Whether an old house is simply more affordable than a new one, or it is just more exciting to fix up, there are plenty of homeowners looking to transform their properties into the home of their dreams. Learning how to do a great job with a fixer-upper can be quite difficult, though, especially if you don’t have years of experience renovating houses. If you have an old house that needs to be remodeled to transform it into your vision, here are six ways to transform an old house into a home.
From a House to a Home
1. Clear Out Debris and Pests
There is a major difference between an old home and one that has been abandoned or neglected for a number of years. In either situation, the best way to get started is to focus on clearing out debris and dealing with pest problems, such as insects like cockroaches and earwigs and larger pests like rodents. Clearing out your house of any trash or dirt can help you get into the right mindset as you prepare for some of the bigger projects that you will be tackling later on.
On the other hand, pests can be a major hassle. You may find yourself dealing with a small but problematic pest infestation that could include the following pests:
- Centipedes or millipedes
- Mosquitos
- Silverfish
- Spiders
- Cockroaches
- Wasps
- Bed bugs
- Termites
- Ants
- Fleas
- Rodents
If you find yourself with any of the above home pest issues, reach out to a residential pest control company who can successfully clear your house and provide you with the peace of mind you need in your new home.
2. Focus on Improving Worn-Down Areas
While some large renovations may make your list, you may only need to touch up some areas that show signs of wear. Whether this is a certain area of flooring within the house, areas like baseboards or the wood on staircases, or peeling paint and wallpaper, show these sections some love and spruce them up to make them look like the other areas of the house. The extent of these repairs will depend on how much of the old design you want to keep and what you want to change completely. With every improvement you make, your old house will begin to look and feel like a home.
3. Repair or Replace Old Appliances
Appliances are arguably some of the most impactful assets in a house, as changing them out will completely change the look of your kitchen and other areas. For example, if you have the original oven or stove (in good condition) and can find a matching refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher to go with these old appliances, you can easily keep sections of the house as-is. Additionally, you may be able to hire a technician or appliance repair company in your area like Oregon Appliance Repair to help you restore older appliances to working condition.
4. Tackle the Biggest Projects Before Starting on the Small Details
Each room of the house will most likely require your attention; however, long before you begin going from room to room working on them, you should tackle some of the larger projects that may get in the way. For example, taking care of the roofing, replacing the windows, or removing portions of the house will take precedence over smaller projects you may have. Make sure to handle these projects before you begin working on the inside of your home. Just make sure that you take overall aesthetic into consideration when you are redoing these larger areas.
5. Give Your House a Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint brings color and life to whatever wall it is placed on. Unless you need to keep a certain set of wallpaper in a room, look for swatches that would either bring new life to the original color or completely reinvent the room to meet your personal needs. With just a little bit of paint, you can have a whole new room by the next day.
6. Make the Most of Your Space With New Furniture and Decorations
The furniture that you choose to fill your home with sets the tone in each area. For some sections, you may want to redesign a room with a modern look to improve both its style and its functionality. In other rooms, you may want to match the style that was in the original house by filling it with antique furniture and decorations. Take some time to build a vision of what you see for your new house and how you can make that vision possible.
Taking an old house and transforming it into a dream home is no easy feat, but it is possible. If you are looking to renovate your old home, use the six tips above to get started!
