5 Ways To Add Your Stamp To A New Build
Moving into a new build property can be the thing of dreams. The rooms are freshly decorated, with no nasty tiles hidden under carpet, or layers upon layers of wallpaper to strip.
But along with newly painted walls comes the overwhelm of not knowing where to start. You have white box after white box to decorate!
With the majority of new builds, wallpapering and painting is not usually advised until after a year of living at the property. You need to let the timber and plaster dry properly. So, with that said, we wanted to share five tips on how to add your stamp to a new build when you’re working with a blank canvas and you’re unable to get the paint brush out.
ONE ROOM AT A TIME
The first point we should make is, although it can feel daunting faced with a complete house to decorate, the key is not to rush. The house isn’t going anywhere so we say choose a room you’ll be spending the most time in – is that the living room or bedroom perhaps? And start designing that space first. Once you’ve pulled one room together, you’ll feel encourage to turn your hard to the others. Plus, it’s unrealistic to think you can create your dream home in just a couple of weeks. Take the pressure off and enjoy your new-found space.
ADD ACCESSORIES
When you’re unable to paint, colour, prints and patterns can be found in cushions, throws, flowers (real and artificial), decorative accessories, rugs, artwork, and statement furniture. The latter could include velvet dining chairs, or a large family-friendly sofa. Once you’ve invested in these items you can take your time to work out what paint you’d like when the time comes to get the brushes out. If you’re missing colour on the wall, consider adding a shelving unit to break the expanse of white paint – you’re not having to hang anything, and creating the perfect shelfie means you can add colour and interest without ruining the new build walls.
CHANGE FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
Although with many new builds now, you get the choice of picking new fixtures and fittings before you buy. But if that’s not the case, just changing the door handles, light fittings including switches, and hinges to suit your personal style – brass instead of silver, for example – can make the world of difference. If you have standard lights fitted, meanwhile, consider investing in statement lighting, especially in the kitchen and living room. Just by adding pendant lights or a chandelier, for example, the feel of the room can change in an instant.
INVEST IN WINDOW DRESSINGS
There are a variety of ways to dress your windows, especially in a new build where privacy might be required. Nobody wants the new neighbours or work men seeing straight into the living room while they’re enjoying a morning with Phil and Holly. Blinds offer a contemporary balance between privacy and letting light in. Window film is a fantastic alternative for rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom. Shutters, meanwhile, will not only add value to the property, but add a touch of traditional charm not often found with new builds. Finally, panel curtains will add warmth and colour to a room, and a relatively inexpensive way to add interest.
WORK WITH A NEUTRAL COLOUR SCHEME
Finally, when working with a new build, white, grey or cream walls are a given. And when you’re unable to paint for up to a year, sometimes two, you have to work with what you have. Which is where the luxe neutral colour palette comes in. How about integrating metalics, textures such as sheepskin and velvet. Introduce shades of pinks, dove grey, duck egg blue, or sage green. These tones will brighten up your home, all the while working in harmony with your white walls.
Do you live in a new build? Is decorating a blank canvas something you’ve struggled with? Hopefully these five tips will inspire you to make some small changes. You can add your stamp to a new build without feeling overwhelmed.
