Making a House Feel Like Home: How to Add a Ton of Personality to Your New Build House

Assuming you bought your new build complete, you probably weren’t involved in the design process. Your home was designed to be suitable to the masses, it was not designed for you. But it doesn’t have to stay that way! You can add personality to your new build easily, so when you’re all settled into your new house, it reflects who you are — not any Jane Doe on the street!

Make Changes: Be Prepared to Update Some Finishes in You New Build

Many people move into a new build thinking they won’t change anything — the house is complete and all new after all. And while it’s true you don’t need to change anything, in order to make the house feel like yours, you might want to make changes.

Easy Updates to New Build Finishes that Make it Feel Custom

There are lots of easy things you can change to make your new build house feel like home. The house is probably painted all one shade of greige. So I would start with the walls! Start incorporating colorful accents where it makes sense (bedrooms, fireplace, built-ins, etc). Some other easy changes to consider:

• Paint rooms accent colors — this doesn’t necessarily have to mean color, neutrals work too. Just avoid the outdated “accent” wall.
• Choose wallpapers that make you smile. Wallpapering a bedroom or office or dining room is a great way to quickly add a ton of personality. If your walls are textured, have your wallpaper installer add a wallpaper backing paper to the walls first.
• Consider switching your basic panel mirrors with interesting ones (a pair over the sinks on a double vanity and a single large one over a single vanity)
• Lighting is one of the quickest and easiest changes you can make and lighting is so impactful. At minimum change out your island pendants and dining room chandelier for ones that speak more to you.
• And don’t forget the fifth wall! Painting or wallpapering your ceiling can be an amazing way to change up a space. At Laurel Design Collective, we especially love this trick on houses uncased openings and rounded drywall corners. When there’s no stopping point for your accent color — consider going bold on the ceiling instead.

Bigger Changes, Bigger Impact Upgrading Your Builder Grade Home

Of course there are more expensive and permanent changes that you can make to your new build house that allow you to infuse your personality and preferences even deeper into the home.

• Backsplashes are a great place to start with these changes. Typically fairly easy and inexpensive to change, you can choose a tile that is more fun or more interesting than the standard option that came with your home.
• Vanities in new builds are often made by the same manufacturer as the kitchen cabinets and are installed wall to wall. If you have a little more to spend, have a contractor or handyman carefully remove these vanity cabinets (so you can donate them rather than trashing them!). You can replace them with stand alone vanities. The breathing space on either side will also look more custom. Just note this change will involve the countertops, baseboards, and possibly even flooring, so inspect your existing conditions carefully before starting!
• When you know how you live in a place, you usually realize you wish you had a bit more storage here or there. Adding custom built-Ins can be a great way to personalize a room and add some resale value!
• Finally, countertops are another consideration. Removal and replacement of counters is… easier than it sounds. In our Laurelhurst project we kept the vanity that was there (it was cute!), but replaced the boring, basic white quartz and 4″ slab backsplash with carerra marble. We added a fun swoop and shelf detail to add even more personality and impact. Now this bathroom looks super custom!

No-Construction Ways to Transform Your Home: Using Furniture & Accessories to Bring Personality to Your New Build

Sometimes, it doesn’t make any sense to change up your perfectly good, new house. Either you love the finishes and details (maybe you even got to pick them!) or it’s simply not in the budget. Well, no problem. We can transform a space without changing a thing with fun, bold furniture choices.

Furniture Makes the Space: Choose the Right Pieces to Transform a Room

The cover image for this post is a living room in a townhouse we designed in Sunnyvale. Because it was a rental, we didn’t want to make any permanent changes. Instead, we utilized fun furniture, rugs, and accessories to make a space that feels so exciting you don’t even realize there’s only white walls.

Update Your Atmosphere by Controlling Light: Curtains, Shades, and Lighting Make a Space

Light control is hugely impactful on a space. We used navy curtains to disguise all white walls. If you have windows, you need curtains or shades! You can bring in a ton of personality with patterns or color, or just add the texture for a custom feel. And curtains don’t need to be expensive. IKEA and Amazon have simple options that are incredibly affordable. Just double up on the panels on either side of larger windows.

The Final Touches: Art & Accessories Allow Your Personality to Shine Through

Art and accessories are the final touches to transforming your home. Art is one of the most personal things you can choose — it’s very polarizing. Good art is in the eye of the beholder. Choose art that speaks to you and what you want that room to feel like: invigorating in the dining room, but maybe calm in the bedroom? Make a statement with your art. Choose pieces that reflect your life, your family, your culture, your favorite place to travel!

Accessories are much the same. Hit up HomeGoods, sure. But don’t forget Goodwill and thrift stores for truly one-of-a-kind finds. Accessories can be practical too — that empty corner? Big ole blanket basket. Need something tall on that shelf? A fun vase you can pull down when you have flowers.

Your New Build Home Should Be Full of Character & Personality

Now you know the simplest ways to make your new build home look like it was custom built just for you! Simple changes can have huge impacts. By updating finishes and utilizing the right furniture, art, & accessories, your personality will shine throughout your home!