When it comes to old houses, they’re so beloved because of all the character they bring. Unlike modern houses, which are more cookie-cutter, older homes tend to be packed with a lot of personality. You can expect to find architectural quirks that don’t necessarily exist in architecture nowadays. While old houses are beloved, there are major problems that tend to occur. It’s not so much about making them modern (which can be important), but older houses tend not to function as well. For instance, pipes are usually old and rusty; you might need to deal with a sewer line repair from time to time, leaks, mold, old insulation, and the list can just go on and on.
They just don’t operate as well as newer houses, and the tech is usually different too. With that said, while there are things that might need to be gutted and changed, like pipes and insulation, there are some other ways to help make an old house operate and feel like it’s new. So, keep reading on to find out more!
Take a Look at Your Fittings and Fixtures
Now, it’s not only to help modernize the space, but for a lot of older houses, they tend to be close to the brick breaking (depending on the age of the house, of course). So it might be best to just take a look around and see what might be updated. Things like door knobs, handles, shower heads, faucets, and even light fixtures can get to the point where they’re just too old. You can also swap out plain light switch plates for more decorative versions to give the space a quick and inexpensive makeover. Besides, even if you decide to change these and nothing else, you’re still guaranteed to make a massive impact. After all, it’s all the little things coming together that seem to make the biggest of differences.
Focus on the Lighting
It’s not only about esthetics, but generally speaking, older houses tend to not show as much natural light. Windows tend to be fairly small, and at best, you might get one window per room. On top of that, for the most part, no matter how big or small the room is, the lighting tends to be small as well. Lighting is one of the most important design aspects in any room. It sets the mood, illuminates art, and can change your perception of a space. Changing your light fixtures is also one of the most dramatic and cost-effective improvements you can make.
You can replace the entire fixture or merely swap out the shade for something that speaks to your current aesthetic. However, before making any changes, turn off the power at your circuit panel to the area of your home you are working in and use a voltage tester if you have one. You will need to install an electrical box to ensure you are complying with local codes and reducing the risk of an accidental fire.
One mistake you don’t want to make is getting a new fixture, and the voltage requirements don’t match that of what the house has. This could make things go wrong pretty fast. But at the end of the day, focusing more on lighting, such as lamps and light fixtures, can help make the house brighter.
Consider the Bathroom Vents
It’s almost always forgotten or never considered at all. But even this small feature counts. It’s going to be the main thing that helps prevent mold in the bathroom, something that’s very prevalent in older houses.
Finding ways to make an old house a new home can be a lot of work, but in the long run, it is absolutely worthwhile. Updating and repairing the functional parts of the house like pipes and vents are a necessity for energy efficiency, health and emergency mitigation. Finding things like lighting and fixtures can be exciting because they can drastically transform the look of your home.
