Every home can use a bit of updating now and then, but it can be hard to identify just what the problem is. Sometimes, it can be as simple as changing the drapes or getting rid of an old rug. In extreme circumstances, you might need a complete remodel. Here are a few simple tricks for how to update and modernize an old home.
Install New Lighting
It is often the case that many people still have incandescent light bulbs around the home. Though these have been the tried and tested standard for decades, they do tend to give off an older feel with their warm orange glow. LED lights have come into popularity over the last few years, creating a newer, cleaner, and more modern feel. LEDs even come in a variety of different light temperatures and levels. Play around with the lighting and find out the best light levels for any given environment.
Paint the Walls
Sometimes, a wall can look a little out of style. Whether it’s covered in old wallpaper or has been the same color for too long, painting the walls can help upgrade a space. Modern, minimalist colors are always a safe choice and usually include subtle earth-tone neutrals, light grays, or an off-white color. Those color palettes may be good places to start to find your new modern color.
Tune up the Kitchen
Whether the handles are worn out, or the wood of the cabinets has faded, refacing your cabinets can bring life back to your kitchen. Cabinets take up the majority of space in almost any kitchen and switching them out for cabinets with unobtrusive colors and sleek designs could be enough to upgrade the space on their own.
If your cabinets are up to date, take a look at your refrigerator. Is it an old, white fridge from the 1990s? If so, consider replacing it with a more popular stainless-steel model. Or if the fridge isn’t the problem, maybe the tile flooring needs a bit of an update. Have you had the same linoleum tiles for a decade or two? Replacing those can be a quick fix to update and modernize an old home.
Replace the Carpets
Following the same concept as the tile flooring in the kitchen, any surface that has been walked on for several decades is going to start showing its age at some point. Sometimes, you just need to have a carpet professionally cleaned to liven it up. Other times, however, it’s best to replace the carpet with something new entirely. While this can be a major renovation, looking into replacing carpeting with hardwood flooring is a great way to modernize an old home, if you can spare the time and money.
Sometimes, all it takes is a few tweaks here and there to update the look of your home. These upgrades don’t have to be expensive; it can be as easy as a new paint job.