Old, they say, is gold. Yes, owning a historic home certainly comes with its share of pros, chief among them being that you live in a space where the walls and every nook and cranny tell their own stories. But let’s be honest, it can also have downsides, ranging from outdated layouts to impractical amenities. But what if there was a way to keep the charm without sacrificing comfort and convenience? All it takes are some nifty remodeling ideas to get your historic home to look and feel genuinely idyllic.
Modernizing a Historic Home
There is a difference between remodeling a historic house and remodeling an old one. In the former, you aim to make your space look contemporary without damaging its historical details and character. You have to be careful that you do not destroy this in adapting it to the modern age.
The process of remodeling a historic home can be nerve-racking, time-consuming, and expensive. To make it easier, have a clear idea of your preferences. For instance, do you prefer open floor plans, or is privacy a key factor for you? Go beyond functional elements to understand what makes you most comfortable; see whether you want cozy, casual, laidback, elegant, formal, or homey. These details will help you know exactly what kind of remodeling you need to incorporate. Also, keep in mind that your vision needs to be in harmony with the original structure in terms of appearance and functionality.
Then it’s time to get down to work. Start with the basics, i.e., see if your foundation is sound. Everything needs to be thoroughly checked to see what needs repairing. Your plumbing system could be outdated and could need replacing. To modernize your home, you might need to completely overhaul the electrical system, which is also integral from a safety perspective. Sourcing authentic parts and the correct architectural elements and fittings can be quite a task and require time and effort. Even adding conveniences like air conditioning involves thought. To sum it up, you need to look at the shape, roofline, size, materials used, and color of the original before implementing changes.
Historic Home Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
You will often find that kitchens in historic homes tend to be small, utilitarian spaces. If this is the case with your home, you can consider expanding this area. Alternatively, you can add impact by incorporating oversized windows that make the best of natural sunlight and capitalize on the view outside to offer a sense of expansiveness. To further give the impression of a larger space, you can add in a large island. Brighten up and update an old kitchen by adding recessed lighting, new wallpaper, modern cabinetry, and the latest appliances. Sometimes even refinishing the floors with a low-sheen satin can immediately brighten and open up the space.
Historic Home Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
Historic home master bathroom with white painted wood paneled wainscoting. See Project Details.
This is the area that can benefit immensely from retaining some of the house’s original character-defining features like French doors, a claw-foot tub, porcelain handles, or mosaic flooring that can be combined with modern fixtures and contemporary conveniences. But be warned that in historic homes, this is also the most challenging space to remodel. The trick is to know what to let go of and what to retain. For instance, you might want to replace a vintage toilet or even antique taps that would be difficult to repair. Pay close attention to windows, tubs, toilets, and sinks, and call in expert plumbers who are familiar with turn-of-the-century pipes and fittings. However, what doesn’t go out of style is imagination; so add your stamp of creativity to this space with the perfect color palette, lighting, and the finer details that make your bathroom stand out.
Exterior Ideas for Your Historic Home
Before making any changes or additions, it’s important to understand the original design principles for your exteriors. Your front door should be looked at carefully. In historic homes, the front door tends to be at odds with an updated exterior. It needs some innovation to make the transition from old to new a seamless one. This can be done by adding details like a screened porch or a raised terrace. Often the materials used in historic homes tend to be mined from the earth and include wood, stone, or brick. These can be retained in the remodeling process to keep the warm, tactile ambiance they offer.
Contact Us Today
Now that you have a firm idea of the possibilities and have identified what you want, you can get to the next step: formulating a plan of action. For this, you need the right set of experts who can look at your ideas with a fresh pair of eyes and give you insights into what’s possible with your home. This is where we come in to bring you experience and expertise and do the heavy lifting to take your house into the 21st century. Most importantly, we have one thing that makes us stand out — an understanding of the intricacies involved and a love for historic homes.
