If you have a generic, plain, and boring new home, you may want to add some character to it.
Making a new house look old is one way to add interest and charm.
You can even build a new home using elements that make it feel old.
Here are a few ways to make a new house appear older.
photo courtesy of rgallant flickr.com/photos/rgallant/4198267899/Research
Do some research to figure out what period of time and what style you want your home to look like.
Homes in different parts of the country have different architectural elements and styles.
Try to pick one time period and style that you want your home to mimic.
Vintage Materials
100 years ago, people did not typically have wall to wall carpet, cultured marble, stainless steel, laminate, quartz, or other man made materials.
They used quality materials that were readily available, such as wood floors, butcher block or soapstone countertops, and subway tile.
Figure out what materials were available in the time period you are trying to mimic and use only those.
Moldings
Older homes had many moldings, many of which are not commonly found today.
Moldings used in the past tended to be bigger and simpler.
Homes had baseboards, crown molding, plate rail, chair rail, real wood paneling, wainscotting, and bead board.
Remove your new looking moldings and install period appropriate ones.
Solid Wood Doors
Older homes did not have cheap hollow core doors. They had solid wood doors.
Ditch the cheap doors and install either new solid wood doors or reclaimed wood doors.
Vintage and Antique Furniture
To go with your new old house, you should have appropriate furniture.
You can have new furniture in an old style, vintage furniture, reproduction antiques, or real antiques.
You can even build your own furniture out of wood that you distress and make look old.
Reclaimed Bricks
Whether bricking the exterior of your home or making a walkway or patio, reclaimed bricks are the way to go.
Old bricks have charm, character, and age to them that is hard to duplicate.
Appliances
When shopping for appliances, look for replicas of old appliances, refurbished old appliances, and/or built in appliances that have cabinet fronts.
Plumbing
Many plumbing manufacturers offer vintage replica fixtures, so finding plumbing to make your new house look old should not be too difficult.
You can even replace your standard bathtub with a claw foot tub and your standard sink with a vintage looking pedestal sink.
Hardware
Door and cabinet hardware has changed a lot over the years. It used to be hand made and heavy.
These days hardware has become lighter and mass produced.
Replace your doorknobs and cabinet hardware with vintage pieces or vintage inspired pieces that are made to look old.
Light Fixtures
Recessed can lights are a new building material, so don't use them.
Use vintage, vintage inspired, antique, or antique inspired light fixtures instead.
You might need to have an older light fixture rewired to meet modern electrical standards.
Architectural Salvage
There are architectural salvage stores in most major cities that will have period appropriate items for your home.
Even if you can't afford to buy anything there, consider shopping there for inspiration.
You may not be able to afford a large salvage chandelier, but you might be able to afford a new vintage looking chandelier and add salvage glass shades.
There are also architectural salvage dealers online and architectural salvage is available from individual sellers (probably a lot cheaper) on websites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Mature Landscaping
Most new homes start with an empty lot without grass, shrubs, or any trees.
Adding larger landscaping will make your new home look older.
You can also add fast growing vines to fill in the empty spots until the rest of your landscaping has a chance to grow.
You can also add charming features to your landscape, such as a white picket fence, decorative planters, and window planter boxes.
Patina
Anything with patina seems older.
You can add moss to terracotta pots.
You can distress new wood furniture.
You can use patina paint on metal items.
Walls
Select paint colors and wallpaper that is appropriate for the era of home you wish to mimic.
Also consider whether the wall texture is appropriate for the time period.
