6 Ways to Add Character to Your Builder Grade Home
As a design team that primarily works on older, quirkier homes sprinkled throughout Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, we can understand the appeal of purchasing a newer home a little further out in the ‘burbs.
At least on some level.
For one thing, you can’t beat the space. If you’re a growing family and it feels like you’re bursting at the seams, a larger suburban home might simply make more sense for your needs. Another major benefit is the age. Outside of the city you’ll find a much larger inventory of newer homes with sturdy foundations and modernized mechanical , electrical, and plumbing systems. The sweet luxury of central air-conditioning on a muggy Pittsburgh evening is undeniable.
There are however a few areas where you’ll undoubtedly make concessions — and as designers, these things happen to be pretty big dealbreakers for us (and major factors in why we’ll most likely never move outside of a 5 mile radius of downtown… though that’s a different blog post).
Those things are: Quality, and Character.
The Bummer with Builder Grade
To ensure high profit margins, many developer led move-in ready spec homes are built quickly, using cheap materials. Unfortunately, that’s as true for new properties within the city limits (multi-family, or single family) as it is for homes located in more sprawling suburban plans.
On the other side of that same coin, these homes are often super generic and lack much of the charming character found in older homes. Granted, these spec homes can be “upgraded” at the time of construction to have more aesthetic bells and whistles added — in fact those builders are counting on being able to charge you thousands of dollars to customize to your liking.
But there is a silver lining to buying a builder grade home.
Those same inexpensive materials and slapdash construction all signal an easier path to renovation. Have you ever tried to demo 100-yr-old plaster walls? How about mitigating knob and tube electrical? Cutting into high-quality cast iron pipes? Dealing with newer drywall, wiring, and plumbing is a literal joy by comparison! It all comes undone with little to no resistance. These newer homes also don’t come with as many of the sad, surprise roadblocks and costly repairs that like to hide inside of the walls and underneath the floorboards in older homes.
Whether you’re having a new home built, or you’re exploring purchasing one from someone else, there are so many easy things you can do to add major character to your new digs. And if you’re somewhat of a handyperson with a knack for DIY, even better!
Here are a few ideas to help get the wheels turning:
1. Find Opportunities to Add Architectural Elements
From wimpy stock baseboards, to altogether missing crown molding (and everything that lives in between the two), the lack of substantial architectural elements is one of the most glaring differences between a generic, builder grade home and one that’s a bit more “mature.”
For a simple character boost, start by adding more robust baseboard trim and/or crown molding to your home. Aim for a trim profile that measures 5” or more on the diagonal, but that isn’t overly ornate (which could risk looking dated before too long). To keep the budget in check, stick to the home’s main floor, or even just a few key spaces like the foyer, family room, or your primary bedroom. Keep in mind that if you choose a trim profile that’s too specific and do just a few rooms, it may be harder to match the exact same trim if you decide to move on to other areas of the home at a later date.
You can also make a big impact by adding paneling or decorative trim details to other parts of the wall surface. Try wainscot paneling in a bathroom, or opt for taller board-and-batten style panels in your mudroom or dining room. Box beams can add drama to ceilings in a great room, and louvered interior shutters are a nice architectural upgrade from typical blinds.
If you have a little bit more to spend down the road, you can work with a designer or carpenter to identify opportunities for custom millwork throughout your home. Something like a pair of built-in bookshelves that flank a fireplace, an eat-in banquette with a flip top bench, or a custom closet system will not only increase your home’s aesthetic value, but add useful storage.
A custom wood slat wall and arched bookshelf with base cabinet storage add architectural interest in this Colorful Guest Bedroom.
2. Replace Cabinet & Door Hardware
Hardware is one of those little design elements that you might not even particularly notice unless its bad — and then it’s all you can pay attention to.
While I was attending design school on the west coast, Patrick and I were fortunate to snag a brand new apartment in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood. It was one of those places that poured a lot of money into the lobby and shared amenities, while the individual units were just boring white boxes. One thing that sticks out in my mind about that apartment was the terrible hardware in the kitchen. The cabinet knobs were these super contemporary squares with pointy corners. If you were moving around the kitchen too quickly, you’d actually jab your hand on them! Not fun.
Even if you don’t want to tackle replacing or refinishing the cabinetry in your builder grade home right away, swapping out the plain or dated hardware to something that’s more your style is an inexpensive way to make the space feel more intentional. Just be sure that the on-center measurements of the hardware you’re replacing matches the new ones, or else you’ll see the old drill holes in your cabinet faces. You can remove one and take it to the store with you to compare, or simply measure the distance from one screw hole to the other and compare that with the manufacturer’s specs if you’re shopping online.
In addition to replacing cabinet hardware, upgrading interior doorknobs is another affordable DIY project that will let put your stamp on your home. It’s easier than it might seem! Here’s an great post from Better Homes & Gardens that breaks down the simple steps (with some pretty detailed photos).
While you’re at it, consider swapping out those basic switchplates and outlet covers, too!
3. Upgrade Basic Lighting Fixtures
You simply can’t talk about builder grade lighting without mentioning the dreaded “boob light” flush mount. I can’t really explain how or why these fixtures came to be so popular — but yes, they’re still happening. In fact, I recently witnessed water leaking from one of these babies when a client had the unfortunate luck of a pipe burst during the recent bought of icy temps over the holidays (thankfully the home was unoccupied, and the damage wasn’t too severe).
