If you own or are planning to buy a historic home, you’re probably wondering how you can bring it up to date without sacrificing its retro charm. Living in an old home is about striking a balance between modern conveniences and historic style. Read on to learn how you can take your historic home into the 21st century without erasing its unique past.
Restoration or Renovation?
The first step in restoring your historic home is to decide how much of your home you want to restore and how much you want to renovate. Restoration refers to the process of returning a structure to its original condition, but renovation is bringing it up to date. Many homeowners choose to get the best of both worlds by taking a restorative approach for the home’s exterior and rooms that aren’t used often while renovating frequently used rooms with contemporary comforts.
Consult a Historian
Local historians are a great resource to consult before you begin work on your home. They can tell you the history of your home and provide advice regarding what features are appropriate for its time period. They may even have photos of your home when it was new that you can give to your contractor. To find a historian who can help with your restoration project, visit a university or library near your home.
Bring in a Specialist
A historic renovation contractor is a must when restoring a historic home. These contractors specialize in old homes and know exactly how to bring them up to code without destroying their historical value. If you want up-to-date amenities in your home, consider using NJ luxury custom home builders, or those in other places, to handle some of your renovations. Kitchens and bathrooms are great candidates for luxurious modern touches.
Nothing is Garbage
Home renovations usually involve a lot of tearing out the old and bringing in the new. However, it’s important to tread carefully when removing things like old flooring and trim from a historic home. Don’t throw anything away, even if it seems damaged. Once the teardown is completed, go through all the materials and decide what you would like to restore and place back in the home.
It can be easy to get caught up in making your historical home a landmark identical to its original state, remember that you have to live there at the end of the day. There’s nothing wrong with changes and upgrades that make your home easier to live in for you and your family.