These home improvement tips are going to take your old home into the new decade. Get simple, actionable DIY house projects that will make buying an old house (or even a slightly dated one) so much more fun!
In my ideal world, I would have a picture perfect new home with all of the old home charm. Apparently, a knock down is not in our budget, nor are the high quality building materials that I would want to use!
The solution? Finding ways to make an old home feel new, without losing character. In fact, we’ve found that *replacing* the character that’s been lost over previous decades is what makes an old home feel charming, historic and new.
There’s probably some debate about what’s considered an old home. Personally, if it’s over 20-30 years old, I think it can be called an older house.
If it’s at least 50 years old I think you can even call it vintage!
Old Home? New Tricks!
In each of the homes we’ve lived in, we’ve worked on DIY improvements as well as taken on larger construction projects with the help of contractors. We’ve learned so much along the way!
We’ve taken on countless adventures, including renovating our modern lake house, fully remodeling our kitchen, a new spa bathroom, and more.
Regardless of your home’s age, many of these ideas can be implemented for updates. Often I hear from readers who live in a home that’s only 10-20 years old. Guess what? Even those homes might need updating, and they will all show some wear and tear!
Whether you’re buying a home that’s 100 years old or only a decade old, there are inexpensive DIY home projects you can take on to make improvements.
Our St. Louis tudor home showed signs of heavy wear and needed a little refresh. Our lake cottage is certainly not considered old, but there were still many improvements to be made.
Come inside to see the easy ways we updated our homes. In fact, you can see our entire before and after of our St. Louis home here, and our modern lake house renovations here – don’t miss the full tours.
10 Ways to Make an Older Home Feel New
Buying an old house is not for the faint of heart. But if your home is just dated cosmetically, there are so many actionable ideas that can make a big impact… with very little cost or time!
Read on for some of my favorite home improvement tips to make your old home feel new.
Clean or Replace Carpets
Make the space feel fresh with new carpet or by having it thoroughly cleaned.
Living Room
Wall to Wall Carpet Guide
Carpet is a big decision for your home, but that doesn’t mean it has to cause a headache. Get my best tips and tricks to select, purchase and install wall to wall carpet, without the stress. Read More
Create a Cohesive Style and Color Palette
A lot can be lost through the years – an update here and there can leave the home in a state of mis-matched chaos.
Determine how to make room by room finishes connect throughout the house to feel cohesive. It will feel polished, thus giving it new life.
This can be best accompolished by connecting your flooring choices and paint palettes throughout the home.
Paint Colors, Tutorials & Tips
Paint Palette
Create a cohesive paint palette for your home that flows from one room to another. Get the best cream paint… Read More
Update Outlets, Light Switches and Plates
This has made a significant difference in all four of our older homes. Sometimes they yellow, have been painted over, or are various shapes and styles from “updates” through the years.
You can easily update your home by making all of the light switches and plates cohesive. We completed our entire house for under $100 and one minor shock. Find our switch plate covers here!
Note: if you’re not experienced in doing this, hire a licensed electrician or find a great online video source and watch a few tutorials. It’s relatively simple, yet tedious work. Also consider replacing yellowed alarms, thermostats and most importantly, smoke detectors.
Home
Pull Chain Light Fixture to Light Pull Switch
Have an old pull string light fixture? Make it into a switch with ANY light you want with this inexpensive,… Read More
Add Light
There are several tips and tricks to add light to your home beyond new fixtures that can help breathe new life. This often means removing old window treatments and bringing daylight into your home however you can.
Design Guides, Decor & Tips
8 Ways to Add Light to a Room
There are seven easy-to-implement secrets to add light to a dark room. Get the inexpensive tips and tricks to make your home feel instantly brighter! Read More
Update Light Fixtures
Replace dated and builder’s grade light fixtures and hardware for a quick fix to make your home feel like new. Find all my favorite Brass Light Fixtures here!
Design Guides, Decor & Tips
Flush Mount Lanterns
If you are looking for an elegant way to light up a space with lower ceilings, flush mount lanterns could be just what you need!Timeless, classic and beautiful brass lanterns age gracefully and add character to any space. These lanterns make beautiful entryway or hall lights. Read More
Remove (or Update) Wallpaper
While wallpaper can be absolutely stunning when used in the right way, it can also immediately date a room. Learn how to work with what you’ve got in this guide!
