Lawrence Park in Toronto began as one of the first planned garden suburbs in the area. And while the area is beautiful in the seasons where greenery is the showpiece, the winters in the area are cold. Low temperatures averaging below freezing drive many people inside for warmth and comfort. It's not a surprise your home will feel dated and stale when you're stuck looking at it all the time. Luckily, this time stuck inside is the most opportune time for making some changes to the interior of your home.
Unique challenges await those who own one of the older pieces of Lawrence Park real estate. The English Cottage, Tudor Revival, Georgian, and Colonial home designs which make up much of the area are more difficult to update. Many of these houses were built between 1910 and the 1940s and renovations must still preserve their old-world charm.
Limitations
As mentioned above, owning an older home and updating it in line with regulations can be challenging. You'll need to keep a handle on your routine home maintenance when living in an antiquated home, as updates are required over time. However, there are some possible features of your home you can't replace. For instance, decorative fireplace mantels and hardwood floors are often preserved in these historic homes. You’ll likely consider these areas to be off-limits to changes. Regardless of any remodels you're considering, the updates should preserve and restore the home. Be careful to not damage any of the unique historical features!
1. Add or Replace Insulation
When you're living in an older home, there are various things you need to check upon moving in. The major dangers include lead paint, outdated wiring, and exposure to asbestos. Cement, insulation, floor tiles, and other building elements in homes before the 1980s can contain this toxic natural fiber. It's important to have the house tested before making any large changes and disturbing the possible asbestos in your home. Seek professional advice for these types of projects, as you don’t want to tackle it all on your own.
To lower your utility bills and keep warm during the winter, new insulation can help revive your historic home. Improper or poor insulation can account for nearly half of the heating and cooling costs for your home. For those looking to lower the amount they pay on bills, increase their home's value, or just feel better inside throughout the year, new insulation will go a long way.
2. Kitchen Renovations
When you're looking to make updates to your home, you may have a laundry list of dream changes. It can be hard to choose a starting point. So why not start with something that'll add value to your home? We're talking about the kitchen. This area is commonly referred to as the heart of the home and it should be the first room you think of updating!
Remodeling your kitchen is often a sizable endeavor that is worth every penny, but there are ways to start small. Replacing your sink's faucet is a quick job that requires little plumbing experience! Add a smart faucet to your sink for a modern spin that'll save your water bill. Other quick updates include adding or replacing the backsplash with fresh, new tiles, resurfacing and painting cabinetry, and adding new drawer pulls to complete the finish.
If you're looking for a more in-depth project that'll change the entire look of your kitchen, consider changing out your old countertops. This involves a bit more work than fifteen minutes with a screwdriver, but fewer trips through the snow. Bringing in the new countertops and taking out the old is a majority of the work! Complete the entire look without breaking the bank with a new backsplash.
3. Bathroom Remodels
If you're looking to remodel a room to make some cost-effective, utility-friendly changes, consider updating your bathroom. Starting in a smaller space not only makes the project smaller, but less expensive. You're likely required to leave the clawfoot tub in its place, but there's still plenty of changes you can make to your space. Changing the faucet to a smarter faucet will prevent any excess leaking; the perfect way to decrease your water bill.
For some, the bathroom is their retreat. Whether it be kids, pets, or housework, many individuals turn to their bathrooms for thirty minutes of peace. Showers are a chance to think through the daily to-do list and the bath is the ideal place to practice an hour of self-care. Especially when people are seeking to warm themselves from the cold, the time spent relaxing in their bathrooms increases.
4. Change Out Your Lights
For those who live for spending time outside, winter can be challenging. An easy way to maintain motivation to get out of bed? Invest in some bulbs which mimic natural sunlight and install them throughout your home. It may not be the real thing, but bringing in more light is sure to lift your spirits. If you want to get even more modern, smart bulbs can be installed to schedule your lighting preferences, control the lights by remote, and fit with any fixture.
5. Update Your Safety Features
We live our day-to-day lives without much thought for the various security systems put in place to keep us safe. This can be dangerous when it comes to the security and safety features in your own home. Make a point to update and put new batteries in smoke alarms, Carbon Monoxide detectors, and natural gas detectors. For the most part, old homes can offer extra challenges when it comes to the wiring and electrical fixtures being up to code. Fires happen, and though prevention is the best practice, having the proper alarms in place could save your life.
In the modern-day age, we worry about more than just the things that keep our homes safe. A little peace of mind can make a huge difference when it comes to the most stressful of times. Whether you're keeping watch on your home, your pet, or your baby, you want to ensure they've properly looked after you. Installing a security system with internal and external cameras is a solution you can put to work this winter. Be able to watch what's going on in any section of your home, with just an app on your phone.
6. Finish Your Basement
Your basement is an area of your home which sees less foot traffic than its main area counterparts. While your old heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system could use an update, doing it in the middle of winter isn't ideal. Instead, there are a handful of projects you can do to finish your basement which is certain to add value. Finishing and updating your basement is a great choice for those looking to add more livable space to an older home. For one, you're adding a room without knocking down any major walls. Two, something as simple as updating a drafty space with new insulation will improve your home's energy efficiency.
Before you get started, be sure to check for any moisture. Waterproofing the area is crucial for not only preventing any damage to your home but also preventing damage to any new changes. You don't want to put a new ceiling in your basement just to find water damage or mold within a year. Since basements often offer little ventilation, it'd be a good idea to work with moisture prevention in mind. Install moisture-resistant drywall and choose a flooring, such as laminate, that won't sustain damage when a leak occurs.
After all of the work you’ve put into updating your home, you’ll be left with a home that feels practically brand new! If you’re ready to sell your current home and search for something new, a local Toronto real estate agent like Giulia Gallina will know how to handle it every step of the way.
