Uncovering the Potential Hiding in Your 90s Home
We have been living in our 1990s home for just over two years now, and I thought it was high time for a status report! You see, my husband and I have been on a mission to update our dated abode on a shoestring budget, and we’ve made some remarkable progress.
As I shared on Erin Zubot’s blog, there were a few common 90s-era design elements that really stood out in our home – things like dark, outdated paint colors, tired light fixtures, awkward architectural features, and worn-out plumbing and hardware. But with a little elbow grease and creative thinking, we’ve been able to transform these eyesores into stylish, modern spaces that truly feel like our own.
The Power of a Fresh Coat of Paint
The single biggest impact we’ve made? Painting, painting, and more painting! When we first moved in, the entire house was awash in deep, dreary shades of brown and red. It was so gloomy and dated. But once we started rolling on vibrant, airy colors, the transformation was instantly remarkable.
Suddenly, our once-somber rooms felt light, bright, and so much more inviting. And the best part? Paint is one of the most budget-friendly ways to make over a space. We did all the painting ourselves, saving a bundle compared to hiring professional painters.
Swapping Out Lighting Fixtures
Another easy win? Updating the light fixtures throughout our home. The 90s was a time when builders seemed to love those bulky, flush-mount ceiling lights with fluorescent bulbs – you know the ones. Thankfully, it was a straightforward process to swap those out for sleek, modern pendant lights and sconces.
Not only does the new lighting look infinitely more stylish, but it also provides a warmer, more flattering glow. Plus, energy-efficient LED bulbs help us save on our electricity bills. It’s a win-win all around!
Eliminating Awkward Architectural Features
One of the more challenging – but also most rewarding – projects we tackled was addressing the weird architectural elements that were remnants of the 90s design era. You know the ones I’m talking about – those odd wall niches, cutouts, and ledges that just felt… out of place.
In our home, we had several of these odd features, and they were true dust traps. But with some careful drywall work, we were able to frame them over and make the walls seamless. It took some elbow grease, but the end result was so worth it. Our rooms feel so much more clean and cohesive now.
Refreshing Plumbing and Hardware
While cosmetic updates like paint and lighting made a huge difference, we also turned our attention to some of the more functional (but no less important) elements of our home. Things like outdated plumbing fixtures and worn door hardware.
Swapping out faucets, showerheads, and cabinet pulls may not sound glamorous, but these small changes can really elevate the look and feel of a space. And the best part is, many of these updates can be done DIY-style, without requiring major plumbing work.
Modernizing Tricky Layouts
Perhaps one of the most significant transformations we’ve made was tackling the awkward layout of our main living areas. When we first moved in, the focal point of our living room was a clunky, three-sided fireplace that made furniture arrangement a real headache.
But by removing that dated feature and installing a sleek, modern electric fireplace on a different wall, we were able to create a much more functional and visually appealing space. The new layout allows for a more natural flow and makes it so much easier to arrange our seating.
At ABC Home in Aberdeen, we pride ourselves on helping homeowners like us uncover the hidden potential in their dated properties. Through a strategic blend of cosmetic updates and strategic layout changes, we’ve been able to breathe new life into our 90s home without breaking the bank.
Tackling Room by Room
Now that I’ve shared some of the overarching principles we’ve used to transform our 1990s home, let me take you on a room-by-room journey of our renovation journey so far.
The Formal Dining Room
When we first moved in, the formal dining room was one of the rooms that needed the most attention. The previous owners had installed these massive, ornate pillars that really weighed down the space. So the first order of business was to remove those, along with the awkward drywall box that was hanging from the ceiling.
With those architectural eyesores gone, we were able to give the room a fresh coat of paint and install some classic box trim molding. It instantly felt so much brighter and more inviting. We didn’t end up replacing the hardwood floors, since they were in decent shape, but a new area rug and some updated furniture really pulled the space together.
The Main Floor Reno
After tacklingthe dining room, we turned our attention to the main living areas – the kitchen, living room, and connecting hallways. This was a big, messy project, but the payoff was huge.
We started by removing all the weird ledges, niches, and cutouts that dotted the walls. Then it was time for another round of painting, this time covering the drab browns and reds with light, airy shades. The new color palette made such a difference, instantly making the space feel more open and welcoming.
To finish things off, we added classic box trim molding throughout, which gave the rooms a real sense of architectural interest. It was a ton of work, but by DIYing the whole thing, we were able to achieve a high-end look on a modest budget.
Revamping the Living Room
One of the most dramatic transformations in our home has been the living room. When we first moved in, the focal point of the space was that awkward, three-sided fireplace that I mentioned earlier. It just felt so dated and made arranging furniture a real headache.
So we made the bold decision to rip it out and start fresh. In its place, we installed a sleek, modern electric fireplace with a beautiful antique mantel. Not only does this new setup look infinitely more stylish, but it also allows for a much more functional furniture layout.
