Let’s be clear, there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ period home, so for this guide, we are referring to those properties which have traditionally served a practical purpose. We are relating to homes which have focused on everyday practicality as opposed to outward aesthetics.

With the dawn of period home renovation, more and more people have gotten interested in finding out how to make one of these homes standout. In this quick guide, we’ll explore a few of the ways you can transform a typical, practical home unit into a unique, eye-catching property. As always, do consult renovation experts before you get started.

Think About Finishing

Lots of typical homes from a certain period will have the same exterior finishes and paint. Therefore, if you want to make your property stand out from the crowd, you should choose a completely different finish. Why not think about cladding or muted colours in line with the period style? As always, you’ll need to check with your local council in case there are heritage or period style colour scheme restrictions.

Be Creative With Gardening

Your garden is always going to be one of the first things people notice about your property. Why not make it stand out from the pack by getting creative? Research the time period, and you could install unique topiary, modern borders and even popular plants of the period.

Switch Out the Glass

Typical, practical homes generally have very basic glazing. Therefore, to be able to keep in the heat, you’re probably going to want to upgrade your windows and doors. Don’t be afraid to look at patterned glass, either and of course, beautiful lead lighting where you are able to do so. Providing it falls in with the existing period style, this will help you stand out in a good way.

Add an Extension

Many period home renovations experts will suggest you add additional rooms on to modernise your space. It’s a practical upgrade, but when designed and installed the right way, it’ll help you stand out and create a stunning new home feel.

Get Artistic

To really jazz up a practical property, it’s time to think about art. Don’t shy away from using flourishes and artistic touches both inside and outside your home. Install art in the garden, and be creative with your interior design, too.

Ask for Opinions

The most creative way to upgrade a practical home is to ask others’ opinions. Consult a period home expert, a design team. Those in similar properties may care about what you do.

You should always be prepared to consult period design and renovation experts before you get started. Call our team today on 03 9882 5255 for more details on how we can help.

After fantasising about how wonderful it’s going to be living in a perfectly restored period home, there is a lot to consider. Check out these great tips for renovating a period home without losing its character while adding modern luxuries to suit your lifestyle.

1. Understand the characteristics of your period home.

Whether your home is Edwardian, Victorian, Tudor or Californian Bungalow, it’s important to really understand what makes a home specific to that period. Look at designs, photos and videos of as many homes as you can from that particular era, so you know exactly what needs to be kept and restored.

2. Replace the front door.

At some point the front door of your property may have been replaced for a more modern version. Many period homes had solid wood doors, and some had glazing or stained glass as part of the feature. Find a new door that will be as close to what the original looked like and paint in a colour suitable to the period.

3. Repair and restore the brickwork.

Restoring the old bricks will be a big help to keeping the character of your home, so it’s good to keep them unless they are damaged beyond repair. Bricks can be cleaned and you can patch up any large holes or broken parts with lime mortar. Cover this with stone or brick dust to blend in.

4. Embrace the fireplaces.

Fireplaces were often the centrepiece of a room, as they were the only source of heating. Restoring fireplaces and their mantelpieces certainly helps to keep the character of a period home, even though an open fire may not be suitable. Use a gas fire instead of an open one, or simply use as a lovely ornamental fireplace and use the mantel to put beautiful frames filled with loved ones.

5. Keep the original flooring.

We find that more often than not, the original flooring of a period home is still in good enough condition to use since it’s likely made from solid timber. Instead of replacing it, you can sand and stain the floorboards for an updated look. If you are keen on adding insulation or underfloor heating, it’s best to check with a professional for advice.

6. Make use of the loft or basement.

Needing more space is a common problem for many families, but rather than jumping at adding on an extension to your home, think how you can use the basement or the loft to get the room you need. These areas can be used for living areas or bedrooms, and you may be able to add more light to the basement with a sunken garden.

Let the experts help you with your period home renovation

Our professional design and build team at Period Extensions & Designs would be delighted to work with you on your renovation project to ensure that the right amount of character is kept while creating a comfortable home.

Take a look at some of the projects we’ve worked on, and give us a call on 03 9882 5255 if you’d like to have a chat.

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.