Historical Home Design: 8 Details That Make a House Feel Like a Charming Old Home

Whether you live in an old house or a new-build home, adding these small design details will make your space feel like it belongs in a charming historical home.

We live in a 120-year-old farmhouse, but truthfully, it didn’t have much of the character and charm that you associate with a historical home when we moved in. This home was built as a functioning, utilitarian farmhouse, and updates that were made over the years prioritized practicality over aesthetics. While I appreciate our home’s roots, I always knew it could be both beautiful and functional. This home has had a lot of additions over the years, some long ago and some that we’ve added on ourselves, so my goal with this home was to make the whole home feel cohesively historical across all of its different parts. This might sound like a daunting task, but it often really comes down to small design choices. Here are some of my favorite design details that made our home feel more charming and historical.

Cabinetry with Medium-Sized Frames

Ideally, cabinetry fronts should have frames that are 2-2.5″ inches wide for a timeless look. If you want your cabinetry to look like it could be original, 3″ wide frames will often look too chunky and modern, while anything under 2″ can look too sleek.

It’s also worth noting that these frame dimensions also apply to major artwork pieces on your walls, whether these pieces are original paintings, family photos, or framed canvas prints. Following the rule of using a medium width frame instead of a really thin frame or a really wide frame will give you a timeless look that will stand the test of time.

Multiple Smaller Windows Instead of One Large One

Pictured Above: Curtains | Mirror | Rug | Similar Chair

Our modern inclination is to use windows that are as big as possible to let in a lot of light, but extra large panes of glass just weren’t widely available 100 years ago, and smaller windows were more commonly used. If you’d like a large wall of windows, consider using multiple smaller windows instead for a historical home look.

More easy home decoration ideas for old houses: DIY Skirted Cabinet

Bathroom Tile That Goes Halfway Up the Wall

Pictured Above: Tub Filler | French Market Basket | Shower Curtain (CREEKLINEHOUSE for 25% off)

If you look closely, you’ll notice that most older bathrooms feature tile that goes at least halfway up the wall. Modern bathrooms usually use very little tile to cut down on costs, so adding a little more in to your space really makes a statement. I’ll give you bonus points if you include a special little detail like the tile chair rail or marble baseboards seen here.

See more from this space: English Country Inspired Bathroom Gallery Wall

Fewer Plain Drywall Walls are Essential in a Historical Home

Plain drywall is the enemy of classic historical home style. Actually, it’s the enemy of design in general, but that’s a discussion for another day. 🙂 You may think that your freshly painted drywall is finished and just fine, but if you’re trying to achieve a home with a sense of history, they’re probably making everything you do feel a little flat. Consider adding paneling, wallpaper, or even just a little bit of trim like box molding or board and batten to add depth and personality to your space.

Millwork That Goes Beyond Basic, Even Just a Little Bit

You can nudge your home in the right direction by making millwork choices that feel even just a little bit elevated beyond what would normally be expected. Choose a 4-5″ baseboard instead of a basic 3″ height and incorporate crown molding in a few spaces in your home. Even the most inexpensive MDF crown molding from a big box hardware store can really make a big difference in a space. Consider adding plinth blocks to door casings or corner moldings for square doorways to give them an arch-like appearance.

Traditional Millwork + Unexpected Color = Magic

Pictured Above: Portrait Art | Cabinet Color: Benjamin Moore Mount Saint Anne

If you’re looking to create real wow factor in your home, paint your traditional cabinetry, trim, and other millwork in an unexpected color. We often think of traditional cabinets being white or woodtone, but this style works surprisingly well with bold color choices. Our very traditional style kitchen cabinets are painted in Benjamin Moore Mount Saint Anne.

Heritage-Inspired Prints for Curtains and Wallpaper

Pictured Above: Curtains (CREEKLINEHOUSE for 20% off) | Blue Chair | Green Floral Pillows | Stripe Pillow | Wicker Lampshade

Using old-fashioned prints like toiles, stripes, gingham, and florals really makes a big impression in a space, especially when you splash them across large surfaces like walls and curtains. Consider your prints carefully and try to stay away from anything too trendy to ensure the choices you’re making will be prints you’ll still love years from now. Soft blue has been a recurring theme in my home for many years, so when I wanted to use a color for my curtains other than plain white, I knew it would be the right choice. The soft floral pattern feels elegant and approachable at the same time.

Home decor help for DIYers: Everything You Need to Know Before Ordering Custom Curtains Online

Pictured Above: Lamp | Chandelier | Horse Print

Our new green wallpaper makes a bold statement, but feels like it’s always belonged in our home and the soft green is so easy to live with.

Plate Walls of All Kinds

Plate walls are simple and easy to install and they can be used in just about any space to bring a sense of heritage and tradition. Add a single plate, or fill an entire wall for a bold statement.

In our dining room, I created an easy plate rack using IKEA picture ledges, and it instantly made this previously purposeless space feel like a reel dining room.

My secret plate wall tucked behind the shower curtain in our bathroom is visible when you look in the mirror above the vanity and allows me to bring a few special antique pieces into a space that is otherwise made up of mostly new fixtures.

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