is to ruin the house by replacing things with modern fixtures. However, you do need to be aware of the more serious damage like structural problems or dangerous materials which will need fixing.
Doors And Windows
The doors and windows are often the most difficult part to update. The wood on the window frames gives the front of the house its traditional aesthetic but it isn’t always the most energy efficient. Modern materials are a lot better but if you replace all the doors and windows with a white plastic PVC, it’ll look terrible. Luckily, there is a great solution to this; composite materials. You can find a great range of composite doors and windows online which use modern materials but with a traditional wood effect that matches the aesthetic of the house. You’ll get the best of both worlds because the house is well insulated but it still looks like it always did.
Floors
One thing that you shouldn’t change is the floors. The wooden floorboards in older houses give it a lot of its character and if you cover them up with modern flooring, the overall aesthetic of the house will look odd. The floorboards are likely to be in bad shape when you move in but with a bit of hard work, you can bring them back to life without having to spend too much money. Real wooden floorboards are very popular so they’ll add value to the house if you decide to sell it in future. Spend some time sanding them down and varnishing them and they’ll be good as new. If they’re particularly bad, you can paint them to cover up a lot of the imperfections and give the place a traditional farmhouse feel.
It is possible to modernise an old house without losing its character but you’ve got to be very careful how you go about it.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.