Or, add new wallpaper! Our guides to the best Amazon Wallpaper and Serena and Lily Wallpaper are full of inspiration.
Design Guides, Decor & Tips
How to Decorate with Dated Wallpaper
Get ideas to updated dated wallpaper that you’re not ready to remove! You can give old wallpaper a fresh new modern look with just a few tricks and techniques. Read More
Update Exterior Paint
If I would have mentioned this first, you would have moved onto another site, but it’s true.
Paint is also incredibly important for your exterior. Improving your curb appeal is so valuable when it comes to feeling proud of your home, regardless of its age or condition.
Paint Colors, Tutorials & Tips
White Exterior Paint Colors
If you’re researching white exterior paint colors, you already know how complex the decision can be. We’re here to make life a little easier, with a simple guide to the 12 best white paint colors for the exterior of your home! Read More
Update Garage Doors
Even if you can’t replace your garage doors with new, you can paint them or add charming hardware to get the look for less!
Design Guides, Decor & Tips
Carriage Garage Doors
Your garage door is the entrance to your garage that’s meant to accommodate vehicles, no matter the style. Carriage garage doors simply have a little more detailing and charm, reminiscent of historic homes. Read More
Update Doors
Learn how to paint doors here for a quick update. If you really want to go all out, replace your doors with shaker or 6 panel doors. A new Dutch Door can add a lot of curb appeal.
While older homes are full of charm, it’s often the most disappointing updates of decades gone by that need to be replaced! We have found that previous decades can strip an old house of its original character.
Design Guides, Decor & Tips
Shaker Doors
Shaker doors are a truly classic style, emphasizing craftsmanship and simplicity… making them a timeless choice for your home. Read More
Add or Refinish Wood Floors
Choose an appropriate stain and give your hardwoods new life! I remember being astonished at how inexpensive it was to do the living room in our previous home.
This is one of those perfect real estate returns, as well! Hardwood floors are timeless and always a great investment because it’s what home buyers are looking for.
Home
White Oak Floors
White oak floors are a stylish and timeless flooring option that can be customized to suit your design needs. Learn the differences between red and white oak, sand and stain flooring versus engineered hardwood, and more! Read More
More Tips
- When we purchased our home, it was apparent that years of poor quality DIY patching had taken place. We had our painter fix the blemishes and fill all 240 nail holes. Yes, 240. Now when the light shines on them, it looks like new drywall!
- Learn How to Clean Grout here.
- Have old tile you can’t afford to replace? Learn How to Paint Ceramic Tile here.
Do you have any tips to make an old home feel new? I’d love to hear from you – please leave a comment and if you have any questions feel free to ask!
Amazon Storefront
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I had no idea that something as small as replacing your doors could add more curb appeal to your home. I really like the suggestion, though, because it is something simple. I like your suggestion to get 6 panel doors because I definitely think that these add a lot of positive aesthetics to any home. Thanks for your suggestions!
Thanks, Meg! Have a great week!
Where did you get the area rug in the first pic? It’s gorgeous.
Ballard Designs
Beautiful ideas, and practical too! And I love your honesty. I prefer an older home–in fact, it’s my dream to restore my Great-grandpa’s 105-year old home in the future. Take care and thank you for the continuing inspiration!
Thanks, Cara! I prefer an older home as well, just gently loved. That would be amazing!
Hi Julie!
I love your style and am wanting to try that paint color in your opening picture of the living room. Do you have the color of that paint?
Thanks Gayle
That’s a Ballard Designs image. I’d recommend Cream Fleece by Benjamin Moore.
I couldn’t agree more with all these suggestions. We just bought an older home and the first thing we did was replace the light switches, outlets, and the covers. It is such an inexpensive fix, but looks so much better! Painting was next along with repairing the 240 nail holes! Wow, that is a lot of holes. We haven’t refinished the hardwoods yet. We need to! These pictures are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Shambray! You were on top of it! The little things can add up to big change. I hope you enjoy the process! Best wishes for your home!