8 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Kitchen
Whether you’re the first to move in or trying to add interest to a newer kitchen, here are some tips to get you started
There are plenty of ways to add character to a property, even if it still has that shiny new-build feel. If you’re looking to renovate or are lucky enough to get some input on the initial kitchen design, don’t miss the opportunity to add an individual touch through interesting finishes, flooring and lighting. If a redesign isn’t on the cards, accessories can go a long way, too. Read on for tips on where to start.
2. Use window dressings to soften the feel of the room
Even if you don’t have the option to specify materials or finishes, there are still plenty of ways to bring your own personality into the space.
Curtains or blinds are an instant way to help soften a room and add a sense of lived-in cosiness. Play with materials, texture and pattern to get the right feel: a sheer curtain might create a soft, almost daydream atmosphere, as in this design by Katie McCrum Studio, while a boldly patterned Roman blind is a good way to add colour, pattern and texture without breaking with the clean lines of the space.
Even if you don’t have the option to specify materials or finishes, there are still plenty of ways to bring your own personality into the space.
Curtains or blinds are an instant way to help soften a room and add a sense of lived-in cosiness. Play with materials, texture and pattern to get the right feel: a sheer curtain might create a soft, almost daydream atmosphere, as in this design by Katie McCrum Studio, while a boldly patterned Roman blind is a good way to add colour, pattern and texture without breaking with the clean lines of the space.
3. Add a vintage touch
If there’s room for additional furniture, such as a table or sideboard, choosing vintage pieces, as in this scheme by Sigmar, is a great way to balance out the shiny new feel. Vintage accessories such as posters, vases and clocks are also a great touch. Go for mismatched pieces for an eclectic feel, or choose multiple in the same design to ground your decor in a particular time period or style.
Do think about safety when choosing for the kitchen, however. Avoid vintage cookware, which may contain lead or other harmful materials. Vintage appliances may not be up to current electrical standards, either, while glass cabinet doors may need to be swapped for safety glass.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
If there’s room for additional furniture, such as a table or sideboard, choosing vintage pieces, as in this scheme by Sigmar, is a great way to balance out the shiny new feel. Vintage accessories such as posters, vases and clocks are also a great touch. Go for mismatched pieces for an eclectic feel, or choose multiple in the same design to ground your decor in a particular time period or style.
Do think about safety when choosing for the kitchen, however. Avoid vintage cookware, which may contain lead or other harmful materials. Vintage appliances may not be up to current electrical standards, either, while glass cabinet doors may need to be swapped for safety glass.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
4. Choose your lighting carefully
Beautiful light fixtures can act as points of interest in and of themselves. Don’t forget to build in softer lighting scenarios for cosiness. Tactile materials, like the woven shades in this scheme by MLA Architecture, can add instant warmth. Dimmable task lighting, wall sconces, and accent lights in display cabinets or under the worktop or plinth can all create a warm ambience that can be missing in a new-build home.
If you’re not sure where to start, an interior designer or lighting designer will be able to offer expert advice on how to build a layered lighting scheme.
More: What Happens When You Hire a Lighting Designer?
Beautiful light fixtures can act as points of interest in and of themselves. Don’t forget to build in softer lighting scenarios for cosiness. Tactile materials, like the woven shades in this scheme by MLA Architecture, can add instant warmth. Dimmable task lighting, wall sconces, and accent lights in display cabinets or under the worktop or plinth can all create a warm ambience that can be missing in a new-build home.
If you’re not sure where to start, an interior designer or lighting designer will be able to offer expert advice on how to build a layered lighting scheme.
More: What Happens When You Hire a Lighting Designer?
5. Bring in some colour
Most new properties come with standard neutral walls, so adding colour is a great way to inject a little personality. Repaint your kitchen entirely or add a colourful accent wall, as in this design by Go Plans.
Alternatively, achieve a similar effect with colourful accessories. Tea towels, cookware or small appliances such as the toaster or kettle are a great way to inject some interest, and can also be easier to update when required.
Most new properties come with standard neutral walls, so adding colour is a great way to inject a little personality. Repaint your kitchen entirely or add a colourful accent wall, as in this design by Go Plans.
Alternatively, achieve a similar effect with colourful accessories. Tea towels, cookware or small appliances such as the toaster or kettle are a great way to inject some interest, and can also be easier to update when required.
6. Display beautiful tableware and accessories
Handmade ceramics, wooden bowls or cutting boards, or delicate porcelain dishes can add a beautiful human touch that can soften a brand-new kitchen. Or choose quirky designs to bring in a bit of fun.
Don’t be afraid to display them on your worktop or open shelving as decorative items in deliberate arrangements, as demonstrated in this kitchen by Into interior design, or pair them with a vase of flowers, a cookbook or candles for a welcoming ambience.
Handmade ceramics, wooden bowls or cutting boards, or delicate porcelain dishes can add a beautiful human touch that can soften a brand-new kitchen. Or choose quirky designs to bring in a bit of fun.
Don’t be afraid to display them on your worktop or open shelving as decorative items in deliberate arrangements, as demonstrated in this kitchen by Into interior design, or pair them with a vase of flowers, a cookbook or candles for a welcoming ambience.
7. Show off your cookbooks
Books are underrated as decorative items: their colourful spines and covers are a great way to add colour to any space without being overwhelming. Cookbooks in particular say something about you: what you like to eat and maybe how you fill your spare time.
Built-in shelving in an island is the perfect place for a kitchen library, as seen here in a scheme by Lacy-Hulbert Interiors, but open overhead shelves or even the worktop can do the trick, too.
Books are underrated as decorative items: their colourful spines and covers are a great way to add colour to any space without being overwhelming. Cookbooks in particular say something about you: what you like to eat and maybe how you fill your spare time.
Built-in shelving in an island is the perfect place for a kitchen library, as seen here in a scheme by Lacy-Hulbert Interiors, but open overhead shelves or even the worktop can do the trick, too.
8. Don’t forget artwork
Artwork has been making its way into the kitchen more and more over the past few years. Think of displaying it on open shelving, as in this design by deVOL Kitchens, or go for a single oversized painting to create a focal point.
For a coherent feel, select artwork that suits your kitchen’s overall colour scheme and style, and think about how it connects with and complements the rest of the home.
Tell us…
How are you giving your new-build kitchen some character? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Artwork has been making its way into the kitchen more and more over the past few years. Think of displaying it on open shelving, as in this design by deVOL Kitchens, or go for a single oversized painting to create a focal point.
For a coherent feel, select artwork that suits your kitchen’s overall colour scheme and style, and think about how it connects with and complements the rest of the home.
Tell us…
How are you giving your new-build kitchen some character? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
If you’re buying a new-build home, you might have the opportunity to specify or update the cabinetry or worktops at the build stage, so it’s always worth asking. Getting an interior designer involved at an early stage can also help you make these decisions and ensure your design choices will work with the rest of the home.
If you’re able to specify at the build stage, think about how the finishes you select might add character. Reeded glass cupboard doors, as seen in this scheme by Q Design House; natural wood cabinetry; terrazzo worktops, or a zellige tile splashback are just some of the ways you can add personality and warmth.
Find an interior designer near you.