How to Live Comfortably in a Historic Home

Old houses just feel different, well, in the best way possible, of course, there’s this predictive living aspect that modern homes surprisingly neglect (as a lot of modern homes are more geared towards aesthetics and trends).

But anyway, with older homes, the moment someone walks in, there’s a weight to them. The ceilings are higher, the walls feel thicker, and nothing feels rushed or temporary. And yeah, that’s usually the whole reason people fall in love with them. There’s history baked into the structure. 

But of course, the challenge shows up later, when real life kicks in, and comfort becomes a priority because modern comfort matters, obviously.

But forcing it the wrong way can make an old house feel uncomfortable in a way that’s hard to explain, like it’s constantly arguing with itself. It sounds weird, but it’s true. There’s this clash; it doesn’t look neat, it doesn’t look cozy, it’s just pretty apparent there’s this clash.

Just Let the House Speak First, Before Adding Anything New

So, it’s best to start right here. Historic homes already have a strong voice. There’s the layout, the proportions, the way rooms connect, it’s all intentional. Trying to override that with bold modern choices usually creates tension, even if everything looks “nice” on its own.

With that said, just keep in mind that comfort comes more easily when the house is allowed to lead. Old homes weren’t designed for constant rearranging or wide-open everything. Of course, modern homes are designed for that, but not necessarily the older ones.

Instead, they were built for rooms that had jobs. Like, there’s the sitting rooms, the dining rooms are for dining. Spaces felt purposeful, and so leaning into that structure doesn’t make a home less livable. It often makes it feel calmer and more grounded, which, yeah, is a kind of comfort all on its own. But that’s the perk here: each room was created for an intended purpose.

Windows are Where Old and New Can Actually Agree

Which makes decorating and making the space comfortable become super easy. Windows are one of the rare places where modern comfort and historic charm really can work together without fighting.

Other than the glass itself, usually the windows don’t change much in shape, well, not often at least, it’s usually left the same. Now, sure, there’s no denying here that drafts, light control, and privacy all matter, but scale matters just as much.

The problem is, heavy modern treatments can overpower original windows and throw everything off.  And if you take a look at older homes, you’re usually going to find shutters (they’re usually custom-made and match the framing of the window to give a tailored look), or it might be drapes, and this can work pretty well for a modern window treatment solution. 

Actually, even roman shades work, especially ones with fun patterns or fabric, because they have this elegant look to them (but be sure it’s tailored to your windows). But the whole goal here is to avoid adding visual noise; you don’t want it  “loud” because “loud” just doesn’t particularly complement an old house. 

Silence isn’t the Goal in an Old House

Yes, being “loud” and “visual noise’ were both mentioned above, no doubt there. But even so, it doesn’t mean that it’s not okay for the home itself to be loud, like, to be lived in.

So, take a look at some modern magazines, and you’ll see for yourself that modern homes are built to be quiet. But old homes, well, not so much. For example, the floors creak, the walls carry sound, and the doors have weight. So, just trying to erase all of that usually leads to frustration.

But comfort in historic homes often comes from accepting that liveliness is part of the experience. Well, that, and softening the sound instead of eliminating it completely, creates warmth. But of course, a house that’s totally silent can feel oddly wrong when it’s meant to feel layered and alive. And yeah, that gentle background noise often becomes comforting over time.

Stop Trying to Make the House Pretend It’s Younger

Is this one controversial? Maybe. You have to keep in mind that modern design loves the idea of hiding things. No, really, it does, just think about all of those IKEA showrooms and even their catalogs, it’s the perfect example. You’ve got the concealed storage, flush finishes, everything tucked away until it almost disappears. In an old house, that instinct can feel wrong fast.

But historic homes weren’t meant to feel empty. Just look at pictures of older houses; they have life, they have color, they have a lot.

Basically, they want substance; they don’t work with that minimalist look. They want things to exist visibly and honestly. Instead of modern concealed storage, it’s storage that looks like it belongs tends to feel more comfortable long-term than something trying not to be seen. You’ve got hutches, linen closets, buffet cabinets, and so on.

Comfort isn’t About Trends

There’s this idea floating around that comfort equals new, streamlined, and ultra-modern. But honestly, comfort has more to do with how a space supports everyday habits than how updated it looks. Like, old houses shine when comfort is subtle.

Well, that and seating that actually encourages people to sit and talk, not just stare at a screen (okay, that was still an aspect too there’s no denying that). 

Plus, the rooms felt balanced instead of oversized. And overall, the key here is, spaces just didn’t try too hard. When comfort grows out of how the home is lived in, everything feels more natural. And yeah, that’s way more sustainable than chasing trends.

Just Accept that Imperfection is Part of the Comfort

Well, here’s where a lot of people get stuck, and that’s just trying to make an old house feel perfect. Meaning, having the straight lines, flawless finishes, everything polished until it barely looks lived in.

Yeah, good luck, unless you want your old house to look like a museum, like the palace in Versailles, well, you’re not getting that. Old houses are beautiful, but riddled with so many flaws, and you have to be comfortable with embracing these imperfections. 

---

Our writers like to find the latest trends in home decor. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs.