Ways to add character to a characterless house

[Sweetmelody72]

We are considering buying a 1970s house because it ticks so many of our boxes. It’s undergone significant extension work, but I think they ran out of money and the finish is poor (everything painted white/cheap carpets and wooden floors/underwhelming kitchen). I have never lived in a house newer than 1930s, and wondering if we might regret buying a property that has little if no character, even if it has all the space we need.

Anyone have any suggestions on how we can bring a modern house to life without making it look ‘faux’ period??

@Sweetmelody72 aaah I was thinking studio like as in a studio flat! Showing my london centric views artists studio is much more reasonable

I’m trying to think through any issues with only being able to access living room through the kitchen diner. Far from ideal but just don’t see it as a deal breaker unless there is something I’ve not thought of

This wouldn't be a deal breaker for me at all. In fact it could be a positive - kitchen/diner as the heart of the home type thing. You could have double doors through to the living room for big parties if you're into entertaining.

I think you'll make this a beautiful family home.

Wow love love love the decor in that link OP - quite simple - beautifully done - modern but classic retro - sort of monochrome base with jewel colours - just copy it. Modern House is a brilliant website - look at their past sales as well for inspiration.

Yes block off that front living room - I would have that as a small formal adult snug maybe? Then I would open the whole back up flip the kitchen and lounge - so that you had huge kitchen loads of storage in the original lounge area - with conservatory off for informal breakfast etc - nice dining where it is already and family zone where original kitchen is (could keep this closed off) you could access the utility from the hallway if you would only use it for laundry or storage? It depends how you live as a family where is the heart of your home? If it’s a big TV lounge then keep the layout as it is - if it’s kitchen / food / dining table centred then make the kitchen the biggest room.

You could shut off the front lounge with solid wooden doors painted same as walls that could open up if you had a party as the dining space is quite narrow to manoeuvre through?

With the front door I would just replace the glass panels with that modern obscure milky glass and paint the wood graphite. Doors are v expensive to buy and fit. I am also not keen on many modern doors with those long vertical handles which look like those on American fridge freezers!

Oh dear... What did they do to that poor period house?

I think that style will suit the house you’re buying OP much better. As it’s all contemporary styling, you could try Houzz for inspo. I think you’d find loads of similar interiors to get fab ideas.

American fridge freezer doors 😂 oh that’s perfect!! Many a house has been ruined by one of those doors. Can’t believe I’m after a house with a yoonique door 😂 but think it will definitely look better with a different finish.

@jojosm2 I spend way too much time looking at Houzz already but it agree it’s the best place to get inspiration. It’s hard to trust your own judgement though and I worry about making expensive mistakes - especially when this is a style of house I’m not at all family with.

• familiar

I'd move. The style you like and your house are completely different.

Appreciate this is an old thread @Sweetmelody72 but just wondering what you decided in the end? We are in a similar situation. Last house was a Victorian terrace with all original fireplaces, Minton tiles, original floor boards, coving, x2 log burners and the one we are looking at is modern and grey and just not us but it is a very good size and has a gate that backs onto woods which is perfect for our dogs 🙈 location is also perfect. But there isn’t one original, quirky or interesting feature and I’m really struggling but to find a period property would mean making other big compromises

It took me some time to remember which house and what this was all about!! It’s been such a long journey and there have been many, many houses. We looked at houses with and without character and in the end what has mattered most is location. We bought a house that has some character but built in the eighties so certainly not a period property. Think brown framed windows! But we have replaced those to something more characterful and we couldn’t be happier, although the house needs modernising throughout so we are able to do it up so that it will be more in line with our tastes (we are going for Cotswold style modern country in the house 🙈)

Your house sounds like it has a special location (woods at the end of the garden sound wonderful). Hope that helps.

Thank you so much for replying @Sweetmelody72 I appreciate that so much. Your home sounds beautiful

Your, potential, purchase house is fabulous. The front door is the worst thing and needs replacing with something stunning. Perhaps a very modern stained glass door. Look at some abstract paintings for inspiration?