Aug 25, 2023
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3 min read
Revitalizing Your Home
Tips For Updating Older Architecture With Modern Touch

Breathe new life into your space while preserving its charm. This guide explores practical and creative ways to blend timeless architectural elements with modern design trends, ensuring your home feels refreshed, functional and effortlessly stylish.
Key strategies for modernising traditional homes
When revitalising a home with older architecture and giving it a modern touch, here are some tips to consider:
1. Declutter and Reorganize
Traditional homes often accumulate ornate furniture and accessories over the years. The first step in modernisation is to reduce clutter. Remove excess furniture and objects and reorganise your space to create a simple layout with maximum circulation and openness.
2. Preserve Architectural Character
Embrace the unique features that make your home special. Original elements like crown moulding, hardwood floors and vintage fixtures can add character, depth and a sense of history.
3. Create an Open Floor Plan
Modern homes prioritise spaciousness and connectivity. If structurally possible, consider removing non-load-bearing walls to create more open, flowing living areas that maximise natural light and improve room interactions.
4. Strategic Updates in Key Areas
Kitchen Transformation: The kitchen is the heart of any home. Consider updating countertops, cabinets and appliances to create a sleek and functional space. Modern fixtures, lighting and a well-designed kitchen island can also add a contemporary touch.
Bathroom Modernisation: Update bathrooms with modern fixtures, tiles and vanities. Consider installing a walk-in shower with glass doors for a more luxurious feel. Pay attention to lighting, as it can significantly impact the ambiance.
5. Lighting and Colour
Modern lighting fixtures can dramatically transform a space. Use a mix of ambient lighting, task lighting and accent lighting to create layers and focal points.
Choose a modern colour palette that complements your home's architecture. Neutral walls with strategic pops of colour can create a contemporary feel while highlighting traditional pieces. Additionally, usually traditional furniture and accessories are ornate, heavily worked pieces with intricate patterns on them, hence the best way to enhance the beauty of these pieces is to place them against neutral-coloured walls.
6. Furniture and Fabrics
The traditional sofas are usually upholstered in multicoloured floral prints or busy patterns; also they come with adornments, tassels, frills and so on. In order to modernise the look of these pieces, reupholster them with fabrics in block colours, linear striped patterns or simple geometric patterns that visually look much lighter.
Incorporate contemporary art and decor that align with your home's updated style. Art pieces, sculptures and accent pieces can add visual interest and a modern flair.

7. Flooring and Surfaces
Many traditional homes are done up in flooring materials such grey mosaic, colourful cement tiles, green tones of Kota stone or dark-brown wood, which could make the space look visually smaller. Consider replacing these flooring materials with neutral-coloured flooring materials, such as vitrified tiles, porcelain tiles, marble or wooden flooring in light-brown tones, to modernise the overall look of the home. You will be surprised to see how a change in flooring can drastically change the look of the home.
8. Windows and Doors
Update windows and doors with energy-efficient options that also match the overall aesthetic of your home. Large windows can increase natural light and create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
9. Technology and Efficiency
Integrate smart home technology for convenience, security and energy efficiency. This could include smart thermostats, security cameras and voice-controlled assistants.
10. Exterior Enhancements
Consider updating the exterior with fresh paint, modern siding materials and landscaping. Adding a new front door or modernising the entryway can instantly improve curb appeal.
11. Minimalist Approach
Embrace minimalism in your decor and furnishings. Clean lines, uncluttered spaces and functional furniture contribute to a modern aesthetic.
12. Professional Guidance
For major renovations, consider hiring architects, interior designers and contractors who specialize in blending modern design with older architecture. They can provide expert guidance and ensure that structural and aesthetic considerations are met.
Final Thoughts
Modernising an older home is about finding balance. Each update should enhance your home's inherent charm while making it more functional and aesthetically pleasing for contemporary living. The goal is not to erase history but to create a harmonious blend of past and present—a living space that tells a story while meeting modern lifestyle needs.
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