Updating your home can be a very exciting project, but every homeowner who’s gone through an update knows that things can quickly get out of hand. As your scope builds, so does your timeline and your budget. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and miss important details when making upgrade decisions. As you set out to update your home, don’t make the mistake of removing these historic home features.
Wood Flooring
Wall to wall carpeting is slowly going out of style. While homeowners like the warmth it provides, carpet shows wear and tear far sooner than many modern flooring options, and is far more difficult to keep clean. That said, even steadfast carpet lovers should know not to remove or cover original hardwood flooring. Even dingy hardwood flooring can be restored to its former glory, and can increase the value and aesthetic of the home. If you happen to come across wood flooring when making home upgrades, it’s worth it to invest in a little TLC and keep the floors.
Woodwork or Built-ins
With wood prices skyrocketing, there’s no better time to invest in the restoration of woodwork already in your home. Built-ins are becoming highly coveted to buyers who are always looking for more storage opportunities. Original woodwork adds character and architectural interest to your space–and if your home is on a historic register, remember that updates can have strict rules, so be sure to check before removing anything.
Exposed Beams
Exposed beams provide a lot of character in a home, and buildings with exposed beams are often built with a specific historical period’s aesthetic. If the beams have been painted over the years, some elbow grease will allow you to uncover, sand and stain the wood to reclaim its past beauty. Avoid detracting from your home’s original architectural interest when updating–keep the exposed beams.
Original Hardware
You likely are noticing a theme. Depending on the age of your home, getting rid of original features can be a shame, and while many homeowners will try to keep original wood (for cost’s sake alone), some forget about the original hardware. Original cabinet latches, door handles and drawer pulleys can all speak to the history of your home. If you need to replace anything for safety or practical reasons, consider removing the hardware from your old doors and cabinets and reusing them in the future or in other places within your home.
