How to add character to your new build

Love them or hate them, new build homes are an incredibly popular option for house hunters right now. With great locations and the chance to personalise them every step of the way, it comes as no surprise that buyers love them, but we still often hear that they lack the charm of older builds.

So if your home is feeling a little too new, read our top tips on how to inject some character into your new build home…

Beat the blank

A clean canvas might be full of opportunity, but all those white walls can also make your new home feel a little sparse – not helped by the fact that you often can’t paint them for a whole year! Picking a brightly coloured sofa is the perfect way to inject a little colour.

It’s tempting to follow the trends, and maybe that’s your style, but our top tip for a budget friendly sofa pick is to choose your favourite colour for the covers/upholstery. Whether it’s violet, teal, olive or rose, investing in a colour you truly love reduces the chance of you – or your favourite interiors magazine - going off it in the long run.

Pattern power

‘But grey and white are my style!’

Don’t worry, we hear you! With Scandi style making its way into nearly every home, neutral palettes are a lot of people’s first choice right now. The clean, simple look keeps your house fresh and retains that show home feel.

If neutrals are your choice, then why not add some pattern to your decor? The word floral might conjure up images of 70s stretch, but we promise that a muted floral or damask design on your furniture or window dressings will make a world of difference - without distracting attention.

Work your windows

It’s not all about the sofa! Getting your curtains and blinds right is essential for your new home. If committing to something bright or patterned on your furniture seems overwhelming, turn your window dressings into a statement!

A neutral colour palette can be totally altered by a bold fabric such as William Morris’ Strawberry Thief, or inject soft colour with something like Evie, Lavender.

Accessorise

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, don’t skimp on the finishing touches for your furniture. As well as vases, foliage and photo frames, there’s scatter cushions, arm covers, pet throws and footstools – all of which will transform your room.

TOP TIP: Piling your sofa high with scatter cushions is literally a win-win as you’re adding comfort and style. Take ten minutes to pick some different designs, shapes, sizes, and shades to produce a carelessly chic look – perfect for your next Instagram snap!

If you’re still stuck, why not organise a free, in home consultation? We can guide you through your choices, to help get your house feeling like home!