How to Add Character to Your Home (No Matter Your Style)

Most of us live in homes and apartments that lack any personality whatsoever because they were built quickly and cheaply.

Fortunately, though, there are a ton of things that you can do to add character to a cookie-cutter home. So I'm going to share some quick, easy, and affordable projects that elevate the look of your home.

1. Ceiling treatments

To give your home a way more personalized appearance, you could look to enhance your ceiling.

Now you may be thinking, but who looks at the ceiling anyway? Well, you'd be surprised at just how much of a difference a jazzed-up ceiling can make to the overall feel of a room. There are tons of ways to customize a boring white builder-grade ceiling.

The simplest way is to just paint the ceiling in a different color from the walls to create a visual contrast.

If you paint your ceiling dark, it usually has the effect of lowering your ceiling.

And if you paint it lighter, your ceiling can appear to be taller.

Another option is to add crown molding or some kind of decorative trim.

You could also install faux beams to add architectural interest, warmth, and character to your space.

Or, you could buy some shiplap and shiplap your ceiling to add texture.

Another awesome ceiling element that is cheap to buy and easy to install is a ceiling medallion.

2. Door molding

Molding is the secret ingredient to not only giving a room a ton more character but also making it look more expensive and polished.

But beyond adding molding to your walls, you should also consider adding it to your boring flat doors. The end result is so beautiful, and it will make your home feel so much more luxurious and custom.

Your doors will look ten times more expensive with this tiny addition without actually having to spend hundreds on new fancy doors.

3. Crown molding and baseboards

Having molding is great, but even installed molding can look a little bland and underwhelming.

If you want to make your existing molding look a lot more grand, then you can build up what's already there by adding pieces of trim and painting everything the same color.

4. Accent wall

Many cheaply built homes often come with large, empty stretches of walls because adding features like built-ins is expensive.

Those large stretches of empty walls can definitely be a bit of a snoozefest, and that's where an accent wall comes in.

An accent wall introduces a burst of visual interest and can give your space a focal point.

5. Wood

Part of the reason why I think some homes feel a bit sterile is because they lack any wood elements, so adding wood is a fantastic way to counterbalance the coldness of boring, builder-grade homes.

Wood helps to add a feeling of history and character to cookie-cutter spaces that can often feel lacking in soul.

6. Door knobs

Beautiful door knobs can be a surprisingly powerful force in adding character to a cookie-cutter home. Think of them as the jewelry of your doors.

Boring generic builder-grade knobs feel mass-produced, and they blend into the background.

Upgrading them instantly signals that you've put in thought and care.

7. Light fixtures

Boob lights are the definition of builder grade.

Builders love them because they're cheap and while they are very functional and serve their purpose of providing light, they have about as much style and personality as a paperclip.

Luckily though, replacing them is an easy fix that will make a huge impact on your home's overall aesthetic.

If you're considering making any changes to your home, replacing boob lights or any generic builder-grade light fixtures devoid of personality should be a top priority.

8. Wall vents

Another project that is super easy, low effort, but high impact, is to swap out your plastic wall vents for something cuter and a little bit more decorative.

I don't know why, but so many builder-grade homes always place these ugly vents in really visible spots.

The moral of the story is if you can swap out your builder-grade vents for something nicer, it's totally worth it.

9. Light bulbs

A lot of builders simply aren't thinking about things like lighting. They're just trying to get the job done as quickly as possible, and 5000 Kelvin bulbs are horrible in interiors.

They make everything feel like a hospital.

So if your home feels uncozy but you're not sure why, start by looking at what temperature light bulbs you're using.

10. Window treatments

A lot of basic builder-grade homes have blinds.

Blinds can be functional, but they can also feel very rigid and a little soulless. I prefer to use curtains whenever I can, but if your home has blinds and you want to keep them or you need to keep them, then I highly recommend layering curtains on top of them.

Curtains instantly take any room up a notch, and they add softness and character to your space.

Just make sure you hang your curtains properly.

11. Wallpaper

Wallpaper instantly adds pattern, color, and texture, so it's a fantastic way to break up the monotony of boring walls and create a room that feels more you and more unique.

I love the idea of experimenting with wallpaper in smaller spaces for a little unexpected pop of pattern.