Your house is your sanctuary away from the outside world, and many people dream of owning a stylish period property. You might be lucky enough to have recently bought a Victorian terrace, a 1930s semi-detached, or an angular brutalist detached property, and be looking forward to putting your own mark on your new home. However, renovating period properties does require some prior thought to ensure that you are sensitive to the style of the property and that you retain the stunning period details. Read on for some tips for refurbishing a period property.
Windows
Stained-glass windows in stunning geometric designs are a classic feature of art deco properties built in the 1920s and 30s. However, over the following decades window technology has come on leaps and bounds, and double-glazed windows are now standard practice in all new builds as a way of insulating the property and keeping the heating bills down. You might be reluctant to get rid of your stunning original windows, and as such be struggling through the winter months with piles of blankets and plenty of heaters. Fortunately, there are double-glazing companies who can make custom windows for you based on the windows’ original design, meaning that you won’t have to sacrifice style for comfort.
Fireplaces
Fireplaces were common features in homes up until the 1980s, when central heating overtook coal fires as the primary heating for homes. In the following decades, many homeowners erroneously ripped out fireplaces when renovating their homes, seeing them as old fashioned and obsolete. Now, however, people are recognizing once again how cozy a roaring fire is on a cold winter’s night, and fireplaces are seen as stunning statement pieces for their rooms. If your period property has had already had its fireplaces removed, look to replace them with a style that suits the period, such as finding an original Victorian fireplace from specialist fireplace dealers and antique centers.
Flooring
The floors in your home should be hard-wearing to withstand footfall, but also attractive and comfortable underfoot. Many period homes were built with durable and beautiful floors, so before throwing down a new carpet or roll of linoleum, check to see whether your property already has a stunning floor that you can show off. You might be pleasantly surprised to discover stunning Victorian hallway tiles, or top-quality timber floorboards. If you are not lucky enough to have these original features in your period home, a tiling expert will help you to source appropriate floor tiles, or you could go for luxury wood flooring for a modern but classic look that suits your property.
Lighting
Period lighting can certainly add the finishing touches to a modern period property. If you are not lucky enough to have retained the original wall lights in your property, use an antique dealer to source original pieces from the same period as your house. However, it is important that you ensure that your antique lighting is compliant with modern lighting safety standards in order to prevent fire hazards.