How to Modernize Your Outdated Home
No matter how much you love your home, every house becomes outdated and needs some updating. Ryan of Cressman Realty and Project Management based in Regina Saskatchewan, this article outlines 6 ways to modernize your outdated home.
Style wise, a house is one of those things that are very difficult to keep up-to-date. Once it has been built, it will be fixed in the style of that era and geography. Even if the house was designed according to the cutting-edge technology of the day, it eventually becomes outdated. Building design trends will inevitably evolve, move on, and leave the house behind.
It can be both a good and a bad thing. If you are looking at that house, say, ten or fifteen years after construction, it could be a bad thing. That is because the owner would struggle to find a buyer if they ever thought of selling the property, says Cressman Realty. Those who might be interested in buying the home would be concerned about its lack of contemporary features. That could affect the property’s value.
On the other hand, the value of a fifty-year-old home that is still in good condition would be a lot higher than the price of a modern home that is similar in size and other features. That is because buyers will be willing to pay a premium for the old house, the same way that antique furniture would fetch a high price. Old homes have a certain amount of charm that contemporary homes do not have.
If you are reading this, then chances are your home belongs to the first category of old houses: homes that were built around one or two decades earlier. The problem with such homes is that they are not old enough to be authentic old houses, and they are not new enough to be modern homes. Instead, they appear outdated in comparison to other homes. Being seen as out-of-date is terrible for the value of any property.
If you are looking at selling that home any time soon, this is something you really must do. But even if you have no plans to put your property on the market, updating its appearance will make residing in it more enjoyable for you and others.
Six simple ideas to modernize your outdated home
1. Clean, declutter and paint
The first step is to strip away all the dirt on surfaces and items in the home. Cleaning the house may involve a decent amount of repairs to the walls. Additionally, get rid of old stuff that is no longer useful. Just by making the home feel roomier, you can instantly improve its appearance. Lastly, repaint the inside and outside of your home. Choose the type of color scheme used for modern houses.
2. Restore parts of the home
Not all features of an old home are actually out of style. Sometimes they appear that way due to neglect. Original woodwork, for instance, may look ugly from layers of stains. You will be shocked how such features, if restored, could impact the appeal of your home. That is also true for hardwood, checkered vinyl, or retro tile flooring. These features will set your home in a class by themselves and restore them to their former glory.
3. Update the lighting
Lighting is one area that will need serious upgrades. The lighting in an old home is almost sure to be insufficient in terms of the number of bulbs and the amount of illumination it provides. To update the lighting, start by improving the quantity of natural light rooms get. Similarly, increase the number of light fixtures. Keep in mind that light fixtures should be both aesthetic and functional. Make sure you layer the lighting to include ambient, accent, and task lighting.
4. Replace door, cabinet, and plumbing hardware
As small as the door or cabinet knobs, pulls, and handles seem to be, they can dampen the appearance of an entire room. That is because these items are usually bright. People have to handle them to get the door or cabinet to open. The same is true for faucets and other plumbing hardware. Replacing old doors, cabinets, and plumbing hardware doesn’t cost a lot, but the effect of this small change can be electric.
5. Update window treatments
Old window treatments are a dead giveaway; one look, and it is possible to tell the year of manufacture. You may have to choose between replacing the old window treatments and getting rid of window treatments altogether. Leaving your windows bare will make rooms feel bigger and comfier. If too much sun exposure is a concern, you can install a window tint on the glass. But if you choose to retain the window treatment, go for modern window treatments that are minimalist.
6. Replace your old furniture
After taking all the steps above, it would be a disaster if you left your old furniture in the home. In all probability, you have overstuffed furniture with garish colors. That kind of furniture defeats your aim of making the house roomier and simple. Get modern furniture with clean lines and understated colors. These are designed to maximize airflow and make it easier for people to move around.