We’ve all seen them – the Frankenstein House with 2 or three competing styles bolted together. The classic tudor with the glass and metal box on the side or the 1950s rambler with two-story columns looming over the front door. Additions gone horribly wrong!
It is possible to update an older home with modern conveniences in the kitchen, bathroom and living spaces without sacrificing the flow and curb appeal of the home. There are a few simple rules that will help you make sure your remodeling project fits your home’s style.
- Define your (and your home’s) style. It’s important to understand your feelings about your home. Do you love its classic, quirky touches? Do it’s modern conveniences thrill you? If you answered yes to either of these questions, it’s a good chance you’ll be considering a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project that will fit nicely with your home’s style. If your dream kitchen feels very different from the rest of your home, it doesn’t have to prevent you from realizing your dream. Just do it carefully. Embrace your style, but do it conscientiously. Here are a few tips on how to do that.
- Add modern conveniences, but classic styling. If you live in an older home, it’s possible to find modern fixtures, materials and appliances that replicate or expand on classic styles. Even appliances and fixtures with contemporary design elements (like stainless steel) can fit nicely with an older home’s style.
- Add flow. Many older homes are a collection of small, separated rooms. This can be a challenge for families today, though. Open floor plans have a lot to offer. The good news is that older homes can incorporate open floor plans without destroying the style of the home. Adding pass-throughs between kitchens and dining rooms adds visual connection yet keeps the rooms distinct. Widening doors into broad archways connects living spaces yet preserves the four walls of each room. Here are some ideas for opening the floor plan of an older home.
- Keep resale value in mind. That quirky design idea you just love – the cupola or sauna you can’t live without may not be a home buyer’s idea of a “must have” space. As you consider a home addition or bathroom or kitchen remodeling project, think about the curb appeal and resale value of the choices you are making. At some point, you’ll probably sell your home. Be sure to consider your decisions’ impact on it’s resale value.
It’s possible to combine multiple styles in a home without having them clash. With some careful planning, you can have the dream addition and preserve the best of your home. Ask our design team how we can help you blend your tastes with your home’s history.
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