Crafting houses with character – 11 tips for decorating new builds

White walls, modern anonymity, standard double glazing – the classic new build can sometimes leave you feeling uninspired. But all is not lost; you can still bring a little character into homes with no period features.

Whilst you may not have the exposed beams of a traditional cottage, the decorative brickwork of the Victorian era, or the gothic architecture of the 19^th century, a new build is your chance to create your sanctuary in the style you want. From experimenting with colour, adding texture, and layering in patterns with wall art and furniture, you can create a new build home that is beaming with character.

Credit: @our_ruraledgehome

An important rule is to follow your theme and style throughout the home. Consistent details that harken back to the same period will help add authenticity to your space.

Here, we’ll explore three simple tips for bringing character into a newly built home before venturing into some of our favourite ideas for a master bedroom brimming with characterful charm.

Use colour to bring your personality into your new home or create the atmosphere of the period you’re most interested in.

Whether you’re a fan of Barbiecore bedrooms or more intrigued by the depth of burgundy colour pairings, how you pair colours throughout your home can impact the ambience.

Create contrast with accent walls that serve as focal points or look to subtle blends of complementary colours to unify different areas of the home. And don’t think colour just means paint – think about ornaments, accessories, window treatments, and lighting, which all add depth and interest to your rooms. For a truly period feel, though, look to the opulence of dark tones and use neutral colours to emphasise ornate furniture pieces.

Architectural details like sash windows, wooden beams, and ornate mouldings are rare in new-builds. Instead, look to incorporate other striking visuals through the use of patterns and accessories.

For example, pair large geometric prints with finer, detailed designs to draw the eye.

Credit: @holman_home

Additionally, think about how you can incorporate artwork around your new build. Why not move your family pictures into old brass frames and hang them in neutral spaces? Alternatively, you could choose modern wall art to highlight key focal points, near your TV or above accent chairs in the hallway.

Textures and textiles are a must for modern homes that feel too stark or cold.

They add warmth and cosiness to a space and are great for sprinkling a little personality atop a blank canvas. Some of our favourite approaches for using textures to layer charm into your home include:

• Plush rugs
• Textured wall treatments (think bare brick or detailed wallpaper)
• Woven baskets
• Terracotta or patterned plant pots
• Wooden furniture

We hope these tips have helped you think about how to add character to your new build. Now, join us as we explore how to make your bedroom feel like it’s the master suite of a Georgian townhouse.

1. Create your royal chamber with a canopy bed

A symbol of opulence, inspired by the chambers of kings and queens throughout history, a four-post bed adds grandeur to your bedroom.

Traditionally made of oak, walnut or mahogany, the canopy bed was a hallmark of the Tudor period, with lavishly designed bed posts raising to the ceiling and luxurious bedding fit for the grandest of stately homes.

Today, incorporating such extravagance in a modern home may be ambitious, but you can still encapsulate the effect of a four poster bed without the excessive design. Our Monet four poster wooden bed frame balances the lavish spirit of stately homes with a chic, sleek design for the modern bedroom.

2. Add intricate three-dimensional designs with wall panelling

Transform the plain white canvasses of your new build into walls of intrigue and texture.

Credit: @sherrard_house

Wall panelling is ideal for enhancing plain walls and adding charm. From classic bevelled designs to the more contemporary elegance of square and vertical panels, wall panelling brings life to your bedroom walls. This design choice has an illusionary effect that transforms the feel of the room, filling the space in large bedrooms and making ceilings look taller in small rooms.

What’s more, as daylight transcends over the inserts of the panel, shadows will add that extra layer of character. Plus, wall panelling serves as a stunning backdrop for headboards by providing contrast to the headboard material, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the bedroom. This combination works particularly well with upholstered headboards set against wooden wall panelling.

3. Make the curves of a sleigh bed the centrepiece of your master suite

With the graceful curves of the headboard and footboard, a sleigh bed is a truly statement-making frame which harkens back to the grand architecture of Ancient Rome and Renaissance France.

