Whether you’ve chosen a diamond in the rough or a move-in ready house, personalizing your new space will make it feel like home faster. We sat down with interior designer Hannon Kirk Doody of Hannon Douglas for her 5 simple steps for making your new home your own.
1. PAINT
If remodeling isn’t in your budget, consider the transformative power of paint. Paint is the quickest and most cost effective way to start fresh, says Hannon. Painting a room white creates a blank canvas to highlight your furniture and fixtures, while a bold color can completely change the dimension of a room. She suggests an eggshell finish on walls to help hide those bumps and bruises that come with the wear of an older house.
2. LIGHTING
If your new space is looking dated, come to the light. Light fixtures define a home’s style more than you may realize. One easy upgrade is the dining room chandelier, which is a simple switch for any electrician (or a handyman could handle for less money). Just be aware of proportions. “A mistake we see often is when the scale of the fixture is off— in this case bigger is better,” says Hannon.
Related: 5 Ways to Hang Art Like a Pro
3. CARPET
It’s hard to make a fresh start with stains. More times than not when moving into a new home there is carpet in bedrooms that needs to be ripped out and replaced. “We recommend going back with a solid, low pile, neutral,” says Hannon. “We also encourage our clients to add hardwood when able because the life expectancy is much longer and provides a greater value to the home.”
4. CABINET HARDWARE
Changing cabinet hardware in your kitchen or bath is a DIY project almost any homeowner can handle. Brass is back in a big way, and this is a fun way to incorporate it in your new home. Don’t worry if you have a stainless or nickel faucet; we love the look of mixed metals,” says Hannon.
Related: 5 Ways to Make Your Housewarming a Hit
5. LANDSCAPING
Your yard is your home’s first impression – gnarly bushes and weedy flowerbeds don’t make a good one. “Landscaping is very important because it’s the finishing touch that makes the home feel complete,” says Hannon. “Clean out old garden beds, put in new pine straw, and plant flowers that you love to see every day.”
Related: 5 Tips for a Beautiful Lawn
