Transforming Older Homes in Cincinnati into Modern Masterpieces
Transforming Older Homes in Cincinnati into Modern Masterpieces
Transforming Older Homes in Cincinnati into Modern Masterpieces

By Teri Silver

Older, stately homes in Cincinnati are beautiful, but outdated appliances and decor can be difficult to keep clean and working properly. Transform your older home into a modern masterpiece with more living space, aesthetics, sustainability, and functionality.

One of the biggest draws of an old house is that it is an old house—imagine if that house could talk about its history. Design a plan that combines historical characteristics with modern functionality.

Start Small

Redesigning an old house can be overwhelming when you’re looking at the big picture. But small changes like swapping out cabinet pulls, drawer knobs, and door handles are the start of turning “old fashioned” into a more modern look.   

Have a Design Plan

Before delving into the project, assess your property to determine what area needs the most structural work. Does the house need a new bathroom? Repaved patio? Plumbing upgrade? 

Make a list of the most expensive renovations that need critical attention. Luxury home features like a central vacuum system, fitness room, and hot tub spa can be a part of the plan. Sketch out your ideas and check out a few professional design magazines or websites to get you started.

Rethink the Outdoors

The house and yard are the first things visitors (and buyers) see when approaching the property. Paint the exterior with colors that blend into the neighborhood. Replace old, leaky glass with energy-saving windows.

Landscape your property with a sense of Cincinnati pride. Spruce up the yard with lawn striping in patterns like checkerboards, zigzags, diamonds, and arches. Or, show your Cincinnati Bengals fandom with the team’s logo embedded in the lawn.    

Outdoor living is a draw for today’s homebuyers. Add a deck or patio, barbecue pit, pergola, or gazebo, and secure the perimeter of the property with a privacy fence. 

Modernize Indoors

Modernize the home with a few remodeling projects. Open-spaced kitchens are where it’s at these days—the place for cooking, eating, working, and socializing. Tearing out walls may not be possible, but new appliances, cabinetry, faucets, and lighting will make the space more inviting.

Updated bathrooms are a great refresh. If the house has one of those cool antique clawfoot bathtubs, you may want to leave that be. Otherwise, a new vanity, toilet, shower door, and lighting will brighten up the bathroom. Old tile flooring is back in style. It may get dingy over the years but a good steam cleaning can bring it back to life.   

Get Smart

Today’s Artificial Intelligence technology will turn your older Cincinnati home into a modern masterpiece. Cell phone apps control everything … lights, door locks, wireless speakers, window blinds, and robotic lawnmowers… just to name a few. Consult a technology specialist to wire up your home for AI convenience.  

Think Sustainably

Reusing products is part of today’s lifestyle. Most older homes were built with long-lasting, durable materials. Contractors may be able to find reclaimed wood, recycled insulation, and solid copper plumbing.    

Living walls, hydroponic gardens, and live trees inside the house are green ways to modernize your Cincinnati home—and they are conversation pieces. Plants and greenery also enhance air quality while providing a serene, tranquil living space.   

DIY or Hire a Professional?

While a few simple changes are easy to make yourself, transforming an old house into a modern masterpiece takes some thought and a professional eye for a seamless transition. Professional contractors will know about Cincinnati’s building codes and how to handle structural concerns.

When remodeling your Cincinnati home, keep in mind how well expenditures for structural and cosmetic changes will come back when you put the house on the sales market. Let the experts with Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Real Estate help in the decision-making process.

Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.

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