Preserving chic, historic homes provides a feeling of nostalgia. Even with an absurd amount of effort, it’s impossible to rebuild homes from the past truly. There’s no proper way to capture the timeless feel of a home built in the early 1900s. And while historic homes need their charm preserved, there are other aspects that you can undoubtedly change without destroying their history. Adding smart upgrades to your home will make your home more comfortable and provide the proper security and efficiency that most modern homes have. Whether you want to install smart door locks with vintage-style hardware, add underfloor heating systems for better efficiency, or install air purifiers, you can upgrade your home without breaking the bank.
Install Smart Thermostats

If you live in a historic home, it struggles with proper insulation, especially during the coldest and warmest months of the year. This is where smart thermostats like Nest or Ecobee come in. You can control the thermostat remotely from your phone. Smart thermostats will also teach you heating and cooling habits and help you adjust them to optimize energy efficiency. A heating and cooling system that adjusts to your lifestyle is one of the most incredible ways to save money and one less thing to consider.
Energy-Efficient Storm Windows

While preserving the original frames, incorporate energy-efficient storm windows to retain heat and air conditioning while protecting your home from potential storms. These windows reduce drafts, increase overall comfort, lower energy bills, and reduce potential noise pollution from nearby streets. By keeping the original frames of your home, you’ll protect the vintage, timeless look with a modern update.
Seal Drafts

Weatherproofing solutions work well to seal drafts. These also match historic materials, successfully preserving your home and saving money on your energy bill. There are tons of options to choose from. You can use weatherstripping, draft stoppers, door sweeps, or thermal curtains to seal drafts while preserving your home’s original doors and windows. You’ll also want to seal drafts to create a healthier indoor environment by preventing dust and dirt from entering your home.
Install Energy-Efficient Lighting

For energy-efficient lighting, consider using LEDs with vintage-style bulbs. You can also use lamps you find at the thrift store, but use energy-efficient lightbulbs. Energy-efficient lights can lower your energy bill while preserving your home’s vintage aesthetic. Display these lamps around your home as decoration and strategic lighting. It’s better to use LED lights in areas where you frequently use lamps, like kitchens or bathrooms.
Solar Panels

Solar panels are one of the most innovative ways to reduce energy bills and go green for the environment. Incorporate solar panels with hidden or backyard installations to keep them out of sight. They’ll get the job done without getting in the way! These work well in historic homes since they’re easy to install while preserving your home’s aesthetic.
Smart Blinds

Install smart blinds or shades to improve insulation, a common issue in historic homes. This energy-efficient solution will keep drafts from entering your home while keeping the conditioning inside. By adding smart blinds, you can keep your vintage, historic windows and preserve them precisely as they are.
Underfloor Heating Systems

Upgrade to an underfloor heating system without adding or using a radiator for better efficiency. These do well in historic homes because they preserve the original flooring without you having to replace anything. You’ll have to remove the flooring to put in the heating system, but you can replace it with the original floor. Historic floors might be one of your favorite parts of your home, so keeping it the way it is is essential. These heating systems do well in the winter when your home is more prone to cold drafts.
Smart Door Locks

Replacing the locks in your home is always a good idea. Staying up to date with security is one of the best ways to keep you and your family safe. Use vintage-style hardware to install smart door locks into your home. You can remotely control and monitor who enters and out of your home. This is great if you spend much time at work or on time.
Install Discreet Outdoor Security Cameras

There’s no better way to protect your home and your family than by installing discreet outdoor security cameras. Strategically placed around the home, these cameras can easily blend in with its exterior—you won’t even know they’re there! This is an easy, smart upgrade that doesn’t require construction and will preserve the outside of your home while protecting you and your family.
Smart Video Doorbell

Add a smart video doorbell to your vintage door to match its historical aesthetics. Most people wouldn’t expect a historic door to have a smart video doorbell hidden within its frame, making it an ideal upgrade. Smart video doorbells connect to your phone and record anyone and everyone approaching your home. If you’ve had packages stolen before, this upgrade will benefit you.
Equip Windows with Smart Sensors

For break-in alerts, equip your windows with smart sensors that notify you about any potential break-in. You might have worried about the security of your vintage, historic windows, which is why this upgrade is an ideal choice. You don’t have to replace your windows, and you can protect your family without breaking the bank.
Hide Modern Appliances

