Buying an old property and then renovating it is for some a passion. But for most people, renovating a decades-old property is a daunting prospect; beyond just changing the plumbing and electrical wiring, what many find intimidating is how to approach contemporising an old property. This becomes more discouraging if the property is an apartment or condo because unlike an old bungalow, you cannot gut the unit.

Having recently renovated a more-than-30-year-old apartment (with a built-up of 1,700sq ft), Interiorscape’s Richard Koh offers some advice on how to approach such an endeavour. First, he says, find out what can be removed and ensure that the unit’s structural integrity is not compromised. This is especially important when addressing beams and columns.

While an upgrade of the plumbing and electrical works should be high on any renovation list, do also consider upgrading the materials such as the floor and bathroom tiles. “Avoid materials that will make the space look dated, for example, instead of the original timber colour like teak or cengal, have it stained to a darker colour like walnut or wenge,” says Koh.

And for the bathrooms, if you’re using mosaic, consider pairing it with marble or coloured tiles. “You can reuse some of the old mosaic tiles but update them by introducing new materials.”

But probably the best way you can contemporise an old property is by addressing the layout. If it is structurally sound, consider removing walls so that instead of very defined rooms and spaces, you’re left with a more open layout plan. You can do this successfully in the kitchen area — instead of the conventional kitchen that’s tucked away in one section of the unit, remove the wall separating it from the living area. An open kitchen with an island is one way to give the interior a fresh update.

Similarly, you can reuse some of the original spaces to suit your lifestyle; for example, doing away with a maid’s room and turning that space into a larder.

When renovating an old apartment, you have to be very realistic about the space that you have, and ensure that whatever space available is used efficiently.

The view of the living room and balcony. While the previous owner had turned the balcony into a covered space, this also restricted ventilation and light	Getting to work in the living room	Koh 'reclaimed' the balcony so that the unit would be more airy. He also installed shelves for better organisation and had the wooden floors stained dark brown for a more contemporary look.

This article appeared in haven, Issue #44, August + September 2010, the deco and garden publication of The Edge Malaysia