Design Solutions for Modern Living in Historic Homes

Love the look of your railway cottage but feeling the cold? Charmed by a villa but worried about living without modern conveniences? Refresh are here to help! 

Discover how you can have the best of both worlds by incorporating modern living into your historic Waikato home. Refresh Renovations can help you seamlessly blend the old with the new from restoring original features, to including smart home technology and so much more! 

Read on for expert advice on modernising your character home. 

Open Up!

Older homes can feel small by modern standards. The kitchen, living, and dining rooms are often separated which makes the house feel disconnected and smaller than it is. That’s why one of the top things to consider when remodeling an old house is creating open plan living. It offers better flow, a more spacious feel, and is great for entertaining. If you’re feeling squeezed for space, you could also build a house extension, but be mindful to keep the same exterior features so that the extension looks seamless. Refresh are expert Waikato renovation builders and can advise you whether an extension is right for your property,

BONUS: A lot of older homes have stunning wooden flooring covered up by carpet, so don’t forget to see if you can ‘open up’ the flooring!

Upgrade the kitchen and bathroom for modern living

Living in an historic villa or bungalow might sound appealing, but it will quickly lose its charm if you’re short on storage space, there’s no dishwasher, or the bathroom floorboards are slowly rotting! The kitchen and bathroom are the hardest working areas of the home so focus on modernising these spaces when renovating your old Waikato home to make a big impact. 

In the kitchen, focus on ensuring the floor plan is functional, and then invest in upgrading your cabinetry, countertops, energy efficient appliances, and lighting – like this stunning 1930s Maeroa makeover.  

When it comes to the bathroom, our old home renovation and restoration builders can check for water damage before advising on a modern layout and fittings and fixtures that will suit your style, and budget. Don’t forget to invest in adequate extraction and wet area GIB to keep your bathroom dry and healthy.

This Hamilton East villa bathroom makeover is a great example of modernising a tired space, as is this sophisticated kitchen renovation in Hamilton Lake

Get Smart… Home Technology

Outside your home might be the picture of colonial charm, but that’s no reason to skip the smart tech inside! From adding remote control blinds and ducted heating, to integrated speakers and smart lighting, there are dozens of ways smart home technology can make your everyday living more convenient. Plus, many of these features are ‘invisible’ so they give you all the bonuses of modern living without detracting from any original features you want to preserve.

Restore Original Features and Classic Charm 

Modernising your living doesn’t have to mean a contemporary overhaul at every turn. Embrace the original charm of historic properties by restoring and renovating the original features that make your home unique. Native hardwood floors look stunning against contemporary kitchen cabinets. Make a feature out of original beams. Include a clawfoot tub in your bathroom upgrade. Or restore brass hinges and door handles for a subtle nod to the history of your home. An accurate historic renovation is unlikely to suit many people, but by incorporating small elements you can blend the old with the new for a timeless look.

Bonus: We know the Waikato has a love affair with restoring villas, so for top tips click here.

Creative Storage Solutions 

Whether you’re renovating a 1970s home or a Frankton railway cottage, storage is going to be on your mind. Older homes can lack storage space, so before you add an expensive extension, look for creative solutions. Window seats with storage underneath look great in character homes, especially under a bay window. If you’re installing a new kitchen, extend cabinets to the ceiling for a seamless look that offers storage for lesser used items. Consider converting a laundry room that’s a magnet for clutter into a scullery with the washer and dryer in a hideaway cupboard. And don’t forget the magic that is a properly designed wardrobe storage system.

Blending the Old with the New 

Make your home your own by blending contemporary and classic features and turn your villa woes into wows! Mix modern convenience and technology with classic dramatic details such as tin pressed ceilings, textured wallpapers, tongue and groove panelling, and detailed architraves. 

Refresh the exterior of your home in its classic style, but inside focus on upgrading heating, insulation, and glazing for cosy modern living. Invest in lighting to brighten the home, but don’t feel tied to period chandeliers – there’s plenty of other pendant lighting that can bring the wow factor with a more modern feel. This kitchen and bathroom renovation added pops of vibrant colour for a new look, while this Te Awamutu makeover added French doors for a classic feel. 

Reach out to Council

Different areas in Hamilton such as Frankton Railway Village and Hayes Paddock have been characterised as historic heritage areas; individual homes are also listed on protected historic building registers. Ensure you check with Council about any restrictions before you begin an old house to new house renovation. You can also research more about historic features and include these in your old house renovation ideas. 

Ready to add some contemporary design to your character home?

Wondering about old house renovation costs? Need old house renovation ideas? Or simply want advice on where to start? Our Waikato Renovation Consultants are here to help and offer free consultations so get in touch and discover how we can make your renovation dreams a reality! Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can bring your vision to life while preserving the character of your historic home.