Old House, New Tricks - 7 Ways to Bring an Older Home into the Modern Age
- Written by News Feature Team
Do you own or have you recently purchased an older home in Australia? If so, you know how out of date they can look and feel.
Older houses can be beautiful homes as they have so much character and charm in them. They can also be money pits, as most everything needs updating to prevent the loss of money monthly.
Continue reading to find some new ideas on how you can bring an older home into the modern age.
Replace the Doors
One of the best ways to bring an older house into the modern era and give it significant curb appeal is to replace both the front door and the garage door. Sectional garage doors are an excellent way to give your home a stylish look. They are made of multiple panels of timber effect sheeting that slide up when the garage door is opened. They can include windows as an option as well. This will give the front of your older home a new, fresh and modern look.
Upgrade the Air Conditioning Unit
Most older homes have an older air conditioning unit that could probably stand an update. If it is an older model, it may not be energy efficient in which case you are losing money every month on your electric bill. Make sure to investigate new units to save you money.
Replace Flooring
Flooring in older homes mostly contained carpet. If you rip up the carpet, you may find old hardwood floors in which you may want to have them refinished. Be sure to check the slope of the floor because older homes tend to settle and cause the floors to be uneven.
Update the Chimney and Fireplace
Most older homes did have a chimney and fireplace to keep the occupants warm. Make sure to have the chimney and fireplace evaluated to make sure it is in good working order before trying to start a fire. You may need to replace a flue liner, the masonry of the fireplace, or the firebox to get it to work safely. You may also want to update the fireplace and chimney to give them a sleek and modern look.
Add a Coat of Paint
Paint can do miraculous things to an old home. If you do not have a lot of money to make improvements to your older home, try to add a fresh coat of paint to your house. You can paint just about anything including cabinet doors, kitchen and bathroom hardware, the pantry, and your trim. Just these minor changes will make your home look brand new.
Upgrade the Windows
Homes that were built many decades ago may not be energy efficient any longer if they ever were. To save yourself some money, in the end, investigate replacing the windows in your home. Not only will you stay warmer and cooler depending on the season, but you will also save money and give your home a much more modern look with the installation of new windows.
New Kitchen
The last big tip on bringing your older home into the modern age is to scrap the old kitchen. Most kitchens in older homes are closed off and small. Tear down some walls and bump out the kitchen to make an open floor plan that allows you to keep an eye on the kids and the pets as well as socialize while you are cooking and entertaining guests.
What is the Purpose of Making an Old Home New Again?
If you have purchased an older home, either due to your budget or the fact you love the character of older homes, why do you want to update it? You may want to update your older home for many reasons. The closed off spaces may not suit your style, in which case you would want to open it up to have an open floor plan. You may also want to keep the look of an older house but have all the modern conveniences such as a dishwasher or air conditioning unit.
To save money, you may need to update such items as your chimney, the windows, and the flooring. Lastly, you may want to improve upon your curb appeal by adding a new front door or a new garage door. If you make any changes to your older home, including a new coat of paint, you will have the best looking home in your neighbourhood.