Ideas to spruce up a 1960s house

9 years ago

Hello all. I'm new to houzz so please go easy on me! We've just purchased the house below and I'm keen to hear suggestions and ideas to add kerb appeal and really spruce up the interior.

The property currently has 3 bedrooms and as you can see from the picture of the front of the property, there is a garage and utility to the side aspect and we have savings to build a second storey extension which will house the master bedroom and en suite.

What I don't particular like is the front door nor the windows. I have considered a porch and would welcome suggestions.

As you can see from the interior photographs this property hasn't been updated. We're thinking of a relatively modern kitchen. It's over 5 metres wide but only 3.5 metres wide. The hallway needs a new balustrade, carpet, doors etc.

Thanks for any thoughts and I won't be offended by any comments!

Featured Answer

n247080

9 years ago

Congratulations on your new home! it's really given you a lot of nice features to work with to make it feel more "your own". I would recommend you not rush to make changes. Live there a bit and keep a record of the features you really like and those that annoy you. Get to know how the light flows throughout the day, which windows you enjoy looking out of, the places you gravitate to after a long day at work, etc. Look at other homes that are similar to your own to see what others have done. Think about what colors you enjoy being surrounded by. Look for furniture and art and rugs that really speak to you and buy them. Painting the walls should come later on, once you know what furniture, rugs and art you want. Major structural changes should also come later, once you know what really annoys you or what you find is missing that you wish was there. Settle in and enjoy the process.

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Comments (35)

Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the advice. We've certainly purchased potential! The garden is south facing and the current owners haven't really harnessed the natural light.

We quite like retro styling with a modern twist but have never bought a property which required updating before.
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Hi Ben, I am inclined to agree with Design Bi-folds but it is tough when you are in a row like that as it is nice to take into account you surroundings too and not make it stick out like a sore thumb against its back drop.. although sometimes this is what people want. What do you want? Have you looked at the other properties? have any had their windows redone or pulled up the slabs to make way for a garden area at the front? What style do you have in side? If your budget is fairly small I would consider painting the cladding in a contemporary colour and some foliage in the front and especially up the side of the wall would make a great difference to the feel of the property. If it is larger then replacing windows and doors plus creating a small front garden area and if it is even larger then rendering the front with aluminium windows and door is definitely your best option. You have lots of options so do not lose hope. If you require any further assistance with anything, please do feel free to drop us a message. All the best, Gina
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if you are on a budget - then you really need to focus you spend on key elements that will improve the build and/or add value. so work with the tiles etc. it won't look good being different and may actually devalue. but think new front door and ideally frame is a good idea - perhaps in a hard wood. also consider the window treatments eg roller blinds or voiles etc and how they will look from the reverse eg outside. this can be an easy way to smarten the front. and yes to some simple/architectural planting. the garage door could also be toned down to blend rather than be a 'feature' so you focus on entrance
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Can you not have a larger or double door?? Its a big entrance so I would say definitely a pitched roof and then I would centralise the door with window either side. Its difficult as I don't know if that's a possibility with the layout of what is behind the door. My idea for the garden would be do away with the bit of grass on the right but keep some colour and planting to the left. You could add a couple of pots with buxus in either side of the door and think about some nice lighting! How exciting. It will be gorgeous
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mrsmcee74
9 years ago
There's great inspiration and ideas for exteriors here, just have a look through the before and after gallery - amazing transformations! http://www.backtofrontexteriordesign.com/mobile/index.html
n247080
9 years ago
For me, if there were one thing I would like to change right away in your home it's the staircase. I would put in a new railing with softer lines and that you can feel comfortable holding as you're going up and down. I'd put in spindles to allow more light onto the stair steps. I'd put in an interesting post at the bottom or swirl the railing towards the hallway and make the last step more of a landing that has a rounded edge that allows the first step up from any angle.

Then I'd remove the carpet on the stairs simply because carpet on stairs is VERY hard to clean. (voice of experience) I love the feel of it on my bare feet so I still have mine, but I loathe cleaning them. I would put in stained wood steps and add a carpet runner that can be pulled out periodically for deep cleaning if you still want carpet on the stairs. Then I'd make that space under the stairs more useful to me. Open it up. Put in a reading nook. Put in shelving. Put in more doors for more storage. Whatever suites your lifestyle. It appears to be the first thing you see when you come into your home. Make it welcoming.
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
@mrsmcee74, funnily enough I came across their website when googling for ideas. Thank you.

