How to Modernize Your Home in Florida: Simple Ways to Tell an Impactful Story with Style

If you’ve lived in your Florida home for a while, you’ve likely fallen in love with your property’s one-of-a-kind charm and character. However, you’ve probably noticed a thing (or two!) over the years that you know could be updated to freshen up the look of your home and enhance the living experience.

Good news—you don’t need to undergo a major renovation or extensive remodeling project to make a significant impact on the overall aesthetic of your home. Just turn to our team at The Staging Company. We help homeowners, property owners, and real estate agents make small yet impactful changes to the design of their properties using our Home Story Method, creating a modern space where buyers, guests, or you will love to spend time and make memories.

Below is our simple eight-step process—rooted in professional design techniques—that is guaranteed to breathe new life into your Florida property.

Modernizing a Florida Home: What Does the Process Include?

But first—what does it mean to “modernize” a home?

Modernizing a property is not quite the same as a complete renovation. Instead, it’s a process that includes making small (but significant!) updates that enhance the house’s resale value, give the space a fresh aesthetic, and update the home’s layout to adapt to current trends and evolving lifestyle needs. Basically, modernizing a home is a quicker and more affordable way to make a big difference in the way your home looks and feels, without the hassle and investment of hiring a remodeling team.

Step-by-Step Guide to Modernizing Your Florida Home from a Local Team of Staging Professionals

Step #1: Start with Decluttering & Deep Cleaning

First things first—nothing makes a home look more dated than dirty surfaces and cluttered corners. Before “adding” anything, move through this decluttering checklist, focusing on the following:

• Dispose of unnecessary knick-knacks, clothes, or other loose items to create extra space.
• Donate or sell furniture pieces that no longer serve you or align with your home’s aesthetic.
• Hire someone to come in and deep clean all surfaces, from the floors to the countertops.

Step #2: Rejuvenate Each Room with a Fresh Color Palette

Once you have a clean slate, turn your attention to the walls. Over time, paint can fade, and specific colors can become dated and “off-trend.” For a Florida aesthetic that embodies warmth, light, and the “beachy” vibes of the Sunshine State, we recommend the following hues:

• Sandy beige and white paint that reflects natural light while anchoring bolder accent colors.
• Coastal colors, like seafoam and ocean blues, create a calming, laid-back vibe rooted in nature.
• Touches of color, from coral to olive, can add drama and modern interest to neutral bases.

Step #3: Brighten the Space with Vibrant Natural Light

Lighting may be practical, but it’s also emotional. That’s why maximizing natural light and brightening dark corners with the following strategies is critical in modern home design:

• Swap out heavy drapes and window treatments with gauzy, lightweight curtains.
• Replace outdated metal blinds with sleek and sophisticated wooden shutters.
• Amplify natural light by positioning mirrors and reflective surfaces across from windows.

Step #4: Set the Mood with Elegant Light Fixtures & Switches

Natural light makes a huge difference in the feel of your home during the daytime, but when the sun goes down, you’ll need to rely on artificial light to set the mood. We modernize the look (and feel!) of light fixtures in Florida homes by:

• Switching from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs for improved energy efficiency.
• Replacing dated light fixtures and boring builder-grade lights with sleek, modern alternatives.
• Trading old light switches and outlet covers for smart switches or aesthetically pleasing plates.
• Finding creative spots to incorporate mood lighting, like dimmer switches in the bedrooms and under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen.

Step #5: Swap Dated Hardware with Modern Alternatives

Little details can make the most significant difference in home design, which is why you should never overlook the value of updating hardware when modernizing a Florida home. These swaps tell a story and can complement the refreshed modern aesthetic in each room:

• Replace dated brass with elegant and angular matte black, brushed nickel, or chrome doorknobs.
• Create a clean bathroom aesthetic with new hardware that complements mirrors and fixtures.
• Modernize the kitchen with mixed-metal hardware in warm, inviting tones or vintage-inspired designs that make a statement.

Step #6: Infuse the Kitchen with Modern Flair & Functionality 

The kitchen is one of the rooms in the home that can quickly make a house feel old if you don’t keep it up-to-date with modern trends. However, you don’t need to “demo” your kitchen to give it a refreshed look—just focus on the following touches that blend practicality with style:

• Take a look at your kitchen cabinets and consider swapping out old-school, warm-wood finishes with sleek and timeless alternatives, such as matte black or shaker-style cabinets.
• Laminate countertops can instantly make a kitchen feel dated—replace them with high-quality marble, granite, quartz, or butcher-block wood countertops instead.
• Consider replacing outdated appliances with state-of-the-art stainless steel alternatives.

Step #7: Refresh the Bathrooms with a Clean Minimalist Design 

Another room in your house that can quickly become dated without care? The bathrooms. Create bathrooms that appeal to modern buyers and renters with these professional design swaps:

• Clean your bathroom—it seems obvious, but a grimy shower, stained grout, and cluttered countertops will make your bathroom feel dated (and gross!).
• Tear out laminate surfaces and replace them with natural stone countertops, crafted from materials like marble or quartz, to enhance your bathrooms with sophistication and elegance.
• Swap outdated shower curtains, light fixtures, faucets, hardware, and other small details with modern alternatives for a fresh look.

Step #8: Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Simple Swaps

Your property’s exterior is the “first impression” your home gives to guests and buyers—make it stand out with the following improvements:

• Touch up your front door with a fresh coat of paint, or replace it with an efficient steel or fiberglass alternative. Old doors with peeling paint or outdated hardware can make a home feel dated.
• Spruce up your front porch with potted plants or add lush landscaping in the front yard to transform your Florida home into a tropical oasis.

Design the Modern Home of Your Dreams with Our Team of Local Florida Design Professionals

The design of your home tells a story—do you want it to repeat the story of years past, or start writing a vibrant new story filled with energy, vitality, and promise of the future? If you’re ready for a house update that brings your Florida home into the modern era, reach out to our interior decorating team at The Staging Company. We use the Home Story Method—rooted in expert home staging and design strategies—to ensure your space evokes the lifestyle your buyer or guest has been dreaming of. Contact us when you’re ready to get started!