Buying a new build house can be an exciting experience. The clean lines, latest fittings, and sense of space and light hold so much potential. However, these houses also have a sterile, cookie-cutter feel. While the shell may be perfect, it takes time and effort to turn these empty spaces into a warm, welcoming home. Luckily, with some thoughtful choices, you can easily inject personality and comfort into even the blandest new build.
Define Areas and Create Zones
An open-plan layout may seem appealing but defining specific areas for different activities helps make each space feel more usable. For example, use a large rug and console table to differentiate a living room seating area from where the kids play. Strategically place bookshelves or half walls to zone a dining area within a kitchen. Pay attention to lighting too – pendant lights work well over islands while task lighting is ideal for food prep zones. Don’t forget to incorporate ample storage solutions so everything has a convenient, clutter-free home.
Select Meaningful Furniture
Every piece you choose should have purpose, so resist impulse buys that serve little function. Focus first on key items like comfortable sofas for relaxing or a table that fits the whole family. Source furnishings that suit your lifestyle and space, rather than randomly filling it. You want quality over quantity, so save up for special statement pieces with character that will stand the test of time. Feel free to mix modern with vintage finds for a homely edge.
Add Warmth with Texture and Colour
Carpets, rugs, throws and soft furnishings instantly make a new build feel more relaxed and welcoming. Natural textures like wood, rattan, linen and wool bring depth and warmth too. Don’t be afraid to use colour to create an inviting atmosphere. Accent walls, painted doors or coloured glass lamp bases introduce vibrancy. Bold artwork and floral displays also enliven plain white spaces. You can easily switch up cushions and throws to refresh a scheme.
Personalise with Cherished Possessions
What makes a house your home are the personal touches that reflect your style and interests. Display favourite artworks, photos or souvenirs you’ve collected to spur happy memories. Showcase cherished wedding gifts, heirlooms or pretty trinkets inherited from relatives to reinforce connections. Create an organised area for each family member’s stuff to keep things manageable. Personal books, hobby items or tech gadgets make even the plainest room feel special.
Maximise Storage
Lack of storage is a common complaint in new builds. Make the most of what you have by housing things conveniently near where they’ll be used. Add hooks, shelves and cubby holes for organisation. Repurpose furniture like bench seats with hidden storage or ottomans that double as toy boxes. If you need more capacity, consider custom-fitted wardrobes or have an alcove built into a wasted space. Match cabinets and drawers to your decor for a cohesive look.
Zone with Plants
Greenery transforms any space, giving new builds an instant lift. Create green zones on windowsills and alcoves to maximise natural light. Hang trailing plants like ivy or spider plants where floor space is limited. Large statement leaves or bamboo stakes make excellent room dividers too. Place tree palms in corners to fill awkward angles. Don’t forget to add posies of fresh flowers to inject colour and fragrance. Outdoor space allows even more scope for plans to help your new build blend into its surroundings.
Display Meaningful MemorabiliaÂ
What makes a house feel like a home are the personal touches that reflect precious memories. Showcase any souvenirs from your travels that spur happy recollections. Create a memory wall with photos documenting special occasions and major milestones to reinforce connections. Cherished wedding gifts or pretty trinkets inherited from relatives carry nostalgic significance. Enjoy them on display rather than packed away in boxes. Make room for ever-increasing piles of children’s artistic creations and school awards too!
Establish Easy Care Landscaping
Your new build’s outdoor space holds great potential for extending living areas. But time-consuming lawn and flowerbed maintenance may be unappealing. Consider easy-care solutions like decking, gravel gardens, hard landscaping features and native planting. These stand up better to kids and pets while providing year-round interest with minimal upkeep. Strategically placed fencing also helps create a private, sheltered feel where you can relax and unwind. Look at bespoke summer houses so you can enjoy entertaining outside, or working from home in the garden as your garden matures. Over time, trees, shrubs and climbers will mature to enhance privacy too.
Add Character to Your Facade
Standard new builds often feature very plain frontages. Customise the exterior of your home with colourful planting schemes climbing up walls or boundaries. Include architectural elements like shuttered windows, decorative white-painted brickwork or smart black window frames. Choose vibrant blue front door or install custom house numbers. Upgrading standard garage doors to stylish carriage house designs adds kerb appeal too. Then adorn your entrance with elegant sconces and topiary bushes in pots.
Transforming a pristine but generic new build into a warm, welcoming home full of memories and personality takes time. Before long, however, you’ll have created a perfectly imperfect home that reflects the people rather than just the structure.