@n I really like your suggestions of a reading nook or shelves. There is a door on the end which is useful storage but it would be lovely to have some useful shelving and a little seating area for my two sons to read and draw!

I came across this hallway as a good example of creating light and space with a nice balustrade. I'm going to go and look up ideas for under-stairs space! :)
lanmara
9 years ago
your house reminds me of a renovation project I saw on TV recently - they had a big budget but it might give you some ideas http://www.rte.ie/tv/roomtoimprove/dundrum_gallery.html
minnie101
9 years ago
Hi. Congratulations! A couple of kitchen ideas for you. Not sure if this is similar to what you're after. Ignore the actual layouts. Given the length of the kitchen I assume you'll fit everything similar to how it is now? If so, I think you should be able to get a small table or narrow island in there? Images are from photokitchenblog and Robert kaner interior design
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks both. We've got in the region of £50k for the extension and improvements. Now that I have the full survey back I think we're going to need every penny! Nothing drastic like wet / dry rot, subsidence or damp but electrics, flooring etc will all need sorting in the extended / garage area.
minnie101
9 years ago
50k could go quite far if you're careful. I suppose it's a case of working out what you need to prioritise and what you can live with until budget permits. We had the dry rot issue which had spread from the basement into our newly decorated lounge with expensive wallpaper and new floor! But I'm very glad you don't have that issue! Definitely shop around for quotes though, they do vary hugely
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
@ minnie, have you ever done work that required an architect? I'm getting mixed messages about whether you need to work with a qualified architect or someone like these guys http://www.masdesignconsultants.com/
PRO
Finn Gheury Architecture
9 years ago
Trevor,
It's more important to find someone who you work well with and understands what you are trying to achieve rather than an RIBA or ARB registered Architect.
Finn.
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Finn, sage advice. Much appreciated.
minnie101
9 years ago
Whomever you choose do your own homework well. You are offered some protection with a legally registered architect as i believe they have to adopt a Code of Practice etc so there is recourse. We've had a bad experience with someone whom isn't registered but that may be one bad apple. I certainly wouldn't say they need to be registered, I believe it just means you can legally practice under the title architect (as said the regulatory body themself!)
mrsmcee74
9 years ago
Don't know if you've ever come across this, I read about it last year and it piqued my interest for future projects:
http://www.architect-yourhome.com/
Emma Chapman
9 years ago
mrsmcee74 - we used architect your home in London about 8 years ago. They were fabulous. The premise is that you can buy as much/little time as you need from them. We bought their minimum 4 hour "napkin" drawing stage because we were renovating a flat and were convinced we could get a second bathroom in. Not only did he get a second bathroom in, but got us to relook at the space and we ended up with a fabulous basement kitchen/living room and therefore a bigger upstairs main living room that would have been the only living space. Of course it wasn't the budget we originally anticipated - but we LOVE the flat. Could have added more time to get detailed drawings, or have them oversee the whole project. We really liked the flexibility of the company.
Jo DP
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Love 60's homes! The light! before you consider interior furnishings/styles...change all the windows & doors. Some long large windows at the back in the kitchen, or perhaps some french windows. Do not follow the top window opening style at the front. No upvc front door even if you have upvc windows...make them narrow double doors, with a wooden frame & perhaps long side windows if you keep a single door with opaque glass. A house number etched onto the glass also looks great & immediately suggests an interesting interior. Also , personally, I do not like to follow the original footprint of the window. Remember sinks do not have to go under windows & small run of long windows onto that south facing garden would be great. Lovely home...Good luck.
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi Jo DP, many thanks for your comments. I love the idea of a massive window in the kitchen and also the double doors for the front. My wife and I have discussed the same thing. If you have any examples that you like then I'd be interested to see them. Thanks again.
Jo DP
9 years ago
Hi, Trevor..I actually transformed a 60's bungalow ..i will try & get some photos if you bear with me as I am hopeless at this..it may have to be much later. I have done up lots of houses but feel there is nothing nicer to live than the previously underrated 60'/70's era. They make the most wonderful happy feeling houses & are really coming in to their own now that people are appreciating them more & more.
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi again Jo..I think photos can be attached to every post you make so if you're using an iPad then you just need to take a photo with the iPad, then click on Attach a Photo and then choose it from your library. Hold on and I'll upload some more photos of the house we're buying.
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Jo, here are some more. I'm sure you've seen this type of decoration plenty of times!
Jo DP
9 years ago
Trevor, I forgot to say, i would forgo the porch for now as money could be better spent on changing the existing windows & doors. Mrsmcee's photos of the windows in the 2nd house transformation look great. Also, if you can bear it, I think it makes sense to spend every penny on the "bones" of the house even if it means living in an undecorated space for some time. Don't try & do everything at once & then the transformation will start speaking to you!
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
So as you can see, the downstairs has three reception rooms and a large, long kitchen.

