How to Add Character to a New Build
From colour schemes to stylish furniture, putting your stamp on a house is one of the most exciting aspects of buying a home.
Choose your colours
The most important step when adding character to new build is settling on a colour scheme. You may love white walls or gradient grey-purples, or a pop of colour might better reflect your personality.
Collect swatches from paint shops and put together a moodboard for each room in your home. Decide which shades will be base colours and which will be accents. It may help to purchase an item that can act as a focal point for each room – such as a sofa or a wardrobe – and build your design around it.
Choose your lighting
Once you have an idea of the colours you’re going for, you should consider your lighting. From warm and cosy bulbs to bright LED-style lights, there are a wide range of options you can match to the colour scheme in each room. Lampshades will also adjust the output of your bulbs, so keep that in mind when shopping for fixtures.
Pick out curtains
Curtains are an important part of any room’s style. They serve well as accents, or to set the ‘tone’ of more neutral rooms. Curtains come in thousands of colours and designs, and you can even make your own with a sewing machine and a bit of know-how. We recommend choosing curtains before starting to furnish a room, as they make a wonderful reference for additional pieces.
Make a floor plan
When you’re ready to furnish your home, make a floor plan with square metres marked out on paper. This will help you design your home accurately, and you won’t accidentally buy furniture that won’t fit in the space. Sketch out where each piece will go and carry out a light bit of research to find the right colour and style for you.
Add decorations
Decor is the touch that can add a sense of panache to your home. Mirrors, pictures, vases, and plants will bring the whole design together and finalise the style of your home. While it’s easy to overlook their importance, decorations are often the very thing you need when you feel a room is missing something.
How to Add Character to a New Build Exterior
Adding character to the outside of a new build could be as simple as switching out the doors. You don’t need fresh architectural elements to be stylish – you simply need to dress your home with your own sense of style.
Change the colour of your door, put stylish wooden blinds in your windows, or line the walls with planters. Place solar powered lights along the path, swap out gravel for wood chips, or line the walkway with garden edging.
However, when it comes to decorating your new build, there are a few things to note:
Be aware of the limitations of the warranty
Like every new build, your new home comes under a warranty. This warranty should last for ten years and will cover issues that may arise due to faults during the home’s development. Commissioning structural work, including extensions,
could void the warranty your developer has guaranteed you, and you may be responsible for covering subsequent repairs.
Consider the limitations of your property
Architectural additions may cause strain on your walls and foundations. It’s important to consider the weight and positioning of decorations before installing aesthetic flares.
Ensure you have the proper planning permission in place
If you alter your house without the proper planning permission, you may be forced to pay to remove the alterations. If you’re going ahead with building work, make sure to research the permissions allocated to your property and apply for the ones that you don’t have.
