Cotswold Interior Designer Amy Broad’s Guide to Modernising a Period Home Period homes come with details that are difficult to recreate: original cornicing, uneven walls, timber beams and all the quirks that give a property its personality. But making those features work alongside modern lighting, technology and everyday practicalities can take a little more thought. Image courtesy of @amybroadinteriors Based in the Cotswolds, interior designer Amy Broad specialises in creating homes that respect the character of the building while still working for modern life. We asked Amy how she approaches updating period properties, from knowing which original features to preserve to introducing modern comforts, choosing lighting and getting the finishing details right. When you first walk into a period property, how do you decide which original features should lead the design? The features that lead should always complement the specific era and setting of the home. Exposed timber beams feel at home in a cottage, and grand cornicing looks effortless in a Georgian townhouse – but neither works if forced into the wrong setting. I look for features that quietly emphasize the property’s roots. They form a soft, authentic backdrop for the new design. If an element feels overly loud or forced, it’s usually a sign it isn’t worth keeping. Image courtesy of @amybroadinteriors What are the most common mistakes people make when trying to modernise an older home? Stripping away the character! I actually love wonky walls – people often want to straighten them out, but you lose so much natural charm in the process.A big bugbear of mine is lighting. Walking into a period property and seeing grids of harsh ceiling downlights instantly flattens the atmosphere. Soft, layered lighting – lamps, pendants, and wall lights – wins every time. Lastly, introducing hyper-trendy, overly modern elements that lack timeless appeal will age the space far too quickly. Image courtesy of @amybroadinteriors featuring the Gold Tinkisso Tap How can you introduce modern comfort and functionality without making the new elements feel disconnected from the building? I tend to hide a lot of modern tech. TVs get tucked behind joinery, sliding artwork, or tapestries; kitchen appliances sit inside hidden cupboards; speakers get recessed into ceilings; and Wi-Fi routers sit discreetly behind books on a shelf.It’s all about practical concealment. Everything needs a clear, easily accessible, designated home so you can enjoy modern convenience without having to look at electronics all day. Do new additions need to match the age of the property, or can contrasting styles work better? A bit of both! You need heritage pieces to nod to the age of the building, but you also need clean, modern elements to bring it into 21st-century living. It’s a push-and-pull exercise to get the balance right.If you match everything to the property’s era, it ends up feeling heavy – like a museum set. But if you lean too far the other way, it feels soulless. I love mixing antiques with simple, contemporary pieces, and layering in items gathered from trips or days out. That way, the home feels authentically yours, full of memories rather than looking like a catalogue. Image courtesy of @amybroadinteriors How do details such as lighting, switches, sockets and door hardware influence whether a period interior feels cohesive? These are the physical touchpoints you interact with every single day. Switches, sockets and hardware really are the jewellery of an interior; they can completely transform how a space feels.Standard white plastic switches instantly break the spell in a character property. Swapping them for metallic finishes with tactile toggles and dimmers adds a layer of quality and intention. The same goes for standard chrome door handles – swapping these to brass or bronze will instantly elevate your space. And keeping these finishes consistent across the home acts as a subtle thread that ties everything together, reinforcing a sense of luxury. What is one change that can make a period home feel more considered without undertaking a full renovation? Upgrade your hardware, switches, and sockets! It’s a low-effort, high-impact change that doesn’t involve pulling up floors or taking down walls, yet it immediately elevates a room.I like to use finishes like solid brass or dark bronze, and keep the exact same style and finish of sockets and switches consistent throughout the entire house. It’s a simple detail that most people overlook, but it really elevates your walls and pulls the whole home together effortlessly. Image courtesy of @amybroadinteriors Shop the look Sourcing Pieces That Bring a Home Together with Holly Dolan-Ward & Robert Macmanus