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Buying a new home is usually a solid investment. While brand new builds feature modern conveniences and contemporary material, there’s nothing quite like the elegance of an older home. History, past lives, and forgotten architecture are part of a house from days gone. But many older homes fall into disrepair and can be expensive to repair at around $200 per square foot.
Expenses are a barrier for most people, as restoring an older home isn’t cheap. But you can correct many of an older home’s features by either a direct restoration or professional replacement with an authentic look. Hidden elements such as the house’s bones, for example, won’t be seen. Still, prominent features like flooring and windows should be adequately handled.
Replace Doors and Windows with Artisanals
Doors and windows feature prominently on any home, and they can give a genuine sense of style. For older homes, such as Victorian style, doors and windows were often made from iron with elegant styling. Over time, these are removed and replaced with modern standards. But artisanal iron doors (browse this site) can be made in traditional styles.
Remove Old Carpet and Restore Flooring
As carpets became more affordable in the mid 20th century, homeowners fitted them everywhere. But many older homes were adorned with elegant hardwood floors as standard. So check your house’s flooring as there might be usable wooden flooring underneath the carpets. Wooden flooring isn’t too expensive to restore unless it’s patterned but needs to be done by a professional to avoid disaster.
Install Original Light Fittings
As electricity became more common, original candlelight fittings were replaced by contemporary styles over the decades. So while there may not be any original light fittings in your home, a little research and trips to flea markets and antique stores should prove fruitful. But, of course, don’t forget about the switches as well.
Remove New Door Frames
A common practice for homeowners over the years was to cover original features with contemporary fittings. This includes door frames. This is a shame since many Victorian and earlier door frames were made from expensive woods and are very ornate. Check behind modern door frames to see if there is something stunning back there.
Check for Wooden Beams
Like covering wooden door frames, it has been common practice to install plasterboard ceilings and walls to cover wooden beams. However, wooden beams are excellent for restoring an authentic look to a home. Take a look around to see where potential wooden beams might be hidden behind drywall.
Hire a Local Architecture Historian
Researching a home is a great place to start as you can get a real sense of how the house should look. But for the feel, you would call a local historian to tell you more. Books and images of your home can only tell you so much. A genuine historian will be able to point out small things that can make a big difference, and they will tell you much more about the house’s history.
Redecorate in the Style of the Time
Using books, old photographs, and a local historian is an excellent way of getting relevant information about your home. From there, you can form a complete image of what the house should look like after restoration. If you plan to truly renovate your old home, you should remove all modern decorating features and renovate in the style of the time it was built.
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