Whether you inherited that vintage home or you bought it because you saw the potential in it, you may want to carry out some renovations to make it a 21st Century home. What’s more, it does not have to cost much. Here are some ideas for you.
Install a Modern Dishwasher
Older dishwashers tend to waste a lot of water and wreak havoc on power bills and yours isn’t any different. The good news is that you can replace it with an energy-efficient and modern one which can save you about 500 gallons of water and bring your power bill down by up to 30%. Now, if you do not have a dishwasher, it may interest you to learn that you waste a lot of water as well by hand-washing your utensils. The best part is that you can install the dishwasher without the help of an electrician or plumber.
Lay an Eco-Friendly Insulation Layer
Getting up in the morning is a hassle for most people. Now imagine having to struggle with that and still have to deal with a cold floor. Tragic, to say the least. What you need to do then is to bring some warmth to your floors. How? Simply have cork flooring installed. Cork is a resilient and stylish material that can add functionality and modernity to your home. Moreover, it is easier to install and cheaper compared to conventional wooden flooring.
Paint your Walls
Since you are looking at an old house here, chances are that the walls look washed-out and dull. Of course, you don’t want that. You would be surprised how much change several coats of paint can bring to your interior space. It is no wonder then that painting is the most common home improvement project. The best part? You can do the painting yourself! Now, it is important to note that painting does not involve just slathering the paint on the wall. If you are not too sure about your painting skills, you can opt for a safer option like latex paint. This is because it dries within 2-3 hours and is eligible for a second coat after 4-5 hours.
Put Up a Fence
If there is one thing about old-school houses, it is that they are not fenced. That can be a problem for you in terms of privacy and run-ins with neighbors. In fact, when it comes to real estate disputes between neighbors, boundary clashes make up about 17%. Put up a picket fence or any other fence just to avoid the same and to increase the curb appeal of your house.
Install a Bathroom Vent Fan
Mold is an issue, especially in areas that are exposed to moisture, like your bathroom. By installing a ventilating fan, you not only get to eliminate foul odors and steamy windows, you also get to avoid moisture-related issues.
Perhaps you don’t know this, but mold can cause health issues and it does not look good on your bathroom walls. A vent fan can help you avoid such.
Did you know that 12% of the homes in the US were built before 1940? This is according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2019 American Community Survey. Furthermore, more than half of those houses were built before 1980. This is important to note because 1980 is the year when the demarcation line splitting asbestos’ highest usage and phasing out unofficially happened.
As you can see, it doesn’t have to take a lot of effort or money to renovate your old-fashioned house into a more modern one. Pick one or more ideas from this list and watch your home transform into a functional and aesthetically pleasing one.
