Farmhouse Fixer's Jonathan Knight Reveals The Luxe Feature That May Be Hiding In Your Home

Moving into an older home certainly comes with a fair share of risks — electrical issues, cracked foundations, even lead paint — but there could be unique, hidden features as well. As trends change, so do our homes, so if you're living in an older house, always consider if there were any recent renovations or upgrades that could be reversible. Details that were seen as outdated a few decades ago could actually be major selling points — just look at the wave of home flippers removing old carpet only to reveal beautiful hardwood floors beneath.

Jonathan Knight, member of New Kids on The Block turned home renovator, reaped the rewards of his thorough home investigation on a recent episode of his show, "Farmhouse Fixer" (via Realtor.com). Typically, he and designer Kristina Creston find and renovate run-down, historic homes, but the focus in this episode was a 1970's Colonial-reproduction cottage in Massachusetts. After a peek up into the ceilings, the duo found a pleasant surprise that could add a brand-new feel to the home's otherwise-simple living room.

Hidden above the regular, flat ceiling panel in the Colonial home's living room, Knight found a wealth of empty, unused space. "If we opened up this ceiling, we could possibly vault it," he told Realtor.com, adding, "That's just going to give the feeling of so much more space in this room." After going through with the renovation, the home was left with a breezy, open living room — a stark contrast to the effect of the previously low ceilings.

If you have an older home, always look to see if there are ways to maximize the space you have available. Lower, flat ceilings carry their own charm and coziness, but a few extra feet of height and interesting vaulted details can make a simple living room feel more high-end and luxurious. If you already have that structure hidden behind a panel, the renovation is simple, relatively inexpensive, and can provide a massive return on your investment.