Thinking about updating a home in Old Southwest Reno, but worried you might renovate away the very reason you bought it? That concern is valid in 89509, where charm often lives in the details: a deep front porch, original window proportions, a simple brick exterior, or a roofline that has defined the home for decades. If you want a house that works better for modern life without losing its soul, this guide will help you think through smart, character-friendly choices. Let’s dive in.
Why Old Southwest Reno Feels Different
Old Southwest Reno stands out because it grew in layers rather than all at once. Reno Historical notes that the southwest quadrant was filling with middle-class bungalows and cottages by 1912, while the broader Newlands and southwest Reno area continued to develop through the 1900s to the 1930s.
That history matters because there is no single “Old Southwest look.” The area includes larger period-revival homes, modest cottages, bungalows, and houses shaped by the shift from streetcar neighborhoods to more auto-oriented development.
For you as a homeowner, that means a successful renovation should respond to your specific house, not a trend board. The goal is usually to protect the features that make the home recognizable while making daily life more comfortable and functional.
Keep the House’s Original Language
One of the easiest ways to lose charm is to treat an older home like a blank slate. In Old Southwest Reno, homes often carry distinct architectural clues that give them their identity.
Across the broader area, documented styles include Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Tudor or English Cottage, Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, Mediterranean, Prairie, and Classical Revival. Reno also has a local pattern of bungalows and red-brick homes repeated across the city in the early twentieth century.
Before you plan finishes, pause and identify the home’s “original language.” Look at the roof shape, porch design, window pattern, siding or brick, entry details, and overall symmetry or asymmetry.
Craftsman Details to Respect
Craftsman homes often feature low-pitched roofs, wide overhangs, exposed rafters or brackets, and broad front porches. Exterior materials may include clapboard or brick.
If your house has those features, updates tend to feel right when they work with that structure instead of fighting it. A renovation that removes porch presence or changes the roofline can quickly strip away the home’s personality.
Colonial Revival Cues to Keep
Colonial Revival homes usually rely on symmetry and a more formal entry composition. You may also see columns, pilasters, or gabled and pedimented window details.
In these homes, balance matters. If you replace doors, windows, or trim, try to preserve the proportions and rhythm that make the facade feel composed.
Mission and Spanish Revival Elements
Mission Revival homes are often stucco-clad with deep openings and red clay tile roofs. Reno examples of Spanish Colonial Revival homes may include related bungalow details and interior design touches tied to that tradition.
These homes usually look best when renovations honor their texture and depth. Flattening details or swapping original materials for something visually thin can make the home feel generic.
Focus on Proportion, Not Just Finishes
A beautiful renovation in Old Southwest Reno is usually less about luxury upgrades and more about proportion. National Park Service guidance for historic buildings emphasizes compatibility with the building’s massing, size, scale, and features.
In practical terms, that means your project should feel like it belongs to the house. New work can be updated and fresh, but it should not overwhelm the original structure or pretend to be older than it is.
This is especially important in a neighborhood with both larger homes and smaller cottages. A remodel that is too big, too open, or too visually heavy can feel out of place fast.
Smart Updates for Kitchens and Baths
Kitchens and baths are often where homeowners want the biggest improvements. That makes sense, since these spaces drive daily comfort and can also support future resale.
In an older home, the best approach is usually to modernize function without erasing the home’s scale. That often means keeping the original room logic where possible and choosing simple cabinet styles, tile, and finishes that do not overpower the architecture.
You do not need to make every old home feel like new construction. In many Old Southwest properties, a more restrained update feels better and helps the character of the house do part of the work.
What Often Works Well
- Improve storage without expanding walls unnecessarily
- Choose simple cabinet profiles instead of overly ornate or ultra-modern styles
- Use tile and fixtures that feel timeless rather than trendy
- Keep room proportions in balance with the rest of the home
- Let original trim, openings, or built-ins remain where possible
Be Careful With Open Floor Plans
Opening walls can sound like an easy way to modernize, but it is not always the best choice in an older Reno home. Smaller historic houses often depend on room-to-room proportion for their charm.
If you remove too much separation, the house can lose its sense of scale. Instead of chasing a fully open layout, consider targeted changes that improve flow while preserving the house’s structure and personality.
Plan Additions With Restraint
If you need more space, first look at what can be improved within secondary areas of the home. National Park Service guidance recommends exploring interior changes before expanding the footprint.
When an addition is necessary, it should be compatible with the original home while still reading as new. It should also be designed so the original house remains legible.
That usually means avoiding an addition that dominates the front facade or dwarfs the original volume. In Old Southwest Reno, bigger is not always better.
Don’t Ignore Windows and Doors
Windows and doors carry a surprising amount of architectural character. The National Park Service warns that replacements should not alter the visual qualities that define the facade, including features like sash depth and muntin configuration.
This matters because even one incompatible replacement can change how the whole house reads from the street. A new window may perform well, but if its proportions are off, the home can lose visual integrity.
