Older homes have an appeal that is often unmatched. From the original woodwork and built-ins to the mature gardens and landscapes, they offer a unique character found in few other places. At the same time, older homes can sometimes be dark, outdated, and more difficult to maintain despite being well-kept.
The good news is that most often you do not need to renovate entirely in order to achieve a bright and modern look in your older home. Instead, consider how cleaning and simple organization can help you create an updated space that highlights the unique qualities you enjoy about your home.
Start With the Deepest Clean Possible
Before you start shopping for new furniture or planning major renovations and upgrades, get your home ready for an amazing transformation! Cleaning and deep-cleaning your home can make all the difference in the world! The build-up of dust and grime, plus years of wear and tear will make even the most beautiful home look old and worn down. Just be sure to clean those hard-to-reach places such as baseboards, window treatments, ceiling fans, vents, and doorways, and light fixtures to make things sparkle!
If your home needs a more significant reset than you have time to tackle yourself, it may be worth taking a look at See what Reviewed.com thought of Homeaglow before deciding whether hiring professional cleaning help fits your needs. Starting with a professionally cleaned home often makes every other improvement stand out even more, especially in older properties where years of accumulated dust and grime may hide the home’s true character.
Brighten the Home With Better Lighting
Lighting plays a giant role in determining the age and newness of your home. Older houses were built with less lighting in mind and may have less lighting elements to brighten the space they are in.
Start by replacing any burnt out bulbs with new ones, and use warm bulbs throughout the house to give the illusion that the space is lit from natural lighting sources. Clean off any light fixtures, and make sure the shades on lamps are free of any dust. Pulling back any curtains during the day to let the sun in can provide extra lighting that will brighten up the room. Using a lamp that is floor or table height in dark areas can make the space feel brighter and cozier without having to install any new lights.
Refresh the Walls
Walls take up a considerable amount of space in any room, which makes them perfect candidates for a refresh. Even if you adore the color of the walls, painting them will get rid of those pesky fingerprints, dust bunnies, and scuff marks that make a house look lived-in.
If you’re planning on painting anyway, go with neutral colors that will brighten the room and make it easier to see the natural beauty of your home. It’s amazing how much difference a fresh coat of paint can make in making an older house look brand new.
Declutter to Highlight Original Features
One of the nice things about older homes is that they often have beautiful details like crown molding, built in shelves, hardwood floors, decorative trim, or nice fireplaces. But clutter can be so distracting.
Make sure to clear out any junk, unnecessary furniture, and old decorations. More space lets you see all the lovely details in your home. You’ll be amazed how much bigger and brighter everything looks after you declutter!
Clean Windows Inside and Out
Windows tend to collect dust, fingerprints, pollen, and dirt over time. Even older windows can accumulate debris within their tracks or along their edges, diminishing the amount of natural light filtering into the house.
By cleaning your glass and window frames, you can ensure that every room gets more light than before. Furthermore, cleaning window sills, screening, and tracks can also help you get better-performing windows that make your whole house look nicer.
Restore Rather Than Replace
Older houses often have higher quality materials that just need some love to look their best. Hardwood floors may only need refinishing, solid wood cabinets can get a fresh coat of paint, and original doors, casing, and hardware can all be cleaned and fixed up to look great.
Restoration can be a smart choice if you want to update your house and keep your budget in check.
Update Cabinet Hardware
One of the simplest ways to give your kitchen or bathroom a modern update is to replace old cabinet knobs and drawer pulls. New hardware can completely change the look of your cabinetry without having to replace the entire set.
Rather than copying every trendy style you see, go with finishes that will make your home feel cohesive and updated. You’ll likely get the most value from simple hardware that won’t go out of style after a few years.
Refresh Flooring
Floors are an important part of any room. If your home already has hardwood, a professional cleaning or refinishing can really bring the floors to life. Tile usually needs some deep cleaning of the grout, and carpets may be due for a professional cleaning.
Even just adding a few nice area rugs can help break up the floor and make your room look nicer.
Organize Storage Areas
Older homes tend to provide less built in storage than modern ones do. Storing your clutter is an even more important consideration in a situation like this.
Group similar objects together, Donate things you don’t need anymore, and use baskets or storage containers where you can. Everything should be put in its proper place so that it’s readily available and doesn’t overfill your home.
Modernize Small Details
Small improvements can make a big difference. Think about replacing old-fashioned switches, replacing outlet covers, upgrading tired door knobs, or adding new house numbers. All of these additions can refresh the house without taking away from its character.
Upgrades such as these are easy on the wallet while still creating a nicer looking home.
Keep Kitchens Simple and Functional
Older kitchens may be small in layout compared to modern designs, so it is essential to be smart with the organization. Make sure countertops are generally clear of clutter, appliances are put away that are not in use, and cabinets are organized so that the things you use the most are within easy reach.
A kitchen that is clear of clutter can make it appear bigger than it is. Smaller touches, like a few fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit, can brighten the room without taking up too much space.
Give Bathrooms Extra Attention
Bathrooms tend to give away the age of the house faster than any other room. Fortunately they are also usually easy to fix up.
Deep clean the grout, shine the fixtures, get rid of old caulk, new towels are always nice, as well as an uncrowded countertop. New shower curtains, bath mats, or even a new mirror can make all the difference without having to replace the whole set.
Use Furniture Thoughtfully
Large furniture can often appear overwhelming in older houses. Choose furnishings in each room that allow you to comfortably navigate the space, and place them in ways that make the most of it.
Don’t crowd your rooms with large pieces of furniture. Often, strategically placed furnishings can make a room appear much larger.
Add Natural Elements
Plants do wonders for updating older homes while keeping them feeling fresh and new. A couple of lucky indoor plants can soften the harshness of all the concrete without having to sacrifice any of the home’s natural appeal.
If you aren’t fond of actually taking care of plants, you might want to consider artificial alternatives. They’re realistic enough for anyone to mistake them for the real thing!
Create Consistency Throughout the Home
While each room in your home may have different style, it’s important to carry the same colors and materials throughout to unify the space.
Uniform features like hardware, paint color, and transition between different flooring all contribute to a feeling of cohesion in an older home.
Build Simple Cleaning Habits
Now that your home has been updated, taking care of it will be a breeze. The everyday tasks of cleaning the counters in the kitchen after a meal, putting things back in their place, vacuuming frequently where there is a lot of traffic, and dusting before it becomes too bad will maintain the upgrades.
It’s a lot less work than letting everything go and then having to clean the whole house!
Appreciate the Character of Your Home
Not everything needs to be brand new. Character is what makes older homes charming.
Older wood flooring with minor imperfections, hand made trim, older doors, and traditional design are some details that should be kept. The key is to keep those features clean and in good condition
Not to be mistaken for modernized, the goal is to make your home look taken care of, not new.
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Making the interior of an older home appear sparkling and brand new does not have to be an expensive or time-consuming project. A deep cleaning, improved organization, new lighting, paint refreshes, original touches, and additional upgrades can all combine to create a thoroughly renewed space.
By choosing to focus on the changes that can be made rather than the changes that must be made, one can ensure that their older home still maintains that certain je ne sais quoi that so many people are drawn to. In the long run, doing these things can create an improvement in the home that will make their daily lives easier and more comfortable.
(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)
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