According to data, 4.7 million occupied houses were erected before 1919. If you live in the UK, there is an increased chance that the house you currently occupy is over a century old. Indeed, there is so much rich history in these old buildings that many people will want to preserve. Fortunately, you can give your home a modern touch without losing its past.
And while you can DIY some of the changes, it is advisable to stick with professionals when updates are more to do with structure. Moreover, you can combine rustic charm and modernity. Here are some ideas you can try out.
1. Repair weakened old walls
According to UK construction history, builders used lath and wet plaster from gypsum. These materials were excellent at the time and, over the years, have been able to withstand environmental pressure. However, after a century or more, these walls cannot hold much weight without reinforcement.
Therefore, as you modernise an old home, the walls should be a priority. It is not advisable to see the reinforcement of an old wall as a DIY project. A safer option would be to hire a professional.
When reinforcement is completed, you can consider some modernisation. For example, there is the option to use wood panelling to transform the appearance. Other options are stylish wall moulding or current wallpaper designs to change the entire look.
Usually, after reinforcing an old wall, most homeowners would paint with a new colour. That can reduce cost, but, in the end, what you decide to do will depend on how much you’re willing to commit to the project.
2. Remove unusable, outdated fixtures
The exciting thing about construction is the continual release of new products onto the market. Things like cabinets, sinks, toilets, doors, windows, etc., fall under fixtures. So if you’re not a fan of vintage decor and like to switch things up now and then, removing old fixtures is your best bet. You will find more modern ones that add instant appeal to the home and conform with 21st-century building standards.
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended to get a professional to evaluate the condition of fixtures in the house. Some may require a bit of polishing and reinforcement, while others need replacement. Without expertise, it might be difficult to determine the right thing to do.
For example, it is advisable to get your ceiling’s wiring assessed before replacing it with modern light fixtures. Another aspect of the house you can modernise with fixtures is the staircase if the house is more than one floor. A more contemporary fixture like floating cantilever staircases can transform an old house.
3. Refinish hardwood flooring
According to UK history, period home indoor flooring was predominantly wooden. Over the years, though, these wooden flooring may show visible signs of deterioration.
Depending on the degree of damage, you can get flooring experts to refinish it and give it a modernised look. On the contrary, if the flooring is severely damaged, you may want to redo it.
There are many things you can do to modernise an old home. However, it helps to be guided by current UK building rules and regulations.
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Until next time, thanks for reading.
Helen, Nial, Lewis and Mason
Welcome to Pikalily, an award-winning food, travel and lifestyle blog. We are Nial and Helen, a happily married couple from Northern Ireland, who share a passion for food and travel among many things. We became parents to our beautiful boy Lewis in 2017. Follow our adventures through the blog.
