Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, providing you with a high-quality, modern home and clean slate to decorate how you like.
While developers give you the option for customisations and upgrades, new builds can sometimes need a little bit more character. For instance, with their modern finishes and neutral colour schemes, you may be missing the rustic charm found in older properties. Yet, there’s no reason you can’t recreate this for yourself or find other ways to infuse character into your new build.
Here are ten ways to add more character to a new build and make it feel uniquely yours, with options for every budget:
- Incorporate natural materials into your home
- Find unique vintage pieces
- Be bold with your colour choices
- Place plants and greenery at multiple levels
- Upgrade your doors and windows
- Add crown moulding and paneling
- Built-in and custom furniture
- Upgrade your lighting fixtures
- Hang mirrors and wall art
- Give your garden a makeover
1. Incorporate natural materials into your home
Bringing elements of the natural world into your home can create a serene and inviting atmosphere. Natural materials like wood, stone, metal or wicker not only add texture but also have a timeless appeal.
There are many ways to incorporate these elements into your home, for example wood accents like floors or beams can instantly warm a space. Just make sure not to add these features unless they flow well into the modern surrounding and it doesn’t seem out of place.
We all know developers and home builders love using grey carpet, so consider upgrading to a herringbone wooden floor or a carpet with more texture like wool or jute. This will add more sophistication and character to your home instantly, making it stand out among other new builds.
Go for wooden furniture instead of white that will often get lost among white walls and light-coloured floors. Larger wooden pieces like shelving units, benches or bed frames can be particularly striking.
Stone features like countertops or fireplaces can also add a rugged and earthy feel. Think granite kitchens, cast iron fireplaces and brick walls, which you are likely to find in older, period buildings.
If you’re on a tighter budget, natural materials can be incorporated in more subtle ways, such as by choosing a jute rug or seagrass place mats to decorate your dining table, or a linen throw for your sofa.
2. Find unique vintage pieces
Incorporating vintage or antique furniture and decor can instantly add warmth and history to a new space. Look for unique pieces at flea markets, thrift stores or online marketplaces and you’ll be sure to get a good price. A vintage mirror or an antique dresser can serve as a beautiful focal point and will draw the eye more than any flat-pack furniture would.
3. Be bold with your colour choices
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to colour. https://www.onthemarket.com/new-homes/ often come as a blank canvas and many people simply take it as it comes, rather than take this as an opportunity to inject their personality into it.
Bold colour choices can transform a space from bland to breathtaking. Consider statement walls or painting your kitchen cabinets to add a splash of colour. A statement piece of furniture or even bright soft furnishings could provide the pop you need.
One popular trend we’re seeing this year is colourful tiles and backsplashes in kitchens and bathrooms. These customisations can be discussed with your developer when building your new home. If you’ve lived in your home for a while now and want to experiment with what works, why not try self-adhesive tiles, which are easily and cheaply available in homeware shops and online?
4. Place plants and greenery at multiple levels
Bringing greenery into your home can create a refreshing, calming atmosphere while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your space. By incorporating plants at multiple levels, you can create depth and dimension, making your home feel more dynamic and connected to nature.
Start with some large floor plants like fiddle leaf figs, rubber plants or tall palm trees and place them in ornamental pots to really make them stand out. Add smaller plants on table tops and shelves, or consider hanging them or mounting them to walls. Succulents, cacti, ferns, terrariums or spider plants work especially well for this and are also great if you don’t have a green thumb, as they require little maintenance.
5. Upgrade your doors and windows
Doors and windows are more than just functional elements in a home; they can also serve as design features that enhance the character and style of your space. Upgrading these elements can make a significant impact on the aesthetics of your property and give more character than you might think!
The front door is the first thing people see, which makes it a prime opportunity to make a statement and add character to the exterior of your new home. Consider replacing a standard door with one that has decorative glass panels or paint your existing one another colour. Don’t overlook the impact of door hardware. Upgrading to stylish knobs, handles and hinges can add a refined touch, both on interior and exterior doors. These are all elements that can be discussed with your developer during the build process.
