How to Add Character to a New Home

Find Your Style

First, you must find your style. You can’t start your process of adding character and your unique personal touch to your home until you find your proper style. Whether that’s contemporary, rustic, minimalist, or classic, there is a style for everyone. Magazines and Pinterest are great places to gain inspiration and help yourself to develop your home’s sense of style. Check out our other blog posts on California Home Design, How To Select Your Finishes Like an Interior Designer, and Country Home Design to help you discover what style best suits your home. Even making a mood board can help you to see what styles, colors, and textures you think blend well together.

Entrance is Everything

Your front door is what your guests, you, and those just passing by see first. Many new homes are built with very simple front doors for a few reasons being they are cost effective, durable, and low maintenance. However, if you are feeling like your front door doesn’t quite suit you and is needing some more of your personal style, that is an easy fix! Here are a few ways to add character to your front door:

• New Door Hardware: Upgrade your door handle, knocker, and house numbers with stylish, modern options. Choose finishes that match or complement each other while expressing your personal style.
• Wreaths and Door Décor: Hang a decorative wreath or other door décor that reflects the season, your personality, or the overall style of your home.
• Bold Paint Color: Consider painting your front door a bold color that stands out from the rest of the house. Classic choices include red, navy, or yellow, but choose a color that resonates with you.

Let’s Add Some Color

Nothing says character quite like color. Being able to incorporate the colors you love and that make you happy is a key aspect to making a house a home. Adding color to a room can help to make a room engaging and dynamic and bring out the architectural features that need to be highlighted. They can also help to create a certain warmth and add that feeling to a room. Although everyone’s style is different, here are a few colors that really bring out the character in a new home and can help you feel more comfortable.

• Navy Blue:  Navy blue adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to a home. It pairs well with a variety of other colors and can create a dramatic contrast when used on accent walls, cabinetry, or furnishings. This color exudes a sense of calm and stability, making it a great choice for living rooms or bedrooms.
• Warm Terracotta:  Warm terracotta brings a cozy and inviting feel to any space. It evokes a sense of warmth and comfort, perfect for creating a welcoming atmosphere in living areas or dining rooms. This earthy hue connects your interior to nature and can be paired with natural materials like wood and stone for a harmonious look.
• Emerald Green:  Emerald green adds vibrancy and a touch of luxury to a home. This rich, bold color works well in both modern and traditional settings, and it can be used to create striking focal points. Incorporating emerald green through accent walls, decor, or furniture can breathe life into a room and make it feel more dynamic and stylish.

Personalize With Gallery Walls

Creating a gallery wall is such a sweet and memorable way to add character to your home. This is the perfect way to add your personal and unique touch to any space. Adding pictures of friends and family can easily soften a space and make it your own. The great thing about gallery walls is that it fits into any style. You can be creative and use any style of frame, colors, or create any shape with your images. 

Bring In The Light

Adding different lighting styles to a room can really help to add warmth and comfort to that room. Not only can overhead lighting be too harsh at times but it can also be a little too simple and not express your own style. Here are a few ways you can incorporate lighting differently into your home for more character.

• Floor Lamps: Placed in corners or next to seating areas, they cast a gentle light upwards and outwards.
• Under-Cabinet Lights: Installed in kitchens or offices, they illuminate work surfaces without casting shadows.
• Chandeliers: Elegant and eye-catching, chandeliers can be used in dining rooms, living rooms, or entryways.
• Bulb String Lights: Larger bulbs that can be strung across ceilings or outdoor patios for a festive touch.

Revitalize Your Garden

Although this is technically outside the house, a garden is still a big part of your home. An inviting garden can extend your living space, providing a tranquil retreat and a stunning first impression. Here are some ways to spruce up your garden to add more character to your home:

• Plant selection: Choose plants that bloom at different times of the year to ensure your garden remains vibrant across seasons. Native plants can also be a great choice, as they are well-suited to the local climate and require less maintenance.
• Cozy seating: Add a bench under a tree, a hammock in a shady corner, or a set of chairs and a table on a patio. Consider adding cushions and throws for extra comfort.
• Incorporate Personal Touches: Add garden art, such as sculptures or wind chimes, and consider DIY projects like painted flower pots or a custom-built birdhouse. These elements add character and make your garden stand out.

Adding character to your home, both inside and out, can transform it into a truly unique and inviting space that reflects your personal style. From selecting the right colors and lighting to enhancing your garden and curating gallery walls, each step contributes to creating a home that feels warm, welcoming, and full of personality. Remember, it’s the thoughtful details and personal touches that make a house a home. So, take your time, enjoy the process, and let your creativity shine. With a little effort and imagination, you can turn any new build into a charming and character-filled home.