In case you fell in love with an old cottage or farmhouse, and it is no longer serving your family as it used to, you might want to add a few modern touches to bring it into the 21st century. You should not change the entire style, but with a few improvements you can make your home more contemporary, Below you will find a few tips on how to get started.
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Character Furniture
Instead of the traditional old style or shabby chic furniture, you can simplify your decor using natural colors and materials. Make use of real wood surfaces and get rid of the soft furnishing you no longer need in your life. While piles of cushions and checkered tablecloths and curtains work well for the country style, for modern families, simple shapes and patterns will be more suitable.
Natural Materials
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No matter if you are renovating the kitchen or the bathroom, maybe changing the floor, you will certainly need to go back to sustainable materials. Your floor needs to be plain wood, and your window frames have to be unpolished, natural looking, and modern. You can use a lot of upcycled furniture and turn them into modern features in your home. From chairs to a dining table and bed frame, avoid plastic and coated surfaces.
Real Wood Floor
When you are renovating a Victorian house, you need to be careful not to lose its character. Make your floor natural, and get rid of the paint wherever you can. Use natural colors and shades, and avoid using anything synthetic. In the kitchen, you might go for a granite floor, and make it more modern by adding underfloor heating so you don't' get cold.
Opening Up Space
To make your home more functional, you will need to open up the space as much as you can. If your kitchen is dark and separate from your dining room, find a way to create a connection. Obviously, you don't want to touch weight bearing walls and beams, or you will compromise the structural stability of your house. You can, however, replace doors with glass or install bifold doors that look outside to your patio or garden, so you get more light and feel less crowded inside.
Connecting with the Outdoors
You can also improve the outdoor and connect it with your living area. No matter if you are looking to create a patio where you and your friends can enjoy an afternoon drink, add a swimming pool or water feature, maybe a landscaped garden with a few benches, you have to be creative. Paved natural stone patios work great with older homes, as they look natural and help your house blend into the environment.
Bringing new life to an old house is always a challenge. You don't want to compromise on character, but also would like to avoid your house looking dated. Stick with natural materials, use upcycled modern furniture, and create more space indoors and outdoors.
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