Have you thought about upgrading to sliding french doors across the back of your house? Particularly stunning with an open plan kitchen-diner, french doors that open out to your back garden are a fantastic focal point and bring in incredible natural light.
The same goes for windows. If the developer offers the option, opt for architectural windows like bay or arched windows. If this isn’t an option, consider how the drapes or blinds you choose impact the look of your room. Floor-to-ceiling curtains can add height and dimension to any room, while neutral blinds can offer a sleek look and can make a smaller room look bigger.
6. Add crown moulding and panelling
Crown moulding is a timeless design element that can add sophistication and a finished look to any room. This decorative trim, installed where the wall meets the ceiling, can elevate the style of your home and create a sense of height and grandeur to your otherwise plain ceilings.
Similarly, panelling is another way to add an element of character to your plain walls. Wood panelling originally became popular in the 1980s, however, it has new-found popularity in recent years with many people attempting to DIY their own. It’s easy to see why panelling offers a beautiful addition to bedrooms and living rooms, adding a uniqueness and warmth, especially when the natural wood is exposed.
7. Built-in and custom furniture
Built-in and custom furniture are excellent ways to create a cohesive look in your home, while also optimising space. Unlike standard furniture, these pieces are designed specifically for the area they’re in, allowing for maximum functionality and aesthetic harmony.
Some ideas for custom furniture include built-in shelving and bookcases, which look particularly great on either side of your mantlepiece or in your home office. Another popular one is custom wardrobes in bedrooms, especially loft rooms, to maximise storage space.
8. Upgrade your lighting fixtures
Lighting plays a crucial role in the overall ambiance and aesthetic of a home. While many new builds come with standard, often generic lighting fixtures, upgrading to unique and stylish options can significantly transform your space.
A chandelier can be a dramatic centrepiece in a dining room, foyer or even a bedroom. Similarly, pendant lights are versatile and can be used in multiple settings, such as over kitchen islands or above dining tables. Consider grouping several pendants together for a modern, artistic look or opting for a single, bold piece to make a statement.
A popular add-on for many new homes is under-cabinet and cove lighting. While subtle, these lighting options can illuminate countertops in kitchens or add a soft, indirect glow to living spaces. They are perfect for creating a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. Your developer might also offer the option to upgrade light switches.
9. Hang mirrors and wall art
Hanging art on the walls is a great way to add some personality to your home. Whether you’re into abstract paintings or trendy prints, the right art can set the tone for a room. A large piece of art anchors the space and draws the eye. It can be placed above a fireplace or bed to create a visual centrepiece. You could even treat yourself and splurge on a framed TV that looks like artwork when it’s not in use!
Mirrors are great for making a room feel larger and brighter. Strategically placing large mirrors in smaller rooms or hallways can reflect light and create the illusion of more space. Mirrors come in various shapes, sizes and frame styles, from sleek and modern to ornate and vintage. A well-chosen mirror can serve as a piece of art in itself, adding a decorative element to your walls.
10. Give your garden a makeover
When you move into a new home, the garden is not always at the top of your mind but giving your garden a makeover can add significant character to a new build exterior.
The first step to transforming your garden is to determine how you want to use it. Do you envision a space for entertaining, a peaceful retreat, a playground for children or a productive vegetable garden? From there, the options are endless, including modern, minimalist, cottage, Mediterranean, tropical, Japanese or English garden styles.
Instead of plain turf, upgrade to patio or decking with high-quality materials like stone, wood or composite decking, ideal for an alfresco dining area. Invest in comfortable, durable outdoor furniture that suits your style and space. A garden gazebo is also a fabulous statement piece that can be adorned with cushions, drapes and rugs to create a cosy corner.
Last, but certainly not least, choose a mix of plants, including perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees. Consider the colour scheme, texture and height to create a layered and dynamic look. To really add the character you’re after, a water feature like a fountain or waterfall could be the thing for you.
Worried about garden privacy in your new home? Read our top tips for overlooked gardens.
Customise your dream new home today
Buying a new build gives you the opportunity to build your dream home from the ground up. From the kitchen cabinets to light switches, you can make it your own. Find your dream home today with OnTheMarket.