The City of Reno’s guidance for historic properties also says original qualities should not be destroyed and replacement materials should match the old in composition, design, color, and texture. If you need to replace rather than repair, matching carefully matters.
Start With Systems Before Cosmetics
It is easy to fall in love with tile, fixtures, and paint colors. But older homes often need practical work first.
The U.S. Department of Energy notes that many older homes have less insulation than newer homes, and an energy assessment can help identify where air sealing is needed. In real life, that means comfort, drafts, and efficiency should be reviewed before the finish work begins.
A pretty renovation does not feel successful if the house is still drafty or unevenly heated. Quiet upgrades behind the walls often make the biggest difference in how the home lives.
Watch for Common Renovation Pitfalls
Older homes reward thoughtful decisions, but they can also punish rushed ones. A few mistakes show up again and again.
Pitfall 1: Erasing Original Details
Replacing a compatible window or door with one that has different proportions can shift the whole appearance of the house. The same goes for stripping original trim or using harsh cleaning methods that damage historic materials.
Pitfall 2: Oversized Remodels
An addition that overwhelms the original structure can make the home feel disconnected from its own history. In a neighborhood with mixed scales and styles, oversized remodels can stand out for the wrong reasons.
Pitfall 3: Skipping Lead-Safe Planning
EPA guidance says homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Renovation, repair, or painting work can create hazardous lead dust, and contractors disturbing lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes must be trained in lead-safe work practices.
Pitfall 4: Forgetting Permits
Reno requires permits for remodels and additions, and applications are submitted through the city’s regional portal. The city also notes that compliance fees can apply if work is done without a permit.
As of January 1, 2026, Reno only accepts plans under the 2024 edition of the building codes. If you are in the planning phase, that timing can affect how your project is reviewed.
Pitfall 5: Missing Historic Status
Reno’s historic preservation FAQ says properties that are 50 years old or older may be eligible for listing on the City Register of Historic Places. Resources can also be listed individually or as part of a district.
If your home is registered or located within a historic district, it is wise to check that status before finalizing exterior changes. That step can help you avoid redesigns later.
Renovation Choices That Can Support Resale
If resale matters to you, the research points toward a balanced approach. National remodeling data suggests that buyers often reward smart, targeted updates more than oversized showpiece projects.
The 2025 Remodeling Impact Report found strong estimated cost recovery for projects like a new steel front door, closet renovation, and fiberglass front door. Kitchen upgrades and primary bedroom suites also score high for homeowner satisfaction, but smaller projects often provide the strongest cost recovery.
In Old Southwest Reno, that insight fits the neighborhood well. Thoughtful updates, preserved character, and well-executed basics often create a better long-term impression than a remodel that tries too hard to compete with brand-new construction.
A Simple Renovation Mindset for 89509
If you are renovating in Old Southwest Reno, a good rule of thumb is this: improve the way the home lives, but protect the features that make it feel like Old Southwest. Keep the original scale, respect the style cues, modernize systems quietly, and stay cautious with exterior changes.
That approach can help you enjoy the home now while also protecting what future buyers are likely to value. In a neighborhood shaped by architectural variety and local history, charm is not an obstacle to update. It is the asset worth preserving.
If you are weighing whether to renovate before selling, buy a character home in 89509, or plan updates that make sense for both lifestyle and resale, Jodi Kruse can help you think through the details with a local, finance-informed perspective.
FAQs
What makes Old Southwest Reno homes in 89509 feel charming?
- Old Southwest Reno homes often draw their charm from original architectural details such as rooflines, porches, window proportions, brick or clapboard materials, and style-specific design features tied to the area’s early twentieth-century growth.
What renovation choices help preserve character in an Old Southwest Reno home?
- Character-friendly renovations usually keep the home’s original scale, preserve important materials and facade details, choose compatible replacements, and modernize kitchens, baths, and systems without overpowering the house.
Do you need permits for a remodel in Reno, Nevada?
- Yes. The City of Reno requires permits for remodels and additions, and applications are submitted through its regional portal.
Should you replace old windows in a historic-style home in Old Southwest Reno?
- If windows need work, it is important not to change the visual qualities that define the facade, such as proportions, sash depth, and muntin patterns. Matching the original design closely matters.
What should homeowners know about lead paint in older Reno homes?
- Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and renovation work can create hazardous lead dust. Contractors who disturb lead-based paint during renovation, repair, or painting must be trained in lead-safe work practices.
Can a renovation in Old Southwest Reno support resale value?
- Often yes. Research suggests that targeted, well-planned improvements and smaller practical projects can support value better than oversized remodels, especially when the home’s original character is preserved.
About Jodi Kruse
Jodi Kruse is a Reno, Nevada real estate agent with Sierra Sotheby's International Realty. Licensed since 2012, she specializes in home sales, luxury properties, probate and trust sales, and buyer and seller representation across Northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe region. She holds RENE, SRS, and ABR designations and has closed nearly $100 million in transactions. Jodi works with first-time buyers, move-up sellers, relocation clients, and families navigating estate sales. Contact Jodi at 775.233.1190 or visit renosrealtygroup.com.
