Older homes have plenty of charm, but they also have their inconveniences: drafts, slanting floors, closed-in kitchens, and tiny bathrooms. The way we live now is just different.
So if you’re considering updating an older home to incorporate modern comforts, there’s something appealing about just doing a gut renovation and starting with a clean slate. Then you can finally create your dream home exactly as you see it in your mind.
But while in general, you want to get rid of outdated, inefficient features, you should hold off when it comes to certain unique architectural details.
Architectural features that give homes distinct character should be left intact. There are home buyers looking for homes with unique features and older homes with character and charm.
If you’re lucky enough to own a home with historic flair, here are some of the elements that you should endeavour to preserve.
1. Molding
The traditional look of molding is so popular that it’s even found in most newly built homes. If your older home already has these original elements, rejoice!
On the inside of the home, the first things we salvage are the staircase, window trim, and crown molding The original molding, in particular, gives the home character and is usually crafted from high-quality materials that will stand the test of time.
2. Exposed brick
Before you take a sledgehammer to your exposed brick walls, consider this: Many homeowners are actually stripping away their bland drywall to expose the beautiful brick behind it.
You should not remove the exposed brick, because it lends a unique architectural element that brings texture and a rustic vibe to space. In many homes, the exposed brick serves as a focal point in the room.
3. Columns, exterior trim, and siding
There’s a lot of character in the exterior of an older home.
When working on historic renovations, we always try to maintain the structural integrity, which means keeping a few elements like columns, exterior trim, and siding intact, because those are impossible to replicate.
A historical porch with columns may be the home’s most notable exterior feature.
4. Built-in bookcases and window seats
These space-saving features add charm and functionality to a home’s interior.
Built-in bookcases are highly functional, but they also allow one to artfully arrange objects and books.
And consider window seats an amenity that could tug at future buyers’ heartstrings.
They are one of those features in a home that instantly forces you to imagine living in that home. The minute someone sees a window seat, they immediately fantasize about relaxing and curling up there with a good book.
5. Stained glass
Upgrading window is a usual part of any reno—but think twice if those windows are made of stained glass. Original stained glass is pretty rare, and that increases the desirability factor.
Once you come across [stained-glass windows], you will remember them for a lifetime. They also provide a spiritual, peaceful feeling, since they are identified with churches.
6. Fireplaces
A fireplace used to be necessary to generate heat, but now it can help generate interest in your home.
Fireplaces are always a great addition to your home, and older fireplaces come with rich details and rare stones. As a result, they create a focal point when walking into the room.
7. Solid core/panelled doors
The doors in your older home are nothing like the variety at the big-box store down the street.
Old solid-core doors, and often their metal elements like doorplates, are real gems. You can’t buy these with any amount of money, because the craftsmanship it takes to make them doesn’t exist anymore.
Panelled doors with brass knobs and hinges are definitely worth keeping because this type of hardware can be hard to find and is quite expensive.