{"id":100372,"date":"2026-07-06T07:48:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=100372"},"modified":"2026-07-07T07:20:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:20:05","slug":"historic-home-renovation-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/historic-home-renovation-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Historical Home Renovation Tips: How to Modernize Without Losing Charm"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Preserve what makes the home special<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cStart with this simple idea: Preserve the features that make the home special and adapt those that make daily life difficult,\u201d says Jesse Emmert, project coordinator at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hartmanbaldwin.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HartmanBaldwin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cIdentify the character-defining features and integrate them into your alterations while respecting the home\u2019s original proportions and materials. The goal isn\u2019t to freeze a house in time, but to make changes that feel like a natural continuation of its story rather than a complete rewrite.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jesse encourages homeowners to think of themselves as stewards, explaining, \u201cA historic home has been around longer than you and will likely outlast you, so balancing modern functionality with its original charm helps preserve both its beauty and long-term value.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Upgrade what&#8217;s hidden, preserve what&#8217;s seen<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of the most important improvements in a historic home happen behind the walls. Prioritizing modern systems while preserving original architectural details helps improve safety, comfort, and efficiency without sacrificing the home&#8217;s character.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cTo preserve a historic home\u2019s character while updating it, we modernize the systems you don\u2019t see, like framing, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, using efficient, safe materials,\u201d says Nick from <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/morningstarconstructioncorp.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morning Star Construction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cFor the visible features, we preserve and restore original elements whenever possible, including moldings, beams, and antique hardware, or replicate them to match the home&#8217;s style. In one renovation, we reinforced the home with a new subfloor while preserving the original 300-year-old floorboards as a decorative border, honoring the past while improving function.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Understand the home&#8217;s architectural style<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen updating a historic home, it\u2019s essential to understand its architectural style and let its character-defining features\u2014like windows and decorative details\u2014guide your decisions,\u201d says Christopher Merritt of the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/ushpo.utah.gov\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Utah State Historic Preservation Office<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cModernizing should be done in a way that respects the home\u2019s integrity, using resources like the Secretary of the Interior\u2019s Standards for Rehabilitation. Even well-meaning updates like repointing brick can cause damage if done improperly. Your state\u2019s SHPO can provide guidance, and books like A Field Guide to American Houses are helpful tools for understanding historic design.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Blend historic character with modern living<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historic homes don&#8217;t have to feel frozen in time. The best renovations preserve original craftsmanship while incorporating contemporary finishes, lighting, furnishings, and technology that improve everyday comfort. Reintroducing period-appropriate details where they&#8217;ve been lost and selecting modern elements that complement the home&#8217;s architecture creates a balanced design that respects the past without sacrificing functionality.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Blend eras to create a lived-in feel<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thoughtfully combining original architectural features with modern furnishings and technology can create a home that feels both timeless and functional. Preserving historic materials while layering in contemporary elements allows older homes to evolve without losing their character.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOur goal in converting a historic church into a home was to respect the craftsmanship of the past without being restricted by it,\u201d says Lynn Pechuekonis, owner of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/rockhavenbnb.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rockhaven B&amp;B<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cWe preserved original wood windows, floors, and moldings while modernizing the home&#8217;s systems and incorporating furniture from multiple eras. We also repurposed original features, like turning oak pews into wall paneling. It&#8217;s all about layering comfort with history in a way that feels intentional and lived-in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Walk the space before you renovate<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBefore starting any renovation, we walked through our historic home multiple times to understand how people would actually move through the space,\u201d says Mary Smalling, owner of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/banksbnb.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Banks Bed and Breakfast<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cWe didn\u2019t demo a thing until we had that clarity. Just as important, we saved every piece of original wood \u2014 even hidden boards under floors or inside walls \u2014 for potential reuse. That\u2019s how we ended up crafting a fireplace mantel from a salvaged floor joist. Preserving materials gave us design flexibility without sacrificing authenticity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Preserve original materials whenever possible<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Original windows, trim, hardwood floors, cabinetry, fireplaces, and other architectural details are often what give historic homes their lasting character. Before replacing these features, determine whether they can be repaired or restored. Routine maintenance, timely repairs, and thoughtful retrofits can improve energy efficiency while protecting the craftsmanship that makes older homes unique. When additions or major renovations are necessary, they should complement the home&#8217;s original scale and architecture rather than overpower it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Find your home&#8217;s original blueprints<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBefore making upgrades, research your home\u2019s architectural style and era\u2014even try to find the original blueprints,\u201d says Jessica Rudden-Dube, executive director of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/preservationmass.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preservation Massachusetts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cThis helps you recognize features worth preserving, from Victorian paint colors to Arts &amp; Crafts fireplace tiles. State historic preservation offices often list experts who can distinguish original elements from later alterations. When you know your home\u2019s character-defining traits, you can modernize thoughtfully. Also, don\u2019t overlook original windows \u2014 paired with interior storm inserts, they can be just as efficient as new ones and are far more sustainable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Let the home tell you where to modernize<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBefore beginning any renovation, I take time to read the building \u2014 it often reveals where you can make changes and what deserves protection,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/sunnigoodsondesign.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunni L. Goodson<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cAligning kitchens and bathrooms vertically across floors minimizes disruption and simplifies plumbing. I love pairing modern lighting with ornate millwork for a layered, timeless feel. A balanced 70:30 or 80:20 mix of historic and contemporary design creates warmth and depth. And I always recommend restoring original windows \u2014 they\u2019re nearly impossible to replicate and often define the home\u2019s character.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Think creatively so you don&#8217;t block the windows and doors<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen updating a historic home, one of the biggest ways to preserve character is by avoiding the elimination or obstruction of original windows and doors,\u201d says Mo Karnage of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/karnageconstruction.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Karnage Construction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cEven when storage is tight \u2014 like in older homes with minimal closet space \u2014 it\u2019s often possible to add smart closet solutions without covering up windows or altering the home\u2019s flow. In rooms with high ceilings, consider building vertically with upper storage compartments, and match new finishes to the historic trim for a seamless look. In one tax credit project, we used antique wardrobes instead of building closets, preserving the walls entirely. The key is accepting that not every modern layout makes sense for a historic space \u2014 and planning creatively from the start.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to modernize a historic home without losing its charm. Experts share tips on updating pre-war apartments, brownstones, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":585,"featured_media":100386,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34278],"tags":[4398,36501],"coauthors":[34682],"class_list":["post-100372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-improvement","tag-design-and-decor","tag-ren"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v28.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>10 Must-Read Historical Home Renovation Tips | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Modernize your historic home without losing its charm. 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