We also gave the walls a fresh coat of paint and added some shiplap accents to create a cozy, farmhouse-inspired vibe. The end result is a living room that truly feels like an extension of our family’s personality.
The Hallway Makeover
While we were working on the main living spaces, we also gave the hallways a much-needed refresh. This often-overlooked area had been plagued by dated light fixtures and tired, builder-grade door hardware.
But with a few simple swaps – new light fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, and updated door handles – the hallways went from drab to fab. It’s amazing how these small changes can really elevate the look and feel of a space. Now, whenever we walk through the halls, we’re greeted by a bright, cheerful atmosphere instead of a dreary, forgotten corridor.
Tackling the Bedrooms
Moving upstairs, we’ve also been able to transform the bedrooms in our home, starting with my daughter’s room. One of the first things we tackled was removing the popcorn ceiling – a quintessential 90s feature that we were eager to get rid of.
Then, we gave the walls a fresh coat of paint and got creative with a custom light fixture made from cedar shims. It’s a fun, DIY touch that really speaks to my daughter’s personality. And since then, she’s been in charge of the rest of the decorating, putting her own stamp on the space.
In our own master bedroom, we chose a soothing, neutral color palette that feels like a serene oasis. It’s my favorite room in the whole house! And the best part is, with the major structural changes behind us, any future updates will be simple, cosmetic changes rather than major renovations.
The Kids’ Bathroom Makeover
One of the more recent projects we completed was the kids’ bathroom. This small but mighty space had a lot of 90s-era features that needed updating – think outdated tile, dated fixtures, and a generic, builder-grade aesthetic.
Rather than ripping everything out and starting from scratch, we focused on strategic updates that would modernize the look without blowing our budget. We chose timeless tile and plumbing fixtures, but then incorporated a bold, vibrant paint color on the walls to give the space some real personality.
The end result is a bathroom that feels both stylish and playful – a perfect reflection of our family’s fun-loving spirit. And because we kept the major elements neutral, it’ll be easy to switch up the decor down the road if our tastes change.
What’s Next for Our 90s Home?
As you can probably tell, we’ve been busy bees over the last couple of years, working our way through room after room in our 1990s house. But the journey is far from over! We’ve still got plenty of projects on our to-do list as we continue to breathe new life into our home.
The Master Bathroom Overhaul
One of the bigger undertakings we have planned for 2023 is a complete master bathroom renovation. This space has been a real head-scratcher for us, with some tricky layout challenges to overcome. But we finally landed on a design that we’re really excited about.
Just like the approach we took in the kids’ bathroom, we’re going to focus on timeless materials and fixtures that will stand the test of time. But we’ll also have some fun with the decor, incorporating bold pops of color and pattern.
It’s going to be a big project, with a decent price tag too. But we’re confident that by doing as much of the work ourselves as possible, we can achieve the luxurious, spa-like retreat we envision without breaking the bank.
Refreshing the Home Office
Another space that’s been on our radar is my home office. As someone who spends a significant amount of time working from this room, I’m really eager to transform it into a functional, inspiring workspace.
Right now, it’s a bit of a jumbled mess, with a murphy bed that eats up valuable storage space and a desk that’s not optimally positioned. I’ve got some ideas brewing to streamline the layout and incorporate more clever storage solutions.
Plus, a fresh coat of paint, some new lighting, and a few thoughtful decor touches will go a long way in making this room feel like a true oasis rather than just a functional workspace. It’s a project I’m really excited to tackle in the coming year.
Transforming the Unfinished Spaces
Of course, as we continue to methodically work our way through the main living areas of our home, we also have our sights set on some of the unfinished spaces, like the basement and garage.
The basement, in particular, has a lot of untapped potential. We’ve got a wet bar, a home theater room, and a rec area down there that are all in need of some TLC. Our goal is to transform these spaces into cozy, inviting hangout spots without going overboard on the budget.
A little bit of DIY elbow grease, some strategic furniture rearranging, and a few thoughtful decor choices will go a long way in breathing new life into these forgotten areas.
And then there’s the garage – a project that’s near and dear to my husband’s heart. He’s been itching to turn this functional space into his own personal man cave, complete with custom storage solutions, a cozy seating area, and maybe even a mini-bar. It’ll be a labor of love, for sure, but I’m excited to see his vision come to life.
Embracing the Journey
As you can probably tell, my husband and I have been on quite the renovation journey over the last couple of years, and we’re nowhere near done yet! But that’s part of the fun – taking a dated, 90s-era home and slowly transforming it into a space that truly reflects our family’s personality and style.
It’s been a lot of hard work, to be sure, but the payoff of seeing our vision come to life has been so rewarding. And the best part is, we’ve been able to accomplish all of this on a modest budget by rolling up our sleeves and doing the bulk of the work ourselves.
So if you’re the proud owner of a 1990s home like ours, take heart! With a little creativity, elbow grease, and strategic planning, you can absolutely transform your space into a true reflection of your family’s style and personality – without breaking the bank. It’s a journey, for sure, but one that’s well worth taking.