I'm thinking of wooden floors in the living room with wallpaper like this http://pinterest.com/pin/A2svagAQwH8FJVZsNtQAAAA/

We already have 60s style sofas and armchair from John Lewis in dark grey and pale green.
Jo DP
9 years ago
O.K> I will try & do it later today.! yes, seen that decor before. i tend to rip it all out & paint everything brilliant white to begin with & live with the concrete floors ( I happen to love them!). Those double doors would be transformed by just putting in clear glass or removing them altogether if you are not going to keep them & start living with the space from the start.
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes, our main idea is to simply paint everything white and then as we get used to living there we can then be more precise about what we want. The bulk of our savings is going to go on the extension so at the moment we're unclear how much we'll have left.

Typically how much would it cost to change all the windows in no house like this with 3 bedrooms?
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
And with the double doors, we intend to change the glass to toughened, clear glass as we have two young boys and a dog. We'll get more light that way too.
Jo DP
9 years ago
Ha! an idea...one of our houses, the bungalow, is up for sale with Verity Frearson estate agents in harrogate & may give you an idea of what I have done to it. Its been up for sale for 3 weeks & we have 3 buyers in waiting (with houses to sell.) Its on their website & is 18 leadhall drive. When we bought it, it had upvc doors, & caravan windows at the front for privacy. At the back it had a utility room & a warren of little rooms with small windows commanding the best views of the south facing garden. The green in the bedroom photo isn't qyite as vile as it may look in the photo. If i did it again I would probably use steel/ aluminium windows at the back.
I also love just one large picture window too. the doors internally, where they are not glass double doors, are the dordogne doors from Howdens which are very reasonable & add seem to suit many styles of houses rather than the usual panelled door. Mine are painted but they can be left wooden.
we have another house, a victorian town house, but this is our favourite as it is like being on holiday each morning even in winter.
Jo DP
9 years ago
Also, is that your dining room overlooking the garden? I would be temped to swop the sitting room round as it is used usually more & nothing is nicer than sitting overlooking the garden. If i am wrong, ignore me!
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Jo, can you send me a link or let me know how many bedrooms it is?
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Oh, I've found it! Hold on and I'll have a good look :)
Jo DP
9 years ago
it is 4 bedrooms but it think if you google verity frearson harrogate & go onto sales we are on the 2nd page. You may not like it!
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
I love it, especially all the social areas with the big windows. Where is the fireplace from?
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Jo, yes, the dining room overlooks the south facing garden. I hadn't considered swapping the rooms around.
Juliet Docherty
9 years ago
Fab house. I would put in an Urban Front oak door on exterior with long sidelight and maybe oak garage door. I find 'over done' 1960's a bit clinical so mix with beautifully crafted items from that era such as old leather chairs, abstract art and studio ceramics.
Trevor Yong
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks colourhappy. I absolutely love Urban Front and will certainly contact them. Are we talking £000s for a front door or £hundreds?
pilarj
9 years ago
Congrats & good luck! Have a look at the estate agency The Modern House for inspiration. Enjoy it! If you can bear it wait and get used to the house to see what works and what doesn't. Personally I would paint the walls white just to get a fresh look while waiting to do all the work. We used SKG for floor to ceiling sliding doors on the whole back wall of the house and they are great! We also moved our kitchen into what was the garage and opened up the whole ground floor so we have a sitting area, kitchen & dining room open onto each other as well as a lovely living room upstairs.

Ideas to spruce up a 1960s house

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