If you’ve been living in a family house your whole life and you’d like to continue so, you must be aware that such a living situation requires regular updates as well as various fixes. An old house has its charms as it has history and character. However, an old house also has baggage and flaws that need treatment, as well as more work and upgrades. Of course, you can always choose whether or not you’d like to embark on this adventure. If you do, you should be ready to accept responsibilities and we’re here to help you out by giving you advice on where to start and what to focus on.
Start from insulation
Old houses often have issues when it comes to insulation. There probably is a system already, but it may require updating, or switching to more modern solutions. This is why it should be done if you notice your house is difficult to warm during winter and gets too hot in the summer. The roof and the attic are often sensitive categories that often need insulating the most. However, if the situation is severe, your walls may need it, too. Double-glazed windows are also quite necessary in order to keep your room temperature the way you want it.
Redo the wiring
It is often the case that old houses had the electricity done by homeowners as people used to do most things on their own. If that happens to be the case with your house, there are probably numerous safety hazards at this point and the issue should be tended to immediately. For instance, electricity regulations are extremely strict in Australia. This is why most Aussies from Sydney hire an expert electrician from Western Suburbs to rewire the whole house and make it up to current standards and regulations. It’s quite the work, but it is an absolute necessity which is why it can’t be avoided.
A fresh coat of paint
The fastest and most effective action you can take is repainting the house. You can go for both the exterior and the interior or just one of the two. It all depends on when it was done the last time and how untidy your walls look. If you feel your house is in need of a fresh coat of paint, you should definitely repaint it. Even if it isn’t in such a horrible state, repainting can do you good, especially if you change the color and design of your walls. Your whole house will get an entirely new vibe and you’ll become more motivated to change other things to match your new walls. Don’t be afraid to get creative and mix crazy wallpapers or several color schemes.
Combine old and new
It’s irrational to think one can just replace every single thing in the house. The first issue with that idea is the fact that people rarely have the money to redo absolutely everything in their home. Another issue has a more sentimental aspect. It is a scenario where one can’t bring themselves to saying Goodbye to a piece of furniture or an item that represents family heirloom and cannot be kicked out of the house. This is why one must compromise between the old and the new. This is not as difficult as it seems, but it should be carefully considered. In order to create balance, you need to make a connection between your old coffee table and a new couch. These are often best connected with details such as table cloths, curtains, and pillows.
All in all, living in an old family home gives you a true feeling of love, family, and togetherness. It is a place of history and memories as well as genuine warmth that no new house can ever give you. However, it’s also a huge fixer upper. Nevertheless, as long as you’re OK with the work that awaits you, and are ready to do everything it takes, you’ll be able to have a happy and loving life in this amazing family gem of yours.