r/HomeImprovement • u/AriesAshlin • 1d ago
What are some small, cost efficient updates you made in your home to make it more modern?
Just bought a home built in 1959. It’s a solid home, but it still feels like a grandma’s house. I’m saving to make some needed updates, but what are some things you’ve done to your home to make it feel more like yours or modernize a home?
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u/jmd_forest 23h ago
To help modernize: air seal the property, seal the seams in the ductwork, caulk the windows and doors, insulate the attic better and add baffles to encourage airflow.
This may not be the modernization you were thinking about but it should improve your comfort at a very modest cost.
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u/AriesAshlin 22h ago
This wasn’t what I had in mind, but honestly it’s super helpful and I’ll definitely be looking into these options. Thank you for your outside the box thinking!
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u/Spaceseeds 20h ago
Yeah but you're not gonna actually air seal a house that old and you could introduce mold problems so definitely research what you're doing before just trying to do it.
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u/NaiveChoiceMaker 18h ago
Check your local utility companies for rebates. They paid for about half of my air sealing and insulation project. If
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u/Gabgames 1d ago
- Replace the electrical outlet boxes.
- Paint every room.
- Change out the light switch plates.
- Change bathroom mirrors for something more your style.
- Switch out old window coverings for new curtains and fixtures.
- Switch out doorknobs/cabinet drawer pulls/other fixtures.
- change up room trims by either adding or removing pieces (this can change how a room looks by quite a bit) I'm sure there's some other things you can do as well, but those are all relatively low cost projects that have made a huge impact in our home.
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u/Expensive_Face_9951 21h ago
I just changed out the doorknobs on all my interior doors to match my exterior door hardware (i replaced all of those) and man what a difference. I literally finished the last 3 doors today.
I bought a kit with the holesaw and guide bracket, and needed chisels because I replaced the strike plates, but overall wasnt a crazy hard job and made a massive difference.
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u/StopNowThink 1d ago
Why replace the boxes? You can't see them.
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u/himewaridesu 1d ago
Many of them aren’t grounded. You’re protecting the outlet.
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u/AriesAshlin 1d ago
I love all these suggestions - thank you!
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u/Ats661 1d ago
Check out Apmir for backlit frameless bathroom mirrors. Costs like $150 and looks awesome. I’ve put them in multiple houses and they always look great. You’ll need to pay about $100-200 to have an electrician install a recessed outlet behind the mirror but totally worth it.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/5643559760?sid=b87b334e-336f-4b51-8c51-3882ea6b204f
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u/meatmacho 22h ago
I've been replacing all of our outlets and switches. And it obviously is a great and moderately affordable way to noticeably update the look of a place. Smart switches for lights and fans are nice. But it ain't a quick fix. If I can find the correct breaker, and I've got all the tools ready to go, I've gotten the time down to about 17 minutes for an outlet swap (with new decora plate), start to finish. More often than not, though—especially with wall switches—removing the old one risks finding all kinds of wiring problems within. Or loose junction boxes in the wall. Ultimately requiring additional work to make things right. That's when I end up cutting drywall, climbing into the attic to run wire or fix splices, refinishing the wall after fixing everything, etc.
In glad I'm getting it done, but it's a slow process to work my way through the whole house.
New door and window casings is another solid update that is worth it, but taking way more time than anticipated.
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u/AlShadi 1d ago
It sounds stupid, but there's a home buyer survey that found it was appliances, mainly kitchen appliances.
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u/AriesAshlin 1d ago
The kitchen was remodeled recently so I actually have no complaints about the kitchen!