Your kitchen likely has custom cabinetry from the era in which your home was built. Luckily, you don’t have to tear out everything in your kitchen for a complete makeover. Hide modern appliances in custom cabinetry. You’ll preserve your home’s original cabinets while having a modern upgrade that’ll bring you the best stoves, ovens, and refrigerators. There’s no need to keep that 1950s stove around when there are much better options.
Install Wireless Light Switches

To avoid running new wiring throughout your home, install wireless light switches. This prevents a complete upheaval and preserves your home’s walls and original look without changing anything. Also, replacing the old, outdated, energy-sucking light switches with updated, modern ones will lessen your monthly energy bill.
Smart Water Monitoring Systems

Detecting leaks can be a pain, so innovative water monitoring systems are helpful. These systems detect leaks around your home that could lead to more significant problems. Historic homes are more prone to leaks; preventing them will save you tons of money in the long run. The system also keeps track of your typical water usage. If it detects a leak, it will shut off immediately.
Vintage Water Saving Fixtures

If you want to upgrade your home with new and improved water-saving fixtures but want to maintain its historic aesthetic, you can simply install vintage-style water-saving fixtures. Even though these aren’t the original features of your home, they still maintain the historic aesthetic. You can also revive and upgrade old faucets to keep your home’s historic aesthetic.
Add a Smart Irrigation System

If your backyard is full of historic statues, garden features, and pathways dating back a century, it’s a good idea to preserve the look just as it is. But that doesn’t mean you also have to give up convenience. By adding an intelligent irrigation system in your backyard, you’re able to keep your garden in the best shape possible while also preserving the charm
Whole-House Smart Fans

If your home struggles to stay cool in the summer due to faulty insulation, consider incorporating whole-house fans with smart controls. These are fantastic upgrades because you can control them from your phone. That means you can set up the fans on your way home from work so they’re spinning when you walk in the door.
Smart Humidity Sensors

Install smart humidity sensors to protect wood and plaster from moisture damage. Every aspect of your historic home should be protected, including the wood. Over time, this wood becomes more susceptible to bending and breaking. Preventing humidity from taking over and warping the wood is essential, so a modern upgrade of smart humidity sensors is necessary.
Adjustable Spotlights for Original Artwork

Use wireless, adjustable spotless to highlight original artwork hanging around your home. These historic pieces are likely the focal point of your living room or bedroom, so keeping them in the spotlight is essential! Install a modern adjustable spotlight hanging over the original artwork to keep it lit, even at night.
Install Hidden Outlets

If you have computers, televisions, and cameras around your home, you might wonder where you’ll charge them. To solve this problem, hidden outlets should be installed on historic walls or furniture. This keeps them out of sight while providing the convenience of a USB charging port.
Set Up Hidden Speakers

Imagine watching a movie in your historic, vintage living room and having whole-home audio. There’s nothing worse than sitting down to watch a movie only to realize you can’t properly hear the audio. For surround sound, you can set up hidden speakers around your home, like walls or other furniture. Take it further and install retractable projection screens for a home theater.
Use Smart Hubs in Record Players

Smart hubs connect devices throughout your home and control communication among them. For example, you can set up smart hubs to control your record players or vintage-style radios. This is a fun way to mix modern and vintage, as you’ll use a vintage audio system but operate it using modern technology. Besides, who doesn’t love listening to Queen on a record player?
Use Motion-Sensor Lighting

Your historic home likely lacks proper lighting. That’s why installing motion-sensor lighting is one of the most innovative ways to update your lighting fixtures and make walking down dark hallways and staircases easier. You can still preserve your old lighting fixtures while adding the convenience of motion-sensor lighting. Those vintage outlets and lights can stick around!
Add Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

One of your priorities should be updating your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Without these upgrades, your home is not safe. The detectors in your historic home are likely outdated or need to be upgraded. Simply install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to protect your home while preserving its historic features.
Integrate Wi-Fi Extenders Hidden in Period-Style Casings

Wi-Fi extenders make working from home convenient. Integrate these extenders in period-style casings that match the era of your historic home. Intricate wall mounds or other detailed pieces can hide the extenders while incorporating decorative details. You won’t have to dedicate one room to Wi-Fi; the extenders will allow you to use it throughout your home.
Add Smart Garage Door Openers

Ensure you install smart garage door openers that are compatible with carriage-style doors. You’ll want to preserve the original look of your home. Doing so is easy by adding smart garage door openers. You don’t need to reconstruct your garage thoroughly; simply add the smart door openers, and you’re done.