How to Make an Old Home Look New Again
The median age of a home in the U.S. is about 37, although homes in the northeast tend to be much older. New York has the oldest median home age at 63, according to House Method. No matter where you happen to live, whether you have an older property in Boston or you recently purchased a home among the Halton real estate in Ontario, Canada, there are ways that you can make it look new again without costing an arm and a leg.
Change Up the Lighting
Making your home’s interior look brighter will instantly make it look newer. Dark spaces age the place so if you have any dark corners, consider metal can up-lights that can direct light into the area. If the overhead lighting in your kitchen, living areas, or bathrooms is outdated, consider replacing it. Under-cabinet light strips are perfect for the kitchen. You might want to install dimmer switches which can help reduce energy consumption while allowing you to change the mood of a room.
Get Rid of the Wallpaper
Older homes often have wallpaper and if it’s really old, mold might be growing underneath. Getting rid of it is important for your family’s health and for making your home look newer too. Some types can easily be removed with a utility knife, pulling the wallpaper down at an angle in a long sheet so that it doesn’t leave any residue. If that doesn’t work, you may need to rent a wallpaper steamer/remover from local hardware or a home improvement store.
Paint the Window Frames
As window frames take the brunt of outside temperature fluctuations more than the rest of the home, the paint on them tends to take a beating as compared to other areas that are painted in your home. By cleaning up your windows and adding a fresh coat of paint, it can make a big difference in helping your home look new again.
Paint Your Cabinets
If replacing all your cabinets isn’t in the budget, when the paint is chipping or it just looks dull, you can refresh those with a new coat of paint too. Use a lighter stain as dark shades make the room feel dated.
Replace Backsplash
Replacing the backsplash in the kitchen can have a big impact without the high price. Most older homes have a backsplash that’s outdated, chipped, or dull and it makes the entire space look dated. If you can, replace it. Mirrored backsplash is great for a sleek, modern design and it’s available in adhesive sheets, which means you can easily apply it over the existing design.
Otherwise use a simple approach: paint.
Switch Up Hardware and Door Knobs
Switching up hardware, such as drawer pulls and cabinet handles, along with door knobs, can make a significant difference in the look of your home. Think copper, nickel, or brass for a chic, sophisticated look. Changing the door knob to brass will also add to the more modern, contemporary feel.
Accessorize
Bring new life to your home by adding colorful area rugs under tables and other furniture along with stylish curtains on the windows. A new shower curtain and towels in the bathrooms, a candle display, artwork and other small updates can all make an impact especially when multiple minor upgrades are done at once.
