Walking into a home that feels distinctly “you” is one of life’s great comforts. However, achieving that sense of personalization can sometimes feel like a challenge, especially in a non-custom home where the design choices are predetermined. But there are countless ways to infuse character into your living space, transforming it into a reflection of your unique style and personality.
In this blog, we’ll explore the art of adding character to a non-custom home with Chesney and Holly. Whether you’re renting, living in a builder-grade house, or simply don’t have the budget for a full-scale renovation, there are plenty of custom and creative budget-friendly strategies you can employ to make your space feel like home.
Rooms to Focus on First
It can be overwhelming to pinpoint exactly what room to begin renovating or updating first, but our designers have a couple tips on how to choose your first project. Chesney suggests “focusing on the spaces that guests see and that the homeowners spend the most time in. Generally, this tends to be the entryway and great room as well as the primary bedroom.” Holly adds “the kitchen and primary bedroom can make you feel the biggest impact.” Redesigning one of these spaces can breathe life into your home and make it instantly feel more peaceful and welcoming.
Chesney transformed her client’s primary bedroom into a peaceful retreat to give her client a new sense of “home” and personalization.
Quick Ways to Add Character
If you’re attempting to add personalization to a space quickly, we recommend adding color, wallpaper, or updating lighting in your space. If you like bold colors and wallpaper, but you’re not quite ready to commit to painting a frequently used room, we suggest using these tips in a powder bathroom first as it can be quickly achieved and create a stunning conversation piece.
In this bathroom, Chesney added a statement wallpaper to create excitement and transform her client’s space.
Holly shares one of her favorite ways to introduce color is to add specialized art and apply color to the ceiling as it creates a huge impact. She added neutral navy to her client’s Great Room ceiling to boost character. She also painted a custom series for her client, incorporating the colors of the room.
Chesney updated the lighting in this client’s home by replacing the Dining Room light with can lights to open up the space. She also switched out the Great Room fan with a beautiful statement chandelier. With a few tweaks and some new pieces, these refreshes completely transformed her client’s spaces.
Adding Character With Construction
If you’re open to construction projects, Holly suggests adding a fireplace or remodeling it to add character to your space. “It’s not only a great design element but it serves a function and generates warmth. There are so many possibilities for surfacing fireplaces too, some of my favorites are thin brick, cobblestone, tile, and currently working on a project where plaster will surface the fireplace for a faux limestone look.”
In this house, Holly added a fireplace that grounded her client’s family room and added character that fit their style. This transformed space now feels inviting and personal.
Adding Thoughtful or Custom Details
When designing our clients’ homes, we take great care to incorporate details that are special and specific to our clients. Every detail is well thought out for each individual client. This includes not only displaying personal items, but also adding style and custom details that are unique to them. Chesney shares, “Design is in the details so anything unexpected such as using tile in a way you don’t normally see it, a bead on cabinet doors that might be unique, warmth with wood details on cabinetry, and transom windows in hallways or custom doors are all great ways to add details to a home.” And, when desired, Holly says, “customizing furniture comes in handy when a particular style, size, or finish needs achieved.”
Chesney created a completely custom kitchen for her clients, making sure no detail was overlooked. She added not only a beautiful trim, but creative wood paneling underneath the island to tie in the flooring color and contrast the light neutral tones of the stools and decor. She says, “listening to the clients wants and needs as well as how they live in their home guides me in what kind of custom details will be ideal for them. Sometimes it is things the naked eye doesn’t see like hidden coffee bars, spice drawers, and wine storage.” Check out these hidden details she used to customize her client’s home.
Texture is also a wonderful accent or detail to add character to a space, whether it be window treatments, a fun rug that fits your personality, a textured throw blanket, or in the small accessories. You’d be surprised how much texture can add to a space and can often be an overlooked detail, causing your space to feel flat. Holly says, “Balancing mixes of wood, metal, glass, and stone textures is my favorite!” They can give a space that final touch it needs to feel uniquely you and allows you to experience the space. Holly features a mix of textures that turned this bedroom into an oasis of comfort.
We hope you can take some of these tips and implement them in your own spaces! Let us know if you do – we’d love to see your creativity. Leave a comment and tell us what your favorite tip was!
Rachel Wolfe
After earning her Bachelor's in Industrial and Innovative Design at Cedarville University, Rachel joined the KP Designs Group team to pursue her passion for interior design and solving problems. Her ever-evolving responsibilities include 3D rendering, graphic design, and now writing our KP Blog in collaboration with our entire design team!