Reminiscent of ancient Roman scrolls, sleigh beds were made popular throughout Napoleon’s 18th-century reign as emperor of France. Modern sleigh beds such as our Ellis and Detroit embrace the luxury textures of velvet, leather, and soft-touch upholstery to create a tranquil yet stylish place to rest your head. With designs that resemble the gentle caress of a sea wave and the button-quilted charm of Chesterfield patterns, sleigh beds add a unique charm to a newly built home.

4. Use the allure of dark tones to transform your space

Immerse yourself in the ambience of dark tones, creating a stark contrast to the typical bright white walls of modern new builds.

Create a bold and sophisticated atmosphere in your new build home by embracing darker hues like burgundy, rich browns, and deep navy blue. Choose these tones for your walls in matte or satin finishes, and consider accent walls to create focal points. Complement the darker colours with warm wood furniture and luxurious upholstery like velvet or leather.

Credit: @thewoodfordproject

Add texture with plush throws and rugs, and strategically use ambient lighting for a cosy feel. Balance the darker palette with lighter elements such as white trim and metallic accents. By incorporating these design choices, you can transform your new build home into a captivating and inviting space.

5. Draw eyes away from monotone walls with a textured headboard

Headboards are more than just practical, they provide contrast to even the simplest wall with their rich textures and patterns.

A headboard can bring vibrancy and contrast to a plain background. Headboards range in design from sleek, contemporary straight lines to curved headboards, such as the Sealy Shard Headboard. Adding a headboard to your room will help to create contrast in front of a wall with a singular blocked colour, adding sophistication and boldness.

6. Show off your personality with patterned wallpaper

Adding intricate wallpaper to your bedroom allows you to express your creative spirit and make a room your own.

Credit: @homewith_jessica

Whether it’s through a jungle of botanical prints or the minimalism of bold shapes, wallpaper offers boundless possibilities. Highlight character through your choice of wall treatments or cultivate tranquil vibes with subtle patterned wallpaper and artwork. An additional touch of wall art can make the room its very own gallery, with distinctive pieces to showcase your personality.

7. Industrialise your room with the striking reflections of a metal bed frame

A metal bed commands attention, with its bold structure that bounces light around the room and contrasts the softer textures of your bedding and bedroom carpet.

Credit: @our_pad_on_the_mews

Break away from the ordinary with a distinctive metal bed frame that adds a unique touch to your home decor. Metal bed frames come in various styles, from sleek and modern to ornate and classic. Consider the understated elegance of the Hatti bed frame or the ornate allure of the Quinn Chrome bed frame, which can infuse charm into your space.

Explore different tones of metal, such as brass, bronze, or chrome, to find a finish that complements your style and enhances the character of your bedroom. Whether you prefer a vintage-inspired look or a contemporary aesthetic, a metal bed frame offers versatility and visual appeal that can transform the ambience of your room.

8. Create a room full of drama with a dazzling light display

Adding character to a new home can be as simple as infusing the space with light, emphasising your room’s furniture and transforming the allure.

From the gentle embrace of warm hues to the crisp clarity of cool tones, lights can revolutionise the feeling of a room. The simple addition of lamps on a bedside table can make a room feel more considered or go all out with an opulent chandelier that harkens back to the bedrooms of the aristocracy. The character that lighting can bring is defined by styles that resonate with your preferences and personal taste; from the bygone areas of art décor to the modern movement of metallic furnishings, lights are the key to bringing life to a blank canvas.

Credit: @renovating_192

To enhance your new-build home further, consider adding lighting fixtures that look like they are part of the property’s original style. Install wall-mounted lights beside your bed or near hanging frames to achieve this effect. You can also make a faux mantel the focal point, where a small shelf can beautifully display decorative candles and lanterns. This approach offers a subtle yet effective way to illuminate and add allure to your new build.

Each of our tips will add character to a bedroom, but it is important to maintain this charm throughout a new build home. For more ways to reimagine your bedroom, read our tips on 5 ways to add colour to your white bedroom.