how do you make an old fashioned house look modern

• Repaint the House. Repainting the walls of your house will give them a new spirit and make it look new. ...
• Roof Repairs. Most probably, the roofs of old houses will need some repairs to make them look brand new. ...
• Paint All Cupboards. Instead of buying new ones, you can paint all the cupboards and closets in your old house with different colors to give them a new look.
• Update the Hardware. Do not underestimate the power of door handles, hinges, locks, and taps because if they look outdated and old, so will the house.
• Clean the Carpets. Seek professional help to get your rugs and carpets cleaned, as you can’t clean them well enough to make them look brand new again.
• Lighting. To make for a modern look, you need to change the lighting design of it. ...

Full Answer

How do you modernize an old house?

Add lighting where necessary, such as in dark closets, upstairs lofts, and windowless rooms to make the home appear more modern. More recent construction focuses on bringing natural light in, so the more you can simulate sunlight in an older home, the better. Many older city homes are oddly shaped, due to small lots in high-density urban areas.

How can I Make my Home look modern and welcoming?

Opt for table lamps and floor lamps in the lounge and upgrade your bedside by adding some new shades. Adding lighting is a great way to really brighten up your living areas. Consider replacing your overhead lighting in the living areas, kitchen and bathroom if they’re outdated.

How can I make my old furniture look modern?

HGTV Magazine shows you how to make your old pieces look modern. To tone down the French froufrou of an antique settee, team it with sleek pieces, like a marble-topped coffee table and a globe lamp. Walls in deep, moody charcoal help counter the sweetness of the pink upholstery and let the abstract print on the wall pop.

How can I make my house look modern without spending money?

If you don’t have an obvious inspiration piece, go to your closet and take notice of the colors in which you feel your best when wearing them. Replace the hardware on cabinets and doors. You can change the metal color, style, and shape to a simpler, modern look.

How do you decorate an outdated house?

10 Decorating Tips For Older HomesPaint the walls, ceiling and trim one color to hide imperfections. ... If your trimwork is in good shape, paint it a neutral contrasting shade. ... Celebrate stained glass. ... Use in-window shades to keep vintage trim exposed. ... Use drapery to conceal awkward windows. ... Use airy shelving units.More items...•

How do you make the outside of an old house look new?

17 Exterior Home Remodeling and Renovation IdeasInstall Fiber Cement Siding. ... Add Accent Sections. ... Use a Fresh Coat of Paint. ... Use a Pop of Trim Color. ... Update Your Roof. ... Add a Porch. ... Add Some Texture. ... Replace Your Shutters.More items...

How do you makeover an old house?

2:529:2310 Old Home Makeover Ideas - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can reface your kitchen cabinets by attaching wood veneer or painting them the latter one is theMoreYou can reface your kitchen cabinets by attaching wood veneer or painting them the latter one is the most common and also easiest way to give your kitchen a facelift.

How do I make my 90s house look modern?

6 Budget-Friendly Ideas to Update a 1990s HomeUpdate the metal finishes – doorknobs, hinges, cabinet hardware, light fixtures and plumbing fixtures.Remove any window coverings from the '90s, none are worth keeping.Paint or restain the cabinets (READ MORE)Countertops – laminate is the most affordable (READ MORE)More items...•

What should I fix first in an old house?

Our Answer. You are absolutely on the right path by tackling the roof and gutters first. There's no sense in working on other areas until the home is protected from water damage. I'd also suggest checking all window and door flashing (as well as on the roof) to make sure it's moving water away from the house.

How do you modernize a house?

5 Easy Ways to Modernize Your HomeUpgrade Fixtures & Appliances. Many older homes have dated gold or brass hardware and fixtures. ... Refresh Walls, Flooring, & Countertops. ... Create a Consistent Color Scheme & Flowing Layout. ... Enhance Interior Lighting. ... Invest in Curb Appeal.

How do you renovate an old house with no money?

26 Ways To Renovate a House with No MoneyHow to Renovate a House with No Money. ... #1: Do a Deep Clean. ... #2: Paint the Exterior. ... #3: Landscaping. ... #4: Repaint the Windows & Shutters. ... #5: Upgrade the Front Door. ... #6: Repaint the Interior. ... #7: Repaint the Kitchen Cabinets.More items...•

Where do you start when renovating an old house?

