When it's finally time and you have received your keys to your new build home, the feeling of excitement can me overwhelming.
This experience is amazing. However, after the excitement subsides, there might be a realization of how flat and hard feeling your new house feels.
The reason for this is there are no details on the walls, no curtains to soften the space and everything just looks flat.
Sure, adding furniture and all your belongings can help warm things up, but it doesn't add the much needed character that a new build is lacking.
They sure don't build houses like they used to, and this isn't a custom build home that has some character already added to it.
So how do you add character to a new build home?
There are many ways to add character to your new build home and most of them are budget- friendly, so don't you worry.
Stick with us, we have a full list of ideas for you to add character into your new build home.
First, we will start with the easier things to do to a character in your home, then we will add a few at the bottom of the list that are bigger jobs that you can do over time.
1. Add texture to your windows
The boxed windows with white trim, and very little detail, just make a home feel cold and harsh. We need to add some warmth to the windows to give it some softness.
Replacing the plain boring white trim will add so much character and something you should definitely consider if your budget allows, but let's start with the simple and affordable option first.
Some people will not agree with us, but over here we say NO to the old school plastic blinds, shutters or zebra shades.
If you love the look, then of course we say do it!! however know that they look heavy in a space.
We don't want to offend anyone here, so hear us out. Because of their material, they just make a space look heavy. They don't offer any softness or texture, which helps make your space feel more cozy and inviting.
If you were thinking of going with blinds, we suggest reading our options first so you can see why we love them and how much character and warmth they will add to your home.
Something to consider
Shutters and traditional plastic blinds can be quite expensive. They can range from $145 upwards to $1000 per window plus installation fee.
Good quality curtains can cost as little as $50 and of course this price can rise very high when you go custom.
With curtains and shades there are more affordable options, and you can install them yourself.
we just like how much softness they add to a space.
Tip, if you want the traditional blinds, shutters or zebra blinds, consider adding curtains to add a softness and texture to your windows and to add warmth and coziness to your space.
Roman shades try these instead of zebra blinds. They come in many fabrics, styles, and textures.
There are a lot of affordable options out there or you can go the custom route, but that can get costly.
Why we know you will love it
They come in a variety of different styles, patterns, colours, and textures. You can get styles that complement your space.
They also have bamboo woven texture, which looks great for more of a rustic look, or even to add warmth to a cool tone colour palette.
Roman shades mixed with curtains just add a lux feel, they add texture and softness to the space and help finish a styled room off nicely.
Even if you don't have a large budget, you can still make window treatments look so lux even when using affordable options like IKEA.
Just double up the panels on either side of windows and Ikea has some bamboo shades that actually look fantastic and are so affordable.
e.g. If your home is white and grey, adding in some warm wood tones in bamboo shades will really help warm the space so the white and grey colour palette doesn't feel too cold.
Because they are more of a textured fabric and don't have harsh lines like blinds or zebra blinds, they add a lot of softness to your space.
Tip zebra blinds are okay and might be a more affordable option, so if you love them we say go for it, but I would skip the tradition blinds all together.
Curtains, whether you combine them with your shades or on their own, this is a great way to add warmth, texture, and character to your home.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Two pages, one of the best mid price pinch pleat curtains that definitely look more high-end and one of our favourite sources for shades and curtains.
2. Inhance trim mouding
Typically, in builder homes they do a 3 to 4'' trim (baseboards) which can seem off looking and another reason your space looks flat.
3'' to 4'' is okay if your ceiling height is 8 ft but nowadays homes are built with 9 ft ceiling or even 10ft+ but the builders do not adjust the trim for the extra ceiling height.
Now adding new trim to the full house can get expensive, but it can make a huge impact on how your home feels and add so much character.
This might be something you can do with the builder. Keep in mind it's very expensive with the builder and your choices are limited.
We suggest adding to the exciting trim. There are many cost-effective ways you can do this. Or simply just take it room by room.
we would start with entryway, hallway, and main living are then when you can afford to do other rooms like dining, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
see picture below as an e.g. easy way to add to the existing trim and a more cost effective way to do so.
3. Paint interior doors
This is one we love. It's such an easy, cost effective way to add character to your home.
When doing this, you are going to have to think of the overall colour scheme of your house just so you can make sure everything will match.
We love neutrals; we feel they are the best because they match any colour palette. Black is great if you are going more contemporary, but dark colours are harder to change after, so make sure it's the direction you want to go in.
Below is a list of our favourite interior door colours to add character to your home
4. change hardware
Changing out the door hardware, towel racks, faucets are all great ways to add character to your home.
The shiny brass, or chrome hardware you get with the builder, are dated.
Try adding a brushed brass, or unlacquered, instead of a polished brass that looks yellow and too shiny.
you can also try bronze or a brushed or polished nickel, which has a slightly warm undertone to it and doesn't look as harsh as chrome.
With faucets, add some traditional elements to them to add character and mixing metals adds a lot of character and interest as well.
We are big fans of adding an antique element to new homes to add character, no matter what your design style is.
Tip try adding antique handles to the doors. It just adds a classic look to your home and there are so many colours and styles to choose from. We are completely obsessed with this look right now.
5. Add a gallery wall
Add a gallery wall to your living room, hallway, dining room, or on the wall going up your staircase.
This is an affordable and easy way to add character to your home.
It adds texture and dimension to the walls without the high price tag of wall treatments like panelling or millwork.
We love a gallery wall over a large art piece. Again, it adds some much interest and dimension to the wall. We love a good vintage inspired gallery wall too.
Want to see how I did my gallery wall and all our tips on how to do a gallery wall at home here
6. Add wall treatments
Now this can definitely be costly, but a great way to add character to your new build home.
Some are most expensive than others like tongue and groove and some moulding. There are also some that you can DIY and more affordable options.
Wall treatments to consider
- Lime wash or faux lime wash
- board and batten
- box trim
- moulding
- tongue and groove
- bead board
- wallpaper
7. Add antiques
Even if your design style is more modern, adding a few vintage elements to each space in your home not only adds character and charm, it gives it this classic, timeless feel.
E.g. modern sofa and chairs in your livingroom then add a vintage coffee table maybe from market place or your local antique store.
Or keep your furniture more modern and traditional than have all your frames in your gallery wall antique.
8. Add unique lighting
We say have fun with this one, shop around at thrift stores, antique shops and marketplace.
Again, we love a vintage vibe, so look for unique lighting, that will add some much character to your space.
It adds so much more interest and looks better than the basic builder boob lighting they give you.
This also adds a unique vibe to your home because you don't have the lighting that everyone else has.
Want to more home tips read more Here
9. Wood flooring
This is probably a given, wood flooring just adds so much character to your new build home.
It just adds so much more warm that wall to wall carpet, or tiles.
If you are able, we would run your wood flooring through the kitchen.
Sometimes this is better to do with the builder but it can get quite expensive but we say do it cause it's completely worth it.
We are loving a light oak, or a mid tone wood floor that has some warmth, or a walnut colour is a great option without it being dark.
With adding character to your new build home it doesn't have to be done all at once.
Take your time with it, work from room to room and remember to have fun with it.
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