Moving into a new build has its perks, from fresh paint to modern finishes, and the excitement of a blank canvas to work with, but it can also feel a little too perfect. They often come across like a model home rather than a reflection of you. Without the quirks and details that older homes often carry, new construction sometimes lacks the warmth and personality that make a space truly inviting.
However, with a few thoughtful design choices and personal touches, you can easily infuse character into your new build and create a home that feels both stylish and lived-in. In this blog, we’re going to take you through all the ways you can add a bit of character to your new build from the living room to the bathroom, to make it feel like home.
The best ways to add personality to a new build
Luckily, there are many ways you can add personality to your new builds. From incorporating textures to painting your radiators, below we’ve included some of our favourite ways to make a new build uniquely yours.
Take advantage of the blank canvas
Many new builds often feature plain white walls that often make your space feel like a cookie-cutter home or even a little clinical. However, these uninspiring walls can actually double as the perfect canvas to transform your home. New build walls should be perfectly straight and ready to paint without sanding down any bumps, removing lining paper or wallpaper, or covering old paint. So before you begin adding in furniture and decorations, make use of the free space and tackle the walls first.
You can do this in many ways, from painting your walls or incorporating wall panels for a creative look. We recommend wall panels above all else, mainly because panels also offer a variety of benefits for you and your new build, such as being easy to install and maintain and featuring moisture-resistant properties - making them suitable for any room in your home.
You also have the opportunity to make a stunning feature wall using acoustic slat wall panels or incorporating more rustic styles, like with these Vox Vilo Vintage Brick panels - making it easy to add that much-needed character to your home.
Discover interior design trends
If you’re ever in doubt, interior design trends are a great way to find your style. There are many styles, both old and new, that have inspired homeowners and helped to bring some of that creativity. The most popular home designs include Japandi, which is a combination of Scandinavian and Japanese home décor and is made to embrace slow living and contentment - a wonderful choice for those who value peaceful surroundings.
Choose furniture wisely
When it comes to furnishing a new build, the key to adding character is mixing styles, materials, and finishes rather than buying everything from one showroom. A home feels more layered and interesting when pieces look collected over time. For a cohesive look, all your furnishings should have overlapping elements, whether that be texture or colour. For example, try pairing a sleek modern sofa with a vintage coffee table, or balance new dining chairs with an antique sideboard for balance.
Incorporate plants
Incorporating plants is one of the easiest ways to breathe natural life and personality into a home. Often, the clean, sharp lines of a new build can feel stark and maybe a bit overwhelming, so adding in some soft green edges can not only soften up the feel of a room but also brighten it up.
Tall floor plants like fiddle-leaf figs or olive trees make striking focal points, while smaller potted herbs in the kitchen or trailing vines on shelves bring charm to everyday spaces. Beyond their beauty, plants also improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere, helping your new build feel welcoming and lived-in.
Add colour to liven up the place
Adding colour is a powerful way to give a new build its own identity and move it away from the all-neutral, blank-slate look many new homes start with. Instead of defaulting to builder beige or white walls, consider introducing rich paint colours, bold accent walls, or patterned wall panels to showcase your personality.
Try these Aquarius wall panels for a vibrant pop of calming blue. The colour instantly lifts any room from plain to stylish, and these panels are easy to install and come with moisture-resistant properties, making them a quick and easy way to transform any room in your home.
Or if you prefer a more muted tone, try these sage green wall panels. Perfect for a more subtle pop of colour in your home and a great way to add character to your new build without going overboard.
Add texture
New builds can often feel too sleek or uniform, so incorporating texture is like a chunky knit throw on a leather sofa, or a jute rug over hardwood floors, creates visual interest and a sense of cosiness. Natural elements such as wood, stone, wicker, and metal not only add tactile appeal but also make a space feel more grounded and lived-in.
A great way to add texture to your home is with panelling. Take these French Oak Water-Resistant Slat Wall Panels that create an instant 3D texture on your interior walls, making it the perfect way to add texture and depth to your home before you’ve even added the furniture. Complete with lightweight, easy-to-clean and install features, they’re an obvious choice for any homeowner.
Don’t neglect hallways
Many people often overlook the spaces in between rooms in their home, but they’re just as important when it comes to the overall interior look. Hallways are the connection between rooms and, therefore, should offer fluidity and connectivity for a cohesive home. There are many ways you can decorate a hallway, and if you’d like to learn more, you can discover some great hallway design ideas in our blog.
Create contrast
Creating contrast is a great way to add instant character and dimension to a new build. Contrast can come from mixing light and dark tones, pairing modern pieces with vintage finds, or combining sleek finishes with raw, natural textures. For example, a matte black light fixture against a crisp white ceiling makes a bold statement, while a rustic wooden dining table paired with contemporary chairs adds balance and interest.
However, creating contrast can be done wrong and can become clashing rather than stylish, so be careful not to go too overboard by combining strong patterns. Instead, try one bold pattern with something more plain and simple, like a pattern rug against subdued floors for a successful style.
Paint your doors and radiators
Another often overlooked part of adding character to a home. Painting your doors and radiators has grown more and more popular. Instead of sticking with standard white finishes, consider painting interior doors in a bold or moody shade - like deep navy, sage green, or charcoal to create a striking focal point in your rooms. Even a soft pastel or muted neutral can add depth and break up a sea of plain walls.
Radiators, however, can be painted to either complement or contrast the walls behind them, again creating an interesting focal point. These small changes add personality and a custom feel, helping your home look thoughtfully designed rather than straight from the builder’s catalogue.
Don’t forget about your exteriors
Don’t forget the exterior when adding character to your new build; after all, first impressions matter just as much as interiors. Simple upgrades like painting the front door in a bold, welcoming colour or swapping standard door hardware for more distinctive designs can make a world of difference.
Adding window boxes, potted plants, or seasonal wreaths brings warmth and personality, while exterior lighting such as lantern-style sconces or pathway lights enhances charm and curb appeal. You can also take it a step further by using exterior wall panels such as these Golden Oak Vox Fronto Slat Wall Panels to completely transform the outside of your home and add a layer of warmth, and make it one of a kind on your street.
Update your flooring
While your walls may be your first thought, flooring can make a huge difference in the look of a space. SPC flooring in particular is a great, easy-to-install and easy-to-maintain solution for transforming your mundane new build into something with plenty of character.
Try these Carron Oak Herringbone SPC Flooring to add some contrast and intrigue to your rooms. Feature a wood effect to help bring some grounded, natural visuals to your spaces; they’re a great option for adding both texture and contrast.
Or if you prefer a brighter look, these Sand Stone SPC Flooring mimic the effects of stone without the hassle of the upkeep. They have a nice neutral look. This flooring brings a sense of calm airiness to your rooms and can be used anywhere from your bathrooms to your bedrooms.
Decorate your walls
Decorating your walls is one of the quickest ways to give a new build home personality and prevent it from feeling too bare or boxy. Instead of leaving large stretches of blank space, consider creating a gallery wall with a mix of artwork, photographs, or prints that reflect your style. Oversized statement art can also anchor a room and add drama, while mirrors bring both character and light by bouncing it around the space, often making a room feel bigger and airier.
Add character to your new build with Panel Company
Turning a new build into a home full of character doesn’t require major renovations; it’s all about layering in thoughtful details that reflect your personality. The blank canvas a new build offers is a great starting point for homeowners to transform their house into the perfect reflection of themselves. From furniture and colour to texture and plants, every choice adds depth and individuality.
Make sure you start at the base and tackle those white walls first with our full range of wall panels here at the panel company. With a wide range of styles and benefits, find something for every room with options for kitchen panelling and bathroom panelling.
