Adding character, personality, and charm to a home is something I think we are all trying to do. Everyone wants a home that is unique to them. A place that is cozy and welcoming and allows us to relax, unwind, and recharge after a long day.
Today I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to add character in a home. Some are easy quick fixes and others take some time and effort. The magic happens when you start to combine more than one technique to create a layered and unique design!
How to add character to your home
SWAP OUT your DOORS
If the doors in your home are plain like mine and lack any design features, why not switch them out? Adding doors with details that are more in line with your style will help to reinforce your design scheme throughout your home.
If swapping them out isn’t an option why not add detail to your existing plain doors? This DIY flat panel door tutorial is easy to follow and a low budget way to create big impact.
And, if swapping out your doors isn’t an option how about painting them instead? Paint is magical. It can be used to highlight features you want to call attention to. Or, if your doors have details you don’t love, paint can be used to disguise and make the features blend into the background.
Change up the hardware on your cabinets and doors
And if your doors lack any detail most likely so does your hardware. Updating your door and cabinet hardware is an easy and quick way to add character and style to your home. It’s these little details that really help to complete the design in your home.
Update the trim and add base and crown in your home
When we first moved into our home, every room had tiny base moulding and no crown to speak of. As we work our way through the rooms, we’ve slowly been swapping out the base for a chunkier traditional one. We’ve also added crown to most of our rooms.
Some of the window trim has also been updated and case moulding added around openings where there is none.
This one is not quite as easy or as quick of a fix as some of the others on the list but, these simple changes have added loads of character and charm to our rooms. Making them feel finished and complete even if they are still in progress.
Add moulding
If you really want to amp up the character in your home add moulding to your walls. Adding picture moulding, board and batten, or another type of wainscoting will add depth and interest to your room.
I love mouldings and we’re slowly working on adding them to our home. The picture moulding we’ve added in our living room is part of the foundation of the design of the space. It’s just one layer that helps us build upon the character in our home and create the look we want.
Dress the walls by adding art
Big blank walls are boring and look so naked to me. If you’re not into adding moulding to your walls make sure you’re adding art. Art is a great way to infuse character and personality into your home. Select pieces that speak to you or your style and you can’t go wrong.
Mix in mirrors and other objet d’art to create an eclectic and unique look that’s all your own. Combine mouldings together with the art to create a layered design that adds tons of character and interest in your space.
Add built-ins
I think built-ins are one of the features in a home that not everyone is necessarily looking for but instantly fall in love with when they see them.
The brownstone we rented years ago had beautiful small built-ins in the kitchen with glass doors. They were one of my favorite features I didn’t know we needed when we moved in. Fast forward to our current home where there is no built-ins insight and I’m missing them.
A custom or semi-custom piece in your home adds loads of character. The trim and details of the piece help reinforce and ground your design aesthetic in a room.
Hang wallpaper
Wallpaper has made a come back in the last few years. It’s a great way to add interest and character to a space. Not to mention color and pattern as well.
The peel and stick removable options allow you to try it out without making a huge commitment. If you end up not liking it or what to change it down the road, just peel it off!
Add antique furniture
If you want a really easy way to add character to your home, take a look at your furniture. Pieces that have been well-loved over the years bring charm and style to a space that can’t be found in the big box stores.
Mixing old pieces with new ones adds richness to the space and helps you create a unique look that can’t be easily replicated.
Source antiques to bring age, character, and patina to a space
Much like antique furniture, the accessories you use in your home should be a mix of old and new if you’re looking to bring in character. Great design is in the details and accessories play a big part in that.
Collect and source pieces from thrift stores and flea markets to mix into your home. Finding pieces with some age, history, and patina will infuse that character into your own home. Helping to create a unique story.
Add vintage textiles
Another great way to add character to your home is through the use of vintage textiles. Some examples include vintage rugs, wall tapestries, table linens, quilts, and coverlets.
Just like with accessories, the age, use of colors, and designs of these pieces are hard to replicate with the use solely of new items. That history is what brings the character to your space helping to create a collected and layered look.
These are my favorite ways to add character to a home.
What things have you done in your own home to add character?
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