While we’re not all lucky enough to live in a period Victorian property filled with stunning features such as fireplaces and high-ceilings, period features can be added to almost any home. In this blog, we’ll look at some of the easiest ways that you can add period style features to your property to help create visual interest in your rooms.
Crown and base mouldings
A fantastic way to add interest to your rooms for a very low cost is with the addition of mouldings. These mouldings provide a transition between your walls and the floor and ceiling and often feature a decorative or intricate carved pattern. Mouldings are available in a huge range of styles from traditional and rustic to modern and contemporary. Most mouldings come in a base white colour, but these can be painted to add an extra impact or to complement your existing décor.
Wainscoting
Hallways, bathrooms and utility rooms are all great candidates when it comes to wainscoting. This decorative wood panelling runs from the skirting boards up to a point about halfway up the wall. Wainscoting can include horizontal or vertical boards or planks which not only look great but are cheap to install and can be painted to help add extra style to your home.
Picture rail
A great option for anyone that has a lot of artwork and wants to easily showcase it without forever putting holes in their wall, a picture rail runs around the room at the top of the doorframe. Using a picture rail enables you to hang pictures, mirrors and other artwork using chains or wires and hooks that sit on top of the rail. Artwork height can be adjusted simply by using longer or shorter lengths of chain.
Make ceilings seem higher
Modern homes simply don’t have the high ceilings of period homes but with a little bit of creativity you can make your ceilings seem higher. To make your ceilings seem higher simply continuing your wall paint to a narrow 3 – 6inch stripe around the edge of your ceiling. This will help to give the impression that your ceiling is higher as the total area will seem smaller.
Stencil painting
While replacing your kitchen tiles for expensive patterned tiles may be expensive, using a stencil to paint them will help you achieve a similar look for a much lower budget. It’s not just tiles that you can improve with a little bit of creativity you can also use stencils to paint your walls, floors, kitchen cabinets and much more – just don’t overdo it as less is more when it comes to creating a feature.
Floor to ceiling curtains
Full length curtains with a heavy lining will add real luxury to your home without expensive remodelling costs. Pick materials such as satin to add elegance and opt for curtains with a long drop to really create a feature in your room that will dramatically enhance the look of your room.
Lighting fixtures
From pendants to lamps, the lighting in your home can have a real impact on the perceived finish of your home and the character charm. Chandeliers, wall sconces and vintage lamps are all easy ways to add extra appeal to your home.