Transforming an Old Home into a Modern Space: The Essentials
- Marta Griffin | November 13, 2018
Remodeling and redecorating is always fun, no matter the scale of the project. However, sometimes, it can become a bit stressful – not to mention expensive – especially if you have decided to do a complete overhaul. But, as with any other project, you should first try to determine your main goal – for example, to give a touch of a contemporary vibe to your old home – which will help keep you on the right track throughout the process.
Once you determine your goal you should, of course, set a budget to avoid running out of funds mid-way. Additionally, do know that transforming an old home into a modern space doesn’t require you to strain your budget and spend all you’ve got. Rather, it’s all about small but purposeful upgrades that will mean a world of difference.
Now, it’s important to set aside functionality upgrades from those regarding style and decor. Here, we will address both.
Functionality upgrades
Functionality upgrades, as their name suggests, are those regarding your home’s eco-friendliness, usability and purpose. Implementing them may cost a bit more initially, but they do tend to pay off very soon, very much.
Inspect your pipes
First things first, if you live in an old house, chances are that your pipes are not quite in peak condition. Therefore, you should inspect them for any leaks and cracks and – if you happen to find any – seek professional help. Nowadays, there are non-invasive pipe repair treatments, such as pipe relining, that don’t require any digging or tearing down walls, which makes them quite efficient and budget-friendly.
Rethink your water heating system
Next, with such great advancements in the field of solar energy use, you should consider replacing your old gas- or electricity-powered water heater with the one using the power of solar energy. These are not only significantly more energy-efficient but they use a resource that’s literally infinite. You can find more information about HVAC systems if you click here.
Upgrade your electrics
An old house will often have faulty, inefficient electrics that constantly fail every time you put the kettle on. They might buzz or spark and are a fire hazard, especially if water has managed to get to them. As a matter of priority, you should search something like “Xpert Electric LLC / Replace electrical panel in Bentonville” to get your fuse box and electrical panel replaced with a modern update. This means that even if your wiring develops a fault, your new fuse box can shut down the power immediately, preventing an electrical fire in your home.
Upgrade your air conditioning system
Old air conditioning systems are not only quite wasteful, but they can also seriously endanger your health. In Australia, for example, the air conditioning market has experienced a significant rise in the demand for more energy-efficient and eco-friendly units. Proper air conditioning installation in Sydney is something Sydneysiders pay a lot of attention to as they are well aware just how important it is to have green, high-quality and, most importantly, safe units in place. Those in the US looking to perform some routine maintenance on their HVAC system may want to check out this Source: In Phase Electric & Air. Using their services, the system may be able to become fully functioning once more.
Wherever you are based in the world, there is bound to be a need for air conditioning, so whether you are looking for AC repair in Sydney or AC Repair in Ormond Beach, FL, you have got to do your research beforehand.
Aesthetic upgrades
Unlike the functionality upgrades, aesthetic upgrades don’t make a lot of difference regarding the usability of your home, but they do have the power to make you fall in love with your house once more.
Space zoning
Older homes are commonly known for their wide, spacious rooms and tall ceilings. Even though this sounds amazing, such an interior can feel somewhat overpowering. If, for instance, you have a kitchen large enough to feature a dining area as well, but you feel like you just can’t seem to get the design right no matter what you do, you might want to consider space zoning. Use different tiles or even laminate to section the dining area off and make it seem like an entirely separate room. Playing with different wall colors is also a good way to give your space more dimension and depth.
Accent pieces
For a truly modern twist, every room in your home should rock a contemporary statement piece. This piece should be the base for the rest of the room design. In the kitchen, it can be a modern kitchen island; in the bedroom a stunning bed frame; in the living room an oversized leather sofa and in the bathroom, a high-quality stone bathtub. None of these pieces are particularly expensive, but they have the power to transform the entire room in a blink of an eye.
Freshen up your old furniture
If you have an old dresser that just doesn’t seem to fit anywhere, you can style it up and turn it into a beautiful decor piece. Sand it property, apply a fresh coat of paint – you can either opt for neutral hues such as off-white or eggshell white or you can make it work as a pop of color piece and opt for a bold, vibrant hue – and turn your old, boring dresser into an eye-catching piece. Of course, you can apply the same principle to any other furniture item, not just the dresser.
Play with details
Door knobs, handles, cabinet hardware, light switches and similar details can have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic appeal of the room. Simply replacing them with modern-looking alternatives will instantly change the vibe of the room, elevating your home’s coziness. These upgrades are extremely cheap and very easy to take care of on your own, but they make such a huge difference.
As you can see, giving your old home a modern twist doesn’t have to be either expensive or time-consuming. You just need to determine the things you wish to change, roll up your sleeves and enjoy the process, as well as the end result.
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