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Buying to Recycle: How to Remodel a 1980s Apartment - La Nacion Propiedades
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Comprar para reciclar: cómo remodelar un departamento de la década de los 80
Especialistas en interiorismo comparten las claves para que un departamento con más de 50 años de antigüedad se renueve como si fuese actual y no quede mal
www.lanacion.com.ar
October 06, 2025
Interior design specialists share the keys to renovating an apartment that's more than 50 years old to make it look modern and not look bad.
By Angela Marquez
The keys that experts recommend to renovate an apartment that was built in the 80s and make it look like a current one
While construction costs are increasingly difficult to plan for, there is a consumer who still enjoys the process of buying and remodeling an older apartment, especially given the price opportunities available on units over 30 years old .
“1980s apartments were characterized by low ceilings with moldings, wallpaper, and parquet floors. When selecting furniture, we look for clean, contemporary lines. They should stand out for being current but blend in with an unconventional setting. We believe that the ideal approach is to consider an architectural intervention , unifying wall coverings with a neutral tone , correcting ceilings, and using modern, accent lighting,” says Gustavo Yankelevich, partner at Estudio Modo Casa, which specializes in high-end residential interior design projects.
Where to buy
Regarding how much a well-remodeled apartment can appreciate in value , it will depend on several key factors, such as the area it's located in. "People often think that painting or simply fixing things will increase the value quickly. What usually happens is that it can sell faster because it looks nicer. But the value of a property increases when well-done renovations are undertaken ," explains Laura Vinagre, a broker with the Remax Argentina network, adding that, in these cases, the appreciation can reach 40%.
This is how a bedroom in an old apartment was remodeled
New lighting details make the difference and enhance environments
When choosing which apartment to buy, a remodeled 1980s apartment in Villa Crespo isn't the same as one in Núñez, a booming neighborhood. Condition and presentation are also important. "If there's damp, or it's poorly painted, or if there are broken furniture, the person looking to buy that property will be thinking much more about the investment they'll have to make to repair it than about the property itself," explains the broker.
The process
One of the main challenges of transforming a 1980s property is achieving a combination of '80s aesthetics with a contemporary look without falling into forced retro. For Máximo Ferraro, another partner at Modo Casa studio, the style of 50 years ago in interiors isn't as present as that of the '70s. "While there are characteristics that identify the era, we are convinced that people choose these types of apartments for their layout. These are units that have spaces like dining rooms, maid's quarters, or desks. We generally completely demolish these apartments to bring them into a modern lifestyle , preserving some of the period's features," he explains.Among the recommended materials, colors, and textures for renovating without losing warmth, experts list wood for walls, fabric coverings, and furniture fabrics with natural fabrics.
The challenge is to create new spaces adapted to today's everyday life, such as the home office.
The key is to separate environments that are not completely closed to create continuity.
Neutral colors, natural, gray, raw, are ideal for a modern and elegant decoration
Regarding the role of custom or designer furniture, Yankelevich explains that the furnishings often take center stage . “For example, we use wall coverings that frame storage units to rectify walls and hide flaws from that era. We also use flush-to-wall doors, doors fused into the coverings, which are ideal for creating continuity and giving a sense of spaciousness . And then, we recommend choosing individual pieces of furniture that are contemporary but with subtle lines, in neutral color palettes that move with the times and don't leave such a marked imprint of a period.”
Frequent mistakes
One of the common mistakes is stopping halfway . "There are changes that, if not drastic, tend to be confusing and lack impact. Unifying walls, using continuous cladding, working on ceilings and lighting, and carefully considering the flooring are changes we wouldn't fail to make," the specialists explain, although they clarify that it will depend on the budget, but some renovations require drastic decisions. "Sometimes it's better to work through the entire budget and incorporate individual equipment more slowly," they warn.
New storage spaces, in this case for dishes, wines, coffee makers and other small appliances for everyday use.
In this case, the kitchen was integrated with the living and dining room.
A large island to create an extended and shared kitchen is a trend.
The modernity of the coverings, furniture, kitchen appliances and faucets meet the current trend.
A significant detail for this type of 1980s apartment, and one that the architect or master builder will surely recommend, is updating the electrical, gas, and water connections . "These are buildings with lead pipes, so it's recommended to replace them," advises Vinagre.
Like any property upcycling, the challenges can be countless. Keeping the aforementioned criteria in mind will help make the process easier and, above all, give you the opportunity to enjoy it.
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