Update Outlets, Light Switches and Plates.
Repair Walls. …
Add Light. …
Paint. …
Remove Dated Fixtures. …
New Doors. …
Refinish Hardwoods. …
Get carpets & rugs professionally cleaned.

Painting walls a bright clean colour and ensuring floors are also clean can make a huge difference.

I’ve struggled with this too! I hate it, but can’t do anything about it. I just try to keep it as clean as I can and modernise it up with new accessories etc. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like this, though. Makes it hard to get the motivation to clean too when it seems impossible.

A great question…I have an old house too so these answers are very helpful

As long as you’ve cleaned it and YOU know it’s clean, does it really matter if it looks it not? Are you concerned with it not looking clean because of you or because of what others think?

Freshen it up with a coat of paint, nothing dark, usually a neutral colour is best, if not a light one. Try adding rugs and artwork on the walls and maybe new lighting. Old houses are awesome, but can be a challenge.

A fresh lick of paint?

A lick of paint would be the best way to refresh the look of an old tired house.

floor mats/rugs, wall decals, you can also get large material wall hangings, sometimes they look great as a feature wall and can cover up peeling/ugly paint, get your pictures printed on canvases.

A coat of neutral coloured paint and have the ceilings white. Light colours brighten up a room and make the room look larger and more spacious! I love white at the moment. My eldest son redid my over 30 year old ensuite in February and it is all white with silver chrome fittings etc. I feel like I am in paradise when I have a shower now!. The wall tiles are white with a raised up wave pattern and they are 300mm x600mm and they look superb! My son did a wonderful job and everyone that sees them tells me so!

All excellent ideas, thank you all

Artistic light bulbs can give a room a lift. Well placed wall hangings and lamps in all rooms.

A fresh coat of paint always makes everything look new

A beautiful rug and cushions would give the lounge a new look.

Depends on if the house is yours or rented. paint it white. lightens and opens up the spaces. Maybe invest in a skylight to lighten up the house. Hang nice pics, up-date furniture. Rugs. I love simple and classic style so i tend to pick black and white and i add a pop of colour here or there. Keep clutter down. Get new curtains, try to open the spaces so lounges go against the wall etc. Maybe take advantage of the house’s age and “theme” the house so it has a beach cottage look to it. Old and worn houses can pull off this look. Weathboard houses are good for this look. Brick house besides painting them, render the walls. I have seen some gorgeous old brick houses where they don’t worry about the walls look but incorporate it into the overall look. Reno the kitchen and bathroom and this will affect the look.

A fresh coat of paint really lifts a room but if you don’t want to do that then sometimes new or nearly new bright curtains or blinds can lift a room. Throws / blanket or new cushions on chairs and sofas can create a new look too. Spotlight has a sale on at the moment and so does target on cushions.

Awesome idea ashblonde.
Thank you

A rented house that you can’t change flooring & painted surfaces restricts you so I would go with bright wall hangings or artwork (you can buy those 3M wall hooks that come off easily) & colourful floor mats will lift the rooms.

Check out Pinterest for some great ideas. There are always lots of tips on things like this.

Excellent idea with the paint ladies, down side is that the house is a rental and the landlord refuses to make any improvements with this house.
It has laminated flooring in the kitchen/dinning, hallway, bathroom laundry and from room. The rest is really old carpet (which is steam cleaned and vacuumed regularly).
This house is terrible but all we can afford at the moment.