Have you inherited or bought a period home that is in need of a renovation or some TLC? Choosing a colour scheme that complements the architectural design of the home is one of the best ways to make it stand out. 

Most homeowners for period homes in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs can attest to the fact that choosing a colour scheme can be a somewhat scary experience because they want to make the home look new but also maintain the charm of a period home. How to do this? Here are some great ideas:

• Black and other dark colours
• Neutral shades like grey and white
• Bold versatile colours
• Mild shades of blue
• Metallic

Let’s take a  look into how the above colour schemes can be incorporated into period homes.

Black And Other Dark Colours

Are dark shades a daring choice? Absolutely, but they also add a bit of sophistication to the house. If you take a look at period homes from old photos, some property owners picked darker shades to make the whole design exceptional. Some deep shades of burgundy and maroon are the best for the exterior with the windows and fittings being white or grey.

Neutral Shades

The one feature that identifies a period home is neutral colour schemes because most of them had neutral shades. These are colours that look simple yet classy. The best options are grey and shades of white. You can also mix a bit of grey and white for different parts of the exterior.

Bold Versatile Colours

One of the best examples of such a colour is green. If you feel that a darker shade of green may be too much for all sides, it is also possible to have green on one side of the exterior. Another great colour would be navy blue. Make sure you do not get colours that are too distracting from the best features of the house.

Mild Shades Of Blue

A sky blue or baby blue will fit a period home, especially when used with a bit of white for some parts of the house. It is advisable to get the opinion of your decorator on what shades to use so that they do not end up being too mild. A light purple shade will also be great with some designs of period homes.

Metallic Colour Schemes

For this, you can go with brown, shades of gold, or coppers for a period home. Orange is one of the colours that you wouldn’t expect to complement a period home, but the truth is it looks great on certain period homes. You can talk to your decorator to get their opinion of the best metallic colour schemes to pick for the type of period home you have.

Need More Ideas?

Here are some other tips that you should look at before picking the colour scheme for your period home.

Colours That Connect To Materials Work Best – Choosing such colours will make the exterior look unique because they emulate the materials traditionally used to make the period home. 

Make Sure The Colours Balance – To make the colours and the exterior look even, it is best to balance the colours. For instance, choosing to use dark and bold colours for the top parts of the house and mild ones for the bottom may not turn out as you expect.

Maintain The Structural Integrity – While trying out new colour schemes for your period home may seem like fun, some designs will not incorporate the colour schemes you have in mind. Talking to an expert can help prevent you from making costly mistakes.

Highlight The Best Features – Make sure you put bold colour schemes on the best parts of the exterior so that you can highlight those particular features of your period home.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for an expert to help with your renovation project in the bayside suburbs, then look no further than Bayside Extensions. Check out some of the projects and homes we have successfully remodelled and renovated.

Let us know your requirements. Share with us your vision and let us help you bring them to life. Schedule an appointment now for a free consultation.

If you are planning any extensions or renovations on your bayside home, please call us at Bayside Extensions today on 03 9596 0368 or leave an inquiry. 

Brighton is one of the more affluent suburbs in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs. Residents are lucky to be close to the city while enjoying one of the best beach views in Australia. 

There are a lot of modern homes in Brighton however, there are a few beautiful exceptions. Period homes in Brighton are becoming very rare so if you are living in one and are looking to update or renovate the interior, this article is for you.

We have come up with 5 interior design ideas perfect for your period home in Brighton. 

1). Combine Modern Design Against Old Pieces

Just because you live in an older home does not mean the interior and everything in it has to be old too. For example, you can hang modern paintings and other ornamental pieces above your restored fireplace. 

Or, you can hang pendant lighting fixtures to complement your wooden beams on the ceiling. This is a great way to accentuate interior architecture. Another way is to put fluffy white rugs against the original hardwood floors.

Mixing in some contemporary furniture is also another way to freshen up the home interior. Modern and old can work well if done right. 

2). Go All White And White Hues

Use some beach vibes to bring your period property back to life. You are right by the beach after all! Going for that beachy feel does not always mean steering wheels from boats and lifesavers on the walls. 

Bringing in white furniture or fluffy white pillows and carpets can do the trick. Play with the white colour. There are so many white hues that will make the home look vibrant and feel fresh – things you feel when you are at the beach. 

3). Go With Small Splashes Of Colour

Choose your colour schemes carefully. For example, paint the walls and ceilings with neutral tones. This way you can play with splashes of colours with the furniture, decorations, accessories, appliances, and fixtures.

• Modern colourful paintings
• A brightly coloured ottoman
• Gold or bronze plumbing fixtures
• Black or bronze doorknobs and cabinet handles

The key is to keep the pops of colour scattered around the house in small doses. Keep the rest of the house neutral, maintain sleek and clean lines. By keeping it classy with the colours, you are maintaining the classic theme and period style of your home while elevating the aesthetics with modern touches and colours.

4). Add Cozy Touches To Soften Up The Space

Add modern and soft touches to your period home. Mix the old and the new and create a cosy ambience by adding the following accessories:

• Shag pile rugs
• Textured cushions
• Knitted blankets
• Snuggly pillows
• Fluffy footstools

5). Create A Modern Retro Wall

Decorate your walls with modern art. Go for the retro theme to get the right balance between modern and old. Introduce something unexpected or unusual in your living room or dining room through art like:

• Paintings
• Sculptures
• Trinkets
• Antique plates and vases

Important Interior Decorating Tips:

• Highlight your period home’s classic features instead of hiding or covering them up.
• Decorate to enhance the original features, not overpower them.
• Stick to neutral paint colours so you have more room to play with colours when it comes to furniture, fixtures, accessories, decorations, etc.
• Plan ahead.
• Consult professional designers and contractors during the planning stage. Period homes are harder to decorate and come with some interior design challenges, so it‘s better to do it with professionals who know what they are doing.
• Keep it classy and simple.
• Avoid imitation pieces. 
• Set a budget and a reasonable timeframe.

The interior designing of a period home is challenging because you are not dealing with a clean slate. Most of the space, including the layout and furnishings, are outdated. Finding pieces to complement and enhance the classic design of the house can be tough. 

Save time and money (and a major headache) by hiring interior design experts who can do the job right according to your preference and with fewer mistakes. Hire local companies who are not just experts in design but also experts when it comes to Brighton culture and style.

Interior design mistakes are costly. Make sure you do it right the first time. Do it with Bayside Extensions. Check out some of the projects and homes we have successfully remodelled and renovated.

Let us know your requirements. Share with us your vision and let us help you bring them to life. Schedule an appointment now for a free consultation. Let your period home stand out and be the envy of Brighton.

If you are planning any extensions and renovations on your period home in Brighton, please call us at Bayside Extensions today on 03 9596 0368 or leave an inquiry.