How to add character to a new build

Living in a new build has its perks. The walls are free of damp and the floors don’t groan and creak underfoot. There are generally no hideous décor scars from previous owners to deal with (goodbye avocado bathroom), and you’re far less likely to encounter colonies of mice in the walls, or moths in the closet. But, despite the downfalls of older buildings, there’s no denying their charm. Solid oak beams, real wooden floors and sweeping bay windows are just some of the traditional features that make them so characterful. And it’s precisely this character that people living in new builds can find themselves longing for. Sure, newer properties leak less, they’re easier to maintain and they heat like a dream in the winter, but they’ve got no history. No quirks or eccentricities or dusty old fireplaces that, despite not actually working, bring an instant punch of vintage style to the room.

But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are tons of ways to add character to a new build, from simple tricks like hanging quirky wall art, to replacing floors and even front doors. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Banish the blank walls

Blank walls are the enemy of character. Fact. And while many of us repeat the mantra, ‘I really must put some artwork up’ every time we have a guest over, most of us never actually get around to it. So, if you’re looking to give your newbuild some character, now’s the time to populate those glaringly white walls with a quirky wall canvas or two (or three or four). Offset your new solid wood floors (we knew you’d go for it) with a modern abstract framed picture like this one for a contrasting, effortlessly stylish finishing touch. Incorporating juxtaposing styles into your home is a great way to add period character while maintaining a sense of chic modernity. And the same logic works the other way around too. If you’ve gone for modern furnishings throughout your home, add a splash of vintage charm with something like this decidedly retro Cuban car wall picture.

First impressions count

One way to set your home apart from the newbuilds alongside it is to give it a bit of TLC from the outside. Changing your front door, for example, can have a huge impact, transforming your home and providing that lovely period charm from the minute you walk up the drive. Ditch the uPVC and replace it with something characterful like solid wood or timber to dial your property backwards in time, and up in effortless style. Complete the look with a bricked driveway (if it isn’t already) and plenty of thoughtful finishing touches to your garden or front yard. Think twinkling tealights in outdoor lanterns, hanging baskets and lots of lovely ivy.