Do you have an old house you want to make feel more modern? You have plenty of options for decorating, but you want to ensure you don’t get rid of the home’s history. You can still create a charming space.
If you want to decorate your old house to make it more modern, keep reading! We put all of the best ideas below.
1. Create an Accent Wall
The odds are that your old house needs a fresh coat of paint on its interior walls. Bright, bold colors were popular in historic homes, so they will suit it nicely. To make it feel more modern, you can create a bright accent wall surrounded by muted walls instead.
Bright walls can add a pop of color to your home, completely changing how it feels. However, you’ll want to ensure that the rest of your decor doesn’t clash with the paint you choose. Warm colors are always a good choice for older homes.
Most modern homes use a lot of grays, whites, and blacks, but you’ll still want to add some colors throughout to prevent your space from feeling “too neutral.” If you don’t want to use bright colors on your walls, add more textured items, such as colorful rugs and throw pillows.
2. Show Off Period Features
Does your home have high ceilings, crown molding, or even stained glass windows? These features were popular in period homes, and they look stunning, so you won’t want to get rid of them when modernizing your home.
Instead, you’ll want to decorate to draw more attention to the features. Crown molding never goes out of style, so you probably won’t need to do anything to it.
If you have high ceilings, you can hang your artwork high up on the wall to make it feel less empty. Then, try using long draperies that reach from the top of the ceiling to the bottom of the windows. Not hanging them at the top of the wall will make it look like it is divided and can be awkward.
Lastly, if your home has stained glass windows, you’ll want to paint your walls muted, solid colors, so the glass can take center stage in the room.
3. Change Up the Fireplace
If your home has a fireplace, you can modernize it too. Take out any peel-and-stick tile and paint the fireplace a stylish color that matches the rest of your home. Older fireplaces may not work, so you can place wood inside for decoration. Or, you can add an electric heater that looks like real fire.
You can also place books, vases, candles, flowers, and other decorations in the fireplace. Styling the fireplace in this way is very modern and can look stunning. Of course, you should only do this if you don’t plan on using it.
4. Lay Out a Modern Rug
Adding a modern rug to a room can make it feel completely different. For example, you can choose a rug with an abstract print. You’ll also want to eliminate any old, worn-out carpeting, as it can make your space feel dated.
Rugs are a great choice because they add texture to a room. They’re a much more cost-efficient option if you can’t replace your flooring right now.
Rugs also look best with wooden flooring, which many older homes already have.
Overall, consider looking at some new rugs. There are many different styles to choose from, and you can use them in different ways to get the modern effect you want.
5. Install Barn Wood Wall Paneling
Reclaimed wood is excellent for old homes as it can match the atmosphere well. You can use wood as wall paneling, which is stunning as an accent wall in any room. It even looks gorgeous when you put it on all of the walls in a room.
Wood paneling can pair well with various home themes, and plenty of ways to use it in a modern style exist. You can even apply your own stain to make the reclaimed wood look a certain way.
So, why not try using barn wood wall paneling in your home? It can look great in any room in your house and is a very modern and stylish trend.
6. Add More Mirrors
Mirrors are another stylish decoration that can look stunning in any home. You’ll want to choose a modern frame, such as a sleek black one. Or, you can choose a decorative frame to match your old home’s aesthetic.
Mirrors are excellent in interior design for moving the light around a space. Your home will look brighter and larger too.
Aside from the bathroom, there are many other great places to hang a mirror. Set one up in your entryway, over a fireplace, or in a long hallway.
Mirrors are always in style, making them suitable for modern and period homes. Your house will feel brighter and more comfortable after you add a few to your empty walls.
7. Display Modern Art
Adding new art to your home can make it feel stylish, especially if you choose modern artwork. Abstract paintings that use your home’s color schemes would be the best choice. You can also include modern sculptures on surfaces like your coffee table or bookshelves.
If your walls are too bare, your home can feel empty. Let modern art fill some of that space for you. Art can even positively affect your brain, such as raising serotonin levels.
Check out local artists and browse online to find the best pieces for your home.
Decorate Your Home With Your Favorite Pieces
No matter what, you want to decorate your old home with all your favorite decor. If you do, it will start taking on a life of its own and represent who you are. Plus, you’ll feel much happier in your old house.
We recommend showing off period features, laying out a modern rug, and installing barn wood paneling for the best effect. Your home will feel stylish and modern in no time at all!