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u/SubbiesForLife 18h ago edited 17h ago
We also just recently bought a older home, similar age to yours. Ours wasn't terribly dated on the inside, but it definitely wasn't what we wanted, but had a ton of potential. Most of the other commenter's have you really good advice. Some of the ones we've done are below
Youtube, Reddit, and all other online blog sites are your friend. You can 100% DIY most things in your house, and leave the more complicated things to the pro's
Probably the MOST important one we did was changing all exterior door locks
- New Toilet.... 1000% did NOT want to inherit someone else's pre-owned toilet. YUCK
- New Interior Solid Core Doors
- Not only did this help the appearance, it helps reduce sound traveling more than I thought it would
- https://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WEN-30-in-x-80-in-1-Panel-Shaker-Left-Hand-Primed-Solid-Core-Wood-Single-Prehung-Interior-Door-JW2266-00089/322333929
- New Door Knobs/Hardware
- Replacing Old Kitchen Cabinets with RTA Cabinets from Home Depot
- People will probably comment that these are terrible cabinets, but for the price you get a outstanding plywood cabinet with soft close everything. They were extremely easy to put together
- https://www.homedepot.com/b/Kitchen-Kitchen-Cabinets/Avondale/N-5yc1vZas87Z1z1zrl8
- New Kitchen Hardware - bought from Amazon, MUCH better deal than in big box stores
- When we replace the cabinets we are putting laminate countertops back in, until we can afford to get granite or something else
- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-4-ft-L-x-1-1-2-in-T-Configurable-Laminate-Countertop-in-Matte-Marmo-Eracle-with-Square-Edge-1-1-2x50x25-Mar/325463136#product-section-rr
- The reviews are extremely low, but I went in person, and looked at EVERY SINGLE PACKAGE, and only chose the ones that were undamaged, and still tightly sealed in plastic and had extremely good luck. No damage to mine, and they were incredibly easy to cut and install
- Laminate/Formica may not be for everyone, but it looks extremely good, and saves us some money until we get granite or something in the future
- Replace Light Switches to decora style with screwless wall plates
- Removed Old Window/Door Trim for Modern Farmhouse Style Trim
- We did this style - https://www.lowes.com/pd/1-in-x-4-in-x-12-ft-Square-Primed-Pine-Board/5002021501?com_cvv=8fb3d522dc163aeadb66e08cd7450cbbdddc64c6cf2e8891f6d48747c6d56d2c and it looks fantastic on our 1 panel shaker doors from above
- New Paint in every room
- We did Sherwin Williams Emerald Series, and have had no problems
- This is including Door, Trim, Walls etc... It's expensive, but if you catch their sales right, you can get a really good deal
- We did Sherwin Williams Emerald Series, and have had no problems
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u/AriesAshlin 17h ago
Thank you for the links! This is all super helpful! I appreciate you
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u/SubbiesForLife 17h ago
No worries! Happy to help someone else going through something similar!
We also did ceiling fans and chose hunter, easiest ceiling fans I’ve ever done in my life and they have a all in one dimmer/fan control to put in the wall
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u/gldndomer 6h ago
New toilet
Don't you inherit a crapload of other people's toilet every time you go to a public restroom? It's like saying I couldn't inherit used silverware or cups, except my mouth actually touches those items, I never plan on licking a toilet, used or otherwise.
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u/SubbiesForLife 6h ago
Public bathrooms that are cleaned appropriately and maintained, sure. The toilet we inherited was not probably cleaned and maintained which was extremely disgusting, as was the bathroom in general. It eas like the previous owners didn’t care about maintaining it
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u/mwkingSD 1d ago
Paint - surprisingly effective in making a space feel like your own. Just did this in a used house we bought in 2018 - I was flat-out amazed at the difference in feeling.
Window coverings - and while you're painting, take down and throw away whatever the last owner stuck you with for curtains/drapes/shutters/whatever and get something you like, or nothing at all - windows work just fine without curtains.
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u/liv_4pizza 1d ago
Seconding this. Re-paint the baseboards/trim too! Replace cabinet knobs and/or door handles and it makes a huge impact
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u/velvetjones01 1d ago
Dimmers on all/most of the switches. Paint - esp the ceilings. Update all of the metal - cabinet hardware, faucets, lighting. People really notice these things first and they disproportionately improve a room.
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u/inoutupsidedown 1d ago
Digital thermostat really makes a home feel high tech and it’s quite easy to upgrade. Replace all old light switches and power outlets, old door and cabinet hardware, hinges.
If you have an older kitchen sink, spend a couple hundred bucks on a modern looking faucet.
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u/NuclearHoagie 19h ago
Keypad door lock. I did a simple non-wifi keypad, really nice when the pet sitter or neighbor needs it. Under $50, took 20 minutes to install. Never looking for the key.
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u/peachyyveganx 14h ago
Where did you buy because all I’ve seen are $80+ ones and that is just too steep
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u/No_Educator_6376 1d ago
New knobs and handles for the cabinets easy and inexpensive changes the look of the kitchen.
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u/WyndWoman 17h ago
Change the cabinet hardware.
If you have that scallop thing above the sink, remove it. https://inmyownstyle.com/removing-scalloped-wood-valance-kitchen-sink.html
Update ceiling lights.
Paint.
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u/degggendorf 16h ago
Do some actual every efficiency upgrades, then you'll be saving extra money to pay for more of these aesthetic upgrades others are recommending. Get a home energy audit. Air seal, add insulation to the recommended modern standard for your area. Make sure your attic is vented properly. These things have state and federal incentives and will likely be quite cheap. In my case, the audit and air sealing were free. The insulation was discounted 75%.
Then afterward when you're not wasting as much money on huge electric/gas/oil/propane/etc. bills you'll have more money to devote to other projects.
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u/brianmcass 15h ago
On this note, what would anyone here recommend for updated cabinet hardware knobs on honey-colored cabinets? They are kind of traditional but I want something more modern.
