Kitchen & Bath Updates That Fit Media’s Historic Charm

If you own a home in Media, you probably love its character: brick sidewalks, tree-lined streets, and those details that make a 19th- or early-20th-century house feel special. You also want a kitchen and bathrooms that work for real life. The good news is you can have both. In this guide, you’ll learn how to plan updates that respect Media’s historic charm, navigate permits with confidence, and choose finishes that feel right at home. Let’s dive in.

Why Media’s historic homes deserve thoughtful updates

Media has deep roots as the county seat with many homes from the 1800s and early 1900s. The borough highlights its history and landmarks, which shapes what buyers expect and what local reviewers prioritize. You see this in places like the Minshall House and the pride the community takes in its preserved streetscapes. To explore the borough’s historic identity, visit the Media Borough overview and Minshall House page.

When you update kitchens and baths with sensitivity to proportion, materials, and original details, you support neighborhood character and help your home feel timeless to future buyers.

Know the rules and permits

Historic district review: COA and HARB

If your project changes anything visible from the street in a historic district, you will likely need a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Historic Architectural Review Board advises Borough Council, which issues COAs. Typical triggers include a rear or side addition, enlarging a window, or adding a visible exterior vent. Read the local ordinance in the Media Historic District code, and see meeting and application info on the HARB page.

Building, plumbing, and electrical permits

Kitchen and bath remodels usually involve plumbing, electrical, and sometimes structural work. Expect to pull the appropriate permits and plan for inspections. Review what requires a permit on the Media Code Enforcement page.

Lead-safe renovation in pre-1978 homes

Many Media homes predate 1978. If your project disturbs painted surfaces, contractors must follow the EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule. Learn what to expect with EPA lead-safe renovation guidance.

Incentives and what not to expect

Historic tax credits mainly apply to income-producing properties. Owner-occupied single-family homes typically do not qualify. If you are exploring a certified rehabilitation for eligible uses, start with the Pennsylvania historic tax credits overview. For energy efficiency, check PECO rebates for water heaters and HVAC and watch the state’s rollout of IRA home rebates via PA DEP’s program page.

Design moves for a period-right kitchen

Keep and repair what tells the story

Original wood floors, plaster, trim, and built-ins add soul. Repair, refinish, or integrate them wherever possible. As a high-level compass, use the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which emphasize preserving character-defining features and making new work compatible.

Cabinets and surfaces that blend in

Choose simple, classic cabinet profiles like inset Shaker or understated raised panels. For surfaces, subway tile, beadboard, and small-scale mosaics feel natural in older homes. Consider honed stone, soapstone, or butcher block for a quieter, more traditional look. Keep color palettes soft and hardware scaled to match original millwork.

Layout choices that respect the house

Try to keep primary circulation and room relationships intact, placing new service functions in secondary areas like a pantry or rear alcove. If you need more space, a modest rear addition that reads as new but compatible is often the best path. See guidance on compatible additions in the NPS recommendations.

Windows and exterior vents

If windows are original, repair first. If replacement is unavoidable and visible from the street, match sightlines and profiles closely. New exterior penetrations, like range hood vents visible from the front, can trigger review. Confirm requirements in the Media Historic District code before you finalize plans.

Bathroom updates with timeless appeal

Classic fixtures and tile

Freestanding or clawfoot tubs, pedestal or console sinks, hex or penny floor mosaics, and subway tile create a period-right feel with modern function. Pair with vintage-style faucets and lighting that use today’s safe valves and wiring. Keep scale modest so fixtures fit the proportions of older rooms.

Ventilation protects your finishes

Plan for a quiet bath fan vented to the exterior to control moisture and protect plaster and wood. If the vent will be visible from the street in a historic district, submit it as part of your COA application. Coordinate early so design and placement meet both building and historic requirements.

Smart systems and energy moves

Upgrade plumbing and electrical safely

Older homes can hide galvanized pipes, lead joints, or outdated wiring. Build contingency into your budget for corrective work and inspections. For any paint disturbance in pre-1978 homes, require EPA RRP-compliant practices. Permits and inspections for these systems are outlined by Media Code Enforcement.

Plan for efficient equipment and rebates

A remodel is the right time to consider a heat pump water heater, induction cooking, or efficient HVAC. Budget for a panel upgrade if you plan to electrify. Explore current PECO rebates and monitor the state’s IRA home energy incentives via PA DEP.

Your step-by-step plan in Media

Before you sketch the new layout

• Document existing conditions with photos and measurements, noting features to keep.
• If the house is pre-1978, plan for lead-safe practices and testing as needed.
• Check if your property sits in a local historic district and whether any exterior changes will be visible from the street.

Line up the approvals

• If exterior changes are visible, prepare a clear COA submittal for HARB and Borough Council with drawings, photos, and material samples.
• Apply for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and building permits. Confirm inspection milestones with Code Enforcement.

Execute with preservation in mind

• Protect floors and trim during demolition. Salvage original hardware and reuse where feasible.
• Keep changes reversible when practical so future owners can restore original conditions.
• Sequence rough-in, inspections, finishes, and final sign-offs with your contractor.

Quick checklist

• Keep: original wood floors, trim, built-ins, plaster, and window casings if sound.
• Update: plumbing supply and drains, electrical panel and circuits, GFCI/AFCI protection, dedicated appliance circuits.
• Choose: classic tile, inset cabinets, appropriately scaled lighting, and period-compatible hardware.
• Plan: exterior vents and any new openings with HARB and permits in mind.
• Save: receipts and model numbers for any rebate applications.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Skipping early conversations with HARB or Code Enforcement when exterior changes are planned.
• Oversizing fixtures or lighting that overwhelms modest historic rooms.
• Removing original trim or doors you could repair or integrate.
• Cutting new visible penetrations without design review in a historic district.
• Forgetting lead-safe work requirements in pre-1978 homes.

Ready to sell or stay longer?

Well-planned kitchen and bath updates that respect Media’s historic fabric tend to resonate with local buyers because they feel authentic to the neighborhood. They also protect your home’s long-term health by solving moisture, electrical, and plumbing issues the right way. If you want help prioritizing projects for resale or for everyday living, let’s talk about what matters most to you and your timeline.

If you are planning a move in or out of Media, I’m here to help you align your home plans with your next step. Reach out to Romanna Dumyak for local guidance and a smooth path forward.

FAQs

Do I need a Certificate of Appropriateness for an interior-only kitchen or bath remodel in Media?

• Typically no, unless your work alters the exterior visible from a public street or adds exterior penetrations; confirm details in the Media Historic District code.

What permits are required for a kitchen or bath remodel in Media?

• Plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and structural changes require permits and inspections; see the borough’s guidance on when a permit is required.

How long should I budget for HARB and COA review?

• Plan for several weeks from submittal through Council action depending on completeness and meeting schedules; start with the HARB page for process and timing.

Are there rebates for efficient water heaters or appliances in Media?

• Yes, PECO offers residential rebates for select equipment; review current offers on PECO’s rebate page.

Do historic tax credits apply to my owner-occupied single-family home?

• Generally no; federal and state historic credits mainly apply to income-producing properties that meet certification standards; read the PA historic tax credits overview.

What should I know about lead-safe practices during renovation?

• For pre-1978 homes, contractors must follow the EPA’s RRP rule with containment and cleanup; learn more about lead-safe renovation.