So, you’ve bought your first home. Congratulations! That wasn’t an easy task, something you’ll know well from the many thousands you’ve had to scrimp, scrounge and save just to get a look-in on that first rung of the property ladder. But here you are – and now, you’re faced with the blank canvas of an empty building to make wholly your own.
This is another cause for celebration but is more often than not a major cause of anxiety, and even executive dysfunction, in new homeowners. How on earth are you meant to make this space reflect you?! Luckily, it’s not as hard as it might seem when standing in the middle of an empty room, nor as expensive as you may be worried about post-purchase. Here are some simple ways to add character and personality to any room, without bringing in the builders.
Use Paint in Creative Ways
One of the most powerful and accessible tools at your disposal, when looking for cheap routes to personalising a new home, is the humble paintbrush. Professional painters are absolutely worth the large fees they can command, but only if you value convenience and perfection with equal weighting. Realistically, two cans of paint, half a day and some plastic sheeting are all you need to make significant and characterful changes to your home.
You could simply paint a room, but where’s the fun in that? Consider painting a feature wall to draw attention or lengthen a space, or even try painting a strong “colour block” behind a sofa or bed to create a focal point. Painting your skirting boards a contrasting colour, or painting a ‘zone’ in an open-plan room, can also add dimensionality to the space.
Layer Your Lighting for Atmosphere
If you’ve bought from a recent development, you’ll understand well that, even with the bright and clean nature of new build homes, the lighting involved can be stark as they come. You’ll also be no stranger to the power of a good lamp.
Without even breaking out a screwdriver, you can completely change the mood of a room with layers of lighting. Think not just about hue, but also about height; a floor lamp in a reading corner, a table lamp on a side table, and a string of ‘fairy lights’ across a corner can together create three-dimensionality that no paint job ever could – with the added benefit of a warmer, more comfortable space.
Introduce Texture with Textiles
A similar result can be gleaned from using textiles judiciously. A room with only hard surfaces will feel cold, brutal and empty; if you’re not a minimalist by nature, this is not your bag. Add warmth and comfort with a large, soft rug to anchor your furniture and define the space; create texture on the walls with a tapestry hanging, and hang full, floor-length curtains to tie the space’s dimensions together
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