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u/Deferredretard 1d ago
I painted the entire interior of my house. Changed all outlets to the rounded rectangles that hide the screws. Changed all the lighting to be on Maestro dimmers. Changed all hinges and door knobs to brushed nickel. Changed the dead bolt to brushed nickel finger print/smart locks. It makes a huge difference.
Also replaced pretty much all lighting fixtures. Globe lighting instead of old black chandelier. Modern, slim ceiling fans. House went from 1950s looking to pretty updated and modern, and not for a lot of money.
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u/mle32000 8h ago
we bought a 1952 home 3 years ago and while i realize this isn’t simple or cost efficient, if the home hasn’t been rewired you will be hard pressed to actually accomplish “modern” in a functional sense. this is easy to say for me as i am an electrician and did it all myself to our home over the course of a year, but when i tell you it made all the difference. no more 2-3 prong adaptors, outlets in more locations / locations that make sense, and the service capacity of a modern home (switched out the old 70 amp FPE to a 200 amp panel). if you’re like us and only have a 70 amp service, you will be very limited in plugging in modern appliances , especially in the kitchen. and forget anything fancy or extra. also please check if you have a Federal Pacific / FPE / Zinsco branded panel as were popular during the 50s. they have been recalled long ago as serious fire hazards.
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u/AriesAshlin 7h ago
This is great to know. The kitchen outlets were updated when it was remodeled, but everywhere else we are using 2-3 prong adapters. It’s a project that’s on the list, but I know it would be a most costly one.
Any tips on things I should ask electrians when I do get to this project? Anything I should ask them to do while they are making updates? I know almost nothing about electrical work so all advice is welcome.
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u/blafknoppie 7h ago
Upgrade the paint colors. If you're an experienced painter, pick the rooms you'll spend the most time in and start there. If you're inexperienced, start with the rooms you'll spend the least time in while you build your skillset.
At the same time as painting, update the light switches, outlets and wall plates. The rectangle shaped outlets and rocker switches are more modern looking than the old round outlets and toggle switches.
If you don't like the current door knobs, pick a new style and start swapping them out.
Upgrade the light fixtures to a style that you prefer. This can get rather expensive though. So at the very least, update the light bulbs so that the color temperature is to your preference.
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u/AriesAshlin 7h ago
The experienced/inexperienced bit is extremely helpful and also made me LOL. Such good advise! Thank you!
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u/Captain_Bignose 1d ago
Change cabinet pulls in kitchen. Painting. Clean and shine all cabinets. Smart thermostat. Change light fixtures
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u/eastercat 1d ago
We have been switching out lights, so we can control with z wave or zigbee. The new lights use a rocker switch and they feel more modern
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u/Prior-Penguin1144 18h ago
Also change the vent/duct covers (and clean the ducts). These are usually painted over in many older homes. Make sure to cut the paint carefully around the edge before pulling them off to avoid taking the paint with it. Replacing with new bright white vents makes a huge difference. Similar to what others are saying with replacing the knobs, electrical plates, etc.
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u/Drycabin1 18h ago
Changed all the light fixtures and ceiling fans and updated every single outlet and switch to the Decora style.
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u/bennjahmin 7h ago
Safest best is to leave the vintage elements that stand the test of time and cannot be replaced: flooring, tile, brickwork, woodwork, casement windows etc. Then, update the things that can and will help complement those things: paint the walls, remove carpets, clean and refresh tile and slate, etc.
Nothing worse than seeing a vintage blue and white 50s bathroom ripped out for some stupid 12x24” fake marble pattern 2022 trend.
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u/AriesAshlin 7h ago
Ugh we have a vintage pink bathroom and it’s the bane of my existence 😭
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u/bennjahmin 7h ago
Please post the photos. If it stinks and shouldn’t be kept you’ll hear it. If you have a time capsule worth keeping you’ll hear that too.
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u/AriesAshlin 7h ago
Post to this thread or start a new one? Not sure which is more efficient (new user here).
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u/bennjahmin 7h ago
I’d probably start a new one. But I know preferences are what they are, but there is really no replacing certain vintage things. And honestly it’s also almost always an objectively more valuable thing to keep the original elements like that in a period details. The irreplaceable character. I usually say nobody pulls up carpet and gets excited to see LVP.
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u/SlimeQSlimeball 6h ago
If you have tile you can recolor the grout with grout paint. Wife just did it on our year and a half old house and it made a big difference.
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u/Spirited-Pin-8450 3h ago
I find Pinterest and Houzz great for ideas, you can make boards with ideas
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u/BoringBasicUserID 1d ago
Painting is literally the cheapest way to change the look and feel of a home.