Are you considering modernizing your house? That’s a good choice because there are several benefits to upgrading, including a boost in property value and an opportunity to personalize your home. It can be tough to know where to start, especially if you don’t have experience decorating a home. Here is how you can make your old house look more modern.

Update Color Palette

Some colors are often associated with older houses, like mustard yellow and muted blues.

While these colors are making a bit of a comeback, you are still considered a bit old school, when used as the main color for large spaces, especially if you use it as the color of entire rooms, including curtains. If you like these colors, you can use them as accent colors but try to incorporate more modern colors in your home.

While there is no set rule or standard for what colors are considered “modern”, you should go for tones that create a clean and open feel.

Modern colors often lean towards neutrals like whites, grays, and beiges. However, you can also go with bold accents or invest in natural materials to tone down the “modernity.”

It does help to use monochromatic schemes where different shades of the same color are used throughout the room. This adds consistency, while also modernizing its look.

You should also not shy away from using bold colors, especially if you use them to complement more neutral tones in your home.

Add Modern Furniture

The furniture you use in your home plays a key role in how it looks and feels. It can be tricky to determine what furniture is considered “modern.”

Most modern furniture usually has clean lines that emphasize form and function. Going for a minimalist look with furniture can also help modernize your home because most classical furniture can look busy with heavy fabrics or ornate details. Modern furniture tends to be “unfussy,” which helps to reduce visual clutter.

We all know that furniture can be expensive, especially if you are looking to upgrade or change the furniture of an entire room.

Think about this ALWAYS when choosing furniture:

It should be comfortable and practical for daily use.

You don’t want to invest in something that just looks good. Quality furniture can last a long time and can provide both style and functionality.

Don’t Forget About Area Rugs

You can really see the difference modern touches make when it comes to rugs.

Traditional rugs usually have detailed patterns, vibrant colors, and lush textures.

On the other hand, modern rugs tend to be more understated with cleaner lines and a more muted color palette.

Keep in mind that if you already have classic-looking furniture, you might find it tricky to add modern pieces because combining the two may not bring the balance or harmony you might be looking for.

Think about getting help from a professional interior designer and decorator to help you introduce modern items while respecting the existing architecture and character of the house.

A pro can also give you great tips on how to keep your costs down while still going for a modern look and feel.

Update Lighting

While new technologies continue to pop up each year, lighting is one of the things that folks tend to overlook when first moving into an older home.

So, updating the lighting in your house doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive, especially if you are smart about your choices.

Many older homes have fanlights in living and bedrooms, and single fluorescent lights in the kitchen. While this lighting may be functional, they do make the house look outdated.

There can also be some issues with functionality because these lights may not provide evenly distributed light, resulting in a dim room.

There’s also the issue of higher energy consumption with older lights. Switching them for new energy-efficient ones could be the best chance of reducing your electricity bill.

Strategically placed lights in your house can have a massive impact on the overall appearance of your home, including the decoration.

You can use lighting to decorate your home in a way that matches your personal style.

For example, bringing in lighting at multiple levels can add depth and dimension to your space. This not only adds to the vibe of your home but also makes it more functional.

Recessed lighting or track lighting are often used in modern homes.

Consider rope lighting to add a bit more ambiance to your house.

Embrace Modern Layouts

One of the major differences in modern and old houses is the layout. While you may not be able to completely change the layout, you can revamp some traditional spaces.

For example, you can arrange furniture and decor in a way that maximizes open space.

An advantage of an open floor plan is that it can make even the smallest of rooms look bigger.

The furniture layout and decoration in older homes often feels cramped due to smaller room sies. An open floor plan instantly gives your home the look of a modern space.

If an open space isn’t for you, you can use modern lighting or rugs to separate different areas within the open space to make it feel cozier.

Zoning your layout can give the look of separate areas within your space, while keeping the overall flow of your room.

Using visual dividers creates the look of separate spaces.

This includes creatively adding open shelving or bookshelves to offer structure to the space without making it feel closed off.

To sum up:

Modernizing your home can totally transform it without being overwhelming. Changing your color schemes, bringing in some stylish furniture, revamping your lighting, and rearranging the layout can really freshen up your space. It’s about mixing in some new elements with the things you already love, so everything feels both stylish and personal.

If you’re feeling a bit lost, getting some advice from a pro can make the process smoother and more budget-friendly. With a bit of creativity and effort, you’ll turn your old house into a modern haven you’ll love coming home to.

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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“Michael Helwig was top-notch, very professional and responsive to my needs. He allowed me time to explore ideas and try out a variety of combinations until we found the perfect fit. Michael provided detailed information and offered beautiful ideas to make my dream living room become a reality. The furniture he sourced has totally transformed my living room space. Everyone that has seen my new living room has one word, WOW! A special thank you to Michael for a wonderful experience.”

— Karen B.

“Michael was very knowledgeable and guided us, with great patience and good humor, through the process of designing our dining room and helping us find the perfect sleeper sofa. He offered really helpful advice when we asked questions - which was often - but at no time did we ever feel pushed. He helped me when I felt like I couldn’t make one more decision. When my new furniture finally arrived I realized everything down to the pillows was perfect. I couldn’t be happier!”

— Sarah H.

Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.

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