It might be exciting to move into a new house or freshly remodeled space, but there is such a thing as a new house that looks too new. Well, the sleek, contemporary design is nice, but if a room lacks energy, it could feel chilly. While we won’t advise you to tear out your brand-new floors and replace them with reclaimed barn wood, you can give even the newest house the appearance of having some quaint past with a little bit of work.
To give a home a more lived-in appearance, we asked three interior designers to discuss little improvements and do-it-yourself projects that either homeowners or renters may implement. Continue reading for advice on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Accept used goods
The quickest and simplest method to give your house a worn-in look is by adding antique furniture and accessories, according to Deb Foglia, the creator of the online marketplace Vintage Keepers and the blogger behind Seeking Lavender Lane. According to Foglia, “90% of the stuff in my house is vintage.” “Items with charm that were previously owned by someone else change the atmosphere of your house instantly.”
Accept restored accents
Whitney Leigh Morris, author of Small Space Style and creator of the Tiny Canal Cottage, advises adding a touch of recycled materials to your home to increase its charm factor, even if your furnishings are more recent. “Antique pulls, door knobs, and hinges can do amazing things,” she claims. Similar to this, you can top a dresser, console, or countertop with a surface made of reused materials that you can custom-size, such as natural stone or reclaimed wood.
Combine and contrast
Morris and Foglia both point out that matching finishes and furniture are frequently characteristics of newly designed spaces. Try to mix and match your new and used furnishings, and shop between brands rather than just one. Morris affirms, “The sofa and armchair can indeed contrast.” “This method brings back memories of a time when handmade, unique, and mismatched items adorned well-loved rooms, rather than a lot of newly manufactured goods.”
Finish layer on walls from the Old World
Morris has been building a new home for the past year, but the textured walls make the newly constructed home appear anything but clinical. According to Morris, “Old homes develop beautiful, rich patinas of all sorts over time.” Applying Tadelakt, a plaster finish, and layering lime paint can help create an atmosphere that is comparable. Since these mixtures have centuries-old roots, applying them to walls and ceilings naturally creates an Old World, texture-rich effect.
Add a little trim.
Adding trim and molding to drywall is another way to give it personality. Foglia updated her home’s picture frame molding in multiple rooms, and she claims that anyone with a miter saw, nail gun and rudimentary DIY abilities can do the project on their own. According to Foglia, “Any wainscoting, shiplap, or molding gives a room dimension and instantly looks older.”
Recognize your metals
Partners at Sunny Circle Studio, a blog and design studio located in Raleigh, North Carolina, Erin Wheeler, and Amy Burgess advise paying attention to the finishes on hardware, door knobs, and light fixtures. According to Wheeler, “I really love brass, especially antique brass, which gives a room a little more lived-in, like it has a story.” She points out that even if it’s a tiny element, the warmth and patina of the metal can alter the room’s overall appearance. Additionally, don’t stress about getting all of your metals to match; with time, a room will appear curated with a range of finishes.
Replace the sink in your bathroom.
Look to the sink if you want to give your bathroom more personality without completely gutting it and starting again, advises Foglia. Foglia used a repurposed hammam bowl as a sink in her own house. According to her, “a vintage vessel sink is usually more affordable than a traditional one and instantly gives space more character.” Another choice? Rather than buying a vanity off-the-shelf, place a sink on top of an antique dresser or cabinet; all you have to do is drill a few holes in the plumbing.
Make use of table lamps
Even if your house has state-of-the-art lighting, accent lights are the perfect way to add coziness. The more the merrier, according to the design experts we spoke with. According to Foglia, lamps have a particularly big impact on the kitchen since they give unexpected living room design there.
Create a gallery wall that is genuinely unique.
Like a gallery wall, nothing shouts “collected over time” like this. According to Wheeler, it makes no difference if you truly purchased your artwork online as opposed to visiting several antique stores throughout the years. A gallery wall, particularly if you use sentimental items and photos, can instantly create the atmosphere of a well-loved house. A 1940s picture of Wheeler’s grandfather and a handkerchief her business colleague Burgess brought back from a vacation are mixed into Wheeler’s own wall arrangement.
Obtain some vegetation
Adding live elements to your home, such as houseplants, is a wonderful way to make it seem cozier. Combine diverse planter and pot forms, as well as a range of leaf varieties and plant sizes, to add even more appeal. Morris is a strong supporter of this design trend and has plants in every room of her house, even the bathroom.
