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Many people dream of owning a traditional home, such as a cosy cottage or a Victorian townhouse. These period properties are packed full of charm, but they are not always suited to modern living. In the 1970s, the characterful features of many traditional homes were ripped out to make way for the interior design fashions of the time. So, owning a home that managed to avoid a 70’s style overhaul and retains its original charm is lucky. But, even if you love the traditional features in your home, it could still be necessary to make some changes to the property to make it work as a modern family home. This may leave you wondering how you can preserve your home’s charm while updating it to modern standards. Here, we will examine how you can sympathetically update your traditional home.
Check For Restrictions
Before you start to do any work on your home, it is best to check that your home is not subject to any restrictions. Ensuring that your home is not a listed building and that it is not in a conservation area is vital before you make any changes to your home. You may also want to check that there are no covenants in place on your property that could prevent you from carrying out work on your home.
Identify Issues
After checking that you will not be in breach of any restrictions, you may want to plan the changes you wish to make and identify any issues. Many people find that older homes are draughty and hard to heat, so you may want to improve that to help keep the warmth in. You may also want to update your home’s decor to make it feel lighter and brighter, but without making it ultra-modern.
Cold rooms and a lack of light are issues that many people struggle with in older homes, especially when modern houses are designed to feel light and airy. However, it is possible to overcome these problems without compromising on the charm of your home.
Exterior Updates
One effective way to make your home warmer and prevent draughts is to update your windows. Many people worry about changing their windows when they live in an older property. UPVC windows could help to keep your home warmer but will compromise its external appearance. To overcome this, you could choose to opt for AluClad windows constructed from timber, so they look attractive, but they are extremely energy efficient and weatherproof. Take a look at this guide to understanding AluClad windows to find out if they are a viable option for your home.
Interior Updates
Decorating your home with a muted colour scheme and incorporating natural materials such as wood into your decor is an excellent way to make your home lighter and brighter without ruining its traditional appeal. Try to make use of original features such as fireplaces to keep the rooms’ character, but balance that with fresh colours to help make the most of natural light.
