Crystal doorknobs, sleeping porches and laundry chutes — old houses have plenty of character. Countless stories have been told under your homestead’s roof, and they leave echoes in the floral wallpaper and hardwood floors. Now the home is yours. How can you renovate your house while still preserving its rich history?
[Editor’s note: I can tell you that living in an older home has it’s benefits, but there are many challenges, too, because everything ages which necessitates seemingly never-ending repairs and upkeep. But, by being proactive as outlined below, you can keep that beautiful, historic home going while continuing to focus on your preparedness efforts at the same time.]
Before You Get Started
If your home has historic status — meaning it has official protections from an agency that oversees old buildings — double-check your local regulations before starting any renovations. You need to ensure you’re working within the boundaries of the law.
You may also qualify for tax credits if you’re renovating a homestead. For example, in Texas, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program gives you a 20% income tax credit for rehabilitating historic, income-producing properties. Find out if your homestead qualifies for government incentives before you get started.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many old homes contain toxic materials like lead and asbestos. Have a professional look over your house before you start any major projects — especially sanding, working with insulation or removing floors. Prioritize your health when doing renovations.
1. Add Modern Infrastructure
Ready to get started? The first place thing to check is how much work your homestead needs. Depending on its age, it may need a serious overhaul.
Is the building up to code? Does it have modern pipes and wiring? Unless you want to actually live like people did 150 years ago, you’ll need to address these areas before you start daydreaming about throw pillows or paint colors.
Upgrade the house’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to modern standards. Install additional vents in kitchens and bathrooms for better airflow. On the electrical side, get the wiring up to code and add wall outlets, light switches and light fixtures as necessary. Hardwire the house for an internet connection.
As you add these features, try to conceal them to give the house a more historic look. You can live in a functional house without sacrificing aesthetics or modern comforts.
2. Replace Aging Appliances
Another way to upgrade a home is to replace gas appliances with electric. Gas cook stoves pose a health and environmental hazard, but modern electric stoves with a flat range top are safer and easier to clean. You can even buy an induction stove if you want the most energy-efficient cooking surface.
Many companies sell vintage-looking stoves, refrigerators, microwaves and other appliances that couple retro looks with modern performance. Many feature bold pastel colors and smooth, rounded edges.
3. Remove Carpeting
Remember the green and orange carpet phase of the 1970s? It’s time to let it go. If you know your home has original hardwood underneath, peel back the shag to restore the floor to its former glory. Sand the floor as needed to make it smooth again.
4. Upgrade Dated Blinds and Drapes
Window blinds may be an ancient invention, but the white plastic kind are not. Replace dated blinds with curtains, roller shades or Roman shades for a modern look that harkens back to a simpler time. You can even use wooden Venetian blinds to combine convenience and craftsmanship.
5. Repaint
Few things revitalize a house as much as a fresh coat of paint. In some cases, you cannot change the exterior color of a historic home, and regulations may require you to paint the homestead in its original shade or one appropriate to the time in which it was built. In other cases, however, you’re free to do as you please. Check the local regulations if you own a historic home before repainting its exterior.
Many houses were initially painted in earthy green, yellow, neutral, brown or red tones. Stick with these shades if you want to conserve the old aesthetic. Research the historically accurate color palettes for your homestead’s time period and pick paints that match its previous look.
Some older houses feature beautiful trim work and molding that add a lot of charm, while others are rather basic. If you’re feeling bold, you can spruce things up by repainting the trim — even in a brighter color than the walls.
You can also paint the floor. Use stencils to design a beautiful pattern on your kitchen or bathroom tile, or give an aging wooden floor new life by repainting it fresh white.
Of course, you can drastically change the feeling of a room by painting the walls, ceiling, furniture or cabinets. You can even paint over brick and tile. Your options are unlimited when it comes to revitalizing a room with paint.
6. Switch Out the Light Fixtures
Brass bowls, globes and glass shades characterized early light fixtures throughout the U.S. Today, many companies specialize in modern, efficient light fixtures that mimic the appearance of antiques. Whether you like chandeliers or flush-mounted lights, there are many ways to enhance your home’s interior while maintaining its traditional feel.
7. Revive the Landscaping
When updating an old house, remember to address the landscaping — it’s a vital part of your homestead’s overall appearance. A beautiful yard can help a structure blend in with the environment or accentuate its architecture.
In contrast, creeping vines and neglected trees can age your home and threaten its structural integrity. For example, English ivy can take hold in lime mortar or push through cracks in the windows, while dead tree branches can damage your roof.
Before you do any landscaping, call an arborist with an International Society of Arborists certification to inspect your trees — some of them could be significant to the home’s historic setting. Once you get the green light, you can start cutting back any vegetation encroaching on the house.
Trim shrubs and trees in a wide perimeter around your home. Call a tree trimming service to remove dead or hanging limbs from high canopies, and remove ivy from your walls. If you want to preserve the vines, build a trellis and train them to grow on it instead.
Dig up any shrubs with aggressive root systems growing into sidewalks or other infrastructure. Consider moving them to another part of the property and planting something with shallower roots in their place.
