Decorating
Decorating: 8 Easy Ways to Add Character to a New Build
Is your brand-new house feeling a bit, well, brand-new? No worries – check out these easy tricks for adding bags of personality
There are many benefits to buying a brand-new home, but sometimes a box-fresh space can feel a little soulless. The aged décor and worn patinas common in older properties suggest history and life, and that can be missing in a new space.
But it’s surprisingly easy to add depth and personality to your new build – a favourite old piece here and a decorative touch there and, suddenly, your home has a life of its own. Here are some classic tricks for giving a crisp space character, so it really feels like yours.
But it’s surprisingly easy to add depth and personality to your new build – a favourite old piece here and a decorative touch there and, suddenly, your home has a life of its own. Here are some classic tricks for giving a crisp space character, so it really feels like yours.
Pick a pattern with history
A chequerboard floor is a classic design, used down the ages in properties from the grand to the small and humble. This monochrome design laid as diamonds immediately makes a strong statement, adding punch to the plain space.
Discover 9 ways to pack a punch with pattern
A chequerboard floor is a classic design, used down the ages in properties from the grand to the small and humble. This monochrome design laid as diamonds immediately makes a strong statement, adding punch to the plain space.
Discover 9 ways to pack a punch with pattern
Be bold with bookshelves
A wall of books is a sure-fire way to add warmth and personality. It immediately says ‘library’, which suggests a home lived in and loved over many years. Even if you don’t have enough books to fill it, build the bookcase across a whole wall, then simply fill up empty spaces with personal treasures – they will add to the mood just as well. No books to speak of? Grab some from a charity shop, or consider some of the brilliant ‘bookcase’ wallpapers now available to cheat a library vibe.
A wall of books is a sure-fire way to add warmth and personality. It immediately says ‘library’, which suggests a home lived in and loved over many years. Even if you don’t have enough books to fill it, build the bookcase across a whole wall, then simply fill up empty spaces with personal treasures – they will add to the mood just as well. No books to speak of? Grab some from a charity shop, or consider some of the brilliant ‘bookcase’ wallpapers now available to cheat a library vibe.
Play with tiles
A few tiles arranged in a unique pattern will give a plain white bathroom lots of character. This blue selection looks fresh, or why not collect a range of different vintage tiles – check out salvage yards and eBay – and create your own characterful collage.
A few tiles arranged in a unique pattern will give a plain white bathroom lots of character. This blue selection looks fresh, or why not collect a range of different vintage tiles – check out salvage yards and eBay – and create your own characterful collage.
Personalise your walls
Surrounding yourself with your favourite prints and paintings is an easy way to put your own stamp on a new home. A mix of memories, family snaps and favourite artworks will instantly make the space yours and capture any visitor’s attention.
Explore ways to display your favourite photographs
Surrounding yourself with your favourite prints and paintings is an easy way to put your own stamp on a new home. A mix of memories, family snaps and favourite artworks will instantly make the space yours and capture any visitor’s attention.
Explore ways to display your favourite photographs
Create a gathering space
Nothing warms up a space more than a group of friends or family chatting together and enjoying each other’s company. So make sure you create an area, such as this breakfast bar, where people can gather and linger comfortably. Choosing vintage seating – such as these industrial-style stools – adds another layer of character.
Nothing warms up a space more than a group of friends or family chatting together and enjoying each other’s company. So make sure you create an area, such as this breakfast bar, where people can gather and linger comfortably. Choosing vintage seating – such as these industrial-style stools – adds another layer of character.
Use vibrant colour
Highlighting unusual areas with vibrant colour can really add character. Simply painting the backs of these bookshelves in orange has lifted them out of the ordinary, while the inset lighting really makes the colour pop. Try introducing just one strong colour into each neutral room, whether through fabric, paint or furniture, and watch it instantly add personality to the scheme.
Highlighting unusual areas with vibrant colour can really add character. Simply painting the backs of these bookshelves in orange has lifted them out of the ordinary, while the inset lighting really makes the colour pop. Try introducing just one strong colour into each neutral room, whether through fabric, paint or furniture, and watch it instantly add personality to the scheme.
Layer lots of texture
In the absence of plaster cornices or intricate cast iron fireplaces, introduce your own texture through furnishings. This rug catches the light to really add depth and warmth to the space, while the Togo sofas introduce a lived-in look.
TELL US...
How do you add character to a new build? Share your tips in the Comments below.
In the absence of plaster cornices or intricate cast iron fireplaces, introduce your own texture through furnishings. This rug catches the light to really add depth and warmth to the space, while the Togo sofas introduce a lived-in look.
TELL US...
How do you add character to a new build? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Vintage furniture is a short-cut to a lived-in look. Pieces such as this sofa and footstool add that missing patina and heritage. Choosing a vibrant colour means the eye is drawn straight to the older elements, allowing the less characterful surroundings to slip into the background.