Living in a period home does not mean that you have to do without today’s modern trends and technologies. In this post we are going to take a look at 10 ways that you can give your period home a modern makeover while still keeping that romantic and nostalgic aesthetic that you love.
1. Open up your living spaces.
Older homes tend to have a lot more closed off rooms, with a separate kitchen, dining and living room. Bring your home into the modern ages by opening up your spaces and removing some walls if you are able to do so. Not only does this create a bigger feel to your living areas, but also can make the whole place feel lighter.
2. Choose modern paint colours.
It wasn’t until the last century that the colour palette expanded for the interior of a home, with various shades of white being the common choice beforehand. Applying fresh coats of paint in modern colours can do wonders for a home facelift and will certainly wow people as they walk through the front door.
3. Install steel-framed windows and doors.
Changing out the existing windows and doors for steel-framed versions adds an updated industrial look that will never go out of date.
4. Add new shelving.
If your wall shelves are looking a bit aged, replace them with new modern styles. Glass shelves are a good option.
5. Make use of the loft.
A lot of period homes have a loft that was originally used for storage, but after making more storage space in your other living areas, you can transform the loft into a usable space. Some ideas include making it a spare bedroom, an office, a gym area, or even a playroom for the kids. Create a staircase into your hallway so that it’s easily accessible.
6. Brighten up your staircases.
Speaking of staircases, these are a part of the home that you can use to add some colour or personality. Use either one statement colour or a combination of two, with a modern handrail to complete the look.
7. Update your lighting fixtures.
We’re lucky that in our home furnishing and hardware shops there are countless styles of lighting fixtures to choose from. Get rid of all your old ones and find some new steel or glass options that you can put right through the house for an instant modern lift.
8. Replace curtains with blinds.
While curtains work well in many homes, sometimes the drapes used over larger windows or bay windows can date a home’s look. Swap them out for blinds in a shade of silver or black instead.
9. Consider your decorations & furniture.
Often a home can instantly feel older by the type of furniture and decorations that are used. Even though you still may need to make some adjustments to certain parts of the home, updating all of your furniture and homewares in the living areas can completely transform your period home.
10. Add a modern layer to the exterior.
A period home can still be a period home even with a modern touch on the outside. Consider putting wooden facades over half of the existing brick for a two-toned exterior with a funky contrast.
Unsure where to start?
Using the services of a professional design and build team who dedicate their lives to period homes is the key to success for giving your home the modern makeover you desire. Check out some of the projects that Period Extensions & Designs have been involved in and give us a call on 03 9882 5255 to find out how we can help you with your period home renovation.