Old House Trends You Want To Bring Back

There are many things in the past that people look back to with nostalgia. Everyone likes to think life was better when they were growing up. But there are only two things we know that get better with age; old wine and old houses.

Nothing in modern homes comes close to the unadulterated charm of an old house. Today's home pales in comparison to the elegance of old residential architecture and engineering. If you have ever been to a pre-1930s home, you know what we mean. But if not, this article will introduce you to some tried and true features you can incorporate into your modern home.

Older Home vs Modern Home

What is the main difference between old houses and modern homes? Houses today are typically built with an open floor plan. As Schambs Management explains- this layout combines entryway, kitchen, dining, and living areas into one continuous space without any form of structural separations between them. It’s been desired by modern families today for ease of entertaining and keeping watch over kids.

Old houses, on the other hand, have closed floor plans. Spaces in the house are not only designated for specific uses, they are separated by walls and doors. A typical old house would have separate rooms as the parlor, library, dining room, study and kitchen.

Does this closed floor plan have advantages over an open floor plan? Yes! Not only does it offer privacy, but each space in a home has its own features based on how they are used. A closed floor plan allows you to paint or decorate each room - kitchen, dining room, or office - with a unique personality. An open floor plan can also be an acoustic disaster for some families with young children or loud pets; it’s hard to isolate sounds. In a more separated floor plan, kids can listen to their cartoons around the corner while the adults can host guests downstairs in the living room or a keeping room. Finally, in our environmentally-conscious age, a closed floor plan can allow you to close off unused room to help out your heating or cooling efficiency.

Another big difference between modern and vintage homes is the sheer charm of old houses. Stepping into an old house is like a step back in time to an age where everything was not mass-produced. The careful craftsmanship of an old house is visible everywhere you look. And each feature of the home is built to last; instead of being a fad that was soon replaced. 

Unlike modern houses, which often make the TV the focal point of the home, old houses were built for face-to-face interactions. Hence, the need for separate dining rooms where each meal was treated as an occasion.

Does this mean you should ditch your modern home design for old house design? No! What you can do is borrow some old house trends and integrate them into your home. Below, we list some of the best older home features for you to consider for your modern home.

Walk-in Pantry

It is hard to understand why this old house trend was abandoned. What could be more functional than a walk-in pantry that lets you organize your storage creatively? This feature makes the kitchen much more manageable.

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Double Pocket Doors

Double pocket doors let you assign or withdraw access easily. Left open, space reverts to an open floor plan. But you can close the doors to give yourself more privacy. This feature comes in handy when entertaining guests and you want to limit access.

Mudroom

Old houses had a small space between the outer door and the home's interior. It served to deaden outside noise and as a place for removing outwear. You can return this old house trend as a mudroom where people can take off coats and muddy boots.

Clawfoot Tub

Looking at these tubs will give you as much pleasure as you get from soaking in them. They are deeper than modern baths and are shamelessly luxurious. Even better, they won't complain if you put them outside in the garden or on the patio.

Ceiling Medallions

This feature encapsulates old house elegance at its best. Nothing says flamboyance like a medallion on the ceiling. They are designed to make people gape and they do just that. Visitors won't be able to resist the urge to look up and stare.

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Fireplaces in Every Room

Humans have a fascination with fire which interior heating has not quelled. Imagine the wonder of a dedicated fireplace in the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom. If you want to get the most out of this old house trend, go for a wood burning unit!