There are lots of different types of houses out there. All you need to do is walk down a street and you might notice a few different styles. One of the main distinction between property styles is when they were built. Modern homes were built from the 1930s onwards, while period properties are largely pre-1930s. Period homes can be a lot older than that, though. In fact, there are still houses standing today that were built over two centuries ago.
These period homes are often very much in demand as they are well-built and often ooze character. Most of them still have lots of original features in them too, and this can greatly increase the home’s value. So, buying a period property is without a doubt, a very wise investment if you can afford one.
However, many homeowners find that period properties can be quite difficult to decorate and create comfortable. That’s because the old building techniques that went into create it aren’t quite what we would use these days. For instance, most old buildings aren’t that well insulated. But this side of buying a period home shouldn’t put you off the idea completely. There are ways to perfect these houses. Read on to find out more!
Check For Damp
One of the first things that you do when you move into a period property is check for any signs of damp. If you had a survey carried out when you were in the buying process, then this should have flagged any damp up. If there is damp in the house, there are a few things that you can do about it. You should get a builder to dampproof all the affected walls, first of all. If the damp isn’t that much of a problem, you will be able to buy some paints that you can use on the wall to prevent it spreading. Keeping the property well aerated will also help to prevent any more damp from appearing.
Use Its Original Features
If there are any original features in the home, you should bring them out in the interior design and make them the focus of the decor. For example, most period homes will have an original fireplace in the living room. Stone hearths for fireplaces look very sophisticated and adding one can bring an old fire into the 21st century. One other original feature that many homeowners like in their period homes are wooden beams in the ceiling. These can add character to pretty much any room.
Replace Old Windows
There’s a good chance that the original windows will still be in the old home. Unlike other kinds of original features, these are actually a bad thing as they can be very drafty. That will make the whole house quite cold in the winter. So, to improve the property’s ability to retain heat, it’s a good idea to replace the windows with some modern double glazing. Once your new windows are in place, you won’t have to worry about any drafts ever again!
Improve Its Insulation
It could also be worth improving the whole home’s insulation as a whole. Getting double-glazed windows installed is a big step towards better insulation, but there could be more that you could do. You should take a look in the attic space to make sure that has been correctly insulated. It’s also worth taking a closer look at the roof, as it is now possible to install roof installation.
Hide Awkward Windows With Drapes
One problem with period houses from a design point of view is that they usually have windows in strange places. You might not know who to design the room around these awkward windows. Thankfully, there is one thing you can do – you can simply hide them by hanging drapes. This will hide them so that they don’t detract away from the rest of the decor. That should help to prevent the awkwardly placed windows becoming an unwanted focal feature.
Don’t Be Scared To Use Contemporary Furnishings
Some people think that if you buy a old house, you have to decorate it in a vintage style. That isn’t the case, though. In fact, contemporary furnishings and decor features can look great when clashed against a period backdrop. If you take a look in most interior design magazines, I’m sure you will see lots of examples of older homes with modern furnishings in them. You might even be able to take some inspiration from these kinds of magazines.
Create Zones In Unusually Laid-Out Rooms
Some rooms in larger period properties tend to have an awkward layout. That’s because we no longer use rooms in a similar way to how they did a few centuries ago. This can make them difficult to design, and you might not know the best spots for large items of furniture. There is one way around this, though – you just need to create zones in these kinds of rooms. You can then furnish around each zone, which should be a little easier.
Go For Bold Patterns
One great way to add a bit of extra color to the decor of old houses is to use bright and bold patterns. There are lots of ways you can incorporate patterns into your interior design, such as in wallpaper, rugs, and furnishing materials. The bolder you go with patterns, then the more striking the overall design of the period property will be.
Be Smart With The Lighting
Sometimes, old homes can feel quite dark and dingy. In order to get around this, though, you just need to be clever with how you light them. You may need to use lots of lamps to ensure that every nook and cranny is well light. By adding so much light, you will also be able to create a feeling of space in the room, which is a great way to make small rooms feel slightly larger.
Hopefully, all of these tips help you create a welcoming home from your new period property!
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