Furnishing an old building: 5 quick tips


Wooden floor in an apartment of old building

The high ceilings, stucco elements and wooden floors of the old apartments, which give a historical atmosphere, make the hearts of many lovers beat faster. There are almost infinitely many
Ways to set them up. Below you will find the best advice on how to enhance the charm and peculiarities of an old building and what you need to consider when furnishing it.

1. Maintain charm, especially with wood floors

The most important thing when furnishing an old building is that the charm is maintained and the typical features are put in the right light. For example, you shouldn’t replace wooden floorboards with laminate. If necessary you can renovate them, as they are part of the charm of an old apartment. Wooden floor patternIf you wish, you can sand real planks or parquet and then customize them with paint or restore the shine of the original color with transparent varnish. In the kitchen there are usually tiles with decorations. In general, checkerboard patterns are very suitable. Terracotta tiles are rather unsuitable for old buildings.

2. Install the old building

Vintage furniture highlights rooms beautifully. A mix of styles is also possible, so the furniture can also be something modern.  For example, place baroque furniture and choose modern colors for the walls. This does not detract from the charm of the clever mix. The contrast makes it look interesting. Ultimately, the large windows of an old building make the rooms very bright, so it is possible to furnish them in any style. When it comes to wooden furniture, avoid having too many different types. What dominates is the color or style of the furniture. Heavy, comfortable furniture and large, comfortable sofas or other large upholstered furniture such as a wing chair are ideal in older buildings. In the corridor, however, you should not place large and heavy furniture and make sure that it appears very bright and therefore larger overall. Choose cute furnishings like a wood-framed mirror and wall hooks as coat racks.

3. Highlight the charm with decorations and design pieces

The old building is ideal for being decorated lavishly: the high ceilings here are an advantage, because the rooms do not appear overloaded and do not lose any of their visual dimension.
The wall decoration can reach up to the ceiling. High shelves and cabinets are also very suitable. This creates a very special atmosphere. However, don’t just place tall, bulky furniture. Special pieces can be beautifully displayed in old buildings thanks to the open space. If your room is spacious, for example, place an elegant chaise longue freely in the room. This is a real eye-catcher. Make sure your furniture and home accessories always fit together harmoniously.  If you prefer it cozy, you should choose soft, muted colors for the furniture and decorations. They also make the room feel larger and keep heavy furniture from making it feel cramped. Natural fur, warm carpets and cozy blankets are ideal for old buildings. They underline the feel-good character. The same goes for plants. Old buildings offer plenty of space for this. They bring a piece of nature into the home.

4. Design ceilings and walls

High ceilings are a highlight for many people, but they can also make a room feel empty and uncomfortable. The right wall design makes it more welcoming. While, as already mentioned, light colors make the room seem larger, in a large room with a high ceiling, a strong, dark wall color makes the room more comfortable.  Avoid vertical lines because they stretch upwards and therefore unfavorably emphasize the proportions. A horizontal layout, on the other hand, makes the room seem lower. With a dark color on the ceiling it also appears deeper. You can enhance the effect by painting the top edge of the wall the same color as well. Consider the size of the room when choosing colors and patterns. Stucco decorative elements are ideal for walls and ceilings of old buildings. Stucco refers to three-dimensional ornaments and moldings. They give the room the typical atmosphere of ancient buildings. If you want to visually lower a high ceiling, you can attach a stucco molding all around and paint it in the dark color of the ceiling.

5. What should you pay attention to when it comes to the walls and lighting of old buildings?

Much of what makes old buildings so charming, such as parquet floors or stucco ornamentation, should be preserved. The changes are mainly due to thin walls and poor insulation. These two factors are often found in old buildings. If you want to attach heavy shelves, paintings or other items to the wall, the low load capacity can be a problem. If necessary, use a wall to stabilize it and stick pictures instead of drilling holes.  As for lighting, use light from different sources because you won’t be able to illuminate all corners of the room with just one ceiling lamp. For example, choose large chandeliers, pendant lamps and ceiling spotlights. Metal lamps give rooms a futuristic look. With commercials it is possible to draw attention to the particularities of the system.

Summary

In an ancient building it is always a question of preserving the charm that defines it. Modern floors such as laminate and terracotta are rather inappropriate. Instead, choose to restore the original flooring such as beautiful wooden planks. When it comes to living style, old buildings are just about anyone can fit into. The vintage style is particularly appreciated. Thanks to the high rooms, large windows and bright environment, you can show your courage in using color. Dark walls are ideal with high ceilings. They give the room style and exclusivity. You can also get creative with decorations. Most old apartments will not create a cramped feeling. Use generous lighting to sufficiently illuminate all corners of the room and avoid a gloomy atmosphere

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