Getting the keys to your new home has got to be one of the most exciting moments in life – especially when it’s a brand-new build that has never been lived in before.
But no matter how spacious your new abode happens to be, it’s often the case that new builds are lacking in that more personalised, luxurious feel you may be wanting to create. The exciting part, though, is that they are very much a blank canvas for you to make your mark on – and it couldn’t be easier to start injecting a little personality.
If you’re all set to move into your new place but are keen to start making it feel more like ‘home’, then try these easy ways to create a cosier and more atmospheric feel. Showcasing your own unique taste and injecting a little luxury and sophistication throughout, they are guaranteed to help you create a new home to be proud of.
Design as you build
It’s often possible to buy new build homes off plan, and doing so can give you far more flexibility and control over the end results – and the look and feel of your home, even before you move in. Allowing you to pick your own plot, as well as some of your own fixtures and fittings, it’s a great way to get a head start on making things feel a little homelier.
If you’re keen to have some input throughout the build process, then be sure to make this known early on. As a rule of thumb, you’ll have until the roof is fitted to select your preferences.
Inject some personality
A quick and easy way to inject a little personality into your home once you’ve moved in is to showcase some of your favourite photos and accessories in tasteful ways throughout. If you have some beautiful photo frames you’ve never got around to filling, why not put your photos on a poster and display in your living room or bedroom? You could choose anything from your most professional-looking travel shots, to your more amateur photos of family and friends.
Adding some of your favourite home accessories – from pretty decorative boxes and luxury candles to your most beloved succulents and plants – can instantly add a more ‘lived in’ feel – but remember that less is always more, so display sparingly and avoid creating clutter on your surfaces to keep things looking chic and sophisticated.
Get inspired
If interior design isn’t your forte, but you’re still eager to achieve a beautifully presented home, then enlist the help of your housebuilder. Often, they will have advice and tips ready prepared for you on how to make the best of your property, working closely with professional designers to come up with some expert styling ideas based on the latest home fashion trends.
Pinterest is another great place to gain inspiration and ideas, and will help you understand how best to choose and implement colour palettes and accessorise sparingly.
Light up your living space
Lighting has a huge role to play in creating the right atmosphere for your home, so don’t go buying just any old lights and shades.
Recessed downlights are practical, but can often lack the ability to create that cosy feel you desire. Invest in some feature side lamps to add a softer glow – they’re guaranteed to create a nicer evening ambience, and with a plethora of beautiful statement designs to choose from, they can easily become the stars of your living room.
Straw shades and pendant lights can work well, creating pretty patterns on the wall. Industrial and vintage style free-standing floor lamps can also be effective when placed behind the sofa for backlighting, and are another great way to inject a little personality.
Dress to impress
Window dressing is a simple yet effective way to simultaneously add a little warmth and glamour to your home. Some quality sets of curtains may well be one of the biggest investments you make when it comes to your interiors, but they are guaranteed to have things feeling cosier in minutes.
If your planning on having your curtains custom made, then be sure to measure your window frames with care – particularly if your home features large, full-length or bay windows. You may want to enlist the help of a professional to get this bit right, because curtains that are too short, narrow or bulky have the capacity to ruin the whole effect.
There’s no denying that moving into a new home is exciting, and personalising your new living space can all be part of the fun. With these simple tips, you’ll have it feeling luxuriously homely in no time – and will be eager to have your first guests round to show off the fruits of your labour.