Introduction
Traditional homes have a certain appeal and charm that many modern homes don’t have. However, they don’t always have the same functionality and flexibility as more modern buildings. If your house was built decades ago, it might not be able to handle some of the things you want to do in it today. But there are ways to update your home without sacrificing its historic character! Here are 12 design tips for traditional-style homes that will help you make your property feel fresh and contemporary while still maintaining its original aesthetic:
Open the space
Open the space to make it more functional:
Open your living room to the kitchen and dining areas, if possible. This will give you an open floor plan that’s great for entertaining and can help you use all of your square footage. If that’s not feasible, consider adding dividing walls between rooms but leaving them thin enough so that they don’t block natural light from coming into each room. For example, instead of using solid walls for bathrooms or closets in traditional homes (which tend to have thick walls), try using glass doors instead–this way you can still see through them while maintaining privacy at all times! Openness is key here; just make sure that whatever materials used are durable enough not only look good but last long too!
Replace the traditional dining room with a kitchen island and open it up to a modern-style living room.
A kitchen island is a large piece of furniture that contains the stove and sometimes other appliances, such as a dishwasher or microwave. It’s typically located near the center of your home’s kitchen, but it can also be used as a dining table if you have enough space for one.
One benefit of using an island in place of traditional chairs around your dining room table is that it allows you to open up your space without having to sacrifice any privacy or comfort–you won’t feel like someone else is watching your every move from across the room! Another benefit is that this design gives homeowners more options when it comes to decorating: they don’t have to worry about getting rid of their old furniture completely because they can incorporate pieces into their new living spaces with ease.
Put your TV on the wall
One of the easiest ways to free up space in your living room is by putting your TV on the wall. A mounted TV makes it easier to clean around, and can be done in just a few minutes by anyone who knows how to use a screwdriver.
You may want to consider using an articulating mount instead of one that’s fixed in place because it allows you to change the position of your screen easily without needing any tools or expertise. These types of mounts are also great for hiding cables because they’re out of sight but still close enough for easy access when necessary (e.g., if there’s an update available).
Go for flooring that’s easy to clean and maintain.
Flooring is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when you’re decorating your home. It can be the design element that ties everything together, or it can be an eyesore that makes you want to tear down all of your walls and start over again.
To avoid this fate, choose flooring with as much thoughtfulness as possible–and remember that there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to choosing between carpet and hardwood floors (or any other type). Both have their benefits: carpet provides comfort while also being easy on the wallet; hardwood floors add durability and style but are more expensive than their carpet counterparts. It all depends on what works best for each individual homeowner!
Install shelves above the fireplace mantel.
A beautiful, traditional fireplace mantel is one of the most important features in any room. It’s a place where you can display your favorite things and give your home personality. But what if you don’t want to clutter up your mantel with more stuff?
In this case, consider installing shelves above the fireplace mantel. You can use them for books and pictures–or anything else that has meaning for you! Shelves above a fireplace are also great places to display collectibles or plants (if they’re not too heavy). And finally, if nothing else works…you could always hang some artwork there instead!
Add a built-in coffee bar, or use an existing one to add storage and display space.
A coffee bar is a great way to add additional storage and display space in your home. A built-in coffee bar is one of the best ways to create an entertaining space that will be used often, but it also works well as a place to put your favorite books and magazines on display.
You can use an existing piece of furniture or build your own custom cabinet for this purpose, but if you’re looking for something more affordable and easy to install, consider using pegboard panels instead of wood paneling (or even overtop existing cabinets). Pegboards are easy enough for anyone with basic DIY skills to install themselves–and they look great!
Have a built-in desk in your office or library.
If you have an office or library, consider installing a built-in desk. Built-ins offer the perfect way to add storage and display space while keeping things tidy and organized. They can also be used as the focal point of a cozy reading nook in your home.
You can customize them to fit the space–and even move them around if necessary!
Build storage into every piece of furniture possible (dressers, nightstands, etc.)
A good example of this is the dresser. A traditional dresser will have drawers on the front and back, but these are often hard to reach and awkward to open. In contrast, modern design has built storage into every piece of furniture possible (dressers, nightstands etc.). The result is that your clothes are not only easier to access but also look better when you can see them clearly without having to move things out of sight just so you can find what you’re looking for.
Another thing about modern design that makes it so popular is its versatility and flexibility–you don’t have to stick with one kind of piece if it doesn’t work well with your home or lifestyle! You could use an open shelf instead of a closed cabinet for storing dishes; hang hooks from the wall instead of buying another cabinet; keep extra linens under bed cushions rather than using another dresser drawer…the list goes on!
Use accent rugs instead of area rugs.
When it comes to design, there are many things that traditional homes can learn from modern designs. One important thing is to use accent rugs instead of area rugs.
An accent rug is a smaller version of an area rug and can be used in different rooms throughout your home. An accent rug adds color and pattern to any room without taking up too much visual space on the floor or adding too much clutter to one area of your house. You can also use them as centerpieces for seating arrangements or even under tables if you prefer not having anything on top of them!
Accent rugs are also easier to clean and maintain because they’re lighter weight than traditional area rugs; this makes it easier for you when vacuuming around them as well!
You don’t have to sacrifice style for function when it comes to designing a traditional home today
When you think of a traditional home, you might imagine large rooms with high ceilings and lots of built-in furniture. You may also picture stone walls and wood floors. In fact, even if you don’t live in an actual mansion or castle (which is more common than one might think), these elements are likely part of your traditional design aesthetic:
- Built-in storage: Your great-grandparents had them; now so do you! Built-ins allow for efficient use of space while keeping things organized.
- Woodwork: Whether it’s crown molding or window trimming, wood adds warmth and elegance to any room–plus it makes cleaning easier since there are fewer nooks where dirt can collect unnoticed!
- Stone walls: Stone is durable enough to withstand years without cracking or chipping away at its edges like other materials such as plaster may do over time due to exposure from moisture issues like condensation buildup inside walls caused by steamy showers during winter months when heaters aren’t running full blast yet (or vice versa). Plus there’s nothing quite like walking into someone else’s home knowing that every inch has been hand crafted by master craftsmen using centuries old techniques passed down through generations…
Conclusion
With these simple tips and tricks, you can make your traditional home feel more modern without losing its original charm.