How to Modernise an Old Home

Like many homeowners, you may have purchased an old, worn property with the potential to increase its value and put a personal stamp on the interior and exterior.

Yet, once you receive the keys, you might be unsure about the best tactics to bring it into the 21st century.

It doesn’t matter if you’re renovating a 1930s or 1990s home, as you will likely need to make various changes to improve its structural integrity, appearance, or comfort. Keep reading to learn how to modernise an old home.

Improve Energy Efficiency

According to Greenpeace, UK homes waste more energy than any other European country, as they require more electricity, oil, and gas to heat. As many of the nation’s homes are decades old, they are poorly insulated, causing homeowners to regularly fire up their central heating.

Improving a property’s energy efficiency is one of the best ways to modernise a property, increase its value, lower energy consumption and bills, and transform its comfort. Many eco home improvement solutions, such as loft insulation, solar panels, and double glazing, could boost your property’s energy efficiency and lower your monthly bills.

Update Plumbing

An old home might ooze charm and character, but it might have one or more plumbing issues lurking behind its walls. You might think it isn’t a big issue as the worst has yet to happen, but you never know when a plumbing problem will strike and flood your new home.

Bring an older property into the 2020s by embarking on a replumbing project. For example, you could undertake a pipe replacement to remove outdated pipe materials, such as galvanised steel or lead pipes, which your property is likely to have if it is more than 30 years old. Also, a professional plumber could resolve bad piping repairs that a handyman or DIYer may have executed many decades ago.

Make Smarter Structural Changes

Many older properties and period homes feature poorly thought-out layouts that will affect a room’s flow, natural lighting, and comfort. Transform its look and feel by making smarter structural changes, such as knocking down one or more internal walls.

An open-plan design will increase your square footage, brighten up the space, and improve function. Also, you could expand your home by adding an extension, converting a loft or garage, or transforming redundant spaces, such as turning an alcove into a reading nook.

Add Extra Plug Sockets

Older properties didn’t depend as much on various technologies decades ago, which means they often feature minimal plug sockets. Unfortunately, few sockets can determine a room’s layout, as you might be limited to where you can place your TV in a living room, desktop computer in a home office, or phone charging point in your bedroom.

Bring an old home into the 21st century by hiring a qualified electrician to install additional plug sockets. It will provide more flexibility in the home, as you won’t need to choose between powering your TV, charging your phone, or switching on a vacuum.

EAN Breaking News

Breaking News from the team at Estate Agent Networking. Have a new story to share with us? Then please get in contact today! When and where we can we will refer to third party websites with a 'live link back' where news was released first.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

How to market to Estate Agents UK

The UK’s property sales and letting industry is quite sizable in both volume of work and those employed within. Some 25 million dwellings in England alone exist and there were estimated to be approximately 55,500 estate agents working in the United Kingdom as of the second quarter of 2024. Up and down the country, in…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Preventative Measures to Reduce the Risk of Emergencies in a Rental Home

Ensuring that a rental home is safe and well-maintained is essential for both landlords and tenants. Emergencies in a rental property can lead to significant stress, financial loss, and potential damage. However, by implementing preventative measures, landlords and tenants alike can reduce the risk of emergencies and create a safer living environment. This guide provides…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Understanding the Metrics Used by Estate Agents to Determine Your Home’s Worth

Determining the value of a property can sometimes feel like a complex process shrouded in mystery. However, understanding the various metrics and considerations that estate agents use to assess your home’s worth can demystify the process and empower you as a homeowner. This blog will provide a comprehensive guide to the key factors estate agents…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 15/11/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Digital transformation of real estate drives profitability Press Release – London 14th November 2024 – Following the October budget, estate agents across the UK are seeking new ways to adapt to an evolving property market. Rising costs and shifting buyer expectations have driven a need…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Labour’s Vision for Homeowners and Renters: Key Changes to Expect

The UK housing market continues to be a complex and often challenging landscape for both homeowners and renters. Labour’s vision for housing reform aims to address longstanding issues in affordability, security, and sustainability, setting out a series of policy proposals that could reshape the property market. Whether you are a homeowner, a renter, or an…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

The pros and cons of renting to students: is it the right choice for you?

Student properties are no different in term of quality and facilities than any other type of private rental. And although landlords may have to spend a fair amount on setting up and properly maintaining student lets, they can also charge a good market rent. To help you decide whether letting to students might be worthwhile…
Read More