When looking at new builds, one of the key drawbacks we often hear from buyers is that they lack personality. However, after decades of matching people with the right homes, we can confidently say that this isn’t true. If you buy off-plan, then you can have some say in your choice of finishing touches and potentially even the layout. Even if you buy after the property is built, then everything inside is shiny and new for a completely blank slate. This means that with new builds, it’s easier than ever to make your home your own.
If you’re buying a new property and want some inspiration on how you can add character to new builds, read on for the best new build decor ideas we have come across here at Coleman Estates. But before we look at ideas for decorating a new build home, there are two things you need to watch out for to give yourself the best results.
With everything freshly built, your property is going to need time to settle. As the plaster and other materials dry out, this will cause slight shrinking which leads to minor cracks and gaps. These are completely normal in new homes or renovations requiring new plaster, so there’s no need to worry if you notice them appearing.
The key to minimising these cracks is to allow the materials to dry out gently, so avoid having the heating on full and try to maintain a constant temperature. As materials dry, this will lead to moisture in the air so it’s also best to open windows and keep the property ventilated. After about a year, the house will have settled and you can fill in any cracks that have appeared.
It can be tempting with decorating a new build home to get the walls painted right away, but we would recommend doing this after the drying out period. If you start painting or wallpapering beforehand, then any cracks that do appear will spoil your hard work and will need redecorating.
Instead, use this waiting period to get a feel for the space and how the natural light changes throughout the day. That way, you’ll have no problem choosing a colour scheme for your home that works the first time round, complimenting the light and space available while creating the right ambience.
New builds have gained a reputation for being poorly built and full of imperfections, but this is quickly changing and according to the latest new home customer satisfaction survey, homeowner satisfaction was at an all time high between 2019 and 2020. In fact, only 6% of respondents were either fairly dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the overall quality of their home.
Despite this huge improvement in quality, there are still going to be small snags—after all, builders are still human. Although people are generally happy with the quality of their home, the above survey also revealed that 94% have reported snags and defects to their builder since moving in, of which 25% reported more than 16 issues.
When you move in, inspect every corner of your home and look out for any imperfections, or look at bringing in a professional snagger to do this for you. Your new build should come with a ten-year structural warranty, which will also cover minor defects found within the first couple of years. Report any issues you notice as soon as you find them, and your builder will help rectify the problem and make sure everything is perfect with your new home.
Some common things to watch out for are glass, fireplace surrounds, kitchen appliances, fixtures and fittings, tiles and flooring. You should also check for any extras you paid for, making sure they have all been correctly installed.
Now you have an idea of what to watch out for when decorating a new build home, let’s take a look at some of our favourite decorating trends for new build homes. We’ve also included some of our favourite Instagram accounts for inspirational interiors, showing exactly how you can add character to a new build property.
If you’re after budget friendly home decor ideas, then panelling is a fantastic choice. Using MDF, it’s a relatively affordable way of bringing character and charm into a modern property while also hiding any movement cracks that keep coming back. Depending on your choice in style, it can be as minimalist or extravagant as you want, adding either a rustic or opulent charm. Whatever style you choose, it will add interest and texture to an otherwise plain wall.
ourtravelhome is a great example of how even the simplest panelling design can make a modern new build feel warm and cosy. By painting the wood panels white, they simply bring a new texture to the room that is elegant and subtle. Paired with natural wooden accents, this modern rustic charm has a perfect balance to the overall feel of her new build property.
The styling options for this trend are so versatile that it can quickly add character to new builds (making it great for decorating a new build home) and any other style or age of property. In fact, it’s so popular that nearly all the other accounts featured in this article also use it in their own homes, showing a whole range of panelling possibilities.
If you want a calming Scandinavian living room style, then your new build is halfway there. The bright white emulsion walls are perfect for going straight in with muted off-white and neutral colours without worrying about previous colour choices pushing through.
The key here is to look for the right furniture that maximises the space available while choosing cosy accessories that bring nature inside. Think wooden shelves, comfy cushions, plants and pops of contrasting colour, creating a warm and inviting space that wraps you in comfort.
As well as ourtravelhome, take a look at myscandinavianhome which is full of inspiration for a Scandinavian-inspired home. Taking the very best of Nordic style from homes around the world, Niki shows how to contrast natural woods and muted tones with dark feature pieces to create a minimal interior with a big impact.
If white isn’t your cup of tea and you want something bolder, the white emulsion walls are also ideal for colour blocking. By contrasting bright colours against the white, you can make them pop even more, filling your new build home with lots of energy and a loud personality.
First decide how you’re going to use each room. Again, waiting for the property to dry out completely will allow you the time needed to work this out. Once you know which rooms you want to be calm and which ones are going to be full of energy, then you can start picking out colours for each one.
Mel over at awholenewbuild has filled her home with big, bold colours and designs to create some truly inspirational interiors for decorating a new build home. From ceiling rainbows and dalmatian spots to wild wallpapers and floral staircases, every corner of her new build home is packed with personality and we can’t get enough of it!
Since you’ll be moving into a brand new kitchen, there won’t be that much to do in this space. However, it’s amazing how the smallest changes can make the biggest difference to a room, and the kitchen is a perfect example of this.
Both awholenewbuild and thegirlwiththepinkdoor really went all out with their kitchen makeovers, showing just how much you can add character to new builds by simply choosing the right tiles and cupboard doors. For a more subtle approach, jess_at_the_emerson has added some white geometric tiling to extend her splashback, keeping things modern and minimalistic while still adding personality.
If every house on the street looks the same, you can use more than just planting to add character to new builds. Whether you’re going for Scandinavian, modern, country cottage or big and bold, decorating the front door will set the tone for the rest of your interior.
Our first piece of advice is to be brave and choose bold colours! athomewithdarling has transformed her new build exterior by painting her front door a fabulous shade of dusky pink. Secondly, simple accessories can make a huge difference to your home’s appearance. Accessories are great if your new build is under a stewardship scheme and you’re limited to how much you can change the outside of your home’s appearance. houseatno5 shows how some seasonal wreaths and accessories can create a warm welcoming for your visitors.
If you want a home full of character, then new builds offer the perfect canvas for creating whatever style of property you want. Whether you’re after a traditional period feel or a more modern, minimalist design, the blank walls mean you can design and accessorise your home exactly to your liking with very little outlay.
With years of working closely with local developers, our experts know all about the latest new build developments within Telford and the surrounding area. We will work with you throughout the build, helping you choose your finishing touches and communicate any changes to the layout if you buy off-plan.
If you’re considering a new build property, contact the Coleman Estates team today. We would be delighted to walk you through the process and answer any of your questions surrounding off-plan purchasing, finishing touches and new build guarantees. We can also offer more ideas and inspiration on decorating a new build home, so you’ll be ready to make your home your own.
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