The Great British interior design aesthetic represents something of a gift and a curse. Whilst heritage, homeliness and a clear identity are easy to channel, the appearance and aesthetic of so many properties here can feel, well, a little dated. Stuffy at best and, let’s face it, dilapidated at worst.
No harm, then, in wanting to bring things up to date and up to speed, shedding the pitfalls of the past and bringing things very much into the present. Here’s how; our 7 IDEAL ways to upgrade and modernise your home.
Open Things Up
Open plan living automatically lends a more trendy and modern feeling to a space, and is a fantastic way to bring broad minded, inclusive aesthetics indoors. Moreover, an open plan home – usually combining the kitchen and living space – provides homeowners with a social space; an area that can be used for more than just preparing and cooking daily meals.
Indeed, it seems that knocking down walls to combine kitchen and dining spaces also knocks down barriers between people, creating less isolation and more sharing. Perhaps the trend of open plan living reflects the fact that we’re finally saying goodbye to the old British reserve – that stiff upper lip. So, wave goodbye to walls and embrace being open.
Minimalism
The modern design aesthetic of minimalism came into existence in response to all that overly ornate, fully fanciful and somewhat cluttered architecture and design of the late 19th Century. As we’re sure you’ll be familiar, this is particularly prevalent in the UK.
So, if you want to channel a modern look without having to renovate your home, then use the excuse to go minimal. If your home shows a distinct lack of ornament and flair, then you’ve nailed it. Remove unnecessary details and frills and focus on functionality.
Part of this involves undertaking a simple though ruthless re-organising operation. Decluttering your home is an efficient way of making your home look more modern. Clutter can take up plenty of visual real estate within the home and make it feel disorganised and unwelcoming.
On the flip side, clear paths through your hallways and room to swing a cat in your kitchen (don’t actually do that, or the RSPCA will be alerted), create a sense of modern minimalism that can feel fresh, clean and concise.
Add A Contemporary Extension
Adding a contemporary extension to an old Britsh home is great way to modernise your domestic space. The key is to find an architect that can design a symbiotic arrangement between the two, making the transition from the original build to the new addition seamless.
This blend is achieved through an avoidance of jarring, competing materials, levels of light and even functions of the spaces. When considering such an extension, make sure you do your due diligence on the legality of the investment, seeking planning permission prior to the build; Britain’s bureaucracy surrounding this is notoriously tight.
Smarten Up
Another simple way to modernise your space without needing a full renovation is to deck it out with smart home tech, turning your property into a slick operation that runs to its full potential at all times.
Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple’s Homepod… these smart home hubs that integrate your home and phone together, allowing easy home automation and lifestyle management, make things feel very futuristic indeed.
Here are some smart tech upgrades you should consider:
- Smart Thermostats to control home temperatures automatically and responsively. We’ve written another article on reasons you should switch to a smart thermostat here, by the way.
- Smart Refrigerators that monitor the freshness of your food.
- Smart washing machines and dishwashers which you can operate remotely via your phone.
- Smart ovens that automatically recognise the food you’re trying to cook and will complete the job for you.
- Smart lightbulbs which can be controlled by an app.
- A smart reservoir system for your garden.
- A smart boiler allows you to have greater control of your energy use, which can save you money along the way.
Don’t stop at those devices. With a new focus on saving energy and reducing environmental impact has come a new wave of technology to meet demands. Energy-efficient tech exists to cover all facets of modern living, from TVs and entertainment devices, to washing machines and dishwashers. Harness the power of as many as you can cope with.
Channel A Skyscraper With Larger, Taller Windows
Installing new windows in your home can make your home feel more modern and up-to-date. Not only this, but with winter just around the corner, it is important that you have secure windows, so that none of the heat escapes from your home.
Though it’s certainly an ambitious project, channelling the aesthetic of a sleek, steel framed skyscraper with metal and glass is a wonderful way to modernise your home. The easiest way to do this is by adding floor to ceiling windows which will immediately make your space feel more contemporary.
Moreover, floor to ceiling windows bring in more natural light and solar heat into an interior, subsequently improving your home’s energy performance. Speaking of which…
Go Solar
The results are in: the vast majority covet a more renewable energy. A survey of 26,000 people across 13 countries and three continents found that 83% of people believe creating more renewable energy is a priority.
The fact of the matter is you don’t have to wait to go green and enjoy sustainable energy; you can do it now by producing your energy. While solar panelling might seem like super-advanced, high-profile tech, it is becoming increasingly accessible and anyone can install panels on their property.
While initial costs are high, solar panels not only reduce your environmental impact, but can also save you hundreds on your utility bills. With a lifespan of 25 years or more, they’ll help you save the planet and save on bills for a long time. Or consider switching to a renewable energy supplier. Yes, it will definitely cost more than those burning fossil fuels for your electricity and gas, but the reductions in your carbon footprint will be considerable.
It All Starts & Ends At The Door
If you have been living in the same home for a while, then it is easy to overlook some outdated aspects of your house. A prime example of this is the front and back doors to your home, which can both cover all manner of sins and set a rather poor first impression if they’re looking rundown.
Your front door is the thing that people see first, so perhaps start with replacing your front door and the front door handles if you’re not keen on replacing the whole thing. You can then move to your interior door and invest in some modern doors that will bring your house together.
It is important to also consider the door handles too, so have a look at your options available. Brass door handles are an easy way to upgrade your doors as they are long-lasting and have a unique look. You can find a range of interior door handles by Corston; check out their collection when modernising your home.
If you’re looking for advice on other home improvements, look no further; our 5 IDEAL ways to give your home a quick facelift on the cheap.