Updating the fixtures that are already in place with something that’s more your style is the easiest way to add character. A more dramatic chandelier for your entry, or something that makes a good conversation piece in the dining room is a great place to start. This is the type of project you can easily DIY with a little pre-planning. Just be sure to take the necessary safety precautions (Google is your friend)!
For more advanced electrical upgrades like adding new wall sconces to a hallway, or a gallery light to feature some artwork, it’s probably best to bring in a professional electrician.
While you’re focusing your attention up, take a look at this simple, yet impactful upgrade:
To add more character in this Contemporary Home Office we swapped out a more basic light for this open-weave pendant fixture, and added a simple medallion to beef up the canopy. The custom plant shelf and wallpapered ceiling take it over the top!
4. Invest in Your Kitchen & Baths
They say kitchens and baths sell homes, and there’s a good chance even your builder grade home had some extra attention paid to these spaces. However, those cherry veneer cabinets, granite countertops, and basic stainless steel appliances that were in demand 10-20 years ago aren’t really holding their value today. These items are obviously larger ticket spends than most of the other items on our list, but if you can afford to, investing in your kitchen and bathrooms not only improves the value of your home, but presents a great opportunity for you to add more character.
Even if you don’t want to tackle changing the layout of your kitchen or adding more storage, just updating the countertops will have a big impact — and can even make your cabinets and other surrounding finishes take on a totally different look and feel! If you have a little more to spend, a new appliance suite can also make a huge difference. If you’re looking for a smaller upgrade, start with just the backsplash. Tile trends seem to change every few years, so that’s the easiest way to make your kitchen feel more current.
In the bathroom, consider swapping out your shower and bath fixtures and faucets for something a bit more high end. Like kitchen cabinets, vanities are another place where builder grade homes do not really shine. There are endless vanity options online of course, but if you’re up for the challenge, consider retrofitting a vintage chest of drawers for something more unique!
5. Incorporate Your Personal Style Throughout
When designing a home to sell, the world of real estate recommends steering clear of any choices that are too specific so potential buyers aren’t turned off by the property. That means you most likely inherited some very plain and basic finishes along with your builder grade home. But instead of being uninspired by the sea of greige you’re drowning in, think of it as a blank canvas! This is YOUR home, so it should reflect YOUR personal design style — especially if you’re planning to stay put for awhile!
When it comes to low cost/high impact tools in the world of design, paint is unrivaled. Color can truly transform a space, and is one of the quickest and easiest ways to add tons of character to your home. I personally hate painting, so if you can afford to hire a pro I’d say go that route. The end result will be crisp and you’ll save yourself the headache. If you’d rather save some budget for other things, enlist the help of your friends and family and make a fun party out of it! Just try and save the alcohol until the very end or else you’ll regret it the next day when it’s time for touch-ups.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the infinite possibilities, try reaching out to a designer for a color consultation. They’ll work with you to sort out what colors you’re drawn too, find the right level of contrast to accentuate your walls and trim, as well as understand what color palettes works well with your furnishings. They’ll also consider some of the more complex pieces like the amount of light throughout your home, and how its color temperature might impact a specific paint’s hue or undertones.
In addition to paint, wallpaper is another versatile tool we often use to add character to a generic space. Check out the dramatic before and after images from this maximalist Eclectic Sitting Room:
In addition to adding some much-needed architectural interest with an antique mantle, fireplace insert, and custom built-in storage, we used a soothing green paint color to unify the new elements together. A traditional bird and flower motif wallpaper gives the room historic charm and plays off of the mix of new and vintage furniture pieces.
Do you need some extra guidance, but aren’t quite ready for full-scale design?
Rockledge offers a streamlined “Paint & Paper” consultation for a flat per room rate! Drop us a note for details.
6. Don’t Ignore What’s Happening Outside
While it’s easy to get preoccupied with all the potentional to add character on the inside of your home, don’t neglect your outside spaces! In terms of curb appeal, builder grade homes typically opt for limited landscaping (if any), simple cement slabs at the main entry and patio, whatever exterior lighting is required by safety code, and that’s about it.
If your HOA allows for some personalization, try some low lift upgrades like new address numbers, a nicer mailbox, or new light fixtures. For a bigger DIY impact, try a splashy new paint color on your front door, or plant some shrubs and flowers. If you’d like to invest a little more, a landscape designer can help you overhaul your plants, and even revamp your hardscape with a new front path, or expanded patio space.
Pittsburgh may not have amazing weather year-round, but revamping your exterior space is a great way to make your builder grade home your own. It’s also a great way to make your family and friends come to YOU (homebodies rejoice).
This Backyard Entertaining Space includes an arbor with dual swings centered around a firepit. A teak dining table with room for eight faces a vibrant living wall, helping to camouflage the concrete garage.
Unlike older homes, your new home might not provide you with many design cues to follow — but don’t get discouraged forging your own path! Take your time, focus on adding things you love as you go, and your home will be full of cozy character in no time!
(And if you get stuck or overwhelmed by the “blank slate,” just give us a call!)
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