Additionally, look at the terrain on your property. Puddles or low spots near the foundation can lead to basement flooding. Flooding, in turn, can cause mold growth or structural damage. Fill low spots with dirt or use trenches and pipes to redirect them away from your homestead.
8. Update Wall Plates
The protective covers over light switches and outlets may seem like minor details, but they can change your homestead’s overall aesthetic. Buy them in different colors or materials, paint them to blend in with the walls or even put wallpaper over them to match your house’s historic atmosphere.
9. Attach Moulding to Doors and Walls
Flat, smooth doors and walls are great for hanging posters and other decorations, but they could benefit from more visual appeal. One easy way to make them look timeless is by adding trim in geometric shapes and painting over it.
You only need basic carpentry skills to do this project. Use construction adhesive to attach the wood pieces and let it dry before painting.
10. Decorate the Ceiling
The fifth wall is often overlooked. Many old homes once had intricately decorated ceilings — think tin tiles, painted molding and ornate plasterwork. Brightly colored or boldly textured ceilings help bare walls pop, and they can also cover up unsightly finishes like spray-on popcorn treatments.
11. Replace Windows With Efficient Replicas
Early homes often featured single-pane windows that trapped heat inside in the summer and let it out during the winter. Consider replacing them with up-to-date, energy-efficient glass to help insulate your homestead while keeping its original appearance intact.
12. Stain or Whitewash Wood
Sometimes, you can restore a home’s flooring or stair railing with a new coat of wood finish. Stain wood to lighten it, darken it or change its overall tone. Whitewashed wood is trendy right now due to its classic farmhouse look.
13. Use Area Rugs
Use area rugs to preserve a floor while changing a room’s character. They lend a bright pop of color or texture without changing your home’s integrity, and you can easily move them if you want to switch things up in the future.
For instance, a geometric, abstract print can make a child’s room look more modern, while a paisley-patterned rug leans into your home’s original look. Rugs are also easy to wash in case of spills or accidents.
14. Choose Decorative Mirrors
Installing large, frameless mirrors in bathrooms or on closet doors was a common design trend in the 2000s. It was a utilitarian look reminiscent of public restrooms. Now, decorative mirrors with distinct frames are back in style.
Another design choice falling out of fashion is mirrors attached to vanities. Today, it’s more popular to hang a mirror with a decorative frame just above a vanity so you can get ready in the morning.
You can add frames to existing mirrors with mirror adhesive and wood trim. Don’t worry about buying expensive lumber — you can easily use reclaimed wood or even pallet boards people would otherwise throw out. Alternatively, consider purchasing a mirror with an ornate metal frame to replicate the look of an antique.
15. Install Faux Farmhouse Sinks
Who doesn’t love a gorgeous farmhouse sink? Porcelain basins with an exposed front side evoke a simpler time. However, they’re usually too shallow to handle modern water pressure. They also scratch easily if you like to cook with cast iron.
Instead, install faux farmhouse basins to get the look without sacrificing convenience. These sinks are often made of fiberglass and high-gloss acrylic, and you can find deeper versions that will protect your countertops against splashing.
16. Switch Up Fabrics
One easy way to change your homestead’s appearance is with textiles. Blankets, pillows, curtains and couch cushions can make your house feel charming and cozy or sleek and minimal. For inspiration, look at photos of home interiors from the time period you want to reproduce, then shop for similar colors and patterns.
17. Replace Ceiling Fans
Those ubiquitous wooden ceiling fans with floral lamp shades or globe light fixtures may begin to look dated. Replace them with antique fans or embrace modernity with sleek, functional fans that look beautiful without dating your home.
18. Focus on the Details
The little things give your house a finished look and show that you’ve done your homework. For example, replace mirrored closet doors with solid wood sliding doors. Buy copper drawer pulls, hinges, doorknobs and faucets to match your homestead’s original atmosphere. Salvage building materials during major renovations and repurpose them for use elsewhere in the house.
19. Create an Accent Wall
Want a quick, easy way to change a room’s entire mood? Designate one wall to serve as a strong focal point. You can wallpaper it, paint it with a mural, stencil patterns on it or even add faux brick. Alternatively, you can paint it a different color or hang your favorite artwork to make the wall stand out.
20. Redo the Fireplace
A fireplace is a bold centerpiece, but you can customize it to suit your home. It’s surprisingly easy to change a fireplace’s appearance with a few superficial changes. For example, you can paint old, rusty red brick a fresh white, black or navy to help pull your living room together. You can retile it to change its texture and color in one go.
If your fireplace no longer works, you can stack logs inside it, turn it into a pet sleeping area or use it as a place to grow plants. Alternatively, convert it into a bookshelf or install a wine holder in its stead. You can even store books or records in the space.
Reviving an Old Homestead
Restoring a homestead to its former glory can be challenging, but it’s worth it. Watching a house transform from a cracking, peeling structure to a charming historic residence is rewarding. The best part is you get to live there — and you can make new memories of your own while honoring the home’s past.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
Leave a Reply