Renovating a country house: blending tradition and modernity

When you renovate a country house you want preserve its architectural authenticity and incorporate modern home comforts.

Here are seven tips for modernising and renovating a country house:

Country houses can be dark.

You might love the cosy feeling you get from your home’s thick walls and small windows, but you don't want to keep your lights turned on all day.

One solution to this problem is to strategically channel natural daylight with roof windows, making your home brighter, warmer and more welcoming. If regulations and the structure of your home allows, strategically place your roof windows to draw attention to your home's internal architectural features.

When you upgrade your insulation your old, country house will become much more comfortable.

If your countryside house is poorly insulated, it will lose a lot of heat and it will be difficult to control your indoor temperature all year round, leading to unnecessarily high energy bills. It can also cause humidity and mould and make your home feel unwelcoming.

Invest in high-quality thermal insulation to reduce heat loss in winter and keep your home cool in summer. You’ll get a more comfortable and energy-efficient home as a result.

In addition to insulating the walls and roof of your property, consider boosting your home’s insulation further by replacing existing windows with double-glazed models.

With narrow corridors, multiple small rooms and bulky heating systems, the layout of many old country houses is not conducive to modern day lifestyles. 

An interior makeover can help you overcome this layout problem and modernise your country house.

You could, for example, knock down walls to create an open-plan kitchen, diner and entertainment space. Or turn a bathroom into an ensuite by linking it to your master bedroom.

Making under-used areas of your country home, such as the loft or an adjoining outbuilding, into living spaces will also help to make the most of your space.

To make your country house more comfortable and safer, without sacrificing its period charm, modernise your heating system and bring your electrics and plumbing up to date.

When you incorporate the latest technology into your country home you make it more comfortable, secure, energy efficient and cheaper to run.

Take a look at smart devices for a healthier home with VELUX. 

With VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO you can automate the opening and closing of your roof windows and shutters to control the amount of fresh air and light entering your home.

Historic features, such as exposed wooden beams, terracotta floors and leaded windows, are part of the beauty of your farmhouse or barn conversion. 

If your home is within a conservation area, or you’re conscious of protecting the historical façade, VELUX offer a range of specially designed Conservation roof windows. 

Preserving these helps to retain your country house’s character and heritage. 

In addition to standard planning permissions and building regulations, if your country house is in a conservation area or is listed, your renovation may need to comply with additional regulations to preserve its historic and aesthetic integrity. 

An architect or interior designer will be able to help you navigate the rules and regulations surrounding the renovation of your country house. They may also come up with ideas that you haven’t considered, suggest materials, oversee your project and help you stay within budget to create a modern, comfortable and energy-efficient home that stays true to its heritage.

Renovating a country house can be expensive, but you may find that you’re eligible for grants and subsidies to help with the cost. If you own a particularly rare, listed property in England, you may be able to apply for a grant to help support its renovation through Historic England. If your property is in Scotland, try Historic Environment Scotland. In Wales, try the Cadw’s Historic Buildings Grant programme and in Northern Ireland, try the Historic Environment Fund. 

There are also grants and subsidies available to help you make your home more energy efficient. You can find out more on the UK government website*.

Renovating an old house can be expensive and you may come across a few unexpected additional costs along the way.

Here are five tips to help you stay within budget:

Working with an architect, project manager and qualified contractors is key to the success of your project.

These professionals can provide detailed and accurate estimates on the costs of materials, labour and other aspects of your work. Their expertise will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Set aside an additional 10-20% of your budget to cover unexpected costs, such as the discovery of damp.

Beyond immediate expenses, think about your future costs. Your country home will require regular maintenance.

Choosing sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems, however, will result in significant savings on your energy bills and maintenance costs in the long term.

Your choice of materials and technology will impact the cost of your project. Choose materials that offer good value for money without compromising on quality or aesthetics.

Consider adding modern technological solutions, such as efficient heating, cooling and home automation systems. These will increase the functionality, value and comfort of your country home.

VELUX smart technology, for example, enables you to control your roof window shutters remotely.

Last, but by no means least, gather all the above information on a spreadsheet and list all the required works and the budget for each job.

This will be your compass for ensuring that your renovation project stays within budget.

Don't forget to include costs for permits and architect's fees. Compare a few quotes before you start. 

To find reasonably priced country houses, or even country estates with lots of land, look in less popular locations that aren’t touristy.

Buying a property for a low price requires patience, persistence and flexibility. Visit several properties to get a feel for the market and what’s available. 

Consider properties that require work; they are often offered at more affordable prices. Property auctions are a good place to look for bargains. 

If you have time, patience, and possibly a place to live while your work is being carried out, consider a property in a very poor state of repair. Finding a ruin to renovate can be an exciting adventure for people looking to create their dream home from scratch.

Make sure that you can afford to puy the property and renovate it and check the viability of essential services, such as water and electricity.

Renovating a country house is more than a renovation project; it’s a labour of love.

Whether you're transforming a country cottage, or a barn into a permanent residence, VELUX can help guide you through the complexities of the renovation, from planning to incorporating innovative solutions, such as roof windows.

Our team of daylight experts listen and adapt our solutions to the unique history of your home, ensuring a renovation that respects its character.