How to Remodel an Old HouseAssess the Old House. First, hire the services of a surveyor to assess the property and identify issues. ... Research the History. ... Vision and Plan. ... Consult an Architect. ... Structural Issues and Repairs. ... Restore Period Features. ... Plumbing and Electrical Updates. ... Fix the Walls and Redo the Floors.More items...•

How do you renovate an old house in a low budget?

The following are some of the tips with which home renovations can be done on a budget:Tips To Renovate a Home on a Budget.DIY Projects. DIY or Do-It-Yourself projects are a great way to renovate a home without spending a lot of money. ... Cleaning Up. ... Paint. ... Small Fixes. ... Renting and Borrowing. ... Stick to Budget. ... Bargain Shopping.More items...•

How do I modernize my home on a budget?

Check out our easy home improvement ideas below.Refresh Your Rooms With Paint. ... Add Crown Molding the Easy Way. ... Install a Low-Cost Stair Runner. ... Install a Dishwasher to Conserve Water. ... Rewire a Vintage Entry Lantern. ... Renew Old Flooring With Paint. ... Make Shade and Add Privacy With Interior Shutters.More items...

How do I update my 80s home?

Revamp your interiors with a fresh coat of paint, even over loud wallpaper to avoid removing it. Remove and dispose of any wallpaper borders, another 80s staple, before painting. For those wall-to-wall mirrors, cover them with starched fabric, draperies, stylish temporary wallpaper or remove them altogether.

How would you modernize your home in 2021?

21 Smart, Simple, and Easy Ways to Refresh Your Home for 2021Swap out your lightbulbs.Choose a signature scent for your home.Add architectural interest.Mock up some new inspo.5. “ Write” your home a (mental) thank you note.Declutter and donate.Prepare for anything.Improve your indoor air quality.More items...•

How can I make my house look more expensive outside?

Talking about greenery, one of the most obvious and most effective ways to boost curb appeal is to add some fresh plants and flowers. To add to your home's exterior appearance, you don't have to create a whole garden – simply add some planters to accentuate and frame key visual points, like windows and entryways.

How can I improve the outside of my house?

Here is a list of changes you can make to inspire your house exterior design in 2022.Change the proportions of the exterior of your home. ... Swap exterior finishes: cladding, render and paint. ... Replace a roof. ... Replace your home's windows. ... Update your front door. ... Add an extension. ... Add a porch. ... Convert a garage.More items...•

How can I make my red brick house look better?

1:182:443 Ways to Take Your Brick House Curb Appeal to a Whole New LevelYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's not a good idea to paint your brick house bricks are porous and absorb ground moisture that canMoreIt's not a good idea to paint your brick house bricks are porous and absorb ground moisture that can't evaporate if they're painted. Instead. Give it a simple whitewash with half water half paint.

How do you update a ranch house exterior?

How to update the exterior of a ranch-style house.1) Add differing heights in landscaping. ... 2) Draw attention to the front door. ... 3) Add a porch or patio area to the front of the home. ... 4) Horizontal lines in fencing and house trim. ... 5) Open interiors by removing walls. ... 6) Lift your ceiling to the roofline.More items...•

Plan ahead

You’ll want to plan ahead when it comes to decorating your home. Little updates here and there in different rooms can leave your home feeling mismatched. In order to create a cohesive design throughout your old home, you’ll need to take some time to plan your look. Start by going over this list.

Clean everything

The first step, after planning your decorating, should be to give your home a serious deep clean. No matter how much time you spend each week cleaning and maintaining your home, there are probably a lot of areas that you don’t pay much attention to.

Paint everything white

You may or may not be sick of the white on white on white trend by now but this trend isn’t going to go away when it comes to making an old home look new. Painting the walls, ceiling and trim all one colour is the easiest, cheapest and most practical way to hide imperfections and uneven walls.

Ditch the wallpaper

If your home has wallpaper, as many older homes do, now is the time to get rid of it. Old wallpaper is often peeling already and it can get seriously grimy. If your wallpaper is very old, there is a good chance that you’ll find some areas of mould underneath, so the sooner you remove, the better.

Highlight doors and other features

Many old homes have amazing doors and features like ornate cornices that many newer homes lack. It’s a great idea to highlight these features of your home by painting them differently. Paint your external doors a bold colour to make them stand out.

Clean or replace carpets and rugs

If your home is carpeted throughout then you’ll want to give it a spruce either by replacing it for a truly new look or by getting it professionally cleaned. Of course getting is cleaned professionally is going to be much cheaper, so if you’re on a tight budget for your decorating, this is the way to go.

Update your old outlets

While this may seem like an insignificant step it can really make an old home feel new again. It’s also a very cheap way to upgrade your home. Many homes have all different kinds of light switches, plates and outlets due to updates over the years, they may look really old and yellowed or be cracked or painted on.

CLEAN IT

Old homes are typically harder to clean. They are full of nooks and crannies where dust can accumulate and fewer smooth wipe-down surfaces. Begin the modernization process by having a deep clean of your entire house, including a declutter to throw any old and outdated items.

GET RID OF WALLPAPER

Nothing makes a house look more ancient than cracked, peeling wallpaper. Wallpaper has not been in style for a long time and may be harbouring mould and grime underneath. Purchase or hire a wallpaper steamer to strip your walls bare before the next step.

PAINT IT WHITE

White is very much on-trend right now when it comes to interior design, and it also acts as a blank slate for you to add more modern installations and artwork. By painting the walls, ceilings, and trim completely white, you can hide any imperfections and make your home look brand new.

UPDATE OUTLETS

Older electrical outlets always seem to look dated, and the paint may also be cracked and chipped. Replacing your outlets with more current models is an inexpensive way to make a huge difference. Consider hiring an electrician such as smillieelectrical.com.au to do this for you.

MODERNIZE FIXTURES

You probably don’t pay much attention to fixtures like door handles, taps, and light brackets, but many old homes have very old-fashioned models. By upgrading all of these, you will impart a subtle yet effective change throughout your entire home.

ADD MORE ILLUMINATION

Old houses are notorious for being dark and gloomy, but by adding more illumination, you can turn your home into a more positive space. Replace your bulbs with brighter, cleaner light and consider adding lamps to darker areas of your home.

UPDATE ARTWORK

The style of your home’s artwork can influence how modern it comes across. Country landscapes and portraits of long-dead people will give off that typical stately home vibe, whereas modern, abstract art will convey a contemporary feel.

Do a Deep Clean

Dirt can build up over the years without us really noticing — even when we clean on a regular basis. If you have an older home, one of the best ways to spruce it up is with a thorough cleaning.

Buy New Linens

Updating your linens is a great way to modernize your home on a budget. Replace graying towels and shower curtains with designs that make your bathroom pop. Choose bed linens that bring your bedroom decor together. Buy a new tablecloth that makes you proud to host a dinner party in your home.

Let There Be Light

Nothing makes an old house look more modern than good lighting. You can easily tweak the lighting in your home by adding modern table and floor lamps to the darker areas of your home. Consider replacing old-fashioned fixtures and light shades or even installing recessed LED lighting for a truly modern feel.

Prioritize Your Paint Jobs

Painting your entire home is a huge project that requires a lot of time and effort, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still use some paint to modernise your home on a budget.

Freshen Up Your Yard

Don’t forget about exterior projects when making your old house look more modern. If your yard has been left to do its own thing for a long period of time, it probably needs some TLC.

Create a Cohesive Decor

After years of being updated here and there, older homes can end up looking a little mis-matched. The best way to make an old house more modern is to opt for one simple decor style. That means you should remove the wallpaper that has become dated, damaged, and dirty, and choose a new color palette.

Redo Your Floors

Just like your walls and decor, your flooring should also be consistent throughout your home if you want to make your old house more modern. Consider removing all of your carpets and updating your floors to match (with the exception of the bathroom, of course). Contemporary interior designs favor hardwood flooring for its sleek, natural look.

How do I make an old-fashioned awning look contemporary?

Help! I've recently had some repairs and refurbishments completed on my aluminum sided home after a tree fell on my property. Luckily, there was no major structural damage, but the repairs included minor roof work, new siding on the front of the house, and replacement of the storm door and an awning over the front porch that got crushed.

Comments (14)

I agree that it looks much better without the awning. Do you really need it?