There’s nothing wrong with living in an old house. In fact, homes that have been around for decades have a unique vintage charm that you simply can’t replicate in modern homes.
However, over time, your old house can start looking and feeling outdated and tired. Maybe the colors on the wall are yellowing, or perhaps your furniture is screaming 1960s, and not in a chic way.
If your home feels a bit stuck in the past, there are numerous small interior design tweaks and organizing you can do to breathe new life into your home. Here are five ways you can make your house feel fresh and brand new, no matter how old it is.
Table of Contents
Declutter Every Nook and Cranny
Over the years, you and your family might have accumulated more than you need. These items may end up on dusty shelves and forgotten boxes in the attic, making your home feel cramped, weighed down, and tired.
To make your home feel fresh and renewed, declutter every room. Start somewhere small, like a closet or your pantry, and then work your way through the whole house.
If you feel overwhelmed by how much you have to tidy up, experiment with different decluttering methods, like the KonMari rule or the four box method, where you add stuff to one of four boxes, labeled “keep,” “throw away,” “sell,” and “donate.” When you’re done, you’ll love that you have more space and room to breathe in your home again.
Cover Your Walls with a Fresh Coat of Paint
If it’s been a few years since your last paint job in your home, you might notice some fading and yellowing on your walls. What’s worse is when the paint starts chipping off, which makes your home look even older than it really is.
A fresh coat of paint on your walls can make your space feel clean and modern. Paint them a light, neutral color like warm white or light gray to really bring out that bright and airy vibe.
Deep Clean and Polish Your Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors look beautiful when they’re new, but over the years, they can end up looking grimy and dull. If you have pets or heavy furniture, they could also have tons of scratches. This kind of floor doesn’t just make your home look outdated and archaic; it also makes it look like it isn’t cared for.
Invest in high-quality hardwood floor cleaners to lift all the dirt out of your floors and bring back that polished shine. Dedicate a full afternoon to cleaning your floors to make your space look smooth, new, and inviting.
Bring in Modern Furniture and Decor
If you picked out your furniture decades ago, it might look a little weary and clunky today. Old furniture can add a quaint charm to any home, but not if it looks heavy and has suffered from wear and tear.
Bring in some modern pieces of furniture to make it look sleek and current, such as a sectional sofa or some minimalist light fixtures. Little upgrades like these can make any home look crisp and contemporary. They don’t have to be brand new, either; second-hand furniture from your favorite thrift shop will do the trick.
Breathe Life Into Your Home with Greenery
Older homes can sometimes feel stale, like they’re hanging on for dear life, and as if nobody lives there. To add more life and color to your space, bring in more potted plants to exude that trendy biophilic style of interior design.
Display them in living room corners or on a windowsill by the kitchen. It’s an easy way to fill your home with rejuvenating and natural energy.
Endnote
You don’t have to move house or spend thousands of dollars on renovations to live in a contemporary, polished, and revitalized home. All you have to do is elevate your current home a bit with some fresh ideas and modern touches.
The goal isn’t to strip the soul and character of your old house, but to enhance it and make it look cleaner and more inviting. Before you know it, it will look modern, fresh, and spick-and-span, and you’ll be falling in love with your home all over again.