Old houses are full of odd corners and nice surprises and thats why so many of us love them. Some bits are solid and full of charm, but others can be a bit awkward to live with. Cold floors, echoey rooms and strange layouts that don’t quite make sense with the way we live our lives in the modern world. But still, you don’t need to rip everything out to feel comfortable in one. You just need to work with what’s already there and fill in the gaps to make an old house feel cosy where it matters, so if you’ve recently moved into an older property here are some ideas for worthwhile upgrades.
This post is a partnered post and may contain affiliate links. These thoughts and opinions are in line with my own personal beliefs.
Try different lighting in every room
Old houses have quirks like high ceilings, as well as nooks and crannies that can make some areas darker- meaning you need to get the lighting right. The easiest fix is to spread warm light around the room, not just in one corner. Use lamps, sconces and fairy lights and if you want to go a step further you can use smart bulbs/ sockets to control them all. B&Q has a decent range of smart bulbs these days and you can also find smart equipment on amazon, if you get everything automated or create different light settings for different occasions (eg ‘tv time’ ‘dinner party’ ‘evening craft time’) it’s easy to make sure it’s just right no matter what you’re doing. If there’s a fireplace that never gets used, put some candles inside and see how often you end up lighting them.
Use heavy curtains and soft edges
Most older windows let in a bit of cold and a bit of noise. Ideally have them replaced with double or triple glazing so you can keep your home more energy efficient, you can go with modern glazing but in a style that still suits the house like sash windows dependin on the time period. If you’re renting or can’t replace the windows then a thick pair of curtains and a decent rug will take the edge off. If the floors are hard or bare, rugs can soften up the place if you want to keep features like original wooden floors. Otherwise, go with carpet– it might be more moden but if you go with a neutral colour it wont take the look of the rest of the house and will make everything feel so much warmer and cosier,
Leave the scruffy bits alone sometimes
Not everything needs fixing. A bit of chipped skirting or scuffed paint can actually work in your favour if the rest of the room feels calm and put together. It’s easy to go overboard with touch ups, but sometimes. the wonky edges make the house feel like itself. If something looks rough but isn’t causing any problems, it’s fine to leave it. A framed print an old chair you’ve had for years, or even a trailing plant in the corner can draw your eye to something else.
Pick your battles with decorating
Focus on the rooms you actually use. Kitchens in old houses can feel cold and flat, especially if they’ve had a cheap refit that doesn’t suit the rest of the place. You can soften it with a few shelves, a wall clock that isn’t made of plastic, or some proper storage jars instead of everything sitting in a cardboard box. Living rooms are usually easier. A solid blanket, a couple of cushions that aren’t just there for decoration, and somewhere to put your feet up will go further than trying to make it look modern. If you’re after bits like that, TK Maxx sometimes has decent finds tucked between the usual random stuff.
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