Buying a new build gives you a completely blank canvas to work with, ready and waiting for you to make uniquely your own. While this can feel daunting at first, it’s exciting to know that you have the freedom to go in whichever direction you like to add character to your brand new home.
To help you get started, we’ve teamed up with family friendly interior designers The Living House, to share some top tips to add character to a new build home.
Paint
Paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform and change the feel of a room. Adding colour to your walls will bring warmth and interest to any space. Even if you’re a lover of all things neutral, why not consider an off-white colour to make the room feel warmer? If you love a splash of colour, be bold and paint every wall, including the ceiling! Painting the ceiling will help to soften the room and blur the edges.
When it comes to paint, there are lots of interesting colour blocking ideas you can add to your walls. This technique works especially well in kids’ rooms when you’re looking to make it fun and add something special. If you have a north facing room, embrace the lack of natural light and go for a dark and moody look, this will definitely add some character to your home.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper can add that punch of pattern and texture that your new build home is craving. If you have a downstairs loo, this can be the perfect space to give some bold wallpaper a go.
The feature wall has been popular in recent years, but the current trend is to wallpaper a whole room or go for a mix of panelling and wallpaper.
Mix the old and new for a transitional style
Pairing the old and new together is a fabulous way to bring character to your new home. This is also known as transitional interior design and can work just as well in a new build home as it can in a period property.
What’s great about using older pieces of furniture is that you can save money by purchasing second-hand or even have a go at some upcycling to give your furniture a new lease of life. Why not give your charity shop dresser a lick of paint and some new handles, and voila, you’ll have a beautiful new addition to your home.
We recommend Facebook Marketplace, eBay, vintage fairs, and charity shops for tracking down some hidden gems. And you don’t have to stop at furniture, you can also add some vintage touches when choosing your accessories and artwork.
Avoid the matching furniture set
It can be tempting to buy a matching furniture set because theoretically that means it will all work together. However, this approach can leave a room looking a little flat and lacking in interest. Opting for a mix of furniture on the other hand, will create a well-designed look.
When it comes to your sofas, armchairs, and other soft furnishings, we always suggest choosing different fabrics in order to bring character into a space. If you are mixing furniture, make sure that everything works together to create a flow and a cohesive look throughout the space. This is what interior designers call ‘the golden thread’, where there is a common connection in the room, achieved through colour palettes and/or textures.
Lighting
At The Living House, we strongly believe that lighting can make or break a room. Lighting can add warmth to your new build home and create a cosy atmosphere. To add character, you want to create pockets of light by layering the lighting. This can be achieved by adding wall lights, table lamps, and floor lamps to your living space or bedroom.
Opt for warm bulbs rather than bright white, otherwise the light could feel too harsh. Lighting has recently become more decorative with its finishes, and lamps with pleated, scalloped, or braided edges are a trending choice for 2024.
For your overhead lighting don’t be afraid to make a statement, this will draw the eyes up and make the room feel taller. It’s important not to go too small with your ceiling lights, even if you have a smaller room, a large ceiling light can make the room feel bigger.
Window treatments
Dressing the windows in your new build home will instantly make it feel warmer and soften the windows. Curtains and blinds can bring pattern and texture to a room. Consider how you’re going to use the room and if you need privacy.
If you’re overlooked, then this is where using double layers of window treatments will work brilliantly. You could opt for a sheer roller blind inside the recess paired with curtains or a roman blind on the outside of the window. A top tip for curtains is to place the curtain pole or track halfway to two thirds of the way up between the top of the window frame and the ceiling, or opt for a ceiling fix track. This will give the illusion of height in the room as well as creating a contemporary look.
Artwork
A brilliant way to add character and personality to your home is through artwork. Choosing artwork for your home doesn’t need to break the bank, there are lots of affordable print companies that have a fantastic range of beautiful prints.
If you want to add a vintage look to your home, take a look on Etsy for vintage inspired downloadable prints. All you need to do is download the file and print yourself to the size you need. You can also find vintage and antique frames sold in big bundles that someone has spent time searching around charity shops and fairs to give your new collection a more curated look.
The exterior
When it comes to adding character, don’t forget about the exterior too. Investing in some garden furniture will make your outside space look and feel more homely, while painting your fences and shed can transform the appearance of your garden.
Your front door is the first impression everybody will have of your home, so you might want to paint the exterior of this too, with a colour that matches the character and aesthetic that you are going for.
Finally, consider what type of plants and wildlife you want in your garden. Do you want an array of colourful plants and flowers that surround your lawn? Or perhaps you want to create a stone pathway running up through the middle with plants, herbs and vegetables growing either side? The options are endless for making your garden full of character and uniquely your own.
The Living House
If you’re looking for some help with adding character to your new build home, The Living House is here to help, offering interior design advice to suit any budget that can help transform your space to suit your lifestyle. Get in touch today to find out more.
If you’ve been busy adding character to your Miller home, share with us on Instagram using #MyMillerHome.