thisplace.com.au - Period Homes Renovation Tips

Style & Character

Try to maintain the original style and character of the house - where you can, keep it's original appearance and interior features.

Sometimes changes are necessary but try not to make changes just for the sake to it - when you have finished your project you want the house to still look like a period home.

Sometimes you will have to make changes to your home to get it how you want it - and the best way to go about this is to make the changes as unobtrusive as you can.

Keep the style true when you go outside to - make sure your fence matches your house - a modern looking fence surrounding a period home does not really look right - look at some example of older types of fences around and use them as a guide to what style you would like.

Try to keep some of the character of the home by understanding the original uses of some of the rooms and keep true to that use as much as you can when you are restoring.

The little things are important in retaining the style of the period - take a look at how the house is made and finished - see what type of light fittings were used, the same applies to door handles and other bits and pieces like plaster work etc - see what was used and try to restore with a similar style.

Materials

Where it is possible use materials that were used when your home was built - this is not always appropriate or easy as some of the materials will be hard to source.

Painting & Finishes

When it comes to painting use similar colours to those colours that were popular in the era or are in tune with other house located in your area.

Try to finish your floors in the manner of the period (which is normally timber), and go easy with the floor sander.

Extra Space

If your home is a bit small for your needs the best way to get extra space is to extend out the back of the house - this way the house still looks the same from the front.

Sometimes an older home may not be able to accommodate some of your wishes - some older homes were smaller and not designed to have an ensuite bathroom - you may be able to change the room to get what you want but by doing this you are going to change the character of the existing structure.

The Garden

The same can apply to the garden - keep the garden looking somewhat like it would have in days gone by and keep any new garden designs in tune with the style of the period.

The End Result

In the end you must be able to live in and more importantly enjoy living in your house - don't make yourself unhappy and unable to live in your home by sticking to rigidly to the style of the period - you have to be able to live in it.

You don't have to live in the past - you can still have all of life's modern luxuries, mod cons and knick knacks.