When Your Builder Grade Home Needs Character
After walking through many builders’ model homes with designer touches, unimaginable upgrades and perfectly manicured landscapes, move in day to your builder grade home may feel a little underwhelming. You have probably waited many months or more than a year to move in while daydreaming of that perfect look. It is not surprising then, if it feels a little flat when you realize how stripped down the basic model really is. Time for a perspective shift! Let’s look at ways to make this clean slate reflect your personal style and feel like home.
There are many home improvement projects from do-it-yourself upgrades to more complex work that can add character and value to your home. Most people can tackle painting walls, swapping out cabinet hardware and changing light fixtures over the weekend to make a big impact almost immediately. Affordable changes like these can establish the mood and style of your house. These elements create a basic foundation for your personal items like furniture, art, and accessories.
One of our favorite ways to give a home an elevated sense of style is through applied moldings including picture molding, beadboard wainscoting, board and batten and paneled walls. There are so many options for trim molding and they can define spaces and bring attention to your focal points. The additional trim finishes ground a home and give it a a sense of belonging in the space.
Lighting is KEY! Layers of lighting are essential in a well-designed space. Think from top to bottom - you are probably working with general lighting from can lights in the ceiling overhead and builder grade fixtures. You have a chance to make a real statement in the next layer of lower hanging ambient light from chandeliers and pendant lights, then at eye level consider the wall sconces. Some people have referred to lighting as the jewelry of the home and we agree that upgraded lighting is a worthwhile splurge. When you have a fabulous, attention grabbing light fixture, it makes the whole space feel more high-end, even if you hang them near a builder grade vanity (with upgraded hardware of course!).
Bigger budget items such as upgraded flooring and installing tile, for example, are better left to the professionals unless you are very handy and experienced with specialized tools for the job. However, a new tile backsplash that embodies your aesthetic tastes will not break the budget and can totally transform even the most basic kitchen into something you really love. Backsplashes are at eye level and a natural focal point. Another smart move to make a builder-grade kitchen work best for you is to add cabinet storage inserts - we are freely promoting the absolute genius of Rev-a-Shelf! They make trash pull outs, small appliance lifts, tray dividers and spice racks just to name a few of our favorite go-to kitchen storage ideas.
Built-in cabinets and shelves are a tried and true trick of the trade. They are favorites for good reason- they maximize space and improve functionality. The customization of an odd niche into a bar, dog feeding station or a bookcase, for example, can add new zones to enjoy in your home and bring life to an open, undefined space.
Finally, look up and don’t forget your ceilings. Think of them as your fifth wall. Details like crown molding, wood paneling and beams or even wallpaper can make a big impact and make some low ceilings feel higher.
With a little effort and imagination you can make improvements and investments in your home that make it feel as unique as you, while adding value to your most personal asset - home.