How do you give character to a plain or cookie-cutter house? In this post, I will show you how to add character and personality to your new-build home or builder-grade home.
Currently, there’s a shortage of homes in our area. Many builders are building new homes to meet the needs of home buyers. I have nothing against new-build homes. However, they mostly lack character and personality. New-build homes look very similar because there are not many options the builder offers.
We bought our home 10 years ago. Our home was built in the 1950s, which is the midcentury-modern era. Hubby and I love midcentury-modern and contemporary-style homes. I love the old home’s character and we are trying to preserve that in our current home while also updating some of the dated style.
Tips For Adding Character To Your Home Exterior
Add Architectural Details
Start by enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Simple changes like painting the front door a bold color, adding window boxes with colorful flowers, or installing decorative shutters can instantly add charm and character to your home’s exterior. Consider adding architectural details such as trim work or a pergola to create visual interest and break up the monotony of a standard facade.
My goal is to incorporate more midcentury elements into our home. The first thing I did was to remove the shutters. Then, I painted the window trim black and the wrought-iron column post.
I want to replace the metal porch column since we moved into our home because it does not match the architecture of our home. We finally tackled this project last year and I was so happy with how it turned out. We also had to replace our gutters and chose black gutters to match the window trim. I wrote a blog post about it here.
I’m so pleased with how everything turned out. Honestly, we waited 10 years to update our home exterior. We did one project at a time. If you are on a budget, work on one small project at a time until you complete your home project goal.
Landscaping
A well-designed landscape can greatly enhance the exterior of your home and add character. Planting trees, shrubs, and flowers can soften the lines of your home and create a welcoming atmosphere. Incorporate pathways, garden beds, solar lighting, and outdoor seating areas to make your outdoor space look more inviting and personalized.
Tips for Adding Character To Your Home’s Interior
Add Beams and Arch Wall Opening
Inside your home, look for opportunities to customize and personalize the space. Consider adding architectural elements such as crown molding, wainscoting, or ceiling beams to add character and visual interest to your rooms.
I love wood beams and even considered adding one to our living room. However, I’m afraid that it will make our ceiling look even lower. We did add a wood beam in our master bathroom. Check the blog post here.
Archways are becoming popular in the decorating world. Although, not all home architecture would look good with archways or wood beams. Please do your research before adding any architectural elements to your home. Ask yourself does it match the style of your home? If you’re not sure, check out Pinterest for ideas.
Add Stone or Shiplap
Incorporate different textures to add depth and visual interest to your home. Let’s start with the more expensive options. A great example of this is the stone wall fireplace or kitchen backsplash. This is becoming a popular trend but it is also timeless.
If a stone wall is not your style or out of your price range, you can add shiplap, beadboard, or slat wall to your wall or door. This will instantly create texture in your space. A slat wall is popular in contemporary and midcentury-modern homes. I added a slat way on our interior door for a more MCM look and to add visual interest to our plain door.
Using Wallpaper or Textured Wall
Wallpaper has come a long way. I am not a big fan of wallpaper but nowadays, you can buy peel-and-stick wallpaper so you can remove it easily if you change your in the future. Textured walls are becoming very popular like Roman clay or limewash.
Focus on Lighting
Install various light fixtures such as floor lamps, pendant lights, or sconces to create ambiance and highlight specific areas of the room. Amazon has great and affordable light fixture options. I couldn’t believe how much difference lighting makes to a space.
We replaced the light fixture in our dining room and I was so pleased with how it looks until today. It added the midcentury-modern vibe to our home while also adding more brightness to the room at night time.
Mix Old and New
Blend vintage pieces with modern furniture to create an eclectic and unique style. I love shopping at Thrift Store to find vintage pieces. I feel Antique Shops are expensive and out of my budget, haha.
I also love to incorporate unique wood furniture into our space. My favorite place to shop for good-quality furniture is Facebook Marketplace, Thrift Stores, and yard sales. I love real-wood furniture because you can stain or paint it to fit your style.
Bring Outdoors In
Incorporate plants and natural elements like wood or stone to create a calming and inviting ambiance. Indoor plants are one of my favorite ways to bring some life into a space. I have about 15 plants in the house. My go-to place to buy indoor plants is Walmart but Lowe’s has great clearance sales.
Personalize with Decor
Display items that reflect your personality, such as family photos, artwork, or souvenirs. I love creating a gallery wall of photos or my favorite artwork. If you like to travel and collect souvenirs, display them as a group on your shelf, mantel, or coffee table.
Replace Door Knobs and Cabinet Pulls
If you have a builder-grade door or cabinets, you can easily update it or add more personality by changing the pulls or knobs. Amazon has a great selection of cabinet pulls and door knobs. In my experience, Amazon is cheaper than the hardware store like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
DIY Projects
Get creative and tackle some DIY projects to add character to your home. Whether it’s building a custom bookshelf, creating a gallery wall of artwork and photographs, or upcycling furniture with a fresh coat of paint, DIY projects allow you to put your stamp on your space and make it feel truly unique.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Adding character to a cookie-cutter home is all about creativity, imagination, and a willingness to think outside the box. By incorporating the tips above, you can transform your ordinary home into an extraordinary space that reflects your personality and style.
Jennabel
OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:
How To Update Front Porch Column
DIY Wood Slat Door
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