How To Add Character To A New Build Property

New build homes are a great way to start afresh, they have the latest eco credentials, fresh clean fixtures and are usually available in ready built communities in nicer areas. However, we often give them a bad rep. Why? Because they’re basic and bland!

Our sTile Consultant shares their hints and tips on how to transform your new build’s interior as well as how to add character to a new build exterior.

The first tip on how to give a new build character is to simply input your personality into the space. So often homeowners think about the next person living in their home, aka the resale, and forget about how to live in the here and now, to enjoy their home. Here’s three things you can do to the walls of your new build to bring it to life.

Image Credit: @carasuthers

Most new builds are stark white, feeling cold and clinical, create your ideal colour palette and use this tonally throughout the home. A harmonious mix of warm neutrals will bring life and comfort to the blank spaces. Then, you can play with different tones to evoke different interior styles. For example, muted or muddier tones offer a more vintage, lived in aesthetic (ideal for country or Victorian styling) and cleaner tones lend themselves well to more contemporary or Scandi styling.

The other top tip is when painting your rooms, paint your ceiling in the same shade as your walls, or at least something tonal, just remove that bright white! Known as the fifth wall, the ceiling is instrumental in the overall aesthetic of your room, it can create the illusion of more height (something usually missing from new builds), and it will affect your lighting choices.

Image Credit: thehousethatblackbuilt

Now some new builds put a lot of effort into the finishing touches however most are built on a budget and use pretty plain woodwork, without much thought into the overall design of the room. Skirting, door frames and the doors themselves are a great way to instil character into a new build home.

If you like a rustic finish then we’d advise sourcing some reclaimed, stripped back skirting which is raw wood. If you’re after the grandeur of a Georgian town house, then go for a deep skirting with a decorative top section to mimic the look of old ‘original features’. The key to making any style of woodwork fit is how you finish it. If you’re going for a decorative, dramatic skirting then we’d paint it in the same colour as the walls to help it flow, this will also help your space to feel bigger which is often needed in new build properties.

Decoration on the walls can really complete a room, it’s also a great way to connect floor and ceiling so it doesn’t feel stark. Of course, you can go full on personal with memorabilia, photographs etc. or you can go for simple prints that work with the colour palette of your room. The most important thing to remember is placement. You want to create balance in your room so think about how your furniture flows around the room. Creating different heights adds interest and depth (that’s readymade character right there!) and the height in which you hang your art is important, many people hang pictures far too high where it feels disconnected from your space. Think about where you would naturally hang a picture when you’re standing up and then probably lower it about a foot and you’d be pretty much bang on!

And we’ve linked a great example of how a wall tile can inform a whole scheme and bring instant character to an otherwise plain newbuild kitchen.

Flowing from room to room, your flooring guides you around the home so it should be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Here’s three ways of transforming a new build from the floor up.

Often seen as a luxury, underfloor heating adds instant cosiness to a space which provides a lived-in feel. It also means you can get rid of traditional radiators which take up a large amount of space. It’s actually a lot more cost effective than you’d think and it means that you can choose different flooring types that are far more practical (and stylish) than the beige or grey carpet most new builds are kitted out with.

You can get creative with your flooring when using tiles, and they’re an easy way to tap into specific interior styles.

Natural stone or a faux porcelain look-a-like evokes a country feel, marble (or marble effect) feels luxurious and contemporary whilst a wood effect tile brings warmth. If you’re looking to tap into a period property feel then you can go all out with pattern, a Victorian inspired flooring pattern is an easy way to add character to a new build. Using an old-style flooring aesthetic doesn’t mean you need your house to look like a museum, they’re a great way to add contrast with modern schemes which in turn creates layers of interest in your home which is where the character is created.

Commonly, new builds are decked out with spotlights, fine for the kitchen and bathrooms but not so much for a cosy lounge. Opt for some decorative floor lamps to create height in your interior scheme whilst providing mood lighting, perfect for cosying up to savour a night in. Do a little research into the style of lamp to ensure it suits the mood and choose a warm bulb for that cosy atmosphere.

Image Credit: Devol

They say the devil is in the detail and it really does make all the difference. We’ve already discussed skirting, but you could also install cornicing and ceiling roses if you want a more luxury feel to your space. Regardless of the style you choose for your home, quality switches and sockets are the perfect finishing touch. Recycle those tacky white plastic covers and invest in a brushed metal of your choice, the novelty of turning on the lights will never get old.

Another big investment you could make is in the style of radiators in the rooms without underfloor heating. If you can’t afford to change them, make them blend into the space by painting them the same colour as your walls.

Although a new build typically has an attractive exterior, they can look all the same and therefore devoid of any personality and charm. Add in some character by painting your door, spraying the UPVC windows and even adding a porch.

A quick and easy way to add character to your front steps is to pave the space in exterior friendly tiles, available in a range of colours, patterns and textures, outdoor tiles are a practical yet attractive option even in the smallest of spaces. It’s a great way to introduce the style of your home to the outside to welcome your guests.

Have you been inspired to transform your bare new build into a colourful, cosy haven? Share the results with us over on Instagram @toppstiles.