Sometimes people say a home feels dated and out-of-touch with the times. Homeowners may even feel that way about their home. But what actually makes a home outdated? Is it the architecture of the building or the furnishing, colors, appliances, and other details inside the home?
For homeowners who think their home needs a little updating to bring it into the modern era, this is a question to answer before they start making changes to the home. It is because certain aspects of a home that are decidedly old-fashioned may not necessarily be undesirable.
For instance, a home built 50 years ago would be considered old because of its architecture. But this doesn’t mean you should try to remake it into the image of a modern home. That 50-year old architecture actually makes the old home more valuable than a modern one, says John Forest of Bighorn Rentals.
But what if when you went into that old house, you found the floors covered with wall-to-wall carpeting? Or, in the bathrooms, you discovered pastel pink and mint green sinks, tubs, and toilets? And what if the rooms had heavy window treatment and wallpaper from 30-years ago?
Now, these would certainly make the home feel outdated!
So if your home still sports design ideas and décor elements from over a decade ago, you may be justified in feeling that you need to modernize it. Sprucing up the appearance of your home will not only make it nicer, but it will enhance your enjoyment and increase its market value.
To help you in your quest to pull your house from the previous century into the new one, here are some ideas to get you started.
1. Decide on what you want to achieve
One thing that makes a home feel outdated is the mismatch of its features and contents. Over the years, homeowners may introduce different items or minor updates into the home without thinking of building a cohesive design. Before you begin, have a clear concept in your mind.
2. Do repairs
You may want to rush to the more interesting parts of updating your home. But something as basic as fixing the walls by removing all the damage that has accumulated over the years can make a lot of difference.
3. Clean and declutter
Cleaning and decluttering the home will help you create a clean canvas. After you have rid the home of the elements that are broken, obsolete, or unwanted, you will get a better idea of where you are and what you actually need.
4. Replace the carpets and refinish hardwoods
If the floors are covered with carpet from one end to the other, you should remove the entire carpet or limit it to an area. Get rid of old carpets or clean them thoroughly. If you have hardwood floors, refinish them.
5. Update the lighting
The lighting in an old home will certainly be inadequate and antiquated. Ample lighting will make a room look bigger and more inviting. Make sure there are different levels of lighting for each room – ambient, accent, and task. Fixtures should be modern and match the home’s overall design.
6. Update the outlets and light switches
Light switches and power outlets will show when a home was built or last updated. Old outlets or switches also lose their color and even if they still work, they look ugly on your walls. Replace them with modern multi-functional ones.
7. Create space
One way modern homes are different from old ones is the layout and use of space. Older homes have closed floor plans and are often stuffed with items. Newer homes are usually minimalist. By simply creating more space for movement and airflow, rooms will feel more modern.
8. Update window treatments
Windows should be left bare or the blinds should be really simple. Bare windows let more light into the home and brighter rooms feel more cheerful. Or use modern window blinds that don’t obstruct the windows or darken the room.
9. Repaint the home
Apart from fading and peeling, paint can make a home look dated if the colors come from an age long-forgotten. Every decade has its own popular paint colors. To make your home more modern, repaint it in modern colors.
10. Update old hardware
The hardware in the kitchen and bathroom are small details that say a lot. Changing plumbing fixtures from the outdated ones you currently have to newer versions will light up your bathrooms and kitchen.
11. Update the cabinets
Depending on what kind of cabinets you have, you may need to replace or refurbish them. Most of the time, however, you only need to reface or repaint the cabinets to refresh them. To get a completely new look though, you should also change the cabinet pulls, knobs, and other hardware.
12. Update the bathroom
There are three important ways to update your bathroom. You can install a rainfall showerhead with multiple flow settings. You can also install a glass shower enclosure to go with the new showerhead. And you can install a new sink with modern design.
There you have it. 12 simple tips on how to modernize your outdated home!
