12 new build decor ideas: Add character and style to cookie-cutter spaces

If you’re looking for some new build decor ideas to add character to your home, you’ve clicked on the perfect blog. We have several top trends and unique ideas ready to inspire your renovation.

New builds are dominated by straight lines, clean edges, and similar layouts. However, despite the lack of Edwardian or Georgian features, you can create unique architectural features with a few key design tricks.

Just keep scrolling for all the best ideas to consider when decorating your new build. And if you can’t wait to get started, pop your postcode into the search bar below and we’ll send you a list of our top painting and decorating professionals.

New build decor ideas: Make a house a home with personalised touches

Top tip: Consider new home ideas in the building phase of development

One of the most wonderful things about buying a new build is the blank canvas it represents. As a result, you have the luxury of choosing the decor for your home before you move in.

As there’s no preparation work required (i.e. no wallpaper removal or paint stripping for you!), you’re free to get started from day one. Consider the following before doing so:

• Measure each room and consult your floorplans when considering your new build decor
• Create a mood board or Pinterest board of your favourite interior design styles
• Choose an aesthetic and colour palette for complementary painting and accessorising
• Consider sustainable and eco-friendly materials to future-proof your home
• Scroll through this blog for inspiration!

1. Merge Scandi and rustic elements into your new build decorating ideas

For boxy spaces, adding depth and texture is the key to giving your home some character. Scandi design is clean, warm, and functional, which is great for opening up a stark room but not so great for adding architectural interest.

However, if you’re a fan of the neutral design trend, add some hygge elements such as big knit throws, velvet cushions, and fluffy rugs to balance clean with cosy.

For the best result, keep the decor light and homely, and consider breaking up the room with a wooden divider, seagrass storage baskets, and stackable coffee tables.

2. Create contrast with wall shelf panelling and bold colours

To liven up your new build and give it some architectural style, consider adding coving, beams, picture rails, and wall panelling to your blank canvas.

Finish with bold paint colours such as teal, which is always on-trend, and pair with metallic accessories including plant pots, drinks cabinets, and framed artwork. The differing depths and playful textures will add instant character.

Related content: Teal living room ideas: how to embrace this power-packed colour.

3. Break up your new build decor with broken plan elements

Most new builds boast open-plan layouts to make the most of smaller square footage. Consequently, dividing the room with a ‘broken plan’ design is one way to add instant character.

For example, industrial bookshelves double up as a room divider without boxing in smaller spaces. Whether you use them to create an office, a reading nook, or to divide your living room from your dining room, pick one with glass and mirrors to ensure cohesion and spaciousness.

4. Infuse eco-friendly materials with biophilic trends

Turn your new build home into an airy, plant-infused Eden with biophillic design tricks. Plants are great for your well-being, lightening your mood and lung capacity. So, using them to decorate your home is an easy win for both your interior design and mental health.

If you’re not the green-fingered type, choose easy-to-care-for plants such as prayer, palms, ivy, succulent, and snake varieties. Follow their care instructions and add sticky critter catchers to each pot if you’re worried about a bug infestation.

Related content: Ideas to create your own indoor garden.

5. Shake up your new build decorating ideas with colour-blocking paint trends

Colour blocking is a burgeoning interior design trend. It uses bright and bold colours to transform any room from boring to ‘good morning!’ In essence, it takes colours on the opposite ends of the colour wheel and pairs them in interesting combinations.

However, there are several ways to apply colour blocking – originally inspired by the Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian. The idea is to add distinct blocks of colours and paint them in patterns such as arches, squares, and circles for a unique finish.

6. Your new build house decorating ideas should always include a photo wall

Another way to infuse your personality into your new build home is to add a picture feature wall, which is a great way to showcase your taste and style. It’s also great if you don’t want to paint your walls for any reason but want to enjoy a unique feature.

For a clean and classy look, choose similar frames and arrange them in a block pattern. Alternatively, if you’ve painted your walls with bright and bold colours, find contrasting and complementary artwork to create a striking focal point.

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7. Get closer to nature with a living wall for harmony and tranquillity

Take a walk in nature with an eco-friendly interior design by choosing raw materials with a low carbon footprint. For example, living walls, seagrass rugs, hessian baskets, wool pouffes, recycled metal furniture, bamboo shelves, and concrete plant pots.

A living wall is a contemporary design feature with a host of benefits. Enjoy fresher air, a lighter mood, and a more environmentally friendly carbon footprint.

Related content: How to make your home more eco-friendly: Sustainable solutions for greener living.

8. Inject some wow factor with 3D wallpaper

With murals rising in popularity, it wasn’t long before 3D wallpaper burst onto the scene too. Made up of multiple layers and textures to give the illusion of depth, it’s not hard to see why 3D wallpaper is a surefire way to give your new build instant character.

Whether you use it to entertain your children, to transform your living area, or to create a dreamscape in your bedroom, embrace the creativity and enjoy the immersive experience good interior design can offer.

9. Give your space a glow-up with strip and pendant lights

Infuse warmth and personality into your interiors with well-placed lighting. As new builds are contemporary canvases, where you put extra lights is entirely up to you.

Consider strip lights along the edges of your ceiling to subtly illuminate your room. Alternatively, use floor lights for an ethereal glow from below. And of course, no room is complete without a set of pendant lights offering form and function. There’s a reason they’re always on-trend!

Related content: Living room ceiling lighting ideas – 11 lightbulb moments.

10. Add a large mirror to give the illusion of depth and spaciousness

It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book; however, playing with light and reflections is character-building (in a design sense).

A big and beautiful mirror works as both a feature and functional assistant. It helps bounce light around a room and makes it feel bigger than it is, which is great for smaller spaces.

Furthermore, a mirror does its job regardless of whether the source of light is natural or artificial, which means your room’s ambience will shift depending on the time of day.

11. Install shelving units to maximise your floor space

A good shelving unit maximises your floor space and gives your new build character and style at the same time. For example, open shelves or floating and closed mixes are good options for maintaining an air of spaciousness.

Similarly, choose a floor-to-ceiling design to make the most of your vertical real estate, and mix and match your storage and display items for a functional and attractive feature.

Related content: Shelving ideas: stylish shelf designs to boost storage.

12. Increase your privacy with balcony blooms

If your new build comes with a balcony, this precious extra space deserves your attention. What you’re able to do with it depends on the type of balcony you have (e.g. Juliette, nursery, cantilever, or stacked). However, securing your privacy with plants and screens is an easy way to create a private sanctuary.

If you have a more sheltered balcony, consider growing your own food or flower garden. Protected from the wind and harsh UK weather, it’s easy to install a vegetable patch and start on your journey towards self-sufficiency.

Related content: Costs and ideas to grow your own balcony garden for the Chelsea Flower Show.

Did you find what you were looking for? There’s more where this came from. Check out our blog for more trends, top tips, and